Monday 20 February 2012

Always on the right track: Opel web store for navigation updates

Various Opel models can now benefit from latest maps in online store

Opel has set up a new online web store which enables Opel owners with an integrated navigation system to download the very latest versions of electronic maps. NAVTEQ has partnered with Opel to offer maps on individual countries or groups of more than 30 European nations. Prices start at 99 euro (across Europe incl. VAT).


Customers can access the website via www.navigation.com/opel. Users just have to enter the vehicle model, the year of production and the type of navigation system. They are then taken to the relevant update. Customers can order updates for the SD cards for the NAVI 600 infotainment system and the NAVI 900 Europe counterpart. New maps on CD and DVD can also be ordered for the CD 500, DVD 800, DVD 90, DVD 100, CD60-CD80 as well as the NCDR/NCDC systems.

The web store operates in six different languages (German, English, French, Italian, Spanish and Dutch). Opel customers can make their purchases in four different currencies (Euro, British pound sterling, Swiss francs and Swedish kronor). The web portal offers maps for integrated navigation systems used in the Antara, Astra, Combo, Corsa, Frontera, Insignia, Meriva, Omega, Signum, Tigra Twintop, Vectra, Vivaro, Zafira and Zafira Tourer.

For cars which have the Touch & Connect navigation system with its touch sensitive screen (Antara, Corsa, Zafira), Opel can provide new maps directly via accessories sales in Opel’s partner stores.

Travelling with the navigation system: relaxed and efficient driving
A recent study by Opel’s partner NAVTEQ has shown that being guided by a navigation system is not only relaxing. It can save the driver up to 12 percent in fuel and cut CO2 emissions because more efficient and faster routes are found. 

Experts advise users to seek an annual update of the software to get the most out of the navigation system. For example in Germany, around 16,000 speed restrictions can vary within just six months on the one-million kilometers of road. A further 18,300 street names are added or changed in that period. Some 1,000 new one-way streets and 90 new stretches of highway also appear.

New generation of Opel navigation and infotainment systems
Opel’s new infotainment systems Navi 600 and Navi 900 Europe clearly perform better than their CD and DVD supported predecessors. All the maps are stored on SD cards. The maps already contain a number of POIs (Points of interest) when they are first purchased. However, further POIs can then be download and saved onto the system. Apart from the shortest and fastest ones, users can also choose from the most efficient route in terms of fuel consumption. The Navi 900 Europe system additionally enables the driver to separate private and business trips with voice recognition and a log book function. An extra POI function alerts the driver to interesting things in the vicinity by voice, text and pop-up messages. These and other travel tips are part of the integrated Merian Scout Travel Guide. 

Friday 10 February 2012

Opel Corsa Kaleidoscope: Now Even More Individual

  • More choice for drivers who are seeking striking, unique looks
  • Sporty elegance: Black gloss roof, black mirror housings and new black grille bracket
  • Stylish interior: Kaleidoscope patterned seat fabric, matching color air vents and accents in doors

Opel continues to enhance the looks of its Corsa family with the new sporty and elegant Kaleidoscope edition. Customers who want their three or five door Corsa to have a striking and individual appearance can choose from two upmarket metallic exterior colors: pepperdust and technical grey. These are combined on the exterior with a glossy black roof, black mirror housings and a black grille bracket that is now available for the first time.

On the inside, the Corsa’s seats have been given a youthful and dynamic twist with a pattern reminiscent of a kaleidoscope, hence the name of the new model. The fabric shows a touch of luxury with either silver or aztek gold stitching, perfectly aligned with the car’s appearance. The seats also benefit from TopTec material coating which makes them easy to clean and maintain.

Strikingly colored air vent rings with matching door inserts in either curry or matt chrome give bold accents to the interior as well as a new stealth black colored center console and denim fabric inside the door panels. For enhanced versatility, the backs of the rear seats can be folded down 1/3 to 2/3, ensuring variable loading possibilities.

Much of the Kaleidoscope kit is inspired by the popular Color Edition. It includes the following standard equipment that brings more premium qualities and sportiness to the Corsa:
  • Aluminum accelerator pedal
  • 17” alloy wheels
  • Solar Protect tinted heat protection glazing
  • Leather steering wheel
  • Chrome exhaust pipes
  • Stereo-CD-Radio with aux input and steering wheel remote control

Prices for Opel Corsa Kaleidoscope start at 15,425 euro (rrp. incl. VAT in Germany).

For those who wish to go even further upmarket, there is a broad spectrum of innovative extras not offered by competitors such as the unique FlexFix integrated bicycle carrier and the Advanced Forward Lighting system (AFL). Other options include a Hill Start Assist (HSA) and a park assistant.

Broad range of efficient powertrains

Opel Corsa Kaleidoscope is available with a broad spectrum of powertrain combinations. Gasoline units range from an economical 1.2 liter 51 kW/70 hp ecoFLEX gasoline engine (5.1 l/100 km with Start/Stop, 119g/km CO2) to the powerful 1.6 liter turbocharged 110 kW/ 150 hp unit with 210 Nm. The diesel spectrum includes the very efficient 1.3 l CDTI with 70 kW/75 hp ecoFLEX with Start/Stop (4.0 l /100 km, 105 g/km CO2) and the 1.7 CDTI 96kW/130 hp engine. Transmissions include a five and six gear manual version, a five gear easytronic as well as an automatic.

Thursday 9 February 2012

Opel Enhances Its Flexibility Champion – The Meriva MPV

  • Engines with more power and lower fuel consumption
  • Start/Stop technology available for all 1.4 liter gasoline engines
  • Environmentally friendly, efficient 1.4 LPG ecoFLEX version with only 124 g/km CO2
  • New 1.7 CDTI power plant with 81 kW/110 hp and 6 speed automatic transmission
Opel Meriva MPV - FlexDoors
Opel is further enhancing its compact flexibility champion, the Meriva. The European segment leader with its rear hinged rear FlexDoors enables easy and comfortable access and is being equipped with optimized engines with more output yet lower fuel consumption. This is great news for cost conscious customers: The new 1.4 l LPG ecoFLEX engine is low in fuel costs and only emits 124g/km CO2.
Opel ECOTEC 1.4 Turbo
The fuel efficient Start/Stop technology will now be available in all output versions of the 1.4 liter gasoline engine. In the 88 kW/120 hp variant fuel consumption has been lowered even further: from previously 6.1 to 5.7 liters per 100 kilometers. This represents a substantial 12 percent saving. Engineers also created a new 6 speed version where torque reaches 200 Nm, 14 percent (25 Nm) greater than the 5 speed variant. In that sense the Opel’s flexibility champion can be driven in a more relaxed fashion without frequent gear changes.

Opel is now offering a 81 kW/110 hp 1.7 CDTI (6 speed automatic) engine for its diesel customers who like ride comfort. The power plant now available in the Meriva is ten hp more powerful than the previous 1.7 CDTI automatic version, yet only emits 160g/km CO2 – eight grams less per kilometer than its predecessor. A gasoline engine combined with an automatic transmission is in preparation and will be made available shortly.


Cost conscious customers who also have the environment in mind can now look forward to the turbocharged 1.4 liter 88 kW/120 hp LPG engine that can toggle between the gasoline and liquefied petroleum mode at the touch of a button. In the LPG mode the Meriva 1.4 LPG ecoFLEX only uses 7.6 liter/100 km (combined), equivalent to 124g/km CO2 emissions. In other words: CO2 emissions are around 15 percent lower than the level of comparable gasoline engines. LPG users can also save up to 40 percent fuel costs. Three new exterior colors, the Guacamole special color and the metallic paints Sovereign Silver and Carbon Flash complement the Meriva sales offer. The seating trim packages used in the Astra compact model are also now available in the Meriva, complete with six-way adjustable front seats plus 4-way adjustable electro-pneumatic lumbar support.
Opel Meriva - LPG button
The new “Edition” variant (starts at 18.770 euro, rrp. including VAT, Germany) has a generous standard kit. It includes the practical FlexRail central console, an on-board computer, air conditioning, CD-Radio, electric windows at the front and rear and pockets behind the backrests of the front seats as well as a reading and ambient light in the middle console.

Opel Meriva MPV - 150 years Jubilee Edition interior
The Opel Meriva Jubilee Edition “150 years of Opel” (starting at 19,290 euro, rrp. including VAT, Germany) has been given a makeover to celebrate the Opel anniversary. Customers can save up to 1,850 euro in comparison with a base trim model in terms of all the kit that is included. A touch of glamour is brought to the Meriva anniversary model with elegant 16” alloy wheels, special door entry slips, a “150 Adam Opel” emblem and chrome exhaust pipes. The interior has been given a luxurious twist with standard features including air conditioning, CD-Radio, adaptive cruise control, heated seats and heated steering wheel unique to its segment as well as special fabric and Morrocana combinations.

Thursday 2 February 2012

New Opel Mokka SUV

A new name and a new segment for Opel: At the start of the New Year and two months ahead of its world premiere at the Geneva motor show on March 6, 2012, Opel is releasing the first photos of its new dynamic, sub-compact sports utility vehicle, the Opel Mokka. With the new Mokka, Opel is the first German manufacturer to launch a contender in the growing sub-compact SUV segment. Despite its 4.28 meter measurement, the Mokka generously accommodates five people in a commanding position. It also delivers on Opel’s promise to combine attractive design with innovative technologies and upmarket functionalities, making them accessible to a wider segment of customers.

Dynamic driving experience and lifestyle
The Opel Mokka blends functionality and a comfortable, high seating position with a flavor of adventure. It can be fitted with an all wheel drive technology that seamlessly shifts torque to the rear wheels when required for better traction and handling. 

Power is provided by three efficient engines. All manual transmissions are equipped with the fuel saving Opel Start/Stop system. The gasoline offer comprises an 85 kW/115 hp, 1.6 liter naturally-aspirated engine as well as a 103 kW/140 hp 1.4 l Turbo with 200 Nm of torque. On the diesel side, there is a 93 kw/130 hp 1.7 CDTI turbo diesel with 300 Nm of torque. Both the 1.4 Turbo and the 1.7 CDTI can be combined either with six-speed manual or six speed automatic transmissions.

The Mokka introduces new cutting edge technologies to the SUV B-segment, such as a string of Driver Assistance Systems based on the Opel Eye front camera system, as well as a rear view camera. Furthermore, the Opel Mokka carries ergonomic seating that has been certified by AGR – the German healthy back expert organization “Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V.”. In addition to a generous loading space, the Mokka offers the fully integrated, latest generation Flex-Fix bicycle carrier that is exclusive to Opel.


Bold SUV design combined with refined functionality
With the Mokka, Opel’s design philosophy of blending “sculptural artistry with German precision” finds a new expression in the sub-compact SUV segment. The Opel Mokka displays a bold attitude with sculpted and elegant traits while retaining a sporty edge with muscular and athletic body lines. These are energized by Opel’s typical “blade” on the bodyside that sweeps upwards to the rear. The Mokka’s sporty character is also re-enforced by its higher ground clearance which also makes it suitable for gravel roads, as well as its 1540 mm wide tracks. Its robust looks are further enhanced by 18” alloy wheels which are standard in the Enjoy and Cosmo trim levels.



In the interior, the new Mokka displays typical Opel values such as versatility and user friendly functionality. The Mokka provides up to 1,372 liter of loading space, as well as up to 19 storage locations. Loading capacity of the Mokka can be complimented with the new generation rear bicycle carrier Flex-Fix – which perfectly supports an active lifestyle. Opel is the only manufacturer to offer such a system. The user friendly carrier is fully integrated in the rear, functions like a drawer and can accommodate up to three bicycles at a time.

All Wheel Drive, Front Wheel Drive and Exclusive technologies are available
Front Wheel and All Wheel Drive are both available in the new Opel Mokka. The All Wheel Drive System ensures a high level of stability and safety, while also extending Mokka’s capabilities to more rugged environments. When handling and traction are put to the test, the system automatically and seamlessly transfers power to the rear wheels.
Standard features that enhance the driving experience across all Mokka versions include the Electronic Stability Control (ESC), the Traction Control (TC) as well as the Hill Start Assist (HSA) and Hill Descent Control (HDC) systems – which improve driving comfort and safety in uphill or downhill terrain.

Rich and refined, the Opel Mokka makes cutting edge upmarket technologies available to the SUV B-segment. The Advanced Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL+) which increases driving safety is based on the 3rd generation Bi-Xenon lighting system that includes High Beam Assist (HBA). The new generation Opel Eye front camera is also available on board. It gives the driver access to several functions including Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and the second generation of Traffic Sign Recognition. No other sub-compact SUV offers such a system that increases safety and driving comfort.
The Opel Mokka will be available at Opel dealerships end of 2012.