!NEW! Opel Zafira Tourer 1.6 T CNG is "AUTO TEST Winner in Green"

 "Lounge on Wheels" leaving all competitors behind

The independent environmental institute "ÖKOTREND" and the magazine "AUTO TEST" have declared the Zafira Tourer 1.6 CNG Turbo ecoFLEX the most environmentally friendly car in its class. With 89.8 points refers to the winner of the "Golden Steering Wheel 2012" competitors VW Sharan 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Technology and Ford S-Max 1.6 EcoBoost on the second and third places.

"The Zafira Tourer is the undisputed bestseller and flagship of our CNG fleet," says Frank Leibold, Sales and Marketing Manager OSV. "The award confirms once again that we have the perfect blend of comfort, functionality and environmental friendliness." Has been one of Opel to the manufacturers with the most diverse range of vehicles with alternative fuels. The brand is, for example, a pioneer in environmentally friendly cars with CNG natural gas (Compressed Natural Gas).

Opel Zafira Tourer 1.6 Turbo CNG ecoFLEX

Since 1995, the Institute for Environmental Research rated vehicles annually in twelve categories for the environmental ranking. In addition to the vehicle-related values ​​such as consumption, pollutant emissions and noise of the entire life cycle of models flows into the review with one - of the production and logistics to recycling. How manufacturers perceive their environmental and social responsibility is weighted at 14 percent.

Zafira Tourer CNG: Opel's innovative natural gas engines for Master of Variability

The range of the Opel Zafira Tourer 1.6 Turbo CNG ecoFLEX natural gas operation is 530 kilometers - that's class record, made possible by high-tech tanks made from carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) with 25 kilograms of natural gas capacity. The 14.4-liter reserve gasoline tank of MonovalentPlus system provides additional scope. The optimized operation of the gas turbine engine produces 110 kW/150 hp, maximum torque is 210 Nm and speeds up the van ready for a top speed of 200 km / h It consumes only 4.7 kg in the combined cycle (7.2 m3) of natural gas per 100 kilometers, the CO2 emissions of the Euro-5 engine is 129 g / km. The Opel Zafira Tourer CNG can ascend with biogas or any mixture of biogas and natural gas. Is used 100 percent of biogas as a fuel, the CO2 balance is almost balanced.

!NEW! GM General Motors and PSA Peugeot Citroën Report Further Progress on their Global Strategic Alliance

• Major Product Development and Purchasing agreements signed
• Expansion of scope to also include powertrain
• Strengthening ties and cementing the Alliance

General Motors (GM) and PSA Peugeot Citroen (PSA) today confirm the signature of major agreements in the execution of their Global Strategic Alliance. Consistent with the terms of the Master Agreement dated February 29, 2012, the Alliance partners have signed definitive agreements related to three of the initial vehicle projects as well as to the purchasing joint venture.

Three Common Vehicle Platform Development Projects

The first common vehicle projects selected encompass platform / architecture developments in the following segments:

1. A joint program for a C-MPV¹ for Opel/Vauxhall and a C-CUV² for the Peugeot brand
2. A joint MPV³ program for the B-segment for both Groups
3. The co-development of an upgraded low CO2 B-segment platform to feed Opel/Vauxhall and PSA’s next generation of cars in Europe and other regions

Additional joint vehicle projects to further strengthen the Alliance are under review and in due course will be subject to future announcements.

The first vehicles resulting from this cooperation are expected to be launched in 2016. The Opel/Vauxhall, Peugeot and Citroen models will be highly differentiated and fully consistent with their respective brand characteristics.

Creation of Purchasing joint venture

The Alliance partners have signed a definitive agreement to create a joint purchasing organization in Europe supported by a purchasing joint venture. This new organization will draw on the combined purchasing reach of both companies to realize purchasing synergies. This is still subject to anti-trust approvals.

Further global initiatives

Based on the success of their collaboration, the partners also announce their intention for new additional global initiatives to broaden the scope of their Alliance and seize future opportunities:

• Co-development of a next generation of high-performance, efficient small gas engines derived from PSA’s global small petrol engine program (EB engine),
• Exploration of product and industrial initiatives in Latin America or other growth markets.

¹ Multi-purpose vehicle for the C segment
² Crossover utility vehicle for the C segment
³ Multi-purpose vehicle

!NEW! Christmas Gifts: 750 ADAMs on the way to Opel dealers

Eisenach plant well prepared for the start production of the small lifestyle car

„Driving Home for Christmas“: Even before the new Opel ADAM early next year officially premiere dealer has, in advance are around 750 copies on their way to the showrooms. A total of 75 car transporter to drive straight through Germany. "It's been a logistical achievement that arrange so close to Christmas," said the Eisenach Opel plant manager Stefan Fesser. "The ADAM production for the dealer presentation is excellent, so we can offer them this festive gift." So if you are looking for the perfect gift, and the ADAM has not seen them live, should its Opel dealers pay a visit. With these impressions can be easily configured under opel.de the personal ADAM. Since September, the ADAM can be ordered.

ADAM is the first lifestyle small car in the Opel portfolio and the first Opel in the so-called A-segment. With just 3.70 meters long and 1.72 meters wide of Adam Opel is the perfect vehicle for customers who want to express their own style with her car. The trendsetter features thousands customization options, including different versions headliner, softly lit dashboard decorations or colored trim clips for the rims. The innovative infotainment system "IntelliLink", the functions of both Apple iOS and Androidbased smartphones in the car transmits, makes the ADAM most effectively for small cars.

It is noteworthy that the ADAM was developed not only in Germany - in the International Technical Development Center (ITDC) in Rüsselsheim - it is the only one in its segment also produced entirely in Germany. Opel has invested 190 million euros to the location Eisenach fit for the ADAM. These new buildings are just like the art production facilities.

!NEW! German Railways (DB) can relies also on Opel Ampera

• Vehicle delivery to the Regional Director of the DB Fleet
• "Car of the Year" segment leader in Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland
• Ampera's presence in the European fleets increased by 180 percent

Marcus Ziegler (right), Fleet Sales Director for wholesale and commercial customers of Adam Opel AG of ten pieces of the award-winning Ampera to Regional Director of DB Fleet. Thomas Hofmann (left), Director Field Sales DB Fleet received the symbolic key.

If employees of Deutsche Bahn (DB) use the car, they are on their missions in future electric and therefore emission free traveling. Opel now handed ten  pieces of the award-winning Ampera to Regional Director of DB Fleet. This will take advantage of the renewable electricity powered Ampera now as a service vehicle for customer appointments. "Opel Ampera has doubled the European fleet inventory in more than six months - after about 700 pieces in March were in October has nearly 2,000 Ampera in corporate services on the go. This is an increase of over 180 percent, "said Marcus Ziegler, director of sales at wholesale and commercial customers of Adam Opel AG, at the presentation in Frankfurt. Overall, the Ampera in Europe market share is over 21 percent, making the "Car of the Year" for the full year 2012 remain the segment leader.

Opel now handed ten pieces of the award-winning Opel Ampera to Regional Director of DB Fleet

The Opel Ampera is by far the best-selling electric car in Germany and Europe. A lithium-ion battery with 16 kWh of capacity supplied in the "Car of the Year 2012," the 111 kW/150 hp electric motor with energy. Depending on driving style and conditions, on average, 40 to 80 kilometers solely on battery power to be covered emissions. When the battery level reaches a defined minimum, the power of the 1.4 liter gasoline engine with 63 kW/86 hp and automatically drives a generator to power the electric motor. This range extension a journey of more than 500 kilometers is possible without a prolonged maintenance charging the battery is necessary.

!NEW! Opel Ampera No.1 EV passenger car for more than ten months despite tough environment

• Highest European EV market share with 21% (Jan. - Oct. 2012)
• Ampera is segment leader in Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland
• Sales growth for entire EV market is slowing amid challenging conditions

Opel’s revolutionary and award winning electric car, the Ampera, is still at the top of the electric passenger car league table in Europe based on latest available sales figures (Jan. – Oct. 2012). The news comes despite very challenging market conditions for the whole electric vehicle market with car makers reporting lower EV sales growth figures than predicted earlier this year. The Opel Ampera (“Car of the Year 2012”) enjoys more than 21 percent market share in the European EV segment. It is likely to remain the overall leader of its segment for the whole of 2012.

“The Ampera is still the dominant leader of the European electric passenger car segment,” says Opel Vice President Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, Alfred E. Rieck. “Considering that the demand of the EV market is smaller than originally predicted by analysts and car makers, we are extremely pleased that we have consolidated our leadership position in the market.”

Ampera is top of several key European markets

The strong overall European market share of the Ampera is reflected in its leadership position which has been consolidated in several important European markets.

For example in the Netherlands its market share increased to 66%. In Germany, it remains the leader by a wide margin (28% share) and the same is true of Belgium (22%) and Switzerland (31%).

Although total European EV sales have increased by around 130 percent year on year (Jan - Oct 2011 vs. Jan - Oct 2012), this falls well short of industry expert predictions. Sales of electric vehicles differ widely per market. Whereas only one of every 1000 cars sold in Germany is an electric vehicle (EV), its neighbor country Austria already tracks 3 EVs per thousand cars, France 5 and The Netherlands as high as 8 out of 1000. Top of the ranks in Europe is Norway where 30 out of 1000 registered vehicles are electric cars. Despite this very heterogeneous environment, Opel has managed to grow its European Ampera sales by at least twice as much as the overall European EV market growth.

In November, Opel announced that it had more than doubled its Ampera fleet customer base in the space of just six months, from around 700 in March to almost 2,000 in October across Europe. This is an increase of more than 180 percent.

Opel Ampera with revolutionary electric propulsion

A 16 kWh lithium ion battery powers the 111kW/150 hp electric motor of the Ampera. Depending on the style of driving and road conditions, distances of between 40 and 80 kilometers can be covered in the purely battery operated mode, free of emissions. In extended range mode, which activates whenever the battery has reached its minimum state of charge, power is seamlessly inverted to the electric drive unit from a generator driven by a 1.4 liter, 63 kW/86 hp gasoline engine. Extended range mode enables a total driving range of more than 500 kilometers without refueling.

!NEW! GuGabriel presents new single „ADAM & Eve”

• Follow-up single to "Salvation" boasts catchy draft
• Feeling of trust and interpersonal closeness are important for singer-songwriter
• GuGabriel is brand ambassador "powered by Opel"

Opel ADAM and GuGabriel

At a press conference the singer GuGabriel today unveiled their new single "Adam & Eve" to the public. Goosebumps had guarantees: The singer-songwriter inspired all those present with an "unplugged" version of the new song. By the acoustic guitar, the vocal qualities of the singer and the hit potential of the new number came to its best advantage.

With her comeback hit "Salvation," which was published this year in the summer, celebrated Gudrun Liemberger, alias "GuGabriel", a brilliant comeback and was more than three months represented in the Ö3 Austria Top 40. The accompanying video recorded to date the impressive figure of almost 400,000 clicks on YouTube. "Adam & Eve" will continue this success story and now both newly acquired and long-time fans convince with much emotion and songwriting that meet and exceed international standards.

"Adam & Eve" - ​​a tribute to Love and Life

"To my new single is about love, of contentment, happiness and confidence and the feeling of let go," said GuGabriel the background to the new song. "We should always bear in mind how important interpersonal warmth and remind ourselves of what life is really important is, namely, love."

Gudrun Liemberger - a varied Career

In summer 2011, the singer Gudrun Liemberger started with the stage name GuGabriel - composed of their two first names and Gudrun Gabriele - her solo career. Previously, she was already in a number of bands on the microphone - at Galahad, The Shepherds and her most successful project SheSays.

GuGabriel Austrian singer-songwriter

SheSays also marked the start of a professional career musician. The first, named after the band stormed album topped the Austrian charts, with the song "Rose Gardens" SheSays reached second place in the Austrian single charts. In 2006 the band the prestigious Amadeus Austrian Music Award in the category was awarded "Newcomer of the Year national".

In July 2011, the singer and multi-instrumentalist began (she plays guitar, violin, piano, accordion and flute) as GuGabriel her solo career and her band brought Nomads of the Universe after two years of preparation, the album "Anima (l)".

 Just one year later, there was another new creative output with the catchy single "Salvation", which became the hot topic in the Austrian charts. In December 2012, then came the song "Adam & Eve", which will continue to be successful.

GuGabriel - "powered by Opel"

Since the summer of 2012 is GuGabriel brand ambassador of Opel Austria and cooperation has been very successful. "Thanks to the professional cooperation could both Opel Austria and the singer in 2012 already celebrating important achievements," shows Mag Struckl Alexander, CEO of General Motors Austria, delighted to be working. "I am sure that the new song, Adam & Eve, another chart topper is. The music fits perfectly with the new Opel ADAM, which by its individual modern design conveys a feeling of freedom and emotion. "

Also GuGabriel stressed: "I want to thank Opel for their support, without which the realization of the song and video productions would have been not as professional possible." Opel ADAM is also the brand new video to watch to "Adam & Eve" be, which is available now in the YouTube channel of GuGabriel.

The chic and urban Opel ADAM

With the new Adam Opel reveals the growing lifestyle O segment. With a length of just 3.70 meters and 1.72 meters wide (without mirrors), the Opel ADAM recommends perfect as an agile, crisp three-door model for the city. Its driving dynamics but also offers all the requirements for highway and rides into the countryside, chassis and steering are designed for driving fun and agility. Inside, four people enjoy a generous feeling of spaciousness for this class of vehicle, and great quality look. The new Opel ADAM can be combined with a wide selection of colors, finishes, stylish headliners and lighting effects, customize the wishes of the owner, and accordingly is the current needs of young people for individuality and creativity meet.

!NEW! British Embassy in Germany drive electric

In Berlin, the British Ambassador Sir Simon McDonald (left) and his colleagues now electrically go. On Wednesday handed Opel supervisory board chairman and GM vice Steve Girsky the representative of Her Majesty celebrated the keys to his new Ampera and extolled the virtues of the "Car of the Year 2012".

In Berlin, the British Ambassador Sir Simon McDonald and his colleagues are now electrically go. On Wednesday handed Opel supervisory board chairman and GM vice Steve Girsky the representative of Her Majesty celebrated the keys to his new Ampera and extolled the virtues of the "Car of the Year 2012". Especially in the downtown area, the benefits of the permanent electric-powered Ampera show by lowest operating costs and noise, good acceleration and a generous amount of space.

Opel Ampera: fully suitable for everyday use electric mobility

The Opel Ampera is by far the best-selling electric car in Germany and Europe. A lithium-ion battery with 16 kWh of capacity supplied in the "Car of the Year 2012," the 111 kW/150 hp electric motor with energy. Depending on driving style and conditions, on average, 40 to 80 kilometers solely on battery power to be covered emissions. When the battery level reaches a defined minimum, the power of the 1.4-liter gasoline engine with 63 kW/86 hp and automatically drives a generator to power the electric motor. This range extension a journey of more than 500 kilometers is possible without a prolonged maintenance charging the battery is necessary.

!NEW! Opel Austria extended in 2013 the Corsa OPC Rally Cup to 12 teams

• Review: An exciting and spectacular season
• Expansion of the Opel Corsa OPC Rally Cup on 12 Teams
• Registration period runs until the end of the year 

An exciting and spectacular 2012 season

The first season of the Opel Corsa OPC Rally Cup ended with the forest district rally in the Horn. Proud Gesamtcup winner was, by far, the youngster Daniel Wollinger (104 points). Wolfram Doberer reached by a superior performance in demanding Waldviertel Rally the runner-up (84 points). Also on the podium there Christoph Leitgeb managed 78 points. Furthermore, in fourth place, with 53 points Gerhard Dworak, Koni Friesenegger with 50 points and last but not least Daniel Zieser with 20 points. "I am particularly pleased that we have achieved such a good start to the rally scene. The team mix of youngsters and well-known has given us an exciting and spectacular season. I congratulate all the teams for their performance," congratulated Alexander Struckl, CEO of General Motors Austria GmbH.

Expansion of the Opel Corsa OPC Rally Cup from six to legendary 12 Teams - Registration period runs until the end of the year

The Opel Corsa OPC Rally Cup learned in assets, rally enthusiasts and the team of the Cup a big appeal. Daniel Wollinger: "I am delighted with the successful launch of Opel in rallying. I am especially impressed by the professional performance and the reliability of the Corsa OPC. There was throughout the season no technical problems! "

The organizers of the Opel Corsa OPC Rally Cup have decided to expand the current 2013 season of six to 12 teams. The prize money is of 36.000, - to 57.000, - increased. Willi Stengg: "The enthusiasm for the participation of the Opel Corsa OPC Rally Cup is great, I always get new requests. There are only three places available, the registration period runs until the end of this year. "All interested parties can take directly to Willi Stengg (willi@stengg.at) contact.

The Opel Corsa OPC Rally Cup Package

The high demand is due certainly to a large extent, therefore, that in addition to a totally professional structured, fast rally car a true "all-round support" for relatively little money is to be had:

  

• Opel Corsa OPC rally car at a price of EUR 39.900, - (incl. VAT)
• Six Rally events
• Service bus with all the necessary spare parts at each rally site
• Prize money per Rally for the eight top finishers
• Hospitality and catering for driver / passenger at every rally
• Discounts for reconnaissance cars of the Opel brand 
• Uniform optical and organizational performance at every rally
• Professional press release services for each Team 

  

      
   

!NEW! Opel ADAM combines fashion with technology at Italian debut in Bologna

• Opel out in force at Bologna Motor Show with its new urban ADAM
• First Opel model to enter fashion-led A-segment
• Order books open with Bologna configurator going live
• Opel brings style to Show with “ADAM & Glamour” event at Opel booth

Opel at the 37th Bologna Motor Show 

Opel celebrated the Italian premiere today of its all-new ADAM at the Bologna Motor Show ( 5-9 December, 2012) with a high profile stand dedicated to its new chic, urban champion of individualization. The booth is located in a central position near the Fiera Bologna Service Centre and reflects the importance of the Italian market for the new chic, urban small car.

ADAM’s modern, bold and colorful look together with its almost unlimited potential for customization makes virtually each and every ADAM unique. Nine ADAMs are on show: all are completely different with their own unique trim, decor and exterior colour combinations. This once again underscores ADAM’s huge individualization potential. ADAM combines trendy design with the all-new Opel IntelliLink infotainment system that allows its owner to integrate his/her smartphone in the car, making ADAM the best connected small car. Its compact size means that ADAM is highly appealing to the Italian market and it has been designed especially for younger people or those who are young at heart.

With the debut of ADAM in Italy, Opel not only strengthens its product portfolio there but also satisfies the demands of Italian customers who are increasingly purchasing A and B segment models. To date, Opel’s offer in the A segment was the Agila - a car positioned as a minivan, flexible and functional for an active urban life. With ADAM’s 3.70 meter length, this range has been now been expanded with a solution positioned in the middle of the segment, also covering the growing fashion led Italian market.

ADAM’s innovative design is combined with premium quality and innovative technologies, such as the IntelliLink system, the latest generation Advanced Park Assist II (APA 2), the Side Blind Spot Alert (SBSA) and power steering with the “light touch” CITY mode.

Opel ADAM - IntelliLink system

Opel ADAM - CITY mode and heated steering wheel buttons

The fashion led A segment where ADAM is positioned will continue to grow in the next few years, according to experts. Since 2000, sales of stylish cars of the A-segment (around 3.70 m length) have risen by around 30 percent and of B-segment luxury oriented cars (around 4.00 m length) by over 110 percent. In 2011 nearly 630,000 units of these trendy cars were registered in Europe, versus 450,000 in 2008. With ADAM, Opel intends to conquer the growing small car market. The demand for small cars is particularly strong in Italy. In that sense Italy may well become ADAM’s top market.

ADAM in a nutshell

Small but with broad shoulders, ADAM measures almost 3.70 meters in length and 1.72 m in width (excluding mirrors). While the chic three door is perfect for urban environments, its driving dynamics including chassis and steering deliver fun and agility in all situations. ADAM’s cabin has space for up to four people and provides its passengers and the driver with a premium atmosphere.

The Opel ADAM also offers premium technologies from upper segments such as the new IntelliLink infotainment system which integrates the owner’s smartphone in the car (Android and Apple iOS). Other features that make ADAM perfect for urban environments are the new generation park assist system that automatically parks the car, the side blind spot alert and power steering including a “light touch” CITY mode.

Prices for the entry level ADAM combined with a 1.2 l 51 kW/70 hp gasoline engine start at 11,750 euro in Italy (recommended retail price including VAT). Premium technologies and customization options can additionally be selected. For example, the IntelliLink infotainment system is offered as an extra for just 300 euro. The starlight headliner with 64 LEDs can be ordered for the same amount, giving the driver the illusion of being under a starlit night sky.

Order books open with “Touch and View” configurator

ADAM arrives in Italian dealerships by early 2013. In other European countries there’s been a great deal of interest shown in the new Opel A segment car. Latest data shows that both potential and real customers have already entered around 80,000 different combinations using Opel’s web based configurators.

Bologna is also the venue where ADAM’s Italian order books will be opened. Thanks to the technology of the “Touch and View” configurator system, customers will be able to configure their own ADAM. Instead of just standing in front of a screen, the customers configure their car by physically touching the cars at the 

Bologna Show booth. In that sense the visual experience offered by the configurator will be enriched by a real time touch experience.

The configurator springs into action when various sensitive spots along the car are touched. These spots are also visible and accessible on the configurator display.

ADAM & Glamour

Opel ADAM GLAM

Opel ADAM SLAM

Opel ADAM JAM

  

A special event was hosted during the Bologna Motor Show entitled “Glamour & ADAM”. The event was designed to illustrate the three trim worlds ADAM GLAM, ADAM SLAM and ADAM JAM. The Opel stand was turned into a catwalk where fashion models were asked to pose for photos for an artistic interpretation of the 3 different styles associated with the 3 ADAM versions: ADAM GLAM (Elegant), ADAM SLAM (Sporty) and ADAM JAM (Funky). Visitors had the chance to be photographed together with the fashion models in line with their individual stylistic tastes. A selection of the photos is then posted on the ADAM & Glamour website.

Opel ADAM SLAM with OPC Line Pack

The 37^th Bologna Motor Show which has been included in this year’s OICA calendar is being held in Bologna Fiere and runs until 9 December. Doors opened to the press and industry representatives on 4 December. The general public is admitted on 5 December.  At last year’s motor show more than 856,000 visitors were recorded – a seven percent increase on 2010.