!NEW! Frugal Fun: New Opel Corsa E now with LPG

• Thrifty and affordable: Fuel costs almost 50% lower, attractive entry-level price of 14,745 euros
• Clean and economical: Opel Corsa 1.4 LPG cuts CO₂ emissions down to 113 g/km
• Refined and powerful: Long range, lively performance with 66 kW/90 hp

New Opel Corsa 1.4 LPG: Fuel costs almost 50% lower, attractive entry-level price of 14,745 euros.

Introducing the Mr. Clean of the Corsa family – green, powerful and economical, the new Opel Corsa 1.4 LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) ecoFLEX develops 66 kW/90 hp and comes straight from the factory with a bi-fuel capability. Specifically aimed at cost-conscious customers, this latest member of the new Corsa family is an ideal choice in the small car segment because LPG drivers’ wallets benefit two-fold. On the one hand, fuel costs plummet by almost 50 percent compared to gasoline due to the low price of LPG, while on the other hand, the Corsa 1.4 LPG ecoFLEX boasts a particularly attractive entry-level price. The three-door model is now available from just 14,745 euros, and the five-door model from 15,495 euros (RRP incl. VAT in Germany).

Clean and economical: New Opel Corsa 1.4 LPG cuts CO2 emissions down to 113 g/km.

The Corsa LPG is not only extremely cost-efficient, but also kinder to the environment. That’s because LPG, a mixture of butane and propane gas which the four-cylinder engine burns under the Corsa’s shapely hood, is known for its super-clean combustion characteristics. Using this fuel, the new Corsa consumes just 6.9 liters per 100 km over the combined cycle and emits only 113 g/km CO2 – around 13 percent less CO2 than in gasoline operation. The nitrogen oxide emissions are even up to 80 percent lower.

“With the 1.3 CDTI, which consumes just 3.1 liters diesel, and our brand-new 1.4 LPG ecoFLEX, we have two real ‘eco-champions’ in the Corsa line-up. Once again, they both show how important energy efficiency and CO2 emissions reductions are for us in all model ranges,” says Peter Christian Küspert, Opel Group Vice President Sales and Aftersales. “But these models aren’t only attractive for especially cost-conscious drivers. They also offer many features that go far beyond what’s normally found in the small car class, such as ample space, superb comfort, state-of-the-art connectivity and driver assistance systems.”

Bi-Fuel driving: Long range with low fuel costs and emissions

The Opel Corsa 1.4 LPG offers 66 kW/90 hp in both LPG and gasoline operation and is available with a five-speed manual transmission. It needs just 6.9 liters per 100 km in alternative fuel mode, while CO2 emissions of 113 g/km are around 13 percent lower than in conventional gasoline operation. Fuel costs are reduced by almost 50 percent compared to gasoline. This huge saving is the result of tax benefits stipulated for LPG until 2018. And, looking further ahead, the prospects look promising because tax advantages for alternative fuels are expected to be extended on both the national and European levels.

Space saving and safe: The LPG tank’s installation in the spare-wheel housing of the trunk is both space-efficient and collision-protected.

Another benefit of the new-generation LPG Corsa is that, like all Opel LPG models, it comes ready for bi-fuel operation ex-works. The driver can switch between LPG and gasoline by pushing a button. A newly developed control module now enables an even more efficiently synchronized transition between the two operating modes. This means a driving range of up to 1,200 km is possible without having to stop to refuel. Range and consumption can be viewed separately for LPG and gasoline, as well as combined via an on-board computer. Today there are around 7,000 LPG filling stations in Germany and more than 35,000 across Europe.

Bi-Fuel driving: The new Corsa runs with either LPG or gasoline. In combination, this means a driving range of up to 1,200 km.

Space-saving and safe: Complete everyday use with LPG

The LPG tank’s installation in the spare-wheel housing of the trunk is both space-efficient and collision-protected. As a result, the Opel Corsa LPG still offers accommodation for five people or up to 1,120 liters of luggage space, just like its Corsa siblings. It also features the same ultra-modern driver assistance systems and equipment features – from standard City mode, optional steering wheel heating and automatic Park Assist all the way to Opel’s award-winning IntelliLink infotainment system complete with 7-inch color touchscreen.

!NEW! Opel ADAM R2: New Challenge on the Emerald Isle

• Second ERC Junior event for ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team in Ireland
• Emil Bergkvist arrives as leader of FIA ERC Junior category
• Marijan Griebel counting on Opel ADAM R2’s fine asphalt abilities 

New challenge: Swede Emil Bergkvist proved to be unbeatable on snow but how will he and his ADAM R2 fare on the asphalt roads in Ireland ?

Highly motivated and full of confidence, the ADAC Opel Rallye Team is heading to the second round of the FIA ERC Junior, the high speed Circuit of Ireland Rally, on April 2 – 4, 2015. The stiff competition is up against the Opel ADAM R2’s outstanding qualities on asphalt, and a team buoyed by Swede Emil Bergkvist (20) and co-driver Joakim Sjöberg’s (29) superb victory in Latvia last month, the first ERC Junior round of the year.

Upbeat: Swede Emil Bergkvist and co-driver Joakim Sjöberg currently lead the FIA ERC Junior after their win in Latvia last month. 

Despite his success, the Opel works driver from Torsåker, now leading the ERC Junior rankings, is staying cool, calm and collected. “Even after our win in Latvia, my expectations are exactly the same as at the beginning of the season,” says Bergkvist. “I know that I still have a lot to learn, especially on asphalt. So in light of all the strong opposition in ERC Junior, the Circuit of Ireland will be a new and big challenge. At the same time, the ADAM R2 and the ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team have proven their potential to win rallyes at this incredibly high level. So I have a good feeling about Ireland, and its close, fast stages will be tons of fun!”

Redemption: Marijan Griebel and co-driver Stefan Clemens hope to make up for their unlucky start to the season with an improved display in Ireland

Bergkvist’s German team colleagues, Marijan Griebel (25, from Hahnweiler) and co-driver Stefan Clemens (28, from Weiskirchen), are also raring to go and keen to make up for an unfortunate end to their run in Latvia. Griebel: “I’m only familiar with the rallye in Ireland from on-board videos and TV footage, but I know that narrow roads and lots of jumps await us. The stages are unique and challenging, and will for sure be great to drive. I have no doubt the competition will again be incredibly tough. But as I prefer asphalt surfaces, and the ADAM R2 is evidently well suited for such conditions, I hope that Stefan and I will be among those to be reckoned with in Ireland.“

The competition at the event, part of the FIA ERC and held around Northern Ireland’s capital city Belfast, is once again top-notch. A total of 22 R2 cars from the RC4 category, including 19 teams registered in FIA ERC Junior, will tackle 18 extremely demanding asphalt stages totaling around 215 kilometers in length. Donegall Square in Belfast will be the site of the Circuit of Ireland Rally’s official starting ceremonies on Thursday evening. The first day of competition on Friday comprises eight stages, to be followed by another 10 on the second day.

Fans can keep up with what’s happening at the event through live services provided by Opel Motorsport and FIA by clicking on the button on the homepage of www.opel-motorsport.com, or by going to the FIA website: www.fiaerc.com/events/live/id/28.

Circuit of Ireland TV Schedule:

Thursday, 2 April

23:30               Eurosport                    Preview reports

Friday, 3 April

23:00               Eurosport                    Highlights Day 1

Saturday, 4 April

08:00               Eurosport                    Highlights Day 1 (repeat)

23:15               Eurosport                    Highlights Day 2

Sunday, 5 April

08:00               Eurosport                    Highlights Day 2 (repeat)

Tuesday, 7 April

23:00               Eurosport                    Inside ERC – The Magazine

!NEW! Avenir’s Advanced Lighting Illuminates Future Buick Design

New methods give designers more freedom to craft unique visual identity

To the designers of the Buick Avenir concept, light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, are more than just an energy-efficient method of illuminating the road ahead – they are an advanced way to accentuate an already striking design as it rolls down the road.

“We worked hard to not only make Avenir distinctive from across the room, but draw you closer with its detail work,” said Michael Simcoe, vice president of design, GM International Operations, “and that certainly includes its dramatic lighting. The head and taillamps are the result of our lighting designers in North America working hand-in-hand with our exterior designers and fabrication craftsmen in our Australia Advanced Studio.

“Like the rest of the Avenir, they are a dramatic expression of modern Buick design.”

Distinctive headlamp and taillamp shapes have always been a part of Buick’s visual identity, but new technologies – especially the use LEDs, now allow designers to further hone the look of lighting elements and the light they emit.

“Technology will always be a major contributing factor to future Buick lighting designs as it allows for more flexibility with the aesthetics and performance of the light, but also how the light is integrated into the vehicle,” said Martin Davis, design manager for exterior lighting. “Thanks to LEDs, we are now at the point where designers can break free of many of the constrictions previously placed on lighting design.”

“Compared to conventional lighting sources, LEDs are smaller and more flexible in how they can be packaged into a headlamp or assembly,” Davis said. “We have dedicated teams of designers working closely with engineers to not only create smaller light clusters or place intricate patterns within lamps, but we can uniformly light complex shapes, thanks to diffuser screens like those used in commercial building signage.”

Like its interior, Avenir’s headlamps incorporate a mixture of subtle yet technical details that reveal themselves upon closer inspection. A triad of jewel-like LED assemblies provide most forward lighting, and they are shaped in a way that echoes the wave-like forms found within its cabin.  

Avenir’s headlamps and taillamps also incorporate diffused light elements, which form “wings” that stretch across the top of the lamp assembly replicating the fender forms. Each wing subtly incorporates the signature Buick tri-shield logo, and continues the layered pattern found on the decorative trim and seating surfaces.

LEDs also allow designers to have more control over how light actually behaves within the lamp assemblies. For instance, the wing accents in Avenir’s lamps cleanly and uniformly illuminate when the lamps are switched on, providing a distinctive visual accent in both daylight and at night. Also, when the turn signals are activated on Avenir, an LED in the headlamps and taillamps illuminates sequentially, lending the impression of waves upon a shoreline.

“Signature lighting is often the first design element people notice on a vehicle, even if it happens to be hundreds of feet away,” said Davis. “A distinctive illuminated graphic is incredibly important – it is an opportunity to visually communicate the design aesthetic of the brand. The wing signature lighting is a Buick design hallmark that will help you identify a Buick product on the road.”

The wing accents in the Avenir’s lamps cleanly and uniformly illuminate when the lamps are switched on, providing a distinctive visual accent day and night.

!NEW! Buick Envision 20T SUV Coming to China in April

Features efficient yet powerful turbocharged engine

Shanghai GM will launch the Buick Envision 20T, the newest member of its Envision mainstream SUV lineup, across China in April. 

Shanghai GM will launch the Buick Envision 20T, the newest member of its Envision mainstream SUV lineup, across China in April.

The Envision 20T is powered by a 1.5T Spark Ignition Direct Injection (SIDI) engine that is matched with an intelligent seven-speed DCG transmission. Like its sibling, the Envision 28T, it is available with front-wheel drive and intelligent all-wheel drive.

The 1.5T SIDI turbocharged engine is the most powerful among GM's latest-generation Ecotec small-displacement engines. It features mid-mounted direct injection, an integrated exhaust manifold and QuietTuning technology. The start/stop function, which comes standard, helps save fuel and reduce emissions. The engine generates maximum power of 124 kW and peak torque of 250 Nm.

The intelligent seven-speed DCG transmission is another achievement in GM's small-displacement powertrain development. The transmission has an innovative design and more than 50 patented technologies. Specially optimized based on the requirements of Chinese consumers, the transmission offers smooth, responsive gear shifting while contributing to the Envision 20T’s superb comfort and quiet interior.

The Envision 20T front-wheel-drive variant boasts segment-leading fuel economy of 6.6 L/100 km. It meets China’s advanced National V emission standard.

During the product’s development, 1,600 vehicles with the Envision 20T’s engine were put through 3.25 million km of road testing and 270 vehicles were put through severe endurance testing, running at full throttle nonstop for 12 straight weeks to ensure maximum durability.

Since its launch in October, the Envision has had monthly sales of over 10,000 units – making it a leader in the mainstream SUV segment.

!NEW! Opel España Announces 1,400 New Hires by 2018

• More than 25 percent of current workforce to be replaced in the next four years
• Aim is to rejuvenate staff, improve job opportunities and to reduce youth unemployment
• Agreement with INAEM (Aragón Employment Institute) for pre-selection of candidates

New cooperation: Luisa Fernanda Rudí, President of the Aragón Government and Antonio J. Cobo, General Director of General Motors España signed the agreement

Opel España is rejuvenating its workforce: More than 25 percent of the current staff of the Figueruelas (Zaragoza) plant will be replaced over the next four years. During this time, Opel will hire more than 1,400 new employees. The new members of the Opel team will take over positions made available by those born between 1954 and 1957 who are leaving to go into partial retirement. The project is part of a cooperation agreement with INAEM (Aragón Employment Institute), designating this organization responsible for Opel’s employee selection processes during the next four years.

The agreement was signed today by Luisa Fernanda Rudí, President of the Aragón Government and Antonio J. Cobo, General Director of General Motors España. The Minister of Economy and Employment of the Regional Government, Francisco Bono, also attended the ceremony.

Luisa Fernanda Rudí, President of the Aragón Government and Antonio J. Cobo, General Director of General Motors España.

“This initiative will help us find and promote talent, develope the employment opportunity capacities of our youth, as well as create a future for Aragón and for Spain,” said Antonio Cobo. “The agreement is part of the workforce rejuvenation plan that Opel España is executing in order to successfully meet the challenges of the future.”

“Opel is committed to a competitive business model based on sustainability and social, environmental and economic concerns which will offer the greatest possible benefit to the Spanish and Aragonese society. We want to make the community we are a part of a better place, and thereby contribute to creating a better tomorrow for future generations in Aragón and Spain,” Cobo added.

"The agreement is further evidence of the Opel España’s commitment in Aragon. It shows the confidence this important company has in our community and also the capacity of the Government of Aragon, INAEM in this case, to respond to the needs of the Aragonese economy, in particular, businesses and workers," said the President of Aragon, Luisa Fernanda Rudi.

Do it yourself: Luisa Fernanda Rudí, President of the Aragón Government, took the opportunity to test the facilities in the apprentice workshops in Zaragoza with Antonio J. Cobo, General Director von General Motors España offering expert advice. 

"General Motors/Opel España is fundamental to the Aragonese economy. Opel leads the powerful automotive sector of the region and is a benchmark of the industrial sector, both in terms of GDP growth and employment growth, leading the recovery of the Aragonese economy," she added.

Once job profiles are defined, the INAEM will be in charge of the selection process and determine the final group of candidates. Opel will then provide a theory/practice training program in its plant for workshop personnel pre-selected by the INAEM.

The course will take 160 hours. After satisfactory completion, participants will receive an official certificate as “Assembly expert for electrical and mechanical elements and components”. Opel has committed to incorporating a minimum of 60 percent of the participants who successfully complete the training into its workforce with a labor contract.

The application of active employment policies and the professional and occupational training linked to labor market requirements are among the basic instruments of a strategy oriented to increasing employment opportunities for new generations trying to enter the labor market. This is the fundamental guideline in the cooperation agreement between Opel and the Aragón Employment Institute.

The Spanish plant has the largest production capacity of all Opel group factories in Europe. It is one of the biggest employers in Spain and has produced more than 11.9 million units since it was opened in 1982. About 90 percent of the annual production is exported, with main markets being the UK, Germany, Italy and France.

The Zaragoza plant plays a key role in the current Opel product offensive, which will launch 27 new models and 17 new engines by 2018. Opel rose to number three on the passenger car market in Spain in 2014 with 66,700 registered vehicles and a market share of 7.8 percent.

GM to Change Business Model in Russia

• Focus on Cadillac and iconic Chevrolet vehicles
• Wind down Opel brand and sale of mainstream Chevrolet cars
• Idle GM Auto manufacturing facility in St. Petersburg
• Part of GM’s strategy to ensure long-term sustainability in global markets

General Motors today announced plans to change its business model in Russia. GM will focus on the premium segment of the Russian market with Cadillac and U.S. built iconic Chevrolet products such as the Corvette, Camaro and Tahoe. The Chevrolet brand will minimize its presence in Russia and the Opel brand will leave the market by December 2015. 

“This change in our business model in Russia is part of our global strategy to ensure long-term sustainability in markets where we operate,” said GM President Dan Ammann. “This decision avoids significant investment into a market that has very challenging long-term prospects.”

Opel Group CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann said, “We do not have the appropriate localization level for important vehicles built in Russia and the market environment does not justify a major investment to further localize.”

The GM Auto plant in St. Petersburg will halt production by the middle of 2015. GM is planning to idle the plant. Furthermore, the contract assembly of Chevrolet vehicles at GAZ will be discontinued in 2015.

The GM-AVTOVAZ joint venture will continue to build and market the current generation Chevrolet NIVA. GM’s global luxury brand Cadillac will be set up for growth in Russia over the next several years as it prepares for numerous product introductions.

Chevrolet and Opel will work closely with their dealer networks in Russia to define future steps while ensuring the company will honor its obligations to existing customers in the coming years. “We can assure our customers that we will continue to provide warranty, parts and services for their Chevrolet and Opel vehicles. We want to thank our customers and dealers for their loyalty to the Chevrolet and Opel brands,” said Dr. Neumann.

“We had to take decisive action in Russia to protect our business. We confirm our outlook to return the European business to profitability in 2016 and stick to our long-term goals as defined in our DRIVE!2022 strategy,” said Dr. Neumann. By 2022, the company plans to raise its market share in total Europe to 8 percent and to reach a profit margin of 5 percent.

As a result of the decision to change the business model in Russia, GM expects to record net special charges of up to approximately $600 million primarily in the first quarter of 2015. The special charges include sales incentives, dealer restructuring, contract cancellations and severance related costs. Approximately $200 million of the net special charges will be non-cash expenses.

!NEW! Sophisticated Everyday Athlete: New Opel Corsa 1.4 Turbo with 150 hp

• Strong: New powerhouse available soon for just 17,380 euros
• Sporty: 220 Nm torque, from zero to 100 in 8.9 s, 207 km/h top speed
• Stylish: Fresh, luxurious or bold – choice of looks and equipment 

Cultivated understatement: New Opel Corsa with 150 hp looks like its standard siblings but packs a considerable punch.

This small powerhouse is a perfect fit for fans of the cultivated understatement – the 110 kW/150 hp Opel Corsa 1.4 Turbo. The new four-cylinder engine in the fifth Opel Corsa generation provides superior driving performance: 220 Nm maximum torque, 8.9 seconds for the sprint from zero to 100 and 207 km/h top speed speaks for itself. The other key data are no less impressive: in spite of its first-class power development, the new Opel Corsa 1.4 Turbo consumes just 5.9 liters fuel per 100 km in the combined cycle and emits 136 g/km CO2. It expands the Corsa family powertrain portfolio even further, integrating this sporty driving fun between the new generation 85 kW/115 hp 1.0 Turbo three-cylinder and the exhilarating top-of-the-line OPC 152 kW/207 hp 1.6 Turbo.

New Opel Corsa 1.4 Turbo consumes just 5.9 liters fuel per 100 km in the combined cycle and emits 136 g/km CO2

While the Opel Corsa OPC is only available with a three-door body style, the new, sporty 1.4 Turbo is available both as a three-door for an attractive entry-level price of 17.380 euros and as a five-door starting at 18.130 euros (RRP incl. VAT in Germany). Corsa buyers can choose between two different trims: the young, fresh and sporty Color Edition and the sophisticated, well-equipped INNOVATION version. And for those who want to make the 150-hp Corsa’s inner values visible on the outside, Opel offers the Turbo Plus Package featuring charismatic OPC looks.

Opel Corsa buyers can choose between two different trims: the young, fresh and sporty Color Edition and the sophisticated, well-equipped INNOVATION version

“We wanted a Corsa that combines sportiness with top everyday suitability for an extremely attractive price. And we certainly achieved this with the 150 hp 1.4 Turbo,” says Peter Christian Küspert, Vice President Sales & Aftersales Opel Group, describing the newest member of the small-car family. “The new Opel Corsa 1.4 Turbo is the perfect addition to our portfolio. Buyers can choose between the sporty, fresh three-door model and the luxurious five-door variant for the whole family.”

Spoilt for choice: The new, sporty Corsa with the 1.4 liter turbo engine is available both as a three-door and as a five-door.

Lively, fresh, sporty: 150 hp Turbo with high fuel economy

Opel engineers focused on combining sporty driving fun with economic fuel consumption when configuring the engine. The 110 kW/150 hp 1.4 liter turbo engine delivers 220 Nm torque between 3,000 and 4,500 rpm. A six-speed transmission with soft and precise shifting transfers power to the front wheels. Thus equipped, the Corsa accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in just 8.9 seconds, and for the sprint from 80 to 120 km/h in fifth gear, an exceptionally important speed range for overtaking, it needs 9.9 seconds. Maximum speed is 207 km/h.

Lively and economical: The 150 hp 1.4 liter turbo engine delivers 220 Nm torque while also delivering economical fuel consumption of 5.9 liters per 100 km.

The sporty driving performance is combined with economic fuel consumption, also due to Opel’s Start/Stop technology, which is fitted as standard and especially pays off in stop-and-go urban traffic. The three-door Corsa 1.4 Turbo consumes just 5.9 liters per 100 km and emits only 136 g/km CO2. The Euro 6 engine’s dual cam phasing allows for continuously variable valve timing and a turbocharger integrated within the exhaust manifold reduces weight and delivers compact packaging. Numerous weight-saving features include a cast iron block with a hollow frame structure, hollow-cast camshafts and a plastic intake manifold.

Dynamic, practical, stylish: Sporty ambience inside and out

Ample space for five people and up to 1,120 liter stowage room within a length of just 4.02 meters – the Corsa 1.4 Turbo embodies all its family’s well-known strengths and offers as much space in its compact dimensions as all of its stablemates. In addition, the Color Edition boasts comprehensive standard equipment with an extra touch of sportiness. The interior features aluminum sports pedals and darkly tinted Solar Protect heat-absorbing glazing in the rear passenger compartment, while steering wheel remote controls for the radio and cruise control provide even more convenience.

On the exterior, the high-gloss black roof and grille as well as the chrome exhaust tailpipe set sporty accents, while the fog lights with chrome trim enhance this effect. Opel Corsa comes with 17-inch wheels and bi-color titanium alloy rims as standard. With the Sport Stripes White Package available at no extra cost, the rims shimmer in white.

Opel Corsa INNOVATION variant is understated luxury, with chrome window trim (five-door) and chrome-plated door handles giving it a sophisticated touch.

Opel Corsa INNOVATION variant is understated luxury, with chrome window trim (five-door) and chrome-plated door handles giving it a sophisticated touch. The interior ambient lighting creates a pleasant flair. A relaxing drive with excellent visibility is guaranteed by features such as the standard Bi-Xenon headlamps with cornering light and LED daytime running lights, automatic low beam lighting with tunnel recognition, a rain sensor for the wiper blades and the interior mirror with automatic dimming.

Opel Corsa INNOVATION: Bi-Xenon headlamps with cornering light and LED daytime running lights, automatic low beam lighting with tunnel recognition as standard.

Sharp, uncompromising, exciting: Turbo Plus Package for Corsa OPC fans

For fans of the OPC look, Opel offers the Turbo Plus Package for 800 (five-door) and 950 euros (three-door). With this, the Corsa 1.4 Turbo unmistakably displays its inner qualities for all to see. Its striking looks then feature OPC Line front spoiler and rear spoiler lip as well as body-colored side sills, and the three-door model also has an additional OPC Line roof spoiler. The exterior mirror and grille in carbon design complete the Corsa’s sharp look. The interior welcomes the driver with an OPC Line sports steering wheel, leather gearshift knob and handbrake also wrapped in black leather. Optional Recaro sport seats add to the race car ambiance. With this livery the new 150 hp Corsa radiates pure motorsport feeling for everyday driving – at an affordable price.

The interior welcomes the driver with an OPC Line sports steering wheel, leather gearshift knob and handbrake also wrapped in black leather.

At a glance: The three newest Opel Corsa gasoline models
(Data for three-door version)

	Opel Corsa 1.0 Direct Injection Turbo	Opel Corsa 1.4 Turbo	Opel Corsa OPC 1.6 Turbo
Emission classification	Euro 6	Euro 6	Euro 6
Number of cylinders	3	4	4
Displacement (cm3)	999	1,364	1,598
Max. output in kW (hp) / at rpm	85 (115) / 5,000-6,000	110 (150) / 5,000	152 (207) / 5,800
Max. torque in Nm / at rpm	170 / 1,800-4,500	220 / 3,000-4,500	245 (Overboost: 280) / 1,900-5,800
Acceleration 0-100 km/h in s	10.3	8.9	6.8
Elasticity 80-120 km/h in 5th gear in s	10.4	9.9	6.4
Maximum speed in km/h	195	207	230
Fuel consumption in l/100 km combined cycle	4.9	5.9	7.5
CO2 emissions in g/km combined cycle	115-114*	136	174
Efficiency class	C-B*	D	F
Entry-level price in euros	16,390 (Edition)	17,380 (Color Edition)	24,395

* With low-rolling-resistance tires

!NEW! Opel Mokka enters growing compact SUV segment in South Africa

·  Opel’s first-ever compact SUV to liven up local SUV B and C segments
·  Mokka part of Opel’s international resurgence; follows new ADAM and Corsa
·  Exceptional popularity in Europe sets positive tone for local sales

Opel Mokka Cosmo

The all-new Opel Mokka – Opel’s first-ever sub-compact SUV – makes its South African debut at the end of March. Mokka, which has received unprecedented international acclaim with orders in Europe in 2014 easily surpassing the 240 000 units mark, is the third of the ‘new Germans’ from Opel to be launched in South Africa in just three months.

“The all-new Opel Mokka is an exciting addition to the Opel portfolio and follows ADAM and Corsa as a truly adaptable lifestyle option,” comments Christopher Cradock, Opel Brand Manager at GMSA.

“The vehicle’s high levels of quality, driver aids and safety technology as well as versatility place Mokka firmly at the top of this segment. Mokka is aimed at consumers who have active lifestyles and a taste for adventure. In this regard it is perfectly matched to the aspirational lifestyles of the target groups, but more than that it offers a quality alternative to those customers who live urban lifestyles and fully appreciate the high seating position, extra space, versatility and go-anywhere nature of an SUV. The high level of specification in the new Opel Mokka is backed up by an efficient turbocharged petrol engine giving all models sporty driving dynamics.

The Opel Mokka is available as a four-model range with a choice of two trim levels and a choice of 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmissions with front wheel drive only. Opel’s proven 1.4 litre turbocharged ECOTEC petrol engine does duty in all four derivatives. The engine produces 103 kW between 4 900 and 6 000 rpm and a usable 200 Nm of torque between 1850 and 4 900 rpm.

Opel ECOTEC 1.4 Turbo

“As a compact luxury SUV the Opel Mokka straddles the popular and growing SUV B and C segments of the market in South Africa. With this vehicle we are bringing German engineering, state-of-the-art technology and safety features from larger and more expensive SUVs into a market space dominated by emerging products. Our trio of new Germans – the Opel ADAM, Corsa and Mokka – have democratised luxury technology and life-saving safety features by making them accessible to consumers in the A, B and C segments of our market at reasonable prices.”

Opel Mokka Cosmo 1.4 T automatic - Interior

Mokka’s compact proportions disguise its spacious interior which is characterised by high levels of standard specification, making Mokka a true all-round vehicle where a vast array of lifestyle applications can be easily adapted in a sleek, modern, new German package.

Opel Mokka Cosmo 1.4 T automatic - Rear View Camera

Available at GM dealers from the end of March, pricing will start at R288 500 for the Opel Mokka Enjoy 1.4T manual - R 298 500 for the Opel Mokka Enjoy 1.4 T automatic, R325 500 for the Opel Mokka Cosmo 1.4T manual, and R335 500 for the range-topping Mokka 1.4 T Cosmo automatic.

Opel Mokka Enjoy 1.4 T automatic

Opel Mokka Enjoy 1.4 T automatic - Interior

!NEW! Guiding Light: Eye-tracking Technology from Opel

• Trendsetting: Third generation adaptive lighting already in development
• Forward-looking: Eye movements control direction and intensity of headlamp beam
• Across all classes: Opel safety lighting system AFL+ from Astra to Insignia
• Coming soon: LED Matrix light makes glare-free high beams the standard

Lightning-fast reaction: The camera in Opel’s eye-tracking system scans the driver’s eyes more than 50 times per second to instantaneously adjust the headlamp beam.

Car headlamp beams that are directed by the driver’s eyes? What may still sound like science fiction fantasy in the United Nations’ International Year of Light is not all that far away from reality. Engineers at Opel are already busy developing automotive lighting for the day after tomorrow: with its eye-tracking technology, Opel presents the future of situation-appropriate lighting and once again takes on a pioneering role in lighting technology. This announces a third generation of automotive adaptive lighting, that will be introduced after the current, widely-praised and multi-award-winning AFL+ Bi-Xenon system featuring up to 10 lighting functions available in most Opel models, and Opel’s LED Matrix light that will soon go into series production.

Safety on board: The AFL+ system in the Opel Insignia ensures variable light distribution according to driving situation, road and weather conditions.

Glare-free: Opel’s LED Matrix light deactivates individual LEDs so that oncoming traffic is not dazzled. The rest of the road remains brightly illuminated.

“We’ve been pursuing this concept of controlling the direction and intensity of light based on where the driver is looking for around two years. The more we understand the benefits of this technology, the more intensively we push ahead with our joint project,” says Ingolf Schneider, Director Lighting Technology at Opel, describing the collaboration between Opel’s International Technical Development Center and the Technical University of Darmstadt.

In contrast to high-performance eye-tracking systems requiring five to 10 cameras, a simple webcam was at first used. Focused on the driver’s head, it scanned prominent points, such as the nose and eyes, to detect movement and thereby the driver’s line of sight.

The system then translated the information gathered into data commands for electronically-controlled actuators, which quickly aligned the vehicle’s headlamp projectors. While this technique came very close to achieving eye-control of the headlamps, calculation of data still took too long and the recording rate of the webcam was also too slow to meet the demanding requirements of road traffic conditions.

Fast reaction and intelligent delay

Optimization of the camera’s operating parameters and the adaptation of the eye-tracking algorithm brought the breakthrough. The camera is now equipped with peripheral infra-red sensors and central photo-diodes which together enable it to scan the driver’s eyes more than 50 times per second in dusk and night-time conditions. And with much faster data processing and transmission, the headlamp actuators react instantaneously to make both horizontal and vertical adjustments.

The future of situation-appropriate lighting: Opel engineers are already today working on eye-tracking technology, which will enable drivers to control the car headlamp beams with the direction of their gaze. 

Only one problem remained. In practice, a driver’s eyes very naturally and unconsciously jump from one focal point to another. So if the headlamps were allowed to follow this movement precisely, the vehicle’s light cone would jerk around erratically. “To overcome this problem, we have successfully developed a sophisticated delay algorithm which ensures a suitably flowing movement for the light cone,” says Schneider. “Another major benefit is that the eye-tracker doesn’t have to be individually calibrated for a particular driver. The system works perfectly with anyone behind the wheel, no matter what their size.” Even if the driver is momentarily distracted from looking at the road ahead, lighting is always provided in the direction of travel. That’s because the low beam of the headlamps is programmed to ensure sufficient illumination.

Modern safety lighting already widely accessible today: AFL+ from Opel

Even as Opel is developing eye-tracking as the lighting system of the future, it already provides advanced technologies which ensure optimal night vision and highest driving safety on roads today. Opel has brought a break-through in automotive lighting in offering the current generation of AFL+ in a wide range of models, from the Mokka, Cascada and Zafira Tourer to the Astra and Insignia families, thus once again delivering on the company’s ambition of making premium technologies available to a wider audience. In combination with the Opel Eye front camera, it features up to 10 lighting functions, using Bi-Xenon headlamp beams which automatically adapt to a diverse range of driving situations. For different road and weather conditions, variable light distribution is automatically provided as appropriate for pedestrian areas, city driving, country roads, highways and adverse weather. AFL+ also includes functions such as dynamic curve light, cornering light and the use of energy-saving LED daytime running lights. The direction and intensity of the light beam is adjusted according to both steering angle and vehicle speed. In addition, high beam light assistant switches the headlamps to low beam whenever the forward-facing Opel Eye camera, integrated in the interior mirror mounting, detects the proximity of headlamps or tail-lights of other vehicles. A Light and Visibility Pack also includes automatic low beam lighting, together with tunnel recognition. With this array of automatic lighting functions, AFL+ not only improves the visibility of one’s own vehicle but also reduces driver stress and night-time drowsiness.

Bright as day: The LED Matrix light system

Parallel to refining the proven AFL+ and conducting the development of the future eye-tracking lighting generation, engineers at Opel’s International Technical Development Center in Rüsselsheim are currently completing the final validation tests on their next-generation lighting system for upcoming Opel vehicles. LED Matrix light provides glare-free, high beam lighting, which is automatically and constantly adapted for varying traffic situations. In this way, the LED Matrix light functions with the Opel Eye front camera, but its accuracy and adaptive capacity go one step forward. When light sources are detected from oncoming or preceding traffic, individual LEDs in the relevant zone are deactivated, while the rest of the road remains brightly illuminated. This Opel automotive lighting system turns night into day for drivers without dazzling other road users. It will be introduced within the next 18 months.

!NEW! Europe Premiere at the Geneva Motor Show: Opel OnStar to Set New Standards in Vehicle Safety and Connectivity

• Opel OnStar to be launched in 13 European markets this year
• Car occupants automatically connected with emergency specialist after crash detection
• Other main features: 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, stolen vehicle assistance, smartphone app
• Free trial period: No charge for Opel OnStar and Wi-Fi for 12 months

Opel OnStar

Can more than seven million happy customers in the U.S.A., Canada, China and Mexico be wrong ? No is Opel’s unequivocal response uttered loud and clear at the 85th International Geneva Motor Show. Therefore, the Rüsselsheim-based carmaker will be introducing Opel OnStar, the new mobility and service assistant, across the company’s passenger car range from August 2015. The first introduction wave will see Opel OnStar being rolled out in 13 European markets with additional European markets following later. Following the company’s ambition to make premium technologies available to a wider audience, customers will be able to use the entire service portfolio provided by Opel OnStar as well as the high-speed Wi-Fi hotspot free of charge for the first 12 months after registration.

Fully connected. With Opel OnStar.

“Connectivity is one of Opel’s unique selling points as seen with our award-winning IntelliLink infotainment system. Opel OnStar, for which we have already received a Connected Car Award, is further proof that we want to deliver trendsetting innovations in connectivity to a wider audience,” said Opel Group CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann. “Opel OnStar is a ground-breaking technology: It will add a new level of safety to our vehicles and at the same time make driving more comfortable. The direct dialogue with our customers will create stronger ties with the brand. All this will convince even more new buyers that Opel is the right choice.”

4G LTE Connection with Wi-Fi Hotspot

Stay in touch: The Opel OnStar 4G LTE connection enables a Wi-Fi hotspot, allowing up to seven devices to connect in and around the vehicle. 

With mobile data speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G technologies, increased responsiveness, and the ability to support simultaneous voice and data connections, a built-in 4G LTE connection will enable advances in a wide range of in-vehicle communications and entertainment capabilities. The 4G LTE connection enables a Wi-Fi hotspot, allowing up to seven devices to connect in and around the vehicle. Passengers will be able to stay in touch with family and friends via social media, play games, stream movies or watch TV via their favorite app or to work while away from the office.

The built-in 4G LTE structure is specifically designed for in-vehicle use as it is integrated into the vehicle’s electrical system and includes an external antenna to maximize coverage and connectivity. Customers will not be required to have a smartphone to use connected services. 4G LTE will initially be introduced in three markets, Germany, the UK and the Netherlands with the remaining countries following suit at a later stage.

24/7 lifesaver

In addition to the entertainment and working tool features, Opel OnStar is also there in case of an emergency and can be a real lifesaver – whether you can ask for it yourself or not. If an airbag deploys, Opel OnStar will be alerted automatically. An advisor will then contact the vehicle to determine whether help is required. If there is no response, emergency responders are immediately sent to the exact location of the vehicle. Opel OnStar Advisors located at the high-tech Opel OnStar service center in Luton, England, are available 24/7 and 365 days a year. The Opel OnStar buttons will be located in the overhead center console or the rear-view mirror on some cars. Furthermore, the new system also includes roadside assistance services.

Remote connection with Opel OnStar – The Smartphone App

Smartphone App: Opel OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics 

Smartphone owners will be able to connect to their vehicle remotely with a smartphone app. It will enable them to:

• Contact OnStar from anywhere
• Call up important vehicle data such as oil life or tire pressure
• Remotely lock or unlock the car
• Locate the car online
• Honk the horn and flash the lights
• Quickly download destinations to the in-car navigation system
• Easily manage the vehicle’s built-in Wi-Fi hotspot settings

Rapid vehicle recovery

Opel OnStar: Stolen Vehicle Assistance 

In addition, Opel OnStar will assist vehicle owners and police alike in case a vehicle with the system is stolen. The stolen vehicle assistance will enable Opel OnStar to work closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure that the car is recovered quickly and safely and returned to its rightful owner. Remote Ignition Block will allow Opel OnStar to send a remote signal to the vehicle that blocks the engine from starting once it has been reported stolen.

Up-to-date with monthly diagnostics

Opel OnStar can also provide subscribers with a monthly Vehicle Diagnostics email with the most important vehicle data and information. Furthermore, a diagnostics check can be requested at any time at the push of a button, thus providing peace of mind before setting off on a longer journey.

European customers in complete control

Push the button: Opel OnStar Advisors located at the service center in Luton, England, are available 24/7 and 365 days a year. The Opel OnStar buttons will be located in the overhead center console

Opel OnStar subscribers in Europe will be in complete control of their data and the Opel OnStar services they receive. Before the services are activated they will have to agree to the terms and conditions. Furthermore, they will be able to choose whether they want to reveal their current location – at a push of the Privacy Button their position will be masked. However, no matter whether the location is masked/unmasked Opel OnStar will not be used to monitor its user but will solely offer emergency services. In case of an airbag deployment, Opel OnStar will by default override the mask functionality so that emergency services can be dispatched to the exact location as quickly as possible.