Saturday 31 October 2015

Happy Halloween: Opel ADAM Deals Hungry Pumpkins a Blow

With a touch of Schadenfreude: Opel’s successful, stylish and fast lifestyle ADAM turns the pumpkin into a toothless tiger.

The Halloween pumpkins try to munch our car,
But our little ADAM really is a star.
With funky colors or a swing top roof,
It shows the pumpkins it’s no car for a goof.
The scary pumpkins look on in disbelief,
As our funky little ADAM shows them who’s the chief.
One pumpkin tries to block his escape route,
But our ADAM shows him he is anything but cute.
The impression left on the pumpkin’s face,
Proves that the ADAM really is an ace.


Happy Halloween with ADAM Family !


No other model family is as colorful and individual as the Opel ADAM. The ADAM is just as much a stylish city speedster as a cool lifestyle mini and is thus the individualization champion. Countless combination options both on the in and outside, a masculine or more subtle appearance, as an ADAM ROCKS with open air feeling or as an ADAM S or an ADAM ROCKS S with a touch of racing driver feeling make it the bestseller in the trendy A segment for lifestyle minis. Since its launch, around 170,000 customers have found their individual ADAM. Powerful, modern engines with outputs ranging up to 110 kW/150 hp guarantee driving pleasure. 


Furthermore, the ADAM shows that it is an innovation leader repeatedly with its reasonably priced and multiple award-winning IntelliLink infotainment system with 7-inch touchscreen and its personal connectivity and service assistant Opel OnStar that also makes it a powerful 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot. So much continuous pioneering does not go unnoticed. The Opel ADAM has already won the Auto Trophy and the Best Cars Award, is a multiple red dot design award winner and a multiple value champion in the small car segment. The Opel ADAM also show its price consciousness when it comes to the entry-level price: The unconventional lifestyle mini is available from a mere €11,950 (RRP including VAT in Germany).


Friday 30 October 2015

!NEW! Buick Verano’s Ecotec 1.5T Engine Named “China Heart” 2015 Ten Best Engine

The 1.5T SIDI engine in the new Buick Verano from SAIC-GM has been named one of the “China Heart” 2015 Ten Best Engines.

Buick Verano’s 1.5T Engine Named “China Heart” 2015 Ten Best Engine.

The recently introduced Ecotec 1.5T SIDI engine was chosen by an expert judging panel following several rounds of reviews and road tests. It was selected for its durability, advanced technology, power, fuel efficiency, low maintenance cost, and low level of noise and vibration.

In addition, the Buick Verano new-generation sports sedan was honored as a “China Heart” recommended model due to its award-winning powertrain, as well as its stylish and dynamic exterior, exquisite and comfortable interior, and precise and agile handling.

Buick Verano’s 1.5T Engine Named “China Heart” 2015 Ten Best Engine.
The all-aluminum engine in the Verano is loaded with cutting-edge technologies such as a variable displacement oil pump, an integrated cylinder head/exhaust manifold, a patented quiet inverted-tooth camshaft drive chain. It also incorporates industry-leading central direct injection technology, which delivers improved fuel atomization and enables the injection of a precise amount of fuel into each cylinder.

In the Buick Verano 20T, the engine is paired with a seven-speed DCG transmission with stop-start technology. It delivers maximum output of 124 kW at 5,600 rpm and peak torque of 250 Nm at 1,700-4,400 rpm. This gives the vehicle the ability to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.8 seconds and segment-leading combined fuel consumption of 6.1 L/100 km. The engine complies with China’s advanced National V emissions standard.

More than 1,600 prototypes of the engine were put through more than 3.2 million kilometers of road testing worldwide.

This is the ninth year that one of GM’s Ecotec engines has been named one of the Ten Best Engines since the honor was created in 2006. The engine is also featured in the popular Buick Envision SUV. As a component of SAIC-GM's Drive to Green strategy, the engine will be deployed in more of the automaker's models.

Thursday 22 October 2015

!NEW! Opel IntelliLux LED Matrix Light: “SAFETYBEST 2015”

  • AUTOBEST jury gives award for safety technology in new Opel Astra
  • IntelliLux LED® Matrix light offers permanent, glare-free full beam
  • Light system more intense and durable than conventional headlights


  • Newcomer takes first place: New Opel Astra has won the “SAFETYBEST 2015” award with its adaptive IntelliLux LED® matrix light system.

    To each saint his candle: All-new Opel Astra has won the “SAFETYBEST 2015” award with its trendsetting adaptive IntelliLux LED® matrix light system. The AUTOBEST jury consisting of specialized independent journalists from 26 European countries awards the prize. The opinion of the jury was: “The Matrix light technology is a breakthrough in car lighting systems. After extensive tests performed by many of the AUTOBEST Jury members, the system proved to be so effective it earned the nickname ‘magic’.” By winning the award, the new Astra is continuing the success of the new Corsa, which was named the AUTO “Best Buy Car of Europe for 2015”:

    IntelliLux LED®: Full-LED Matrix Light of the next generation enables driving with glare-free high beams and is available in the compact class for the first time in the new Opel Astra. 
    The groundbreaking IntelliLux LED® matrix light system enables driving with glare-free high beams and will be available in the compact class for the first time in the Astra at a precisely calculated surcharge comparable to that of conventional adaptive lighting systems. The IntelliLux LED® matrix light is much more than a pure LED high beam as offered by competitors. The intelligent and dynamic system automatically adapts to the current traffic conditions and always offers the best possible illumination. With the introduction of the powerful LED matrix light, Opel is making state-of-the-art light technology previously only available in more expensive luxury class vehicles available to a wider audience.

    Award winning: New IntelliLux LED® Matrix system automatically and constantly adapts the length and distribution of the light beam to every traffic situation.
    “We are democratizing technology by making innovations affordable and bringing them to high volume vehicles. Our new LED matrix light, IntelliLux, is a perfect example. Our integration of the LED Technology provides outstanding night time performance enhancing safety for the driver and those around them,” said a jubilant Charlie Klein, Vice President Vehicle Engineering at Opel.

    Does not dazzle: When Opel IntelliLux detects light sources from oncoming or preceding traffic, individual LEDs in the relevant zone are deactivated, simply “cutting out” the area around the vehicles. The rest of the road and its surroundings remain brightly illuminated.

    However, that is not all. The overall package of ultra-modern technologies, outstanding comfort and athletic design is also convincing. The Opel newcomer is also one of five finalists competing for the AUTOBEST “Best Buy Car of Europe for 2016” award.

    Friday 16 October 2015

    !NEW! GM Sold 7.2 Million Vehicles in the First Nine Months of 2015


    General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) sold 7.2 million vehicles globally in the first nine months of 2015. The company posted sales increases in four of its five largest markets, with record sales in China and strong retail sales gains in the United States. Total sales were down 1 percent, due primarily to the company’s previously announced decisions to strategically reduce its presence in certain markets, as well as difficult market conditions in South America.

    “Our unwavering focus on the customer is paying off in our largest and most important markets as we execute one successful launch after another in the right segments,” said GM President Dan Ammann. “At the same time, we have reacted quickly to challenging macroeconomic environments in other markets and have shown the discipline to exit situations where we see no long-term path to acceptable returns.”
    Examples of GM’s recent success include:

    • GM truck sales in North America were up 16 percent in the first nine months of 2015, driven by a 17 percent increase in Chevrolet truck deliveries in the United States.
    • Chevrolet had record crossover sales in North America in the same period, up 17 percent year over year.
    • In China, crossovers like the Chevrolet Trax and Buick Envision represented more than 17 percent of sales by GM and its joint ventures in September, up from 6 percent a year ago.
    • Cadillac had record sales in China with deliveries rising 12 percent to nearly 57,000 units.

    GM is preparing to launch even more new trucks and crossovers during the next several months, including the all-new Cadillac XT5, a redesigned Chevrolet Silverado and a diesel-powered Chevrolet Colorado for North America, and the Baojun 560 in China. Key car launches include the all-new Chevrolet Malibu and Cruze in North America and the all-new Opel Astra in Europe.

    Additional Highlights (vs. 2014)

    First Nine Months 
    • In the United States, Chevrolet has reported six consecutive months of retail sales and market share gains and has strategically reduced sales to rental companies by more than 50,000 units through September.
    • Opel / Vauxhall increased its European market share and grew sales in 19 countries, including Italy, Spain, France, the U.K. and Germany.
    • Buick had record deliveries in China, with sales up 4 percent to nearly 670,000 units.
    • Baojun had record sales, with deliveries rising 236 percent to more than 270,000 units.
    • GMC’s global sales increased 11 percent, and four of the brand’s SUVs and pickup trucks – the Yukon, Yukon XL, Sierra and Canyon – have the highest average transaction prices of any vehicles in their respective segments in the United States, according to J.D. Power PIN estimates.

    Third Quarter
    • Among GM’s largest markets, sales rose in the United States, the U.K. and Canada.
    • Opel / Vauxhall, Buick, Cadillac, GMC and Baojun all reported higher sales.
    • Chevrolet had record crossover sales in the United States, up 24 percent, while Chevrolet U.S. truck sales increased 16 percent.
    • Deliveries in South Korea were up 11 percent to record of nearly 43,000 units.
    • Global sales were down 3 percent.  

    GM Global Sales: January - September 2015

    Calendar Year-to-Date
    Region Total  Sales YOY Change Pct. Change Total  Sales YOY Change Pct. Change
    GM North America 930,758 46,110 5.2% 2,685,342 126,257 4.9%
    GM Europe 287,690 3,137 1.1% 898,236 (60,131) (6.3%)
    GM South America 150,142 (66,956) (30.8%) 485,557 (156,749) (24.4%)
    GM International 191,847 (21,928) (10.3%) 589,854 (41,525) (6.6%)
    GM China ** 773,226 (33,902) (4.2%) 2,492,428 38,215 1.6%
    Total 2,333,663 (73,539) (3.1%) 7,151,417 (93,933) (1.3%)

    Quarter 3
    Calendar Year-to-Date
    Sales by Brand **
    Total  Sales YOY Change Pct. Change Total  Sales YOY Change Pct. Change
    Chevrolet
    1,078,847
    (112,998) (9.5%)
    3,291,133
    (252,280) (7.1%)
    Opel/Vauxhall
    272,619
    14,007 5.4%
    864,338
    31,256 3.8%
    Buick
    300,335
    10,858 3.8%
    852,289
    21,635 2.6%
    Cadillac
    67,895
    997 1.5%
    198,993
    6,228 3.2%
    GMC
    176,222
    11,100 6.7%
    499,343
    48,933 10.9%
    Baojun
    110,977
    69,395 166.9%
    270,488
    189,857 235.5%
    Wuling
    286,155
    (55,358) (16.2%)
    1,050,327
    (100,110) (8.7%)
    All Others
    40,613
    (11,540) (22.1%)
    124,506
    (39,452) (24.1%)
    Total
    2,333,663
    (73,539) (3.1%)
    7,151,417
    (93,933) (1.3%)

    Notes:
    GM North America = United States, Canada, Mexico, and other North American markets*
    GM Europe = Western, Central and Eastern Europe
    GM International = Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East*
    ** Includes China retail sales
    * Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria and Sudan are excluded from sales volume calculations

    Thursday 15 October 2015

    !NEW! Opel Astra TCR: New Touring Car for Customer Racing Presented

    • Sneak preview of the 330 hp touring car for the TCR Series
    • Use in short and long distance races possible
    • First cars to be delivered to selected customer teams at the end of February 2016 

    New Opel Astra TCR will presented for the first time in the Belgian town of Mettet.

    Opel took full advantage of the international TCR (Touring Car Racing) presentation at the circuit Jules Tacheny in Mettet, Belgium, showing their new customer racing touring car for the first time. The Opel Astra TCR combines ultra-modern racing technology with an effective safety concept while simultaneously remaining close to production. It enables the Opel teams to compete in short and long distance races – such as the 24-hour race on the Nürburgring – with a technically unchanged vehicle.

    New Opel Astra TCR is powered by a highly efficient 2.0 Turbo with 330 hp

    The 5-door Astra is powered by a highly efficient two-liter turbocharged engine that will deliver 330 hp and maximum torque of 420 Nm (both determined by the “Balance of Performance” concept), thus ensuring that vehicle with a curb weight of 1,200 kilograms has enough propulsion. This power is transferred to the front wheels via a sequential, six-speed racing transmission with the paddle shift located on the steering wheel. Adhesion is established via a twin-disc sinter metal clutch. An automated double declutching system creates stability when shifting down. The racing car is decelerated by 378 mm brake discs and 6-piston brake calipers at the front along with 265 mm brake discs and 2-piston brake calipers at the back. The driver can modulate the braking balance from the cockpit.



    The chassis is fully adjustable and comes with ultra-modern damper technology. The efficient aerodynamics, which include an adjustable front splitter and rear spoiler that for cost reasons are standard components and identical on all TCR vehicles, are also relevant for the vehicle set-up. Electronic assistance systems such as ABS and ESP are not permitted.


    In order to ensure that the Opel customer teams can use their Astra TCR for a number of years without making any technical adjustments, the car already comes with features that the International Automobile Association (FIA) will only declare mandatory from the 2017 season such as the 100-liter fuel safety tank.


    Opel’s commitment in the Touring Car Racing Series marks the continuation of a long and successful tradition in touring car racing. Customer racing has always been a key pillar in Opel’s motorsport commitment in many countries across Europe alongside factory-backed participation in the German Touring Car Championship (DTM) or national championships such as the German Supertouring Championship (STW). The concept of the TCR matches this philosophy perfectly – with powerful, optically impressive close-to-production touring cars available at affordable prices, the TCR meets the current requirements of the interested customer teams.

    The TCR also offers Opel the perfect platform to present its new volume model in a racing environment in the involved markets. The various national championships, obviously including the new German TCR series (ADAC TCR Germany), which will be staged under the overall control of Opel’s longtime partner ADAC, and the European championship are an ideal playing field for Opel and its customer teams. The three-tier concept – national and continental championships along with the global TCR International Series – ensures that customer teams can compete worldwide with the same car.

    The Astra TCR is being developed in close cooperation with Opel’s longstanding partner Kissling Motorsport from Bad Münstereifel. Initial performance checks are set to take place before the end of October. A limited amount of Opel Astra TCRs will be delivered to selected customer teams from February of next year. The race-ready vehicle will cost a competitive €95,000 (plus VAT).


    Wednesday 14 October 2015

    !NEW! Buick Verano Hatchback and Verano GS Coming This Year

    Born with sportiness and European car-like handling

    New Buick Verano GS
    Two new Buick hatchbacks, the Verano Hatchback and Verano GS, are coming this year. The additions to the Verano family are built on the same mid-range global passenger car platform as the new Opel Astra.

    The new Buick Verano models have trendy, sporty styling along with European car-like handling, premium interiors and advanced technology. They are targeted at trend-setting consumers who are looking for a driving experience that is “born with sportiness.”

    The hatchbacks feature Buick's innovative low-slung, wide stance along with a double-sweep beltline, flowing bodylines, a floating roofline and a front grille that is seamlessly connected to wing-shaped headlights.

    Buick Verano GS has additional stylish yet sporty elements and a wide range of colors. Its optional interior and exterior packages include a black waterfall grille, aerodynamic spoilers, bright red strips for the front and rear bumpers, bright red brake calipers and dark-painted five-spoke aluminum alloy wheels – all of which ignite a passion for driving.

    Both models incorporate GM's new Ecotec small engines, which combine powerful performance with exceptional fuel economy. The Verano Hatchback pairs a 1.5L SIDI naturally aspirated engine with a six-speed intelligent manual transmission or six-speed DSS intelligent automatic transmission. The Verano GS has a 1.5T SIDI turbocharged engine, which is accompanied by a seven-speed DCG intelligent transmission. The powertrain combination produces maximum output of 124 kW/5,600 rpm, with fuel consumption of only 5.9 L/100 km.

    The new Verano family members are built on a firm chassis. They offer European car-like handling thanks to testing and tuning at Germany's famed Nürburgring circuit.

    SAIC-GM launched the Buick Verano new-generation sports sedan on June 27. The Verano Hatchback and Verano GS will strengthen Buick’s presence in China’s premium mid-range passenger car segment, offering consumers a greater range of products to choose from to meet their needs.

    !NEW! Opel Increases European Sales in First Three Quarters by 33,000 Cars

    • Opel outgrows market in September and in first three quarters of 2015
    • European sales up by four percent in first nine months

    Successful SUV: New registrations for Opel Mokka were up 26 percent across Europe in the first three quarters.

    Opel has once again outgrown the overall European car market in September, continuing its upward trend in Europe. According to preliminary numbers, new car registrations were up by around 5,200 vehicles or 4.7 percent to 114,100 units year-on-year. The market share has increased slightly to 6.21 percent. The Rüsselsheim-based carmaker improved its sales volume by around 32,600 units or four percent in the first nine months of the current year – despite pulling out of the Russian market. New registrations of 850,000 are equivalent to a slightly improved market share of 5.87 percent.

    Bestseller: Sales for the Opel Corsa were up by 8 percent in the first three quarters of 2015.


    “Our new models suit the taste of our customers across Europe. We are continuing to grow – despite pulling out of the Russia market and we are optimistic for the upcoming months. The feedback we have received on our new Astra, which will only celebrate its dealer premiere in Germany on October 10 and 11, is great. It will give our product offensive an additional boost,” said Peter Christian Küspert, Vice President Sales & Aftersales Opel Group. The successful Mokka SUV (+26 percent), the Corsa (+8 percent) and our lifestyle mini ADAM (+4 percent) were the main movers in the passenger car sector in the first three quarters.

    Lifestyle mini: Sales for the Opel ADAM were up by 4 percent in the first three quarters of 2015.

    Compared to the same period of last year, Opel has sold more cars in the first nine months on 19 markets. The Rüsselsheim-based carmaker posted growth on the largest European markets such as Italy (+20 percent), Spain (+18 percent), France (+5 percent), UK (+4 percent) and Germany (+ 3 percent).

    Monday 12 October 2015

    !NEW! Opel Demonstrates Technology for Safer Inner-city Driving

    • Insignia demonstration vehicle avoids collisions by braking and steering automatically
    • Smart intersection benefits city dwellers and climate, as well as motorists
    • UR:BAN research project for intelligent assistance and traffic management systems

    Careful, pedestrian: The sensor technology of the Opel Insignia recognizes the obstacle quicker than the human eye and automatically initiates the evasive action.
    Most driver assistance systems today focus on traffic situations outside urban areas. However, inner-city driving represents an even bigger challenge for modern drivers. There is so much happening at once and there are so many cars, trucks, buses, cyclists and pedestrians to keep an eye on. Higher safety in this complicated mobile environment is the goal of several assistance systems under development at Opel, which can warn the driver or briefly take control of the vehicle.

    Evasive action: Opel Insignia recognizes the suddenly emerging obstacle and avoids a collision with automatic steering and braking.

    Steering intervention: Opel Insignia reacts quicker to the dangerous situation than the driver and initiates the evasive action.
    The Rüsselsheim-based car-maker is working on innovative driver-assistance systems as part of its role in the UR:BAN research project (user-oriented assistance systems and network management). The aim of the project, which is partly funded by the German government, is to provide drivers with forward-looking support, tailored and customized to driving in urban traffic. Thirty-one partners from the automotive industry, electronics and software companies, together with research institutes and local authorities, are developing intelligent assistance and cooperative traffic management systems.

    Making inner-city driving safer

    Especially in urban traffic, situations frequently occur where ordinary drivers may not react in time – cars emerging unexpectedly from parking lots, children unseen behind parked cars suddenly dashing into the road. Opel has built an Insignia demonstration vehicle that not only warns the driver of such dangers, but can also avoid collisions with vehicles and pedestrians by taking automatic evasive action through steering combined with braking.

    The car is equipped with advanced camera and radar, and modified braking and steering systems, which can intervene in the control of the vehicle.


    Another Opel demonstration vehicle shows the potential for further development of driver assistance systems through studying driver behavior. Using vehicle data, a front camera and a head-tracking camera, a specially developed algorithm analyzes driver behavior patterns to predict at an early stage, for example, whether the driver will perform a lane change maneuver or not. Such enhancements will optimize the performance of driver assistance systems such as side blind-zone alert by avoiding unnecessary warnings and driver irritation, helping to increase the acceptance of active safety features in the future.

    Cars and infrastructure generate traffic recommendations sent via Wi-Fi

    Intelligent Insignia: Opel flagship communicates with the traffic lights at the next intersection via Wi-Fi and informs the driver via the display. He can then adapt his speed accordingly.
    In addition to avoiding collisions, Opel is also working on improving inner-city traffic conditions for the benefit of motorists, city dwellers and the climate. Opel has built a demonstration vehicle based on the Insignia Sports Tourer that shows how information sent via Wi-Fi from the traffic management infrastructure and other vehicles can generate recommendations for driving at intersections. The recommendations can help the driver approach the intersection smoothly, safely and without wasting fuel, and preferably without stopping. They are displayed via an advanced Man-Machine-Interface (MMI) using the Driver Info Center in the instrument panel, with secondary information shown in the central console.

    Best recommendation: Future Opel vehicles will recognize the traffic situations and show the driver which lane they should take and how fast they should drive to reach the next set of traffic lights when they are green.
    In order to improve inner-city driving Opel can call on years of experience in Car-to-X communications and research into automated driving. But despite rapid progress in assistance systems and cars that can drive automatically, the company remains committed to keeping the driving experience enjoyable. At Opel, driving is fun when it is neither boring nor over-demanding, and those are precisely the conditions the company’s driver assistance systems are aiming at.  

    Friday 9 October 2015

    !NEW! All-New Opel Astra Sports Tourer and new 1.6 BiTurbo-Diesel Available for Order

    • Spacious station wagon now available: Prices for Astra Sports Tourer start at €18,260
    • Family resemblance: All innovative technologies from 5-door Astra carried over
    • New powerful premium diesel: 1.6 BiTurbo CDTI with 118 KW/160 PS
    • Clever: Flexible up to 1,630 liter large loading space with power tailgate

    Spacious station wagon now available: Prices for new Opel Astra Sports Tourer start at €18,260.
     
    The new Astra generation is continuing to grab the headlines. After recently celebrating its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the 5-door variants will now roll to dealerships. 


    This coming weekend potential customers will be able to take a seat in the new Astra at Opel partners across Germany. But that is not all: Order books for the new Sports Tourer will open simultaneously with the 5-door dealer launch. The dynamic looking station wagon with loading space of up to 1,630 liters is available from just €18,260 (all prices RRP in Germany). A new top-of-the-range diesel presently only available for the Astra will also make its debut. The 1.6 BiTurbo CDTI with 118 kW/160 hp delivers maximum torque of 350 Nm from 1,500 rpm. In combination with a six-speed transmission and Start/Stop, it consumes just 4.2 liters per 100 kilometers for the combined cycle (CO2: 110-107g/km) in the new Astra Sports Tourer.


    “Our new Astra represents a quantum leap in the compact class. The Sports Tourer and the 5-door variant both offer numerous high-tech features from higher segments as standard or as an option. Now both models can be ordered and come with exemplary value for money, which is typical for Opel,” enthused Peter Christian Küspert, Vice President Sales & Aftersales Opel Group.

    The new Astra combines efficiency with elegance and sets new standards in the compact class with outstanding innovations. No matter whether the 5-door or the Sports Tourer variant – both are up to 200 kilograms lighter than their predecessors are and offer passengers, especially those in the rear – more space.

    Numerous technologies and assistance systems from higher segments improve comfort and safety for the occupants. Starting with the personal connectivity and service assistant Opel OnStar, continuing with the ultra-modern IntelliLink infotainment systems that are compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and by no means ending with the groundbreaking adaptive IntelliLux LED® matrix light, which enables driving with permanent high-beam without glaring other road users. The latest generation Opel Eye front camera offers important safety features such as the optimized Traffic Sign Assist, Lane Keep Assist, which ensures that drivers stay on track with active steering corrections right up to Forward Collision Warning with emergency automatic braking (8 to 60 km/h). In addition, the new AGR-certified premium ergonomic seats now offer a unique combination of side bolster adjustment, massage and memory function along with ventilation. Heated rear seats are also available.

    Sports Tourer highlights: Power tailgate and all-new BiTurbo diesel

    The Opel compact station wagon, now available for order for prices starting at €18,260, comes with the same virtues as its 5-door sibling: The Astra Sports Tourer is more spacious inside without growing its exterior dimensions. This leads to more comfort for the driver and the passengers along with up to 1,630 liters of loading space. The interior is very flexible thanks to the 40/20/40 folding rear seats. The FlexOrganizer product range, with side rails, dividing nets and various fastening options ensures that all loaded materials can be stored tidily.


    Opel also offers an especially practical novelty for the Astra Sports Tourer: In combination with Keyless Open and start, a kicking motion under the rear bumper is enough to open the tailgate. Furthermore, the tailgate can still be opened or closed by a switch on the driver’s side of the car, buttons in the luggage compartment or via the key’s remote control.


    The powertrain portfolio of the Sports Tourer is the same as for the 5-door – with one especially powerful exception: The new 118 kW/160 hp 1.6 BiTurbo CDTI, which delivers maximum torque of 350 Nm from 1,500 rpm, is presently reserved exclusively for the station wagon. Performance and power generation are comparable to that of a two-liter engine. In the Astra Sports Tourer, mid-range acceleration from 80 to 120 km/h in fifth gear is absolved in 8.1 seconds. Top speed is 218 km/h. The sovereignty of the four-cylinder common rail unit comes from the sequential, two-stage turbocharging. In combination with a six-speed transmission and Start/Stop, the 1.6-liter all-aluminum diesel engine consumes just 4.2 liters per 100 kilometers for the combined cycle (CO2: 110-107g/km), making the Astra Sports Tourer 1.6 BiTurbo CDTI one of the most fuel efficient vehicles in the compact class. Prices for the Astra Sports Tourer with the power diesel start at €24,950.

    Pure efficiency: The new generation engines

    Outputs of the completely new gasoline and diesel units offered for the new Astra Sports Tourer range from 70 kW/95 hp to 147 kW/200 hp. The new Astra Sports Tourer with the 74 kW/100 hp 1.4-liter all-aluminum gasoline engine under the hood will be available for a very affordable entry-level price of €18,260. The 77 kW/105 hp three-cylinder 1.0 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo is available for only €700 more. Elsewhere, the completely new 1.4 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo is available with outputs of 92 kW/125 hp or 110 kW/150 hp and delivers maximum torque of up to 245 Nm. Depending on the output, fuel consumption can be reduced to 5.3 liters per 100 kilometers (122-119 g/km CO2).


    The 1.6 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo gasoline unit is the most powerful engine available for the Sports Tourer with prices starting at €26,910. The 147 kW/200 hp turbocharged direct injection gasoline unit mobilizes an impressive 300 Nm of torque (with overboost), enabling the station wagon to accelerate from 80 to 120 km/h in fifth gear in 7.2 seconds. Top speed is up to 235 km/h. Consumption and emissions are relatively modest given the high level of performance with 6.1 l/100 km and 142-139 g/km CO2.


    Apart from the 1.6 BiTurbo CDTI, diesel fans can also order a new Astra with a 1.6 CDTI single-stage turbocharged engine in three outputs ranging from 70 kW/95 hp to 100 kW/136 hp and offering maximum torque of 320 Nm. The current efficiency champion of the new Astra Sport Tourer family is the 81 kW/110 hp model, with fuel consumption a mere 3.7 liters and CO2 emissions of 99 to 96 grams.

    Thursday 8 October 2015

    !NEW! All-New Opel Astra Impresses with Best-in-Class Total Cost of Ownership

    • Consumption champions: 1.6 CDTI only needs 3.4 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers
    • Low maintenance: Service intervals of 30,000 kilometers the longest in the segment
    • Residual value champion: Up to 10.9 percent higher than for predecessor
    • Price breaker: Up to € 5,000 cheaper than comparable premium class vehicle

    All-New Opel Astra impresses with the lowest running costs in its class
    The new Opel Astra is setting standards in efficiency, design, connectivity, with technologies from higher segments – and for the total cost of ownership. In order to make full use of this brand-typical strength, the Opel engineers always kept the following priorities in mind during the development process: low fuel consumption, reduced running, maintenance and repair costs along with high value retention due to high product quality. This is how the new Astra has managed to outshine its competitors in the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) stakes.


    The residual value of the All-New Opel Astra is up to 10.9 percent higher than for the outgoing model.

    A further argument in favor of the new Astra is: Astra buyers can save around €5,000 compared to buyers of compact class cars made by the premium manufacturers. A fully equipped Opel newcomer, including IntelliLux LED® matrix light, the latest generation IntelliLink infotainment systems, the personal connectivity and service assistant Opel OnStar with a powerful Wi-Fi Hotspot for up to seven devices, ergonomic seats with massage function and all of the driver assistance systems, comes in around €1,500 below the basic and quite plain version of some competitors – that is saving the Astra way.

    “The new Opel Astra was created from the proverbial white sheet of paper. That shines through in every details. Quality, design and economic efficiency are at a very high level, ultra-modern engines and quality workmanship also speak for our bestseller. With these attributes the Astra is setting standards in its class and should be even more popular with customers and especially fleet managers,” said Jürgen Keller, Executive Director Sales, Marketing & Aftersales Germany.

    Cost management à la Astra: Clever and practical

    No compact class car is more cost conscious and economical than the new Astra. The combination of modern, lightweight construction – the new Opel Astra is up to 200 kilograms lighter than the outgoing model – outstanding aerodynamics (Cd of 0.285) and Euro 6 engines of the latest all-aluminum generation helps the new Astra deliver impressive best values.

    Most streamlined Astra ever: Exemplary drag coefficient of 0.285.
    On average, The 1.6 CDTI with 81 kW/110 hp in the five-door variant only consumes 3.4 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers (90 grams of CO2 per kilometer).

    All-New Opel Astra equipped with the 1.6 CDTI (81 kW/110 hp) the  delivers average fuel consumption of only 3.4 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers.

    And its brother, the 1.0 ECOTEC turbocharged gasoline engine with 77 kW/105 hp, even manages to deliver one of the best values in the segment when combined with Easytronic 3.0 – it then only emits 96 grams of CO2 per kilometer.

     All-New Opel Astra equipped with the turbocharged 1.0 ECOTEC (77 kW/105 hp) gasoline engine and Easytronic the  only emits 96 grams of CO2 per kilometer – one of the best values in the entire segment.
    The Astra also scores on running costs. Service interval of 30,000 kilometers are the longest in this vehicle segment and accommodate company car and frequent drivers. Advantageous insurance premiums – the new Astra falls into the same affordable category as the outgoing model – are also easy on the budget. Opel is also cutting expenditures in one of the most costly sectors for private and fleet car owners all under the motto “one size smaller”. 15-inch wheels with 195/65 R15 tires and 16-inch wheels with 205/55 R16 tires are the new standard. Compared to the predecessor this can lead to savings of up to €47 per tire when replacements are required.

    The Astra engineers also considered maintenance and repairs at a very early stage. Therefore, Opel already have a stock of recycled components including important spare parts such as cylinder heads, transmissions, alternators, brake calipers, fuel injection pumps and diesel particle filters. All of these parts meet the Opel new goods standards in terms of quality, technology and design while simultaneously reducing the workshop bill by 30 to 40 percent.

    A festival for professionals: Outstanding residual value

    Even though the Astra was already an extremely popular fleet car, the new generation or compact car looks to increase its appeal even further. The designated bestseller reaches and outstanding level of quality thanks to ultra-modern production methods and high-grade material – and this has an impact on the TCO-relevant residual value. The predicted residual value of the newcomer is on average five percent high than for the outgoing model. For the 1.6 CDTI Business with 81 kW/110 hp this add up to 10.9 percent after three years and 90,000 kilometers, resulting in savings of €3,188 for the owner.

    The new Opel Astra with the 92 kW/125 hp 1.4 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo shows similarly good credentials. Given a 5-year holding period and mileage of 100,000 kilometers, the predicted residual value is 7.1 percent higher than for a comparably model of the outgoing generation. Total savings amount to €2,984. Opel Astra 1.4 ECOTEC Business is also exemplary when it comes to fuel consumption. The direct injection gasoline engine delivers consumption of 4.9 liters per 100 kilometers, which is equivalent to 114 grams of CO2 per kilometer.

    All-New Opel Astra equipped with the new 1.4 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo (92 kW/125 hp) emits only 114 grams of CO2 per kilometer.

    Thursday 1 October 2015

    !NEW! Sneak Preview of the New Opel Astra TCR

    • Opel to present the new touring car in Belgium on October 15
    • Development of racing car with roughly 330 hp going according to plan
    • TCR seen as ideal field for outstanding touring car customer racing

    Powered by Opel: New Astra TCR comes with a two-liter turbocharged engine with roughly 330 hp.
    Development of the new Opel Astra TCR for the young but already hugely successful Touring Car Racing Series (TCR) is going according to plan. The customer racing touring car based on the new Opel Astra will be presented to the public for the first time at the official TCR presentation scheduled to be held on the Circuit Jules Tacheny in the Belgian town of Mettet on October 15, 2015.

    For customer racing: New Opel Astra TCR racecar.
    The Astra TCR, developed by Opel Motorsport in conjunction with long-standing technology partner Kissling, comes with a two-liter turbocharged engine with roughly 330 hp and a string of technical highlights. The racing car will continue the long tradition of customer racing at Opel with its symbiosis of close-to-production but high performance and spectacular technology.

    The TCR Series, launched for the 2015 season, offers the perfect playing field for professional customer teams. Thanks to the three-pillar concept, a TCR vehicle can race in national and continental championships along with the global TCR International Series – all of which have exactly the same homologation. Germany will have its own TCR racing series with the ADAC TCR Germany. Furthermore, a TCR class will be introduced for the ADAC 24h race on the legendary Nürburgring, thus further increasing the possibilities for the Opel Astra TCR.

    !NEW! Opel ADAM S Wins Autonis Design Award

    • Best Design Newcomer 2015: Convincing win for Opel ADAM S in mini car category
    • Public opinion: 17,000 auto motor und sport readers cast their vote
    • Honored: Vice President Design Europe Mark Adams accepts award 

    Opel ADAM S
    Small Opel, big splash: The ADAM S pocket rocket was one of the big winners at the “autonis – Best Design Newcomer 2015” readers’ choice awards. A huge majority of the 17,000 participants voted for the Opel ADAM S as the best-looking car in its class.


    Opel KARL – the practical sibling of the stylish Opel ADAM – finished a respectable fourth in the mini car category.

    Opel KARL 
    Furthermore, the new Opel Astra claimed the bronze medal behind the BMW 1 Series and the Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake in the highly competitive compact class category.

    New Opel Astra 
    “17,000 readers cannot be wrong! The convincing win of the Opel ADAM S is a fantastic confirmation of our design philosophy: Sculptural Artistry meets German Precision. In addition, the Opel ADAM shines with sheer endless individualization possibilities, giving every customer the opportunity to create an Opel ADAM according to his/her personal taste. And seeing our new Astra immediately break into the phalanx of German premium brands is also a huge success. As already said: the new Astra upsets the luxury class,” said jubilant Mark Adams, Vice President Design Europe, at the award ceremony in Stuttgart.

    Best Design Newcomer 2015: Vice President Design Europe Mark Adams (center) accepts the “autonis” for the Opel ADAM S from the hands of auto motor und sport editor-in-chief Jens Katemann and deputy editor-in-chief Birgit Priemer.
    The autonis readers’ choice award held by automotive magazine auto motor und sport follows its own set of rules: Each participant can votes, two for positive and two for negative assessments. The final result is based on following calculation: If, for example, 20 per cent vote for model A as the winner and five per cent see it as a flop, model A receives overall score of 15. This result then determines the final position of model A. The Opel ADAM S received an outstanding overall score of 50.1; the closest competitor only achieved a score of 29.8. The editors of auto motor und sport thus commented in their latest edition: “Opel ADAM S – incredibly versatile in configuring an unmistakable look.”