Sunday 24 December 2017

X-Mas Time with the Opel X-Family




Christmas is coming and it’s time to rejoice,
Because Opel offers its customers the perfect choice.
The X-Family of vehicles, all with special flair,
Makes X-Mas time special and a time to share.
Opel Crossland X is the smallest of the bunch,
With efficient engines it packs a punch.
It’s ideal for the city, small, nimble and compact,
Can carry your shopping and is easy to park – fact.
Above it sits the adventurous Opel Mokka X,
A bestselling SUV with a wide range of techs.
Advanced Forward Lighting and all-wheel drive,
Impress Jürgen Klopp and make him feel alive.
The latest addition is the new Opel Grandland X,
Convincing thanks to hot special effects.
Passengers in the rear can enjoy heated seats,
While cruising along snowy X-Mas streets.



Opel and Riwal888 wishes everybody Merry Christmas and happy New Year!



Monday 18 December 2017

New Opel AGR Performance Sport seats: Tailored for the Opel Insignia GSi

  • Developed in-house: Combines lateral support and long-distance comfort
  • Built in-house: Key components from the Opel plant in Kaiserslautern
  • AGR certified: Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V. confirms exemplary ergonomics
  • Fully equipped: Ventilation, heating, massage function, adjustable side bolster


Strong support in corners and high comfort over long distances: New performance sport seat of the Opel Insignia GSi.


Excellent seats are just as much part of Opel as the iconic Blitz on the grille. The Rüsselsheim-based carmaker offers AGR certified (Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V.) ergonomic seats for a wide range of models starting with the sub-compact Opel Crossland X. The latest development in seating technology with outstanding lateral support and best long-distance comfort is now celebrating its debut in the new sporty flagship, the Opel Insignia GSi and the GSi Sports Tourer. The AGR-certified Opel performance sport seat comes with all advanced features already known from the top-of-the-range seats available for the Insignia. The integral seat in the GSi also comes with ventilation, heating, a message function and adjustable side bolsters. These features are complimented by the high backrest with integrated headrest in the sportiest member of the Insignia line-up. In addition, the belt route at shoulder height is exemplary – not a given for integral sports seats. Customers can also choose between two premium leather combinations, while a discreet GSi logo adorns the back rest.


The length, depth, cushion and back angle of the seats that looks like a king cobra ready to strike can all be adjusted electrically. The air cushions of the four-way lumbar support along with the variable side bolsters are also activated electrically. All of these settings can be saved via the memory button – only the seat depth adjustment needs to be done manually. The ventilation and the heating are integrated in the cushion and backrest. In addition, the driver can enjoy a back massage. Overall the sum of sporty side support and comfort features makes the new performance seat a unique offer – developed in the competency centre for healthy seating in Rüsselsheim.





First ultra-sporty looking performance seat entirely from a manufacturer

Normally, carmakers buy the extra-sporty integral seats from a specialised supplier. However, this is very different in the case of the Opel Insignia GSi. The Technical Development Centre can draw on a vast amount of competence when it comes to seat structures. The concept for the second generation of the Insignia always foresaw a modular system with the integral performance seat forming the pinnacle. This enabled all of the comfort features to be maintained in a thoroughbred sport seat. Furthermore, the Opel in-house development also delivers on stylish highlights: the hinted guides for shoulder belts in the back rest look exactly like the air intakes at the front of the Opel Insignia GSi and demonstrate the outstanding attention to detail.

The base structure of the performance seat also stems from Opel. The key steel elements are from the plant in Kaiserslautern. The unified development and production of the new bucket seat also results in significant weight savings. While the sport seat – without any of the comfort features available in the GSi – weighs 28 kilogrammes in the Opel Corsa OPC which has been on the market for some years, the new integral seat with all its functionalities only adds 26 kilogrammes to the Opel Insignia GSi.

Wednesday 13 December 2017

High savings potential: Opel Insignia with Best-in-Class Total Cost of Ownership

  • High savings potential: Exemplary economical TCO values per kilometre
  • High-class equipment: Business Edition with numerous extras as standard
  • Wildly popular: Already many awards for new Opel flagship generation

High savings potential: Opel Insignia is best-in-class for total cost of ownership.

The new Opel Insignia is the economic wonder in the mid-size class. The Opel flagship impresses as much with its sporty style, premium comfort and top technologies as it does with its cost-effectiveness. Customers benefit from a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) for the Insignia than for comparable competitors in the high-volume and premium segment. This makes the Insignia Grand Sport and Sports Tourer particularly attractive for both private and fleet customers.

Cost effective: Class-leading total cost of ownership makes the Opel Insignia Sports Tourer estate (photo) and Grand Sport sedan especially attractive for private as well as business customers.


Business Edition: Top equipment at special price


Especially the Business trim levels offer high comfort and a host of technologies as standard in a complete package for an extremely attractive price. The Insignia Business Edition already comes with features such as the Navi 900 IntelliLink infotainment system and integrated navigation as well as the AGR-certified (Campaign for Healthier Backs) ergonomic seat. This abundance of equipment is one of the reasons for the Insignia’s high resale value.


But many other factors also ensure that the Opel flagship pays off more than the competitors in its segment: thanks to ultra-modern production methods and high-class materials the Insignia achieves an outstanding level of quality, which is important for a long life cycle with stable residual values. In addition, clever engineering, efficient propulsion systems, innovative technologies and assistance systems make driving safer. This all results in favourable insurance ratings, low servicing and repair costs as well as reduced fuel costs.



As Turbo diesel or Turbo petrol unit: Opel Insignia pays off

According to current calculations and based on current prices (more information below) the total cost of ownership for the Insignia Grand Sport Business Edition with a 100 kW/136 hp 1.6 liter Turbo diesel (NEDC fuel consumption with Start/Stop and six-speed manual transmission: urban 5.11 l/100 km, extra-urban 3.9[1] l/100 km, combined 4.31 l/100 km, 1141 g/km CO2) is an extremely economical €0.35 per kilometre driven. It’s a similar situation with the identically motorised and equipped Insignia Sports Tourer (NEDC fuel consumption with Start/Stop and six-speed manual transmission: urban 5.3 l/100 km, extra-urban 4.1 l/100 km, combined 4.5 l/100 km, 119 g/km CO2): the correspondingly calculated total cost of ownership is just under €0.38 per kilometre driven. The Insignia Sports Tourer Business Edition with the 2.0-litre Turbo diesel with 125 kW/170 hp (NEDC fuel consumption with Start/Stop and six-speed manual transmission: urban 6.9 l/100 km, extra-urban 4.3 l/100 km, combined 5.3 l/100 km, 139 g/km CO2) also impresses with exemplary TCO values which are currently only €0.38 per kilometre driven on the afore-mentioned basis – compared to almost €0.42 for the closest comparable competitor.

But it’s not just the Opel Insignia diesel variants, the petrol models also pay off in terms of total cost of ownership: the Business Edition with the 121 kW/165 hp 1.5 litre Turbo ECOTEC unit (NEDC fuel consumption with Start/Stop and six-speed manual transmission: urban 7.5-7.3 l/100 km, extra-urban 4.9-4.8 l/100 km, combined 5.8-5.7 l/100 km, 133-130 g/km CO2) also boasts high economy with the Grand Sport just under €0.43 and the Sports Tourer just under €0.44 per kilometre.

The total cost of ownership is calculated from the costs for maintenance[2], insurance, fuel consumption (official fuel consumption in the New European Driving Cycle NEDC according to Regulation (EC) No 715/2007 and Regulation (EC) No 692/2008 in the applicable versions[3]) and taxes as well as the expected depreciation after three years and 90,000 kilometres (diesel vehicles) or five years and 100,000 kilometres (petrol vehicles). The basis for this is the data provided by the independent organisation Audatex Cost-of-Ownership Solutions in the autumn of 2017, as well as the current GDV insurance classifications on typklasse.de. The fuel prices used in the calculation were obtained from www.benzinpreis.de (status October 2017: petrol - €1.374/litre, diesel - €1.188/litre), published in ams autokauf in the autumn of 2017. The residual values are based on the prognoses of Bähr & Fess Forecasts.

Simply superb: The Opel flagship impresses


The Opel Insignia thus offers an attractive overall package that wins over customers and experts alike. Even though the youngest generation of Opel’s flagship has been on Europe’s roads for just a few months, it has already received a number of awards. These include the “Golden Steering Wheel” 2017 in Poland (Auto Swiat) and Slovenia (Auto Bild) as well as “Best Car 2017” (Fleet Cars & Vans, Fleet Auto Premium) in Poland and “Fleet News of the Year” (FLEET Magazine) in the Czech Republic.


 
[1] With low-rolling-resistance tires.
[2] In accordance with Opel time specifications and Opel recommended retail price for spare parts and operating agents.
[3]For vehicles with values determined according to WLTP (Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure) and recalculated in NEDC: According to Regulation (EC) No. 715/2007, Regulation (EU) No. 2017/1153 and Regulation (EU) No. 2017/1151 in the applicable versions.

Monday 11 December 2017

First-class Ride: New Opel Insignia Sports Tourer and Country Tourer also Cuts Fine Figure as Taxi

  • New taxi models: Opel flagships Insignia Sports Tourer and Country Tourer
  • Pays off: Generous space, top workmanship and economical consumption
  • Large ex-works taxi offer: New Opel Insignia models join Vivaro and Zafira

Good looking and practical: Up to 1,665 litres of luggage space and up to two metres of load-length for bulky goods – the Opel Insignia Sports Tourer as taxi.


“Taxi!” Those looking for a spacious and elegant means of transport can now hop in the Opel Insignia Sports Tourer or, for an even more individual ride, the Insignia Country Tourer. The flagship estates from Rüsselsheim are now also available as taxi models in the characteristic light ivory lacquer and as chauffeur service rental cars – with top comfort for passengers and plenty of room for luggage. With these qualities, the newcomers enrich Opel’s portfolio of very spacious taxis.


The Opel Insignia enables taxi companies to offer their customers a lot of room and highest comfort. In the entry-level model Insignia Sports Tourer Taxi Selection already available from €22,639 (RRP excl. VAT in Germany), driver and front passenger enjoy the multi-stage adjustable comfort seats. The standard air conditioning system ensures a constantly pleasant temperature including footwell heating in the rear passenger cabin. And with a luggage compartment volume of 560 to a maximum of 1,665 litres as well as a load-space length of over two metres, even large and bulky cargo can be easily stowed in the Insignia Sports Tourer. The driver benefits from top connectivity with the standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible Radio R 4.0 IntelliLink.


For a net entry-level price of €26,046 the Taxi Dynamic variant already comes with Navi 900 IntelliLink including an 8-inch colour touchscreen and integrated navigation on board. Both the driver and front-seat passenger make themselves comfortable in the ergonomic seats certified by the independent AGR (Campaign for Healthier Backs) experts – the best basis for a relaxing ride. The AGR seat also makes the taxi even more pleasant as a workplace for the driver. With its multi-stage adjustments for the contours of the spine, the seat is a true back champion.

Thanks to state-of-the-art production methods, lightweight construction as well as powerful and fuel-efficient engines, the flagship estate is very economical. For instance with the 100 kW/136 hp 1.6 litre Turbo diesel and six-speed automatic transmission it consumes just 5.2 litres per 100 kilometres (NEDC fuel consumption with Start/Stop: urban 6.1 l/100 km, extra-urban 4.6 l/100 km, combined 5.2 l/100 km, 137 g/km CO2).

At the same time, the Insignia Sports Tourer comes with all the prerequisites to be able to quickly and easily transform it into a fully equipped taxi: the basic taxi equipment is available for a net price of €1,790. It includes a taxi alarm system, electrical connections for the taximeter and roof sign, an on and off switch for the roof sign, power supply for the radio as well as protective foil on the door and boot sills. Various roof signs and mounts as well as taximeter installation preparation kits can be ordered for the Insignia. And last but not least, taxi companies can equip their Sports Tourer model right at pick-up with the Hale SPT 02 taximeter that is perfectly integrated into the rearview mirror housing.

With these special features, the Insignia Sports Tourer and Country Tourer now expand the Opel taxi portfolio available ex-works. The major advantage of the works solution is that the customer gets everything from one source, there is a full works warranty on all modifications and the fixtures are integrated in the car according to highest Opel quality standards. In addition to both newest-generation flagship estates, the extremely flexible Opel Zafira with space for up to six passengers and the large Opel Vivaro van are also available to meet practically all transport needs.

Monday 4 December 2017

Ready, Steady, Go: Order Books Open for New Opel Insignia GSi

  • Top-class sports feeling: Be an Opel Insignia GSi pilot from prices starting at €45,595
  • Powerful engines: Choice of BiTurbo diesel or turbocharged petrol unit
  • Like clockwork: FlexRide chassis and all-wheel drive with torque vectoring
  • Exciting appearance: Bumpers, side sills and rear spoiler in GSi design
  • Top comfort with touring car flair: Newly developed, AGR-certified integral seat
  • Tailored flagship: Opel Insignia Grand Sport and Sports Tourer available as GSi


The Opel Insignia GSi celebrated its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show. And now everybody who wants to experience the car for themselves can do so with the opening of the order books for Opel’s dynamic flagship. Prices for the GSi start at €45,595 (all prices RRP including VAT in Germany) for the Grand Sport variant. The car promises maximum driving pleasure on all roads. Families eager to experience the sporty feeling together can look to the spacious GSi Sports Tourer variant for prices starting at €46,595. It offers an equally rewarding driving experience plus additional space and practicality.


“The Insignia GSi already impressed with its uncompromising styling at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Our customers can feel that certain something as soon as they get behind the sport steering wheel,” said Peter Küspert, Managing Director Sales and Marketing, Opel Automobile GmbH. “This is the time to change. Because as of now, all sport drivers can now order their Insignia GSi. They will receive a sports machine for connoisseurs – sharp, precise and efficient.”

The entry-level Opel Insignia GSi Grand Sport is already equipped with the 154 kW/210 hp 2.0 litre BiTurbo diesel that delivers a hearty 480 Nm of torque at 1,500 rpm (Official fuel consumption GSi 2.0 BiTurbo in accordance with the New European Driving Cycle: urban 8.9 l/100 km, extra-urban 6.1 l/100 km, combined 7.3 l/100 km, official specific combined CO2 emissions 192 g/km).

People who prefer a powerful turbocharged petrol unit for the Opel  Insignia GSi can choose the 191 kW/260 hp 2.0 litre engine (Official fuel consumption in accordance with the New European Driving Cycle: urban 11.2 l/100 km, extra-urban 7.1 l/100 km, combined 8.6 l/100 km, official specific combined CO2 emissions 197 g/km) for prices starting at €47,800. The 2.0 turbo delivers maximum torque of 400 Nm from 2,500 to 4,000 rpm. It propels the Insignia GSi Grand Sport from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds and gives it a top speed of 250 km/h.

In addition, both powertrain versions come with an especially dynamic set-up of the FlexRide chassis, adaptive all-wheel drive with torque vectoring, especially grippy Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tyres along with a new eight-speed automatic transmission which also enables manual shifting via the paddles on the steering wheel.

It really gets stuck in …

The all-new GSi chassis is the base for maximum driving pleasure and effective power output: Shorter springs lower the GSi by 10 millimetres and special sports shock absorbers reduce body movements to a minimum. You can feel exactly where the Opel Insignia GSi received its fine-tuning in every corner and in every movement – on the Nordschleife of the Nürburgring, the toughest racetrack in the world.
 

The mechatronic FlexRide chassis adapts shock absorbers and steering in fractions of a second; the control unit also changes the calibration of the accelerator pedal and the shift points of the eight-speed automatic. The driver can choose between Standard, Tour and Sport modes. Subject to the chosen mode, steering and throttle-response is then even more direct. Exclusive to the GSi is the Competition mode, which is activated via the ESP button. A double-press allows skilful drivers more yaw and switches off traction control. Insignia GSi pilots who truly want to control everything themselves can also change gears via the steering wheel paddles.


Elsewhere, the Twinster all-wheel drive system with torque vectoring – unique in the segment – is the ideal match for the sports chassis. The conventional differential on the rear axle is replaced by two clutches, which can accelerate each rear wheel individually in fractions of a second. Depending on the driving situation, this results in the Insignia GSi following the line its driver wants to take. Furthermore, Brembo brakes ensure outstanding braking performance even at high speeds.

… and immediately gives a race-driver feeling


These ingredients create a highly active driving experience which is matched by the Insignia GSi’s sporty looks. Large chrome air intakes at the front, GSi bumpers and side sills along with the optional prominent rear spoiler for the Grand Sport clearly show: here comes a real sports machine. Furthermore, drivers can enjoy the standard AGR-certified ergonomic seats or alternatively choose the optional integral leather performance seat developed especially for the GSi. It comes with the customary comfort features such as ventilation, heating, massage function and adjustable side support along with a high back rest with integrated head rest. The standard aluminium sport pedals provide additional sporty flair. With these features the Opel Insignia GSi delivers unparalleled driving pleasure both as a Grand Sport and as a Sports Tourer.

Groupe PSA and Nidec to set-up a leading joint venture for automotive electric traction motor

Groupe PSA and Nidec Corporation (the “Nidec”), through Nidec Leroy-Somer Holding (the“Nidec Leroy-Somer”), intend to work together in the field of electric traction motor. For this purpose, Nidec Leroy-Somer and Groupe PSA entered into a joint venture agreement on December 4, 2017. Closing of such transaction remains subject to antitrust clearance and employee representative consultation. Groupe PSA makes the strategic choice to anchor in France the design and production of the main components of the electric traction powertrain.

Nidec Leroy-Somer and Groupe PSA have acknowledged the strategic importance of traction motor in coming electrification age and agreed mutual cooperation for developing state of the art high-performance and competitive electric traction motor range for electrified vehicles (Mild-hybrid (MHEV), Electric Vehicles (“EV”) and Plug-in Hybrid (“PHEV”) to meet the needs of Groupe PSA and other OEMs.

The aim of the partnership is to design, develop, manufacture and sell a range of efficient electric traction machines. The joint venture will then engage R&D, manufacturing and sales for high-performance electric traction motor mainly to Groupe PSA, and to other OEMs, by combining PSA’s automotive OEM strengths and Nidec Leroy-Somer’s leading expertise of motor and related electrical equipment.

1.    Purpose and Background of the Transaction

As an anticipation of energy transition towards a cleaner mobility, electrification is the key to both solving global warming and controlling air quality with a well to wheel approach. Given the above trend, OEMs are accelerating their shift towards electrified vehicle technologies. Along with this trend, electrification of automobiles has been expanding and the market of electric motor for automotive is foreseen to double its size to JPY 6 trillion (€ 45 billion) in 2030. Nidec has been also active in this trend and developing products with its superior motor expertise.

Nidec has been actively developing a new growth platform with particular focus on automotive business. In its midterm strategic goal Vision 2020 it has targeted to achieve JPY 700 billion to 1 trillion (€ 5,4 to 7,6 billion) of sales in automotive sector in 2020.
Nidec Leroy-Somer, acquired by Nidec on February 2017, is the leading electric motor company in France serving all industry sector and renowned for its high quality products providing the best value to customers.

Groupe PSA, which is a European champion with the second position on the European market, has been actively accelerating its shift to electrified vehicles (MHEV, PHEV, EV). As part of the energy transition process and in line with the technological offensive spelled out in its “Push to Pass” strategic plan, Groupe PSA is focused on diversifying its technological offering with plug-in hybrid petrol engines and next-generation electric powertrains.

2.    Information on the joint venture:

Foundation:     1er quarter 2018, subject to closing
Headquarters:     Carrières sous Poissy, Paris region, France
R&D facilities:     Carrières sous Poissy, Paris region, France
Production facilities:     Trémery, Metz region, France
Shareholders:     50% Nidec Leroy-Somer Holding /50% Groupe PSA
Investment:     € 220 Million



3.    Effect on Financial Performance for the Current Fiscal Year

The Transaction is expected to have no significant impact on Nidec’s consolidated financial performance for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018. Nidec will make additional disclosure on a timely basis in accordance with the rules of the Tokyo Stock Exchange upon determination of further details.