Traction Master: Opel Insignia Country Tourer with High-Tech AWD

• Pure safety: Intelligent all-wheel drive system for exemplary directional stability and outstanding traction
• Pure reaction: Torque vectoring with perfect torque distribution to each rear wheel
• Pure driving pleasure: Opel flagship with 4x4 technology on icy alpine pistes

Fun, but safe: Opel Insignia Country Tourer with innovative Twinster torque-vectoring all-wheel drive technology.

The ground is icy and exhaled breath is freezing. Snow as far as the eye can see. Perfect conditions to get behind the steering wheel and complete some really fast laps – in Austria’s deep-freeze. People who want to have fun on snow and ice only need one thing: the Opel Insignia Country Tourer with Twinster all-wheel drive and torque vectoring. It is the ideal match for the icy, snowy condition in Thomatal where the Opel Winter Trainings take place. The programme not only includes braking and accelerating, finding out the adhesion limits or safely mastering extreme driving conditions, it is also a lot of fun. This is made possible by Opel’s flagship model, the Insignia, with the top of the range Insignia Country Tourer, leading the way for touring in comfort. 

With its additional ground clearance of 25 millimetres and protective cladding, the Opel Insignia Country Tourer awakens the desire to leave smooth asphalt roads and instead head for rougher surfaces. The secret for unrestrained driving pleasure is hidden under the bodywork: The Twinster all-wheel drive with torque vectoring. “The extremely good cornering and directional stability, even in extreme surface conditions, characterise the most modern Opel all-wheel drive system,” said Andreas Holl, Director Controls and All Wheel Drive Development at Opel.

High-tech 4x4 system for safe driving pleasure at all times

The innovative all-wheel drive is based on pure high-tech: On the Twinster system with torque vectoring, twin clutches replace the conventional differential on the rear axle. As a result, the system can apply torque to one or both of the rear wheels individually in a split second,” explained Holl. This means that the power is transmitted optimally at all times. “Twinster enables an extremely high torque distribution capacity ranging from 0 Nm on the one to side to 1,500 Nm on the other. In addition, torque distribution can be set independently from wheel slip and wheel speed. And then there is the compact construction: As there are two clutches in front of the drive shafts, the rear axle differential is omitted. That saves space and weight,” he continued.

This technology also enables the Insignia Country Tourer to be more agile and precise when cornering. It offers outstanding directional control for maximum stability and shines with exemplary traction on all surfaces – even ice and snow. In general, higher torque is sent to the outside rear wheel, the vehicle is stabilized and the Insignia turns in with more precision, responding more spontaneously to inputs from the driver. Torque vectoring therefore means an increase of active safety.

Going for a quick one in the Opel Insignia Country Tourer: With the help of Twinster torque-vectoring all-wheel drive technology.

The participants of Opel’s Winter Training can experience this increase first hand. All they need to do is temporarily switch off the torque vectoring, which is connected to the ESP system. “The before-and-after comparison is dramatic. If you had everything under control until then, without technical support your drive will be over at the second pylon,” said Holl. This is a borderline experience that nobody normally wants to have.

For comfort-conscious cruisers and experienced, sporty drivers

The mechatronic FlexRide chassis provides the foundations for optimal, situation-based handling. It adapts shock absorbers, calibration of the accelerator pedal and shift points (on cars with automatic transmission) automatically or based on the Tour and Sport modes that can be selected by the driver. Subject to the chosen mode, steering and throttle-response is then softer or even more direct and ESP intervenes earlier or later.

Those looking for a somewhat sportier ride with ESP and all-wheel drive should therefore select “Sport” mode. In this mode, the system permits strong movement around the vertical axis (low yaw damping) and simultaneously supports the agile character of the Opel Insignia Country Tourer. Those who prefer comfortable cruising should press the “Tour” button”. The central ‘Drive Mode Control’ software is the heart and soul of the adaptive chassis. It continuously analyses the information provided by the sensors and setting and recognises the individual driving style.

Families’ Best Friend – New Opel Combo Life

• All-new: New architecture makes the fifth generation Opel Combo a perfect family car
• Your choice: Long or short versions, both as five or seven seat option
• XXL: 597 litres minimum and up to 2,693 litres of luggage volume
• Typical Opel: Numerous driver assistance systems and great infotainment
• Outstanding overview: Head up display and 180° rear view camera
• Opel styling cues: Solid and robust design, Opel-typical headlight winglets
• Available soon: Start of sales in first half of 2018, deliveries start in second half

Tough character: The side-view of the new Opel Combo Life features protective flank guards and prominent wheelarches.

Opel is continuing its ongoing product offensive by launching a true all-rounder with the new Opel Combo Life, a wonderful family car full of innovations that makes everything possible. The fifth-generation Combo is based on a new architecture. It is immensely spacious, highly practical and versatile, equipped with one or two rear sliding doors and can be ordered as a short (4.40 metres) or long (4.75 metres) version and as a five or seven seater. With the new Opel Combo Life, you will be the hero of your local sports team when taking an entire seven-a-side team plus sports apparel to the next match. Your planned family “extensions” can relax on three individual rear seats all with Isofix child seat brackets and enjoy a wonderful view of the sky thanks to the panoramic roof. And your friends will also love the outstanding spaciousness and ask whether they can borrow your new Opel Combo Life for their trips to nearest Swedish furniture store.

Just right for active-outdoor lifestyles: New Opel Combo Life is available in short or long versions, with one or two sliding doors and up to seven seats.

However, more strikingly the new Opel Combo Life raises the bar in terms of technical ambition in this segment and takes the level of safety and comfort to a new dimension. It is fitted with technologies and driver assistance systems well-known from the compact or SUV segment such as Driver Drowsiness Alert, Rear View Camera with 180° bird’s-eye view, Head up display, IntelliGrip, and comfort features such as heated seats and a heated leather steering wheel. One of the newcomers to the Opel portfolio of assistance systems is Flank Guard. It supports drivers when turning at low speeds. And on top of that the new Opel Combo Life is also pleasant on the eye thanks to bold proportions giving a strong and robust appearance.

Compact: New Opel Combo Life is notable for its especially short front and rear overhangs.

“The new Opel Combo Life is a key vehicle in our product offensive. Our newcomer will definitely appeal to families with its versatility and spaciousness combined with an outstanding offer of ultra-modern driver assistance systems that make driving safer and travelling more enjoyable,” said Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller. “This car has a huge potential to grow the brand and gives us the opportunity to attack the important small van segment with new vigour.”

Friendly ultra-modern technologies and assistance systems

New Opel Combo Life significantly increases the number of high-tech safety and comfort features, raising the bar in its segment significantly. Opel recognised the wish of its customers to make high-tech solutions accessible to families and have fitted it with a vast array of technologies that are useful in everyday driving.

These innovative, high-tech, safety-relevant solutions include:

 

• The Head up display reduces the danger of distractions and projects the most important driving data into the driver’s direct line of sight, reducing the necessity for the driver to take his eyes of the road.
• Forward collision alert with pedestrian detection and Automatic Emergency Braking^[1] helps avoid accidents. The system not only issues an alarm and a visual warning but also brakes independently if the distance to a vehicle moving ahead decreases rapidly and the driver does not react.
• The Opel Eye front camera known from Opel bestsellers such as the Astra, Corsa and Mokka X. It processes diverse data thus forming the basis for the driver assistance systems such as Speed Sign Recognition and Lane Keep Assist.
• Automatic Cruise Control adapting the speed to the vehicle ahead if required.
• Intelligent Speed Adaptation informing the driver when a new speed limit is detected by the Speed Sign Recognition. If the cruise control or the speed limiter is activated, a pop up message in the cluster will ask the driver if he or she wants to adjust the set the speed.
• Driver Drowsiness Alert evaluates the fatigue level through the drive style and suggests that the driver has a well-deserved break at the next service station.

 Parking manoeuvres are made safer and easier by:

• Flank Guard[2] - new to the Opel portfolio of parking/manoeuvring assistance systems. It supports the driver while turning at low speeds, warning him or her when there is a risk that a flank of the car will collide into an obstacle (pillars, barriers, wall or other vehicles). Flank Guard consists of twelve sensors around the car. They analyse the surrounding area and warn the driver via the infotainment screen if a potential collision is detected. The visual warning comes together with an audible one.
• The Panoramic Rear View Camera, increases the angle of sight at the back of the car to 180 degrees so that the driver can see other road users approaching from either side when reversing.
• Advanced Park Assist facilitates parking even further. It recognises suitable parking slots and parks the vehicle automatically. It can also exit the parking slot automatically. In both cases, the driver only needs to operate the pedals and shift gears.

Adventurous families who like venturing off the beaten track will not have to worry about surface conditions thanks to a clever solution:

• IntelliGrip traction control, already known from the Opel Grandland X, is an optional electronic front differential which adapts the torque distribution to the front wheels, allows wheel-spin if necessary, and with the automatic transmission adjusts shift points as well as throttle response. This ensures best traction and stable handling regardless of whether the Combo Life is travelling on mud, sand, wet surfaces or snow.

And winter escapes are made more enjoyable thanks to various comfort features:

• The heated leather steering wheel is unique in the segment and ensures that Combo Life drivers will never have to worry about cold hands.
• The heated front seats keep the chill at bay and increase well-being.
• The auxiliary heater works independently of the engine and can pre-heat the vehicle before departure. The auxiliary heater can be activated via a timer or remote control creating cosy and comfortable temperatures.

Organised: Centre console of the new Opel Combo Life is clearly influenced by the brand’s German DNA, with the controls for infotainment, climate control and storage arranged in three levels.

The Combo Life also offers Opel-typical state-of-the-art Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible infotainment systems with up to eight-inch capacitive colour touchscreen.

State-of-the-art: New Combo Life profits from Opel’s leading role in connectivity with infotainment and navigation systems that include colour touchscreens up to eight inches in size.

The fun-factor for occupants is further increased by the various charging options. USB ports in the front and second row ensure that tablets and smartphones can be recharged even while the children watch their favourite YouTuber. A 230V power socket in the front footwell even allows one passenger to plug in a laptop. Furthermore, compatible smartphones can also be charged wirelessly via the inductive charging pad located below the air-conditioning controls.

Family friendly: Spacious, comfortable, versatile

Somewhat more expected than the wide range of high-tech solutions available for the latest member of Opel’s product offensive is its exceptional versatility. It is available as a 4.4-metre long standard version or as a 35 centimetres longer large version, optionally with two sliding rear doors. Both variants have a height of 1.8 metres and both configurations will be available with either five or seven seats ensuring that even large families with their two golden retrievers can enjoy a spacious and comfortable ride.

Versatile: Customers who order the new Opel Combo Life with individual second row seats can conveniently fold them from the boot.

Transporting a large amount of luggage, a considerable amount of sports apparel or even large dogs to a holiday destination will also be a breeze for Opel Combo owners. The five-seat, standard length version has a minimum luggage volume of 597 litres^[3]. People requiring even more space can obviously also opt for the long wheelbase with a minimum luggage volume of 850 litres³.

However, the Combo Life is not only a spacious and highly comfortable family van. It can also double as a small transporter. With the rear seats folded down the boot volume of the standard version more than triples to 2,126 litres^[4] meaning that getting camping equipment, bicycles or large parcels from A to B is no longer a problem. Again, the longer version of the Opel Combo Life offers even more capacity when the rear seats are folded down. In this configuration, it can carry a whopping 2,693 litres⁴. Furthermore, the developers have also thought about how to transport long items. Therefore, the front passenger seat folds flush with the rear seats, extending the length of the loading area so that even surfboards can be transported. The designers also ensured that the annoying gap sometimes left between luggage and tailgate can be utilised thanks to the optional opening window integrated in the tailgate known from premium SUVs.

The second row seating setup of both variants also caters for individual preferences. Customers will be able to choose between the standard second row bench with 60/40 split or alternatively three individual seats, which can be folded conveniently from the boot^[5]. In both cases, each seating position has its own Isofix child seat bracket as standard allowing for three child seats to be fitted next to each other, a rarity in the market. Furthermore, each seat has a top tether anchor point designed to lessen forward movement of the forward facing child seat in the event of a frontal collision and thus reduce the risk of injury. Meanwhile, easy access to the passenger compartment is guaranteed by the sliding doors.

Safe and secure: With each seating position in the second row featuring its own Isofix bracket, the new Opel Combo Life can accommodate the youngest passengers in their child seats in a single row.

Regardless whether children or adults are travelling in the rear, all of them can enjoy a wonderful view of the sky thanks to the optional panoramic roof. It permits them to savour starry nights or lap up the warm rays of the sun. When the sun is too strong for the occupants’ liking, an electric sunblind, activated though a switch in the overhead console, can be closed, providing total protection. When open, the panoramic roof also improves the feeling of space even further while simultaneously creating a pleasant and light ambience.

Enjoy the view: Not only the driver of the new Opel Combo Life, but also the rear-seat passengers benefit from the panoramic roof.

Best friend for travelling

Room galore: Split-level glovebox of the new Opel Combo Life offers plenty of storage space, especially at the top, thanks to the installation of the passenger airbag in the roof.

The storage possibilities of the Combo Life match the versatility of the vehicle and are benchmark in the segment. The large compartment in the centre stack can take anything ranging from 1.5 litre bottles to smartphones or from wallets to tablets. In addition, front and rear seat occupants can safely stow items in the large door pockets. Passengers in the rear can keep their tablets safe in the pockets on the back of the front seats while the driver and front seat passenger can use either the top or the lower glovebox. The top glovebox is ideal for larger items as it is particularly spacious thanks to the installation of the passenger airbag in the roof. But that is by no means all. When ordered with the optional panoramic roof, the Combo Life comes with overhead storage running down the centre of the vehicle with LED lighting as standard.

The sky’s the limit: Occupants of the new Opel Combo Life will get stars in their eyes with the optional panoramic roof, which also features a shelf illuminated by LED lighting in the ceiling.

Furthermore, in this configuration the newcomer is also fitted with a large 36-litre storage box mounted above the hat tray in the boot. This enables for some of the space normally not utilised when not packing up to the roof is used sensibly – without impeding the view of following traffic through the rear view mirror. The storage box is ideal for clothes, books or small toys such as the favourite teddy bear. It can be loaded from the rear when the boot is open or via the optional opening window integrated in the tailgate and accessed from inside the vehicle via two sliding doors at the front of the box.

Those in need of even more space and even more storage possibilities or those who want to tow a small caravan (trailer load up to 1,500 kg) can obviously also attach a trailer via the optional fixed or removable towing hook. To ensure the safest possible driving conditions, the Opel Combo Life comes with Trailer Stability Control (TSC) as standard when ordered with a towing hook. This additional ESP function stabilises the swaying of the trailer or slows the vehicle as required. If these measures are not enough to avert all danger, the system reduces engine torque even further and brakes the vehicle so that the critical speed range is left as quickly as possible.

Friendly appearance: Balanced, robust, confident

Robust: High bonnet contributes to the balanced, confident appearance of the new Opel Combo Life.

The new Opel Combo Life does not just stand out from the crowd with its high-tech solutions, outstanding spaciousness and exceptions versatility. It also comes with eye-catching proportions. Compared to other cars in the segment, it has a shorter front overhang and a higher bonnet. It looks more balanced, robust and confident. From the front, it displays a typically Opel identity with sculptured details enhancing the feeling of precision and solidity. The high bonnet with two crisp lines, which go from the windshield down to the grill, emphasises the stability of the vehicle. The predominant part of the car is the front grille, where the headlamps with LED Daytime Running Lights with the typical Opel winglets band together precisely and amorously as a defined line. Two chrome wings in the grille embrace the Opel Blitz. Thick wheel-wells connected via the side sills further emphasise the solidity of the Opel Combo Life. The rear of the car is very linear following a vertical design underlining the high practicality of the vehicle and framing the generous opening to the luggage compartment.

Typically Opel: Styling cues such as the front grille and the LED winglets over the headlights make the new Opel Combo Life instantly recognisable.

In the interior, driver ergonomics have played a decisive part resulting in a well-organised cockpit where all the controls are easy for the driver to find and reach. The centre console is clearly divided in three different areas. In its upper part, the infotainment system takes up most of the space. Down from there, the driver finds the heating and ventilation controls and in the lower part there is adequate storage space for a 0.5-litre bottle. Chrome accents on the steering leather wheel, on the door handles and in the air vents add further character.

Under the bonnet, Opel Combo Life customers will have the choice between a variety of turbo-charged, direct injection petrol and diesel engines. All of the units combine driving pleasure with a high level of fuel economy. The engines are mated to five or six-speed manual transmissions with a segment-first eight-speed automatic option also being available.

^[1] Works automatically above 5 km/h and below 85 km/h. From 0 to 30 km/h the deceleration metric to reduce the impact speed of the collision is 0.9g. From 30 to 85 km/h the system brakes to the speed by a maximum of 22 km/h. After this threshold, the driver needs to brake himself to reduce the speed even further.
[2] active below 10km/h
^[3] Measured until the top of the back seat.
^[4] Measured up to the roof.
^[5] Available from 2019

First Fully Electric Opel / Vauxhall Corsa Will be Made in Zaragoza

• Next generation Opel/Vauxhall Corsa will be produced exclusively in Zaragoza as of 2019, plus electric variant by 2020
• Social framework agreement paves the way for sustainable future at Zaragoza site

From A to E: To date, five generations of the Opel Corsa have been produced in Zaragoza since 1982.

Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller today announced that the next generation of the Opel/Vauxhall Corsa will be produced exclusively in Zaragoza as of 2019. In addition, the electric variant of the bestselling sub-compact car will also roll off the Zaragoza production line by 2020.The Spanish plant will therefore be the first Groupe PSA plant to produce a fully electric Opel/Vauxhall model in Europe.

In front of an Opel Crossland X: Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller, Plant Manager Zaragoza Antonio Cobo and Jonathan Akeroyd, Director Sales, Marketing & Aftersales Opel Iberian Cluster (from left)

“This is an important step forward for the Zaragoza plant and marks the beginning of a new era,” said Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller. A major prerequisite for future investments is the social framework agreement that was concluded with the unions at the end of January. This is enabling the plant to significantly increase its competitiveness, allowing further investment in the manufacturing site. “This result is significant and shows the mutual trust and confidence of all involved stakeholders. Zaragoza will continue to play an important role in the industrial footprint of Groupe PSA,” added Lohscheller.

The Corsa will be one of four electrified models in the Opel/Vauxhall portfolio by 2020. According to the strategic plan PACE!, all European Opel/Vauxhall passenger car models will have an electrified version by 2024.

The Zaragoza plant started building the Opel Corsa in 1982. Since then almost thirteen million cars have been built in the plant, thereof more than ten million units of the bestseller Corsa. Groupe PSA is also currently building the Opel Mokka X, the Opel Crossland X and the Citroën C3 Aircross in the plant. With this additional Groupe PSA investment in Spain, the company confirms its commitment and strengthens its leading position with a total output of 876,672 vehicles in 2017.

Black is Beautiful: Opel Models with Special Style

• Sporty sophisticated eye-catcher: Opel Astra now in two-tone paintwork with roof, wing mirrors and light alloy wheels in black
• On trend: Models from Opel Corsa to Mokka X also feature black accents

Sporty, sophisticated, very stylish: Roof, exterior mirrors and light-alloy wheels in black make Opel models such as the Corsa, Astra and Mokka X especially eye-catching. Two-tone color schemes are highly popular.

The Opel Astra is now even more athletic, sophisticated and individual than ever before. For the first time, the successful compact model is also available in two-tone paintwork with the roof, wing mirrors and light alloy wheels in black as an eye-catching contrast to the body colour. The small car all-rounder Opel Corsa and SUV bestseller Opel Mokka X can also be ordered showcasing ‘Black is beautiful’ with the roof, wing mirrors and wheels in optional stylish black accents. Opel thus introduces the trend to individualising exterior car design started by the Opel ADAM into the popular compact class as well as small car and SUV model lines. Last year the Opel Crossland X and recently the Opel Grandland X newcomer just as successfully came to market with the characteristic two-tone paintwork.

Since its launch two years ago, the current Opel Astra generation has impressed with top technologies, digital connectivity, high comfort and above all with its dynamic design. Now it can be even further refined with “Black Roof” trim. This is perfect for Astra drivers who love special style, because the bestseller becomes an unmistakable eye-catcher with its contrasting Onyx black roof and wing mirrors as well as 17-inch light alloy wheels in five-spoke design also in black. This attractive design option is available for the trim lines Astra ON, Dynamic, INNOVATION and Ultimate for an additional cost from €300 (all prices RRP incl. VAT in Germany).

The SUV star Opel Mokka X can also be equipped with the optional black accents. As the Opel Mokka X Colour INNOVATION, it is available with a high-gloss black roof and wing mirrors from €26,375. The 18-inch ten-spoke design tyres gleam in the same shade, underlining the sporty, muscular adventurer’s striking look.

Last but not least the small car all-rounder Opel Corsa is also turned into an elegant attention-getter. As the Opel Corsa Colour Edition, the roof, wing mirrors, grille and 16-inch light alloy wheels in four double-spoke design shimmer in black. On top of the normal Edition trim, aluminium sport pedals, chrome exhaust tailpipe and darkly tinted Solar Protect heat-absorbing glazing in the rear passenger compartment enhance the sporty flair of Opel’s success story for prices starting at €15,045.