Order Books Now Open: New Opel Zafira Life Ready to Hit the Road

• Full of features: Top comfort, technologies and safety as standard
• Variability times three: Opel Zafira Life in three lengths with space for up to nine people
• Efficient and sustainable: Euro 6d-TEMP diesels from 75 kW/102 hp to 130 kW/177 hp
• Practical comfort: Features such as sensor-controlled sliding doors on offer
• Electrifying prospects: Opel Zafira Life all-electric version to follow in 2021

New Opel Zafira Life: Ready to Hit the Road

New Opel Zafira Life made its world premiere at the Brussels Motor Show in January and is now available to order from €34,660 (all prices RRP incl. VAT in Germany). The flexible multi-purpose passenger car is available as the Zafira Life Selection with space for five passengers, top comfort and many practical features. The Euro 6d-TEMP-certified, 75 kW/102 hp 1.5-litre turbo diesel engine drives the front wheels (fuel consumption according to NEDC1: urban 5.4-5.3 l/100 km, extra-urban 4.9-4.7 l/100 km, combined 5.1-4.9 l/100 km, 134-129 g/km CO2; fuel consumption according to WLTP2: combined 7.2-6.1 l/100 km, 189-159 g/km CO2).

“New Opel Zafira Life is a multi-purpose passenger car tailor-made to customer requirements,” says Managing Director Sales, Aftersales and Marketing, Xavier Duchemin. “Available in three lengths, it covers three vehicle segments and makes it easy for customers to find the perfect model. In addition, innovative technologies ranging from adaptive IntelliGrip traction control to camera and radar-based assistance systems, and features such as sensor-controlled sliding doors can also now be ordered.”

Practical benefits, comfort and safety are top priorities

New Opel Zafira Life is available as the 4.60-metre-long “Small”, the 4.95m “Medium” and the 5.30m “Large” version. The multi-adjustable comfort driver and passenger seats in the Opel Zafira Life Selection “Medium” entry-level version (€34,660) – which is especially interesting for business customers – ensure a relaxed driving experience. This is further enhanced by safety and assistance systems such as Hill Start Assist, Cruise Control and Speed Limiter as well as traction control with engine and brake intervention. The bench seat in the second row can be folded down and removed. Opel Zafira Life Selection can be configured with up to nine seats as an option. The desired temperature can be adjusted via a climate control system; in the rear the darkly tinted Solar Protect heat-absorbing glazing also helps maintain a comfortable temperature. Laptops and other electronic devices can be connected in all three rows of seats via a 12-volt socket.

New Opel Zafira Life: Top-of-the-line Business model variant

Opel Zafira Life Tourer top-of-the-line business model variant, which can be ordered from €44,600 also in “M”-size, offers as standard additional technologies and assistance systems such as Head Up display, an individually programmable Cruise Control and Speed Limiter as well as the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible infotainment system “Multimedia Radio”. The sound system features ten premium loudspeakers, amplifier and subwoofer, ensuring finest sound for first-class listening pleasure. The leather comfort seats for the driver and front passenger include massage function and heating. On warm days, a two-zone automatic climate control at the front and an additional air conditioner for the other passengers, keeps everyone cool. The roof liner with three reading lamps and ambient lighting enhances the pleasant atmosphere in the rear. The sensor-controlled electric sliding door facilitates access to the second and third rows, which each consist of two individual leather seats: a simple movement of the foot below the vehicle side is all it takes to gain easy entry.

New Opel Zafira Life: sensor-controlled electric sliding doors

The leather rear seats are conveniently attached to rails and can be folded and removed when necessary. The entry-level engine of this version is the 110kW/150hp 2.0-litre turbo-diesel (NEDC1 fuel consumption: urban 6.6-6.1 l/100 km, extra-urban 5.3-5.0 l/100 km, combined 5.8-5.4 l/100 km, 152-142 g/km CO2; WLTP2 fuel consumption: combined 8.0-6.8 l/100 km, 210-177 g/km CO2). Externally, the Zafira Life Tourer visually impresses with bi-xenon headlights including LED daylight driving lamps and Bi-Color 17-inch light alloy wheels.

Edition and INNOVATION equipment lines of the Opel Zafira Life are aimed at families and private customers. The Edition (from €38,310) features comfort seats for the driver and front passenger, assistance systems such as Cruise Control and Speed Limiter, as well as Hill-Start Assist. Also on-board are energy-saving LED daylight driving lamps, dual-zone automatic climate control and additional air conditioning in the rear.

Opel Zafira Life INNOVATION (from €47,650) stands out thanks to Bi-Xenon headlights including LED daylight driving lamps and 17-inch light-alloy wheels. The exterior mirrors are electrically adjustable and heated. The “Multimedia Radio” infotainment system has 10 loudspeakers for excellent audio. Thanks to the panorama glass sunroof, passengers feel as if they are in a lounge on wheels. The sensation is enhanced by leather comfort seats with massage function and heating for driver and front passenger. The second-row bench-seat can be moved forward and backward easily on rails, and folded 1/3:2/3.

New Opel Zafira Life can be configured with space for up to nine people regardless of the vehicle length. Opel also offers equipment options in other Opel Zafira Life variants with five, six, seven, eight or nine seats – some in leather trim. The high comfort does not come at the expense of practical everyday use – already with the Zafira Life S, removing the rear seats increases the load capacity to up to 3.6m3, or up to an enormous 4.9m3 in the L-version.

Opel Zafira Life INNOVATION: Bi-Xenon headlights including LED DRLs and 17-inch light-alloy wheels

Another major advantage the Opel Zafira Life offers for city driving is that most model variants are just under 1.90m high and can therefore be driven into normal underground or multi-storey car parks without any problems. This is particularly important when it is used as a hotel shuttle, for example, but also for everyone who wants to park their car wherever allowed in heavily frequented urban areas.

Efficient Euro 6d TEMP engine portfolio for lively performance

New Opel Zafira Life is also well equipped for all applications with its engine portfolio. The range includes state-of-the-art Euro 6d TEMP diesel engines with 1.5 and 2.0 litre displacements. The four-cylinder engines range from 75 kW/102 hp to 130 kW/177 hp. The engines convince with lively performance and low consumption values (fuel consumption according to NEDC1: urban 6.5-5.2 l/100 km, extra-urban 5.4-4.6 l/100 km, combined 5.8-4.8 l/100 km, 152-127 g/km CO2; fuel consumption according to WLTP2: combined 8.1-6.0 l/100 km, 213-158 g/km CO2).

• The 1.5 Turbo diesel initially comes with 88 kW/120 hp and delivers torque of 300 Nm at 1,750 rpm (NEDC1fuel consumption: urban 5.3-5.2 l/100 km, extra-urban 4.7-4.6 l/100 km, combined 4.9-4.8 l/100 km, 130-127 g/km CO2; WLTP fuel consumption: combined 7.2-6.0 l/100 km, 189-158 g/km CO2).The entry-level unit for the Opel Zafira Life is the 75 kW/102 hp (fuel consumption according to NEDC1: urban 5.4-5.3 l/100 km, extra-urban 4.9-4.7 l/100 km, combined 5.1-4.9 l/100 km, 134-129 g/km CO2; fuel consumption according to WLTP2: combined 7.2-6.1 l/100 km, 189-159 g/km CO2) will follow soon. Both performance variants are available with six-speed manual transmissions.

• The 2.0-litre Turbo diesel is available in two variants and combinations: as a 110 kW/150 hp version with six-speed manual transmission (fuel consumption according to NEDC1: urban 6.5-6.1 l/100 km, extra-urban 5.3-5.0 l/100 km, combined 5.8-5.4 l/100 km, 152-142 g/km CO2; fuel consumption according to WLTP2: combined 8.0-6.8 l/100 km, 210-177 g/km CO2) as well as a 130 kW/177 hp top-of-the-range diesel with smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission (fuel consumption according to NEDC1: urban 6.5-6.2 l/100 km, extra-urban 5.4-5.0 l/100 km, combined 5.8-5.4 l/100 km, 151-143 g/km CO2; fuel consumption according to WLTP2: combined 8.1-7.0 l/100 km, 213-183 g/km CO2). Both engines generate powerful torque of 370 and 400 Nm respectively at 2,000 rpm. With the top-of-the-line unit on board, Opel Zafira Life accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in just 10.4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 185 km/h.

In addition to the efficient Euro 6d-TEMP diesel engines, the new Opel Zafira Life will also be available as an all-electric version at the beginning of 2021. Opel thus continues pursuing its sustainability strategy and the PACE! plan on the way to electrifying the brand.

[1] WLTP measurements converted to NEDC values for comparison

[2] WLTP combined figures (for information only, not to be confused with official NEDC values)

Vauxhall Grandland X SUV joins the ranks at Cornwall Fire, Rescue and Community Safety Service

• Range-topping SUV to be used by officers in response to local incidents
• All Road Pack includes innovative IntelliGrip traction control system for optimum stability

Vauxhall Grandland X SUV - Fleet of eight vehicles for the Cornwall Fire, Rescue and Community Safety Service

Vauxhall’s Grandland X SUV is the dependable and versatile vehicle of choice for the Cornwall Fire, Rescue and Community Safety Service, which has ordered a fleet of eight vehicles. The vehicles will be used by officers to respond to incidents within the local community, including fire and emergency response.

The Cornwall Fire, Rescue and Community Safety Service opted for the Grandland X in Tech Line Nav trim with the All Road Pack, which features Vauxhall’s innovative IntelliGrip traction control system. The electronic system ensures optimum road grip in diverse driving situations and adapts the torque distribution to the front wheels depending on which of the five driving modes has been selected. This ensures the best traction and stable handling on any surface, including snow, mud and sand.

Additional features to come with the Grandland X Tech Line Nav trim include numerous safety and security systems, such as front parking distance sensors, automatic emergency braking, lane assist and side blind spot alert. A Navi 5.0 IntelliLink infotainment system with 8-inch colour touchscreen and voice control adds to the technological edge of the package. The community service added a heated windscreen and wireless charging as optional extras. The SUVs are fitted with powerful and efficient 1.5-litre (130PS) diesel engines.

“We were looking for an appropriate response vehicle to meet the demands of the diverse nature or Cornwall’s rugged landscape,” said Mark Salter, Cornwall Fire, Rescue and Community Safety Service’s Group Manager – Assets. “As a rural county, our officers are required to negotiate narrow B-roads, unmade tracks and agricultural terrain, as well as coping with dramatic seasonal changes throughout the year.  Typically, Cornwall has a higher degree of rainfall than other parts of the country.  As a result, we needed a vehicle that would provide sufficient ground clearance and traction to safely manoeuvre through and over these hazards, to arrive safely and promptly at emergency incidents. “

Mike Roberts, Vauxhall and Mark Salter, Cornwall Fire, Rescue and Community Safety Service

The Cornwall Fire, Rescue and Community Safety Service works to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of the local community. The service’s responsibilities include fire prevention and protection, road safety education and delivery, reducing crime and antisocial behaviour and co-responding to medical incidents.

“We are thrilled that the Cornwall Fire, Rescue and Community Safety Service has chosen the Grandland X to support its work across the county,” said Mike Roberts, Sales Manager for Vauxhall Special Vehicles. “We’re confident that our IntelliGrip traction system in particular will prove indispensable across Cornwall’s diverse landscape. Whether on the beach and coastline, driving over wet and muddy terrain or in snowy and icy conditions, the system will increase driver safety and guarantee stability at all times.”

As standard, the Grandland X includes equipment such as LED daytime running lights, camera-based lane departure warning, road sign recognition, intelligent cruise control, and dual zone electronic climate control with particulate and odour filter. At 4.48 metres long, it is the largest SUV in Vauxhall’s range, offering even more cabin space than the 20cm-shorter Mokka X and Crossland X.

Opel Returns to Russia

• Comeback with initial line-up of three models this year still
• Opel Grandland X SUV, Zafira Life and Vivaro to be available in Russia in fourth quarter
• Opel Zafira Life and Vivaro van to be built in the Kaluga plant
• Further models will follow soon
• Growth based on new export markets is at the core of the PACE! company plan

Opel Grandland X SUV

Opel is pressing forward with its export offensive: The brand with the ‘Blitz’ will revive its tradition on the Russian market this year still. Opel will initially make three models available at selected Russian dealers – the Grandland X from Eisenach as well as the new Zafira Life and the Vivaro from Russian production. The people carrier and the transporter units for the local market will roll off the production line in the Groupe PSA plant in Kaluga.

New Opel Zafira Life

New Opel Vivaro

Opel wants to gradually increase its commitment in Russia in the coming years and this includes offering a wider range of products soon. More detailed information on this will be made available at a later date.

“A significant increase of our profitable exports is one of the key pillars of our PACE! company plan! We are making considerable progress in this area,” said Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller. “Russia is a large, strategically important and attractive market with a lot of potential. As a German brand with a long-standing tradition and an excellent reputation in the country, we will benefit from this. Being able to produce locally immediately is a prime example of how important being part of Groupe PSA is for Opel.”

Yannick Bézard, Executive Vice President and Operational Director Eurasia, Groupe PSA, said: “The launch of a new brand on the Russian market will allow the Groupe PSA to strengthen its presence in the Eurasia region, expand the offer for existing customers and win new ones. Along with the Opel brand launch in Ukraine last year we project to triple Groupe PSA brands volumes in the region by 2021, based on a profitable business and this project will strongly contribute to this target.”

In addition to experienced former Opel dealers, new dealerships will display Opel models in their showrooms. Initially, 15 to 20 dealers in the largest cities of the country will be Opel partners. This number will more than double in the mid-term. It is planned to grow step by step in Russia. Just like in every market Opel’s top priority in Russia is to grow profitably with a high level of customer satisfaction.

An extensive export offensive is one pillar of the Opel/Vauxhall strategic plan PACE!, which will help the company become sustainably profitable. The decision to re-enter the Russian market – a strategic market for a global car maker – is part of this plan aiming at the development of the brand in both Europe and global markets.

The goal is to generate 10 percent of the Opel sales volume outside of Europe by the mid-2020s. To achieve this, the brand will further strengthen its presence in the export markets in Asia, Africa and South America where it is already present today and will enter more than 20 new export markets by 2022.

The Rüsselsheim-based carmaker already named new, high-performance importers in Morocco, Tunisia, Lebanon and South Africa in recent months, paving the way for growth on these important markets for the future. Furthermore, Opel joined the local Groupe PSA organisation in Ukraine.

Lighting Technology for Everyone: Opel Astra Turns Night into Day

120 Years of Opel Automobile Production

• Anniversary offer: Astra “120 Years“ special edition at attractive prices
• Making cars since 1899: Best lighting has a long tradition at Opel
• Glare-free: IntelliLux LED matrix light in Insignia, Astra and the next Corsa
• Saving energy while retaining light output: New Eco-LED light in up-coming models
• In the spotlight: Opel has always democratised innovative lighting technologies

Opel’s first car, Patentmotorwagen “System Lutzmann” with Opel Astra “120 Years“ edition 

In 2019 Opel celebrates 120 years of automobile production – and thereby 120 years full of innovations for everyone. The German brand has a tradition of pioneering high-tech advancements and quickly bringing them to series production. This makes mobility affordable for many and the cars safer, cleaner, more comfortable and more practical. The motto “see and be seen” was already followed by Opel’s first car, the Patentmotorwagen “System Lutzmann” of 1899, as well as by all the other models that followed, from the famous Opel Kapitän, the legendary GT and the first-generation Insignia, to the current Astra. The IntelliLux LED Matrix headlamps of the compact bestseller as well as the Insignia turn night into day. They will also start a revolution in the small car class when the next-generation of the bestselling Corsa debuts with adaptive Full-LED Matrix light. Opel will introduce the alternative of new Eco-LED light in future models, future reducing energy consumption while retaining light output.

“Our goal is the best possible visibility at all times”, said Opel’s head of engineering, Christian Müller. “We want to offer technologies that are unrivalled in their segment. Currently our adaptive Full-LED Matrix light is the best example. This was not available in the volume segment before and now we are even going to bring it on the next-generation Corsa.”

Opel is equipping all its models with the newest light technology. For example, the Astra, which combines top technologies with first-rate driving dynamics. They are complemented by assistance systems such as Hill Start Assist and Cruise Control as standard throughout the Astra range. The same goes for air conditioning and Solar Protect glazing. The “120 Years” version additionally features Park Pilot, front fog lights and 16-inch light alloy wheels as standard - all for a RRP of only €21,725.00 including VAT in Germany. And the optional bright-as-day IntelliLux LED Matrix light ensures optimum illumination in every situation.

Romantic candlelight à la “System Lutzmann”

The beginnings of automobile lights, on the other hand, were quite dark. What is today taken for granted in road traffic was still unimaginable over 120 years ago – instead lanterns were carried in front of the car. The primary intention was not to illuminate the road, but to be seen by other road users. At the end of the 19th century, the Opel Patentmotorwagen “System Lutzmann” went a step further. It also illuminated the surroundings with household candles, but no one had to carry them anymore. The candle now sat in a shaft above which the “headlight” was mounted as a glass container with mirror. A spring constantly pushed the candle so far upwards during the burning process that it could optimally shine at a consistent level through the glass. A simple solution for low cost with a major effect – in short, typical Opel.

Opel Kapitän – A car that belongs to the world

Opel also set trends in headlamp design early on. After all, the 1938 Kapitän was one of the first cars to help say goodbye to round lamps: the headlamps of the large Opel were not only fully integrated into the fenders, but were also hexagonal in shape. A car for everyone, a “car that belongs to the world”, according to a brochure from 1938. In other words, the Opel Kapitän “will remain a contemporary car for years to come thanks to its modern lines and progressive design”.

In the 1960s, the shape of the headlamps continued becoming more angular. Opel led the trend with the 1964 Kapitän A, which together with its sister models Admiral and Diplomat emphasised a flat, wide look with rectangular headlamps. No wonder that the successful Kapitän models became real flagships: progressive, comfortable and powerful cars that one could afford.

The Opel GT continued on this path in 1968, impressing not only with its completely new Coke bottle design – the legendary sports car for everyone was also the first German car with pop-up swivel headlights. Who could resist these affectionately called "sleepy eyes"? Via the lever on the centre console, the headlamps popped up. Halogen spotlights in the grille below the bumper also doubled as parking lights.

More light, more visibility with Xenon headlamps

Opel Omega B was the first model to offer Xenon gas discharge headlamps as standard from 1998. They owed their name to the natural gas with which the lamp bodies were filled. Compared to the halogen headlamps commonly used at the time, the triple light intensity not only gave them a greater range, but also better illumination of the road. And they were much more efficient: Energy consumption was one third lower, heat radiation 40 percent lower and service life longer.

A dynamic headlamp levelling system was now also on board. This compensated for changes in body position – for example with a heavy load or during acceleration and braking. This resulted in the road always being uniformly illuminated. Once again, Opel pioneered lighting technologies that were affordable for a wide range of buyers.

AFL for everyone in the mid-size class

So it is only logical that Opel was the first vehicle manufacturer to bring dynamic curve light and 90-degree cornering light into the mid-size class in 2003 with AFL (Adaptive Forward Lighting) in the Opel Vectra and Opel Signum. The innovative Opel lighting technology combined dynamic curve lighting with a static cornering light for intersections and tight bends for the first time. An additional comfort function of AFL was the Motorway Light: at speeds from around 120 km/h and constant straight ahead driving, the low-beam lighting automatically adjusted itself slightly higher and thus optimised long-distance vision. The now standard dynamic headlamp levelling system ensures that there is no glare for oncoming traffic.

In 2004, the Opel Astra was the first compact model with curve light. In 2006, the brand democratised safety technology even further when Opel made curve and cornering light based on bi-halogen available for the first time in the minivan and small car segments in the Meriva and Corsa.

The next light generation AFL+ based on powerful bi-xenon headlamps made its debut in 2008 with the introduction of the first Insignia. It set a new standard in the automotive industry. Using complex algorithms, the light distribution of the headlamps was automatically adjusted to the respective road profile and the prevailing visibility conditions.

The modern Opel flagship offered a total of nine lighting functions – Town Light, Pedestrian Area Light, Country Road Light, Motorway Light, Adverse Weather Light, Static Cornering Light, Dynamic Curve Light, High Beam Light and High Beam Light Assistant. Another innovation in the Insignia was the LED daytime running light, which consumes considerably less electricity and thus fuel than daytime running light from the main headlamp.

IntelliLux LED: Bright as day but no one is dazzled

The ground-breaking IntelliLux LED matrix light was launched in 2015 with the current Opel Astra generation. Once again thanks to Opel, a feature that was previously reserved for luxury vehicles made its debut in the compact class. The headlamps of the compact class best-seller have a total of 16 LED elements (eight on each side), which automatically and continuously adjust the length and distribution of the light cone to any traffic situation and simply "cut out" oncoming cars and those driving ahead. So there is zero glare effect – with excellent visibility. Or as Opel brand ambassador Jürgen Klopp puts it: “It’s as bright as in the football stadium – but nobody is dazzled".

How this works is quite simple: as soon as the car leaves the city limits, the Matrix headlamps automatically switch to high beam mode and continuously adjust the length and distribution of the light cone. The state-of-the-art system turns night into day for drivers and passengers without disturbing other road users.

IntelliLux LED matrix light is not only affordable, it is also highly sophisticated full LED lighting. For example, as not every Astra has a built-in navigation system, IntelliLux must be able to detect whether the car is travelling in an urban or extra-urban area. This works via the camera/speed interface. As soon as the speed exceeds 50 km/h, the camera checks where the car is at the moment. On a poorly lit road or in dark surroundings, the high beam automatically switches on. The system recognizes motorways and cities by their street lighting, among other things. In Motorway Light mode, part of the left-hand LED elements is permanently deactivated so as not to dazzle oncoming traffic. The Opel solution is thus the first matrix lighting system for a series production vehicle that continuously adapts to its surroundings without being coupled to a navigation device.

Eco-LED: Powerful and efficient light of the future

Opel’s engineers not only want to optimize the driver’s view and reduce the glare for oncoming traffic. Another focus of development is the reduction of energy consumption while retaining the light output. While halogen light consumed around 72 Watts, the matrix light of the Astra needs only 32 Watts. When Opel introduces Eco-LED light on future models it will consume just 17 Watts. That corresponds to an energy saving of 76 percent without loss of light output. Or 0.7 g/km less CO2 per car according to WLTP, thanks to Eco-LED light alone.