Opel Corsa-e ancestor: Happy 30th Birthday Opel Kadett Impuls I

• Based on production model: Opel Kadett Impuls I electric research vehicle for city driving
• No compromises: boot space and payload of standard model largely retained
• Street life: 0-50 km/h in ten seconds, 100 km/h maximum speed
• State-of-the-art in 1990: 14.3 kWh nickel-cadmium batteries

Opel Kadett Impuls I and Opel Corsa-e

A range of up to 337 kilometres in the WLTP 1 cycle. Zero to 100km/h in 8.1 seconds. A 50 kWh battery that fast charges to 80 per cent of capacity in 30 minutes. Opel Corsa-e is suitable for unconstrained everyday use – an electric car for everyone.

1990: Opel Kadett Impuls I

An e-Opel for a more specific purpose was the Opel Corsa-e’s ancestor, Opel Kadett Impuls I. German brand created the research vehicle 30 years ago especially for city driving. Idea was to find out how well a production-based electric car with currently available electric components would suit inner-city traffic of the time. On one condition: keep as far as possible the interior and boot space, as well as the payload of the standard production model.

Opel developed the Kadett Impuls I in cooperation with the RWE energy concern and the battery manufacturer SAFT – today the company’s partner in the planned joint production of battery cells at the Kaiserslautern plant. A 100 V DC electric motor powered the front wheels. Nickel-cadmium batteries supplied the energy. In order to optimize weight distribution, the batteries were in the engine compartment and under the boot. They weighed a total of 310 kg, contained 14.3 kWh of energy and had a volume of 170 litres.

Maximum power output of 16 kW (22 hp) was chosen especially for city driving. Zero to 50 km/h acceleration took 10.0 seconds. Maximum speed of the 1,000 kg car was 100 km/h. Inclines of up to 25 per cent were no problem for the e-Kadett. The braking system partially recovered the kinetic energy generated under deceleration and stored it as electricity in the battery.

Batteries required recharging for around five hours after a distance of 80km. There were no compromises on comfort. Payload was 350 kg (490 kg on the production Kadett) and the boot capacity was 330 litres (390 litres on the production car).

Long tradition of e-pioneers: Opel Kadett B Stir-Lec 1 and Opel Elektro GT

For Opel, Kadett Impuls I was another contribution to the traffic politics discussions going on at the time. Earlier examples included Kadett B Stir-Lec I and the Opel Elektro GT.

1968: Opel Kadett B Stir-Lec 1

Fourteen lead-acid batteries energized the 1968 Stir-Lec study. A rear-mounted Stirling combustion engine generated the electricity that kept the batteries constantly charged – a forerunner of the “range extender” principle that would later go into production with the Opel Ampera.

Only three years later, Opel Elektro GT broke six world records for electric vehicles at speeds up to 188 km/h – driven by Georg von Opel, the grandson of the company founder. Powered by two coupled electric motors producing 88 kW (120 hp), with a nickel-cadmium battery pack, e-GT had a modest range of 44 km at a constant speed of 100 km/h – at the time, electric mobility’s biggest handicap.

Opel Elektro GT 

[1] Range determined according to WLTP test procedure methodology (R (EC) No. 715/2007, R (EU) No. 2017/1151). The actual range can vary under everyday conditions and depends on various factors, in particular on personal driving style, route characteristics, outside temperature, use of heating and air conditioning and thermal preconditioning.

Groupe PSA strengthens its electric offensive with a new eVMP platform (Electric Vehicle Modular Platform)

• Between 2020 and 2025, Groupe PSA will gradually move from two multi-energy platforms to two 100% electrified platforms to support the e-mobility development.
• New eVMP platform will serve as the basis for a wide range of electric vehicles for the C- and D- segments.
• eVMP will offer high-performance with an autonomy of up to 650 km (WLTP cycle) and a benchmark storage capacity with 50 kWh per meter available within the wheelbase.

Groupe PSA considers that being in perfect harmony with the development of the electric vehicle market is a determining factor in the relevance of its offer. Thereby, the group will launch from 2023, vehicles in C- and D-segments from sedan to SUV in different regions of the world. These vehicles will benefit from this new reference platform, eVMP "Electric Vehicle Modular Platform".

eVMP concentrates all the Groupe PSA's engineering know-how with 60 to 100 kWh of embedded energy and an optimised architecture that exploits the entire sub-floor for the battery. By restoring 50 kWh per meter within the wheelbase, it is benchmark in the electric vehicle market and will therefore be able to offer an all-electric range from 400 km to 650 km (WLTP cycle) depending on the body. In order to provide a high-performance solution adapted to each mobility need anywhere in the world, hybrid derivatives may be offered on certain markets on the basis of this state of the art electric platform.

In addition to high level of technical performance, the efficiency of eVMP also lies in the optimisation of R&D and industrialisation costs. This is achieved through the use of certain sub-assemblies and existing high-performance battery modules. In addition, the industrial process has been studied to obtain maximum synergies with the existing means in our plants, therefore limiting investments. In the same logic of making in-house electrical components, this platform complements parts developed and manufactured with Groupe PSA or with its e-motors or ACC Joint venture.

"With this eVMP platform, Groupe PSA once again demonstrates its ability to innovate by developing for its customer’s state-of-the-art and affordable technologies thanks to the frugality that has enabled a significant reduction in R&D and industrial investments. This global platform will make it possible to offer a range of vehicles that are perfectly respectful of the environment, meeting the changing expectations of our customers and guaranteeing driving pleasure and safety on board, values that are the basis of the Group's reputation today", said Nicolas Morel, Research and Development Director at Groupe PSA.

Groupe PSA remains profitable in H1 2020 despite Covid

• €25.1 billion Group revenue
• 3.7% Automotive division [1] adjusted operating margin [2] at €731 million
• Net result group share at €595 million
• €153 million Automotive positive free cash flow excluding working capital
• Strong financial security at €23.2 billion

Carlos Tavares, Chairman of Groupe PSA Managing Board said: “This H1 result proves the Group’s resilience, as a reward of 6 consecutive years of intense work to increase our agility and lower our breakeven point. The Group is also weathering this crisis thanks to the commitment of the teams, focused to deliver a clean, safe and affordable mobility for our customers. We are determined to achieve solid rebound in the second half of the year, while finalizing the birth of Stellantis before the end of Q1 2021.”

Group revenue amounted to €25,120 million in H1 2020, down by 34.5% compared to H1 2019. Automotive division revenue amounted to €19,595 million down by 35.5% versus H1 2019, mainly driven by the negative impact of volumes and country mix (-40.5%), the decrease of sales to partners (-0.5%) and the impact of exchange rates (-0,6%) ; conversely, revenues benefited from the positive effect of product mix (+3.4%) and price (+0.4%), as well as others (+2.3%).

Group adjusted operating income [3] amounted to €517 million, down 84.5% with Automotive adjusted operating income down 72.5% at €731 million. This 3.7% profitability level was reached despite the sharp decline of automotive markets and thanks to a positive product mix and cost reductions.

Group adjusted operating margin reached 2.1%, down 6.6 pts versus H1 2019.

Other operating income and expenses amounted to -€35 million, compared to -€847 million in H1 2019.

Group net financial income and expenses improved to €52 million compared to -€166 million in H1 2019.

Consolidated net income reached €376 million, a decrease of €1,672 million compared to H1 2019. Net income, Group share, reached €595 million, down €1,237 million compared to H1 2019.

Banque PSA Finance reported adjusted operating income of €463 million [4], down 9.7%.

Faurecia adjusted operating income was a loss at -€159 million.

Free cash flow of manufacturing and sales companies was -€4,704 million of which -€3,601 million for the Automotive division.

Automotive free cash flow was positive at €153 million excluding working capital.

Total inventory, including independent dealers and importers [5], stood at 505,000 vehicles at 30 June 2020, down 24% compared to 30 June 2019.

Net financial position of manufacturing and sales companies was €2,886 million at 30 June 2020 of which €6,957 million for the Automotive division.

Market outlook: in 2020, the Group anticipates a decrease by 25% of the automotive market in Europe, by 30% in Russia and Latin America, and by 10% in China. 

Operational outlook: Groupe PSA has set the target to deliver over 4.5% Automotive adjusted operating margin [6] on average for the period 2019-2021.

[1] Automotive Division (PCDOV)

[2] Adjusted operating income related to revenue

[3] Adjusted operating income (loss) excludes from Operating income certain adjustments comprising Restructuring costs, Impairment of CGU’s and Other operating income (expense) considered rare or discrete events and are infrequent in nature.

[4] 100% of the result of Banque PSA Finance. In the financial statements of Groupe PSA, joint ventures are consolidated using the equity method.

[5] Including Peugeot importers outside Europe

[6] Automotive Division (PCDOV) adjusted operating income related to revenue

35 Years Ago: Opel Ascona 1.8i First German Car with Catalytic Converter Engineered for Europe

• Forerunner: after the Ascona the whole Opel model range got catalytic converters
• Complicated operation: Opel Ascona significantly modified for three-way catalytic converter
• Eye for detail: even fuel tank filler neck redesigned for unleaded petrol
• Major commitment: Opel invested DM 1.0 billion in catalytic converter development

Opel Ascona 1.8i GT

Thirty-five years ago, the era of the catalytic converter began at Opel. In 1985, the Opel Ascona 1.8i was the first German car with a catalytic converter developed especially for the European market, instead of merely modified for export from the USA.

Opel Ascona 1.8i  for Rhineland-Palatinate Police

Rhineland-Palatinate Police force took delivery of the first Opel Ascona 1.8i with three-way catalytic converter actually produced, on December 7, 1984. During the course of the following year, Opel introduced catalytic converters across the model range – from Corsa, Kadett and Ascona, to Rekord, Monza and Senator. German manufacturer was the first European brand to offer three-way catalytic converters standard.

Catalytic converters are not all the same

Opel’s engineers were well aware that European traffic conditions necessitated the appropriate technology and quality. They therefore developed a catalytic converter especially for European driving conditions – just as they would when it came to bodywork, suspension, engines and brakes. For Opel, it was about more than just installing a catalytic converter in the exhaust system; reducing emissions via catalytic converter represented a complicated operation on the “internal organs” of the automobile.

Compared with a conventional car, the design of a vehicle with catalytic converter required numerous alterations. For example, the converter radiates a lot of heat when it has reached its operating temperature (600 degrees Celsius). Heat-sensitive components and the passenger compartment therefore needed protection from reflective shields.

In order for the catalytic converter to operate at optimum efficiency, it required an electronic mixture preparation system and a multitude of controls, which in turn made further modifications necessary. Even the filler neck of the fuel tank needed a redesign to prevent drivers from mistakenly filling the tank with leaded instead of unleaded petrol.

One billion Deutsche Mark for the environmentally friendly automobile

Opel committed more than one billion Deutsche Mark (DM) as well as hundreds of engineers to the development of catalytic converters and the environmentally friendly automobile. Company invested DM 100 million alone in new test rigs and test equipment for durability and high-speed testing.

New facilities also included a 13-storey-high “soak tower”. In this insulated building, more than 130 cars could be prepared simultaneously for emissions testing. The standards required that, before the emissions test, each car had to be stored for at least 12 hours at a temperature of 20 to 25 degrees Celsius.

As well as offering cars with a three-way catalytic converter installed at the factory, Opel offered customers a kit for retrofit. However, the carmaker was not content to innovate only in technology. Opel also took new paths in Public Relations. Company offered people the opportunity to inform themselves actively about catalytic converters and retrofitting. For a few hours every day, motorists and interested parties could call a telephone “hotline” and get answers to their questions first-hand from the company’s experts.

Opel Ascona 1.8i GT

Today, 35 years after introducing the three-way catalytic converter on the Ascona 1.8i, Opel continues to take its responsibility for the environment seriously. Following the Opel Grandland X as plug-in hybrid and the battery powered Opel Corsa-e, the brand recently unveiled all-new Mokka-e, the Vivaro-e and the Zafira-e Life, all with pure electric drive and therefore locally emission-free.

New Timetable for Electric ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup

• Opel Corsa-e Rally: Delivery of customer vehicles as planned from October 2020
• Dress rehearsal: All Cup participants test at the Rally Sulingen in November 2020
• From spring 2021: the world's first electric rallye one-make cup begins

Opel Corsa-e Rally

Corona pandemic has also affected preparations for the ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup. Cancellations of events and the German Rally Championship 2020 have forced those responsible at Opel and ADAC to revisit their calendar planning. In the current year, an attractive programme of test and promotional events will be the starting signal for the world's first electric rally one-make cup, before points and prize money will be on offer for the first time from the spring of 2021.

Rally fans will still see the 136 hp Opel Corsa-e Rally in action in 2020. Opel Motorsport is testing two development vehicles in several test runs. All registered Cup participants also have the opportunity to test their cars on the “ADAC Rallye Rund um die Sulinger Bärenklaue” on November 20 and 21 under competitive conditions. Delivery of customer cars is scheduled for the end of October 2020.

“We have adjusted the ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup calendar again because many of the events planned for testing and competition this year could not take place. Our participants not only have to familiarize themselves with a new vehicle, but also with a new technology and therefore need a solid preparation time. A regular season with eight events is planned between spring and autumn 2021”, said ADAC Motorsport Director Thomas Voss.

Opel Motorsport Director Jörg Schrott adds: “Preparations for the ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup are still in full swing. Our programme consists of test runs at national and international rallies as well as various test options for our customer teams in order to start the first complete cup season fully prepared in spring 2021. First test drives on 'real' special stages show that we are on the right track. Opel Corsa-e Rally has strong driving characteristics and is a lot of fun – for spectators as well as drivers. We are looking forward to the upcoming dates and the official start next year. ”

Made in Eisenach: First front-wheel drive Opel Grandland X plug-in hybrid drives off production line

• Start of regular production of new plug-in hybrid variant in the Eisenach plant
• Up to 57 kilometres driven purely by electricity (in the WLTP cycle)
• All hybrid variants made on the same production line as internal combustion engine siblings
• New model to add further momentum to Opel’s electrification offensive
• Prices in Germany start at €35,235 thanks to “environmental bonus”

Opel Grandland X PHEV

Opel is taking the next important step in its ongoing electrification offensive. Today, regular production of the front-wheel drive Grandland X Hybrid (fuel consumption 1.5-1.4 l/100km and CO2 emissions of 34-31 g/km in the WLTP cycle; 1.7-1.5 l/100 km, 37-35 g/km CO2 NEDC both combined and weighed) started in Eisenach. Around four months after the first Grandland X Hybrid4 (fuel consumption 1.4-1.3 l/100km and CO2 emissions of 32-29 g/km in the WLTP1 cycle; 1.6-1.5 l/100 km, 36-34 g/km CO2 NEDC both combined and weighed) with all-wheel drive rolled of the production line, the first front-wheel drive version of the highly successful SUV followed. Latest Opel plug-in hybrid impressive with an attractive entry-level price of €42.345 Euro (RRP in German including VAT – but thanks to the environmental bonus the customer only needs to pay €35,235. With this, the Grandland X Hybrid will add further momentum to Opel’s electrification offensive. The first hybrid from Eisenach with front-wheel drive was topaz blue with a black roof.

“Today is not only another great day for our plant in Eisenach – today also marks the next step in our electrification process. Opel Grandland X Hybrid will appeal to customers who want the advantages offered by an electrified SUV but do not necessarily require four-wheel drive. Given the current incentives for electrified models in many European countries, we strongly believe that the Grandland X Hybrid will prove extremely popular and play a significant role in the reduction of CO2 emissions,” said Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller.

Opel Grandland X Hybrid and Hybrid4 are built on the same production line as their siblings with conventional internal combustion engines. This increases efficiency while simultaneously reducing complexity. This enables the plant to react better to customer demand. 

With a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine and an electric motor providing drive to the front wheels, the Grandland X Hybrid produces system power and torque of 165 kW (224 hp) and up to 360 Nm of torque respectively. Driven purely by electricity, the hybrid can cover up to 57 km in the WLTP cycle1 (60-65 km NEDC 2).

High safety comes as standard, thanks to driver assistance systems such as forward collision alert with pedestrian detection and emergency braking, lane keep assist and driver drowsiness detection. With the Navi 5.0 IntelliLink infotainment system and large colour touchscreen, driver and passengers are well connected. In order to further improve efficiency, the Grandland X Hybrid features a sophisticated regenerative braking system to recover the energy produced under braking or deceleration.

Attractive price + increased incentives = hybrid accessibility from €35,235

In Germany, the highly equipped Opel Grandland X Hybrid Business Edition is available for €42,345. Furthermore, the Grandland X hybrid variants benefit from the innovation bonus including in the stimulus package of the German federal government. For a limited period until December 31, 2021, the environmental bonus for plug-in hybrids with a net price below €40,000 has been increased to €7,110 (including the VAT effect). For the Grandland X Hybrid this would mean that the manufacturer's subsidy of €2,250 is firstly deducted from the net price (€36,504), leaving €34,254. Next, VAT is added, giving a price of €39,735. Following deduction of the €4,500 state subsidy after invoicing, the total “environmental bonus” then reduces the purchase cost of the Grandland X Hybrid Business Edition from €42,345 to €35,235. The customer thus saves €7,110 when buying a new car.

Legendary Logo: All-New Opel Mokka First to Feature New Flash

Pure precision: all upcoming Opel models carry the newly designed brand logo

Opel has reinvented itself with the all-new Mokka. All-New model is the first with the Opel Vizor as the future brand face and the fully digital cockpit of the future, the Pure Panel. Opel “Mokka” emblem has been redesigned with a special font and is now centrally located on the tailgate below the Opel flash. Legendary brand logo has also been redrawn and will adorn all upcoming models from the German carmaker.

“Surrounding ring is now slimmer, more elegant, more precise and more distinctive. Emphasizes the flash even more”, says Vice President Design, Mark Adams. “All details are super sharp with a very small radius. 'Opel' lettering is integrated in the lower part of the ring – like a fine engraving in a piece of jewellery. That shows pure German precision. We integrated the ‘Blitz’ prominently into the Vizor and arranged it centrally to the model name at the rear.”

Flash in a circle has decorated all Opel models since 1963. Depending on the model and year of manufacture, the emblems vary slightly. From 1970, clear design guidelines were laid down for all areas of the company. This corporate design was revised for the first time in 1987. Further modernizations followed in the new millennium, in which the lightning flash took on a three-dimensional shape, with the logo of the company and the emblem of the products moving closer together. From 2016, Opel models were adorned with a precisely sculpted chrome flash. Official company logo was designed in a modern flat shape in summer 2017. Redesigned flash for future vehicles now fits perfectly with the two-dimensional logo for advertising and digital communication.

Download Brochure: Opel Sings of the Times

Christian Müller appointed new Head of Powertrain & Chassis Engineering for the Groupe PSA

• Christian Müller, current Opel R&D chief, succeeds Alain Raposo at Groupe PSA level with the same responsibilities
• Marcus Lott to follow Christian Müller as Vice President Opel/Vauxhall Engineering

Christian Müller

Christian Müller, currently Managing Director Engineering Opel Automobile GmbH has been appointed new Head of Powertrain & Chassis Engineering of Groupe PSA effective August 1. He will report to Nicolas Morel, EVP Research & Development. He will succeed Alain Raposo who has served in this position since May 2018. Alain Raposo has chosen to leave Groupe PSA voluntarily at the end of August 2020 in order to pursue a personal project.

Marcus Lott, Vice President Body in White, Equipment & Materials Engineering and an Opel/Vauxhall engineer since 1994, will become the new head for R&D of the German and British brands and member of the Managing Board of Opel Automobile GmbH effective August 1.

Nicolas Morel, Executive Vice President Research & Development of Groupe PSA said: “I am delighted to work even closer with Christian Müller who is a leading and recognized powertrain expert in the automotive industry. And I congratulate Marcus Lott on his new position. With his many years of engineering experience, he will make a decisive contribution to successfully developing further the Opel/Vauxhall brands and the group’s Engineering Center in Rüsselsheim. These management decisions clearly demonstrate how closely integrated our engineering teams work together. German Engineering competence will continue to play a key role in the Groupe PSA.”

Michael Lohscheller, member of Groupe PSA Managing Board and CEO of Opel/Vauxhall added: “German Engineering is at the heart of Opel. As head of Opel R&D, Christian played a key role in making this visible and tangible for our customers in all of our models, like the current Corsa and future Mokka, which are also available in electric versions. I am delighted that with Marcus Lott we have appointed a highly experienced and recognized engineer as his successor. Marcus has known our company, models and people for almost 30 years now.”

Christian Müller has been Managing Director Engineering of Opel Automobile GmbH since August 1, 2017. Prior to this assignment, he held the position of Vice President GM Global Propulsion Systems – Europe. Christian Müller was born in Rüsselsheim, Germany in 1969 and received a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Darmstadt University.

Marcus Lott has been Vice President Body in White, Equipment & Materials Engineering since January this year. Before this assignment, he was Vice President Programs & Strategy of Opel/Vauxhall. Furthermore, he led the development of various vehicles in North America, South America, Asia and Europe as a chief engineer. Marcus Lott was born in Mainz, Germany in 1968 and holds a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering/Automotive Technology from RWTH Aachen.