Friday 28 August 2020

No sign of emergency: Opel Grandland X now drives with blue light

  • All clear: Blue light signals purely electric driving
  • Blue is beautiful: Interior ambience lighting in studies and production vehicles


Opel Grandland X PHEV:  Blue light signals purely electric driving

Here it comes! When an Opel Grandland X plug-in hybrid cruises around in electric mode, not only is it emission-free and whisper-quiet on the road, it also shows this to other road users and pedestrians. Very smartly – with a blue light in the windshield, just below the interior mirror. When it glows blue, the combustion engine is on a break and the Grandland X runs purely electrically. To do this, the driver can select the "electric" setting from the available driving modes, and the hybrid automatically switches to electric operation. Blue light also makes things easy for law enforcement officers. For example, when the Opel Grandland X drives into areas where only E vehicles are permitted. In this case, one glance is enough to see that an Opel is driving purely electrically.


To ensure that there is always enough power available for emission-free blue-light driving in the city, Opel Grandland X plug-in hybrid features the "e-Save" function. This function allows the electrical energy stored in the high-voltage battery to be saved for later use, for example for driving in areas where only electric cars are permitted. Driver can set this function via the infotainment system's colour touchscreen, thereby retaining some or all of the available electrical energy until it is needed on his route.



Bestseller: Opel also offers Grandland X in two plug-in hybrid versions:


  • Opel Grandland X is available as a hybrid with front-wheel drive and a system output of up to 165 kW/224 hp (fuel consumption according to WLTP1 1.5-1.4 l/100 km, CO2 emissions 34-31 g/km; NEDC 2 : 1.7-1.5 l/100 km, 37-35 g/km CO2; each weighted, combined).

  • As the Opel Grandland X Hybrid4, compact SUV also offers electric four-wheel drive and a system output of up to 221 kW/300 hp (fuel consumption according to WLTP 1 1.4-1.3 l/100 km, CO2 emissions 32-29 g/km; NEDC 2: 1.6-1.5 l/100 km, 36-34 g/km CO2; each weighted, combined).

Blue is beautiful: Interior ambience lighting in studies and series vehicles

A small blue light in the Opel Grandland X plug-in hybrid, blue ambient light in the interior, blue lights on fire engines – blue light has a long tradition at Opel.

Opel Grandland X: Ambient light

Even in the past, the clear blue with its modern radiance fascinated and inspired Opel designers. At the IAA in Frankfurt 2003, the sensational Insignia study already showed the design language of the later production vehicle of the same name. In the interior, the then new LED light technology was used – in the most beautiful blue. Next study with blue light – Opel Vivaro Surf for beach boys and girls – was on display at the 2015 IAA. One year later, the blue ambience light in the luggage compartment of the Opel Vivaro Sport had actually made it into series production. In the stylish Opel ADAM, passengers could even switch between two different shades of blue.

[1] Range, fuel consumption and CO2-emission data given have been determined according to WLTP test procedure methodology (R (EC) No. 715/2007, R (EU) No. 2017/1151). The values might differ from official final type approval data.

[2] Range, fuel consumption and CO2-emission data given have been determined according to WLTP test procedure methodology, and the relevant values are translated back into NEDC to allow the comparability with other vehicles, according to regulations R (EC) No. 715/2007, R (EU) No. 2017/1153 and R (EU) No. 2017/1151.

Friday 7 August 2020

Vauxhall's all-new Corsa is UK's best-seller for second consecutive month

  • All-new Corsa was the UK's best-selling car in July with 5,455 sold, following similar success in June
  • Vauxhall light commercial vehicle (LCV) sales up 61% last month versus July 2019


All-New Vauxhall Corsa


Vauxhall's all-new Corsa was the UK's best-selling car in July with 5,455 sold, following similar success in June, according to figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

All-new fifth generation Corsa is available as fully electric, or with high-efficiency petrol or diesel powertrains. Corsa has been Vauxhall’s best-selling car for many years, with over 2.1 million Corsas sold in the UK since it launched in 1993.

Vauxhall LCV sales were also strong, up by 61% last month versus July 2019. Vauxhall’s July year-to-date LCV market share increased to 9.9% for 2020 vs 8.0% for the same period last year. Crucial to carrying British business, Vauxhall’s LCV line-up includes Combo Cargo, Vivaro and Movano.

Vauxhall LCV range
As more and more UK cities welcome and mandate emissions-free vehicles, Vauxhall has added the Vivaro-e to its range, its first factory-built, fully-electric van. British Gas has already announced that is has ordered 1,000 Vauxhall Vivaro-e.  This was the largest commercial BEV (battery electric vehicle) order in the UK to date.

Vauxhall Vivaro-e

Tuesday 4 August 2020

Off-Roaders: Opel Combo Cargo and Opel Vivaro with All-Wheel Drive

  • On all fours: Dangel all-wheel drive system tailor-made for Opel Combo Cargo
  • Tackle anything: Opel Combo and Vivaro 4x4 take mud, snow and tough trails in their stride
  • Go anywhere: Higher ground clearance and underbody protection
  • Class-leading: Opel Combo Cargo with best cargo length and payload of 880kg
  • Genuine off-road capability: Opel Vivaro 4x4 panel van available in three lengths

Opel Combo Cargo and Opel Vivaro with All-Wheel Drive

Professionals searching for vans from a German brand, that not only offer class-leading load carrying ability and fuel economy but also the additional grip provided by selectable four-wheel drive, should take a close look at the Opel Combo Cargo and the Opel Vivaro. Thanks to all-wheel drive traction and higher ground clearance, the 4x4 Combo and Vivaro can go anywhere, anytime.



Alsatian traction experts Dangel carry out the 4x4 conversions at prices of €6,400 for the Combo Cargo and €6,665 for the Vivaro (plus €1,000/€300 respectively for conversion-preparation by Opel, all prices in Germany, excluding VAT).

Driver-selectable: “ECO 2WD” front-wheel drive and “AUTO 4WD” driving modes


Opel Combo and Vivaro drivers can choose between the drive modes “Eco” and “Auto 4WD” via a rotary switch on the instrument panel. In “Eco” mode, the 4x4 system is disengaged and the vehicles run in front-wheel drive only, which reduces fuel consumption and emissions, on the autobahn, for example.


If the going gets tougher, the driver can switch to “Auto 4WD” without stopping. Viscous coupling of the central differential then distributes part of the torque to the rear axle as soon as the front wheels begin to lose grip.


In even more demanding conditions drivers can select “R. Lock” to additionally lock the rear axle.

High climber: all-wheel drive tackles up to 41 degree gradients


Opel Combo Cargo 4x4 comes as standard with the active safety of ESP, protection plates for the engine and gearbox and 90 mm higher ground clearance. Additional protection for the fuel tank and rear axle, as well as 20 mm higher ground clearance (for a total of up to 300 mm), are optionally available. With approach and departure angles of 26.6 and 38.3 degrees respectively, and a break-over angle of 26 degrees, Opel Combo 4x4 can climb 41 degree gradients.


Cross-country performance of the Opel Vivaro 4x4 is also comparable with that of sport utility vehicles: With an additional ground clearance of up to 60 millimetres (for a total of up to 245 mm), approach/departure angles of up to 20.4/31.0 degrees and a break-over angle of up to 20.0 degrees.


When it comes to hill-climbing, Opel  Vivaro 4x4 can manage uphill gradients of up to 23.7 degrees, depending on the payload (up to 1,344 kilogrammes) and other factors such as tyres and road surface.


Like the rest of the Opel Combo and Vivaro ranges, the 4x4 versions aim to deliver high efficiency and low cost of ownership. A major contribution to achieving these goals is made by the turbo-diesel powertrains.

Opel Combo Cargo 4x4: Class-leading functionality and driver assistance systems

In addition to a bench seat for three passengers, a class-leading cargo length of up to 3,440 mm and a payload of up to 880kg, the up to 4,753 mm-long 4x4 Combo Cargo also shares the same unrivalled offer of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems as its Combo LCV siblings and the Combo Life passenger car.

Range of useful equipment includes Automatic Cruise Control, Driver Drowsiness Alert, Forward Collision Alert with Pedestrian Detection and Automatic Emergency Braking, Side Blind Spot Alert and a Head-up Display.

Exclusive to all LCV versions of the Combo, including the 4x4 Cargo, is the option of Surround Rear Vision, which increases rearward visibility especially when the vehicle is fully loaded, while a second camera in the passenger side door mirror reduces the blind spot on this side of the vehicle.

Especially useful and exceptional in this market segment is the wide space between the rear wheel arches, so that the Opel Combo Cargo can transport up to two Euro pallets.

One for all: Opel Vivaro 4x4 in three vehicle lengths

Available as a panel van in three lengths – small, medium and large – with strong 2.0-litre diesel engines and up to 6.6 cubic metres of cargo capacity, Opel Vivaro 4x4 also offers genuine off-road capability.

A wide range of assistance systems and advanced technologies are optionally available for the Vivaro 4x4. Front camera and radar-controlled assistance systems include Lane Keep Assist, Speed Sign Recognition, Driver Drowsiness Alert, Semi-adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Alert and Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Alert and Park Pilot front and rear.

Multimedia Radio and Multimedia Navi Pro infotainment systems come with a large 7.0-inch touchscreen. Both feature phone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Multimedia Navi Pro additionally features European navigation with 3D view. With “OpelConnect”, users can access their vehicle’s status and information via smartphone. They can also enjoy the peace of mind offered by on-board emergency and breakdown calls. LIVE Navigation1 provides online traffic information in real time, which allows the rapid detection and avoidance of delays – nowadays an important business factor.

[1] LIVE Navigation services available free-of-charge for 36 months after activation. Payment required thereafter.