Monday 22 November 2021

All-New Opel Astra Launches with Premium LED Light from ZKW


All-New Opel Astra: IntelliLux LED Pixel Light

Intelligent, high-resolution Pixel Lite ensures better road safety and comfort ZKW installed the first version of the pioneering LED Matrix light in the Opel Astra in 2015. Now, the next stage of development is ready to launch: With a total of 168 LED elements (84 per headlamp), IntelliLux Pixel Lite developed by the Wieselburg lighting specialists delivers a precise and fluid lighting gradient tailored to the specific situation at hand, without creating glare for other road users. Light module and electronic components are integrated into the extra-slim front headlamps. IntelliLux precisely cuts out oncoming vehicles in just milliseconds. Other areas continue to be illuminated with full high beams. “Intelligent Pixel Lite used in the new Opel Astra is setting new standards in the compact class. It provides adaptive support to the driver, ensures driving comfort, and delivers more road safety” explains Oliver Schubert, CEO of the ZKW Group.


With a total of 168 LED elements (84 per headlamp) the compact class challenger ensures a precise and fluid light pattern at all times, without dazzling other road users


High-resolution premium lighting

IntelliLux LED Pixel Lite, which is already popular on the Opel models Insignia and Grandland, is now celebrating its debut on the all-new Opel Astra. ZKW has significantly improved and further developed the previous Matrix light. New IntelliLux has more, smaller segments, allowing it to achieve higher resolution and lighting quality: Compared to the previous Matrix system, new Pixel Light has not only vertical, but also horizontal segments for both high and low beams. Technology makes it possible to illuminate the gap created when masking the oncoming vehicle or vehicles traveling in front of the reference car. Other road users are recorded by a front camera, the signals from which control the LED module in the headlamp.


IntelliLux precisely cuts out oncoming vehicles in just milliseconds


Elegant design, Made in Austria

The “wing” design is a striking feature on the daytime running lights of the all-new Opel Astra – it uses specially developed micro-optics to deliver a homogeneous appearance, appearing evenly white when switched off. Exterior chrome plated designer panel underscores the side line of the Opel Astra, which travels over the main headlamp and the grill, and throughout the entire front of the vehicle. IntelliLux was developed at ZKW’s headquarters in Wieselburg. Pixel Lite controller was created through close collaboration between the Wieselburg engineers and the ZKW electronics plant in Wiener Neustadt, where the control modules are also produced.  IntelliLux LED Pixel Lite is manufactured at ZKW’s Slovakian location in Krusovce. in addition to the IntelliLux for the Opel Astra, ZKW also delivers the Opel Insignia headlamps.

Wednesday 17 November 2021

Eisenach plant will resume operations at the beginning of January

Eisenach plant will resume production of the Opel Grandland in the first week of January

 

New Opel Grandland in Eisenach plant

Global shortage of semiconductors remains a significant challenge for the entire industry. Thanks to flexible planning and extensive measures by the Stellantis Group, however, it has been possible to improve the supply situation and have now confirmed the resumption of operations in Eisenach for the beginning of January.

“This is excellent news for the Opel brand. Because with the new Grandland we have a state-of-the-art, electrified SUV flagship that is very popular with our customers,” said Opel boss Uwe Hochgeschurtz.

It is planned that the entire volume of the compact SUV will be produced in Eisenach in the future - a corresponding agreement was reached with IG Metall this week. In addition, the company and the union agreed to bundle the business activities at the Eisenach plant in a separate company. This should be a subsidiary of Opel Automobile GmbH.

“Advantages associated with such a production organization are intended to help ensure the efficiency of the Eisenach plant in the long term. This is achieved, among other things, by simplifying product allocation and implementing more efficient solutions required on site,” emphasized Ralph Wangemann, Managing Director Human Resources at Opel Automobile GmbH and HR Head at Stellantis in Germany.

Working conditions for all employees will remain unchanged, the existing collective agreements and works agreements will continue to apply.

Wednesday 10 November 2021

New Opel Mokka-e wins “Golden Steering Wheel 2021”

  • Best car under €25,000: Battery-electric Opel Mokka-e takes the top spot
  • Electric car with style: Bold and pure, Opel Mokka-e in tune the times
  • Electric success: Opel Mokka-e follows Opel Corsa-e as “Golden Steering Wheel” winner
  • Winning streak at “Auto Oscars”: Already 19th “Golden Steering Wheel” for Opel


Opel CEO Uwe Hochgeschurtz 

New Opel Mokka-e has won the “Golden Steering Wheel 2021” 1, defeating strong competition and claiming one of the most prestigious prizes in the automotive industry as “Best Car under €25,000”.

Mokka-e seamlessly continues Opel's series success in this award. Only last year, the battery-electric Opel Corsa-e brought the “Golden Steering Wheel” 2 to Rüsselsheim. After the Opel Ampera-e in 2017 and the Corsa-e in 2020, Mokka-e is now the third electric model and also the first SUV from Opel to take the coveted title. Electric vehicles with the Blitz electrify the experts and readers of AUTO BILD and BILD am SONNTAG just as much as the customers.

“Our Opel Mokka-e is everything but ordinary, and proved it once again at this year's ‘Golden Steering Wheel’”, said Opel CEO Uwe Hochgeschurtz at last night's award ceremony in Berlin's Axel Springer Haus. “With state-of-the-art technologies and uncompromising design, Opel Mokka-e makes e-mobility fun in every way. We are very pleased that our customers, the readers of AUTO BILD and BILD am SONNTAG, as well as the expert jury see it the same way.”

Opel Mokka-e: Battery-electric eye-catcher with the Blitz in the Opel Vizor

New Opel Mokka-e impresses not only with its bold and pure design, but also with its performance. Electric motor with 100 kW/136 hp and 260 Newton metres of maximum torque delivers a powerful, almost silent drive. Thanks to the 50 kWh battery, up to 338 kilometres are possible without a charging stop according to WLTP 3. Electronically limited top speed is 150 km/h. A state-of-the-art regenerative braking system makes the Opel Mokka-e even more efficient, allowing the electric vehicle to recuperate energy during deceleration or braking. Battery can be quickly recharged up to 80 per cent in 30 minutes at a 100 kW DC charging station.

Opel and the “Golden Steering Wheel”: All the Winners from Rüsselsheim

New Opel Mokka-e is the latest in a proud line of “Golden Steering Wheel” award winners from Opel. Award, which has been presented since 1976 by BILD am SONNTAG and from 2009 in cooperation with AUTO BILD has now been won by the brand with Blitz for the 19th time. It all started in 1978, two years after the award was founded, with the Opel Senator A.

On the way to the "Golden Steering Wheel" victory, the readers of AUTO BILD and BILD am SONNTAG are first to vote. They elect their three favourites in each category, sending them to the final. At the DEKRA Lausitzring, a prominent jury of experts consisting of journalists, racing drivers and car experts will then assess the individual finalists according to criteria based on the AUTO BILD test scheme.

1978

Opel Senator A

1979

Opel Kadett D

1981

Opel Ascona C

1982

Opel Corsa A

1984

Opel Kadett E

1987

Opel Senator B

1990

Opel Calibra

1994

Opel Omega B

1995

Opel Vectra B

1999

Opel Zafira A

2002

Opel Vectra C

2005

Opel Zafira B

2009

Opel Astra J

2010

Opel Meriva B

2012

Opel Zafira Tourer

2015

Opel Astra K

2017

Opel Ampera-e

2020

Opel Corsa-e

2021

Opel Mokka-e

[1] AUTO BILD edition 45/2021 and BILD am SONNTAG edition 46/2021, category for “Best car under €25,000” incl. environmental bonus.

[2] AUTO BILD and BILD am SONNTAG edition 45/2021, category for “Small cars”

[3] 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.

Tuesday 2 November 2021

E-Mobility for All: New Opel Rocks-e from €7,990 in Germany

  • Beginning of SUM-era: Sustainable Urban Mobility, attractively priced
  • SUM-triple: Electric quadricycle as Opel Rocks-e, Rocks-e Klub and Rocks-e TeKno
  • SUM for teenagers with AM driving licence 1: New electric city vehicle as “My first Opel”


New Opel Rocks-e SUM

New Opel Rocks-e SUM (Sustainable Urban Mobility), the German carmaker’s first all-electric quadricycle, is now available to order in Germany. With an entry-level price of only €7,990 (all RRP including VAT in Germany), the Rocks-e is the battery-electric vehicle that nearly any driver can afford. In addition, the financing rate will be similar to that of a monthly ticket for local public transportation. Opel Rocks-e can already be driven in Germany by young people from 15 years of age who hold the AM driving licence 1.

“With the opening of the order books for our new Opel Rocks-e we make the transition to electric mobility simple and affordable for everyone, from urban commuters to novice drivers”, says the head of Opel Germany, Andreas Marx. “No superfluous extras, Opel Rocks-e is pure emissions-free mobility. With bold and pure design, extremely compact dimensions and an appearance that is both functional and unconventional.”

Opel Rocks-e: Entry-ticket to electric mobility

Just 2.41 metres long, 1.39 m wide (excluding exterior mirrors) and weighing only 471 kilograms (including traction battery), Opel Rocks-e is the entry-ticket to electric mobility, especially for beginners. As it is officially classified as a light motor vehicle or quadricycle, teenagers as young as 15 years1 are allowed to drive Opel Rocks-e with the AM-class driving licence in Germany.


Even the €7,990 entry-level variant already offers a range of up to 75 kilometres (WLTP 2), which can be covered at up to 45 km/h. This makes it ideal for everyday city traffic, and with a turning circle of only 7.20 m, the Rocks-e can also master tight corners and fit into small parking spaces.

5.5 kWh battery of the Opel Rocks-e can be fully recharged in around 3.5 hours via a household socket. Accompanying three-metre-long charging cable is permanently housed in the vehicle and simply pulled out of the passenger door when needed. Opel offers an adapter for charging at a public charging station.

Typical for the Opel Rocks-e is the two-tone look of the front and rear, as well as the new Opel Vizor brand face. Side sills and bodywork further underline the robust appearance. Doors on both sides (which are closed from the inside by straps in Opel yellow) are identical. Passenger door swings forward as usual, while the driver's door swings backwards in the opposite direction.

Opel Rocks-e Klub and Opel Rocks-e TeKno: Colourful electrification

Opel Rocks-e Klub and Opel Rocks-e TeKno (€8,790) are even more distinctive. Wheels of both variants carry “x-Style” caps and also feature vertical black stripes on the doors. Additional eye-catchers are grey bodywork of the Rocks-e Klub and the yellow front and rear skid plates of the Rocks-e TeKno. Individual colour schemes continue in the interior, with correspondingly coloured storage nets and hooks for shopping bags, as well as grey or yellow inserts around the instruments and centre console. Even the seams of the floor mats display the same characteristic colour.

With a smartphone-holder on the centre console and DAT connectivity, Opel Rocks-e Klub and Opel Rocks-e TeKno are prepared to provide infotainment. Hands-free Bluetooth functionality for the smartphone is optionally available.

All three Opel Rocks-e variants share the same optimal packaging within the compact dimensions. The two seats are slightly offset to each other so that the front passenger has comfortable legroom and the driver can move their seat lengthwise. Headroom is ample, even for people more than 1.90 m tall. In addition to the hook for bags, Opel Rocks-e offers a luggage volume of up to 63 litres in the passenger footwell. In addition, objects such as sport bags can be stored in the compartments behind the seats. Thanks to the large windows, Opel Rocks-e drivers enjoy good all-round visibility, and a bright, pleasant interior atmosphere is provided by the standard panoramic glass roof, exceptional for a vehicle in this price category.


New Opel Rocks-e is available to order online in Germany from the comfort of home. Selected Opel dealers will offer consultation, test drives and support for the online ordering process. Deliveries of the first vehicles to dealerships will begin before the end of this year.

[1] Applies to four-wheeled light motor vehicles with a rated continuous/utilised power not exceeding 6 kW, with no more than two seats and a maximum speed not exceeding 45 km/h.

[2] Provisional range determined according to WLTP test procedure methodology (R (EC) No. 715/2007, R (EU) No. 2017/1151). 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.