Opel Classic presents new virtual “160 Years of Opel” anniversary tour

• Now online: New tour shows highlights of Opel history from 1862 to today
• For all interests: “160 Years of Opel” complements the previous theme tours “Alternative Drives”, “Rally Racing”, “Roaring Twenties” and “Mobility for Millions”
• For fans and friends of the brand: Virtual tours developed with great attention to detail

Virtual Tour Opel Classic

In 2022, Opel is celebrating the company's 160th birthday. To mark this anniversary, Opel Classic has a special gift for all fans and friends of the brand: they can now immerse themselves in the company's history in the new "160 Years of Opel" theme tour at opel.com/opelclassic. From the comfort of their couch at home, users can take a virtual tour back to the beginnings of the company and enjoy numerous highlights from 160 years of Opel engineering. Opel Classic takes them on a varied tour from the first sewing machines and bicycles "made in Rüsselsheim" to the current "Golden Steering Wheel" title holder Opel Mokka-e 1 – around the clock, 365 days a year.

"New anniversary tour was developed with great attention to detail. Team first had to meticulously archive and document all the exhibits and precisely align them for filming so that online visitors can view the vehicles from all sides. Bilingual '160 Years of Opel' tour offers completely new Opel perspectives to all those interested. It's really worth clicking on and taking the tour," says the new Opel Classic Director Leif Rohwedder, looking forward to numerous online visitors.

"160 Years of Opel": Virtual tour from the beginning to today

New 360-degree tour takes visitors virtually into the "hallowed halls" of the Opel Classic Collection in Rüsselsheim. Here, the brand with the Blitz shelters a veritable treasure trove of 600 historic vehicles and studies as well as 300 other exhibits ranging from Opel sewing machines to aircraft engines. The highlights of the "160 Years of Opel" tour include a look at the beginnings in the 1860s as well as the following decades. By clicking on the yellow info points, Opel Classic reveals important information about the selected exhibits – short and sweet, right to the point.

"Wanderjahre Adam Opels" (Adam Opel's wandering years) are discussed as well as historically valuable exhibits such as the "Quintuplet" – a five-seat bicycle – on which the five sons of the company founder had themselves photographed for publicity purposes at the end of the 19th century. The pioneer among Opel automobiles can also be seen for the first time in a virtual tour: the Patentmotorwagen "System Lutzmann" from 1899, which marked the beginning of car production in Rüsselsheim.

Then interested visitors can continue on various paths through the historic halls. They will not only encounter numerous Opel icons and bestsellers, but also innovative record-breaking vehicles such as the Opel Elektro GT. 

Five decades ago, this car demonstrated at the Hockenheimring what is possible with zero emissions. Tour through 160 years of Opel history leads to further groundbreaking developments such as the first fully electric vehicle suitable for everyday use, the Opel Ampera, and the battery-electric Opel Mokka-e. Current e-car with the Blitz won the "Golden Steering Wheel 2021"1 with its convincing driving performance as well as its very own style and rounds off the journey through time in the Opel halls.

"160 Years of Opel" tour now complements the Opel Classic online tours that were successfully launched in 2021. Here, visitors can also explore and enjoy the subjects of "Alternative Drives", "Rally Racing", "Roaring Twenties" and "Mobility for Millions".

[1] “Golden Steering Wheel 2021” Opel Mokka-e (power consumption according to WLTP 16.2-15.8 kWh/100 km, CO2 emission 0 g/km, range up to 338 km, efficiency class A+++). AUTO BILD edition 45/2021 and BILD am SONNTAG edition 46/2021, category for “Best car under €25,000” incl. environmental bonus.

Red, Agile, Electric: Opel Rocks-e on duty with Opel Plant Fire Brigade

• Allrounder: For young drivers, commuters, deliveries and now the Opel fire brigade
• Advantage: Diminutive Opel Rocks-e can reach every corner of Rüsselsheim plant
• All on-board: Special signalling system, flashing lights, fire brigade livery

Opel Rocks-e is small, manoeuvrable, electric – and emissions-free. E-midget is also versatile and can be used in a variety of ways, such as for commuting or for deliveries. Opel fire brigade in Rüsselsheim is also experiencing this versatility, as a red Opel Rocks-e has gone into service there.

Smallest vehicle in the fire brigade's fleet is a real one-off. But the fire-red livery, special signalling system, flashing front lights and emergency numbers make its purpose clear. Opel Rocks-e is equipped with everything needed for duty on the Rüsselsheim plant premises. With plenty of space available under the passenger seat and in the footwell for tools, the zero-emissions quadricycle is fit for duty on the 1.9 km2 site, for example, to check fire extinguishers.

Using the agile Opel Rocks-e – whose turning circle is only 7.20 metres – the fire brigade drives emissions-free and can reach every corner of the premises quickly. Range of 75 kilometres (according to WLTP 1) is more than enough. Instead of parking the vehicle at the door and walking the rest of the way through the expansive buildings, as was previously the case, the firemen are allowed to drive inside thanks to the electric propulsion system, the 2.41-m length and the 1.39-m (excl. exterior mirrors) width. That saves a lot of time. Opel Rocks-e is also an eye-catcher wherever it goes and always puts a smile on employees’ faces.

Opel Rocks-e for the Rüsselsheim plant fire brigade was jointly created by the firemen themselves, colleagues from Advanced Engineering and OSV (Opel Special Vehicles). With this unique conversion, the German brand once again demonstrates the versatility of the diminutive electric vehicle. Innovative Opel Rocks-e is not only a stylish, affordable entry ticket to electric mobility for young people aged 152 and over; soon it will also be available in delivery vehicle format as Opel Rocks-e KARGO.

[1] Provisional 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.

[2] 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.

IMAGinE and Opel: For safer, more cooperative driving in the future

• Under Opel leadership: Vehicle communications project reaches completion
• Since 2016: 12 partners work on development of innovative assistance systems for cooperative driving
• Objective: Safe, accident-free driving through extended interaction among vehicles

Optimisation of traffic flow, the prevention of accidents and safer, more relaxed driving – these are the objectives of IMAGinE 1, a German research project for the automation of intelligent manoeuvres and cooperative risk avoidance in real time that has now reached its successful completion. Under the leadership of Opel and project coordinator Nikolas Wagner, Manager ADAS Innovations from the Technical Center Central Europe at Opel Automobile GmbH, 12 partners from the automobile industry, research and road network operation have been working since September 2016 on the development of innovative assistance systems for the cooperative driving of the future. The developments were then tested in simulations as well as in various real cars, including Opel models. “IMAGinE achieved a milestone on the way to cooperative driving in the future “, said Nikolas Wagner. Frank Jordan, Head of Automotive Research and Advanced Engineering Opel/Stellantis, added: “IMAGinE enables increased safety while simultaneously reducing emissions through networked driving”.

Five research areas for future cooperative driving

Current assistance systems share safety related information with the driver or take immediate action themselves, but the information is hardly ever shared between different vehicles. Challenge for IMAGinE was to improve connections between road users to counteract the risk of accidents effectively and promptly. Project team therefore investigated five subject areas:

1) Cooperative manoeuvre coordination

Coordinated manoeuvre planning was investigated for the first time in IMAGinE. Project team used current technologies such as V2X communication as well as the exchange of communication in simulations and in cars and trucks on proving grounds. Cooperative manoeuvre coordination makes it easier and safer to manage traffic situations.

2) Cooperative environment model

Sensors of individual vehicles are limited by the environment and the prevailing weather conditions. Project therefore created a cooperative environment model, in which the awareness of all road users was increased by the exchange of information via V2X. For example, cars could promptly recognise “hidden” objects thanks to information received via V2X.

3) New communication mechanisms

Project investigated new message formats that can do more than existing V2X communications. Cooperative driving manoeuvres can be coordinated via MCM (Manoeuvre Coordination Message). Also, messages are shared between road users, i.e., IDSM (IMAGinE Driving Strategy Message) and ITDM (IMAGinE Traffic Distribution Message). Latter enables a more efficient traffic flow, which is free of congestion as far as possible.

4) User focused man-machine interaction

Assistance concepts that encourage more cooperative behaviour on the road must be intuitive and easy to understand. According to studies among test participants, acceptance is higher when the displays and controls in the vehicle are designed for the end-user. IMAGinE man-machine interactions were created correspondingly to inform the driver about cooperative driving manoeuvres and to motivate more cooperative behaviour.

5) Environment simulation

As more and more road users cooperate, the exchange and the search for solutions in the whole system becomes increasingly complicated. Participating partners therefore tested the manoeuvre coordination via simulation in every phase of the research project. Cooperative driving functions were finally integrated in ten real test cars, including Opel models, and tested on proving grounds.

[1] IMAGinE = Intelligente Manöver Automatisierung – kooperative Gefahrenvermeidung in Echtzeit

Florian Huettl formally named New CEO of Opel / Vauxhall

Florian Huettl (45) has been named the new CEO of Opel/Vauxhall

Florian Huettl (45) has been named the new CEO of Opel/Vauxhall by the Supervisory Board of Opel Automobile GmbH. This was formally decided during the meeting of the Supervisory Board yesterday evening. Previous Head of Sales and Marketing of Opel/Vauxhall will assume leadership of the two brands on June 1, 2022. Huettl succeeds Uwe Hochgeschurtz, who has been appointed Enlarged Europe Chief Operating Officer of Opel’s parent company Stellantis and will take over Maxime Picat's responsibilities. Uwe Hochgeschurtz assumed his position as Opel/Vauxhall CEO on September 1, 2021. During this time, he gave further impetus to Opel/Vauxhall's electrification and digitization offensive.

Uwe Hochgeschurtz and Florian Huettl

“Florian Huettl is a proven leader in sales and marketing. He will continue the path successfully taken by Opel/Vauxhall. Both traditional brands have a very special position within Stellantis; Opel is the only German and Vauxhall the only British brand in the group. Florian Huettl will continue to work closely with Uwe Hochgeschurtz in the future. I wish Florian and Uwe all the best in their new roles and would like to thank Uwe for his valuable contribution in recent months,” said Xavier Chereau, Chairman of the Opel Supervisory Board and Chief Human Resources & Transformation Officer at Stellantis.

Florian Huettl has been Head of Sales and Marketing at Opel/Vauxhall since March 1, 2022. His successor in this position will be named at a later date. Huettl has held various senior positions at Stellantis and the Renault Group. Over the past 20 years he has gained international experience in the UK, France, Switzerland, and Russia. Huettl holds a bachelor's degree in International Business Management from the University of Applied Sciences in Bergisch-Gladbach.

Uwe Hochgeschurtz started his career in the automotive industry in 1990 at Ford, before joining VW in 2001 and Renault in 2004. He studied business administration in Germany (Wuppertal & Cologne), the UK (Birmingham) and France (Paris Dauphine).

Opel & Vauxhall Vivaro-e Tops Sales Charts in Germany and United Kingdom

• Opel Vivaro-e bestselling electric van in its segment in Germany in first quarter
• Vauxhall Vivaro-e bestselling e-LCV overall in UK in first quarter
• Significant market share growth in both home markets

Vivaro-e is continuing to be hugely popular with customers looking for an emissions-free electric commercial vehicle. Opel Vivaro-e was the bestselling medium electric van in Germany in the first quarter of 2022. Its sales helped Opel to grow its market share in the increasingly important electric light commercial vehicle market to almost 19% in the first three months of the year. In the UK, the Vauxhall Vivaro-e was the best-selling e-LCV in March and remains the overall highest-selling e-LCV for the year. Year-on-year, Vauxhall has seen its UK e-LCV market share grow from 19% to 22.7%. Opel and Vauxhall are part of a small group of manufacturers already able to offer electric variants across the entire LCV portfolio.

“Electric light commercial vehicle segment is a rapidly growing and vitally important sector for the industry. As more businesses look to reduce their running costs and emissions, e-LCV sales will keep growing in the future. It’s fantastic to see the award-winning Vivaro-e leading the way and shows that offering battery-electric models like the Combo-e, Vivaro-e and Movano-e at an early stage was the right choice to make,” said Opel CEO Uwe Hochgeschurtz.

With a WLTP range of up to 328 kilometres1and a maximum payload of up to 1,163 kilogrammes, the Vivaro-e is at the forefront of Opel’s and Vauxhall’s commitment to electrification, as the German and British brand continue their electric vehicle expansion with the goal of offering an electrified variant of every model by 2024, and to offer only fully electric cars and vans in Europe by 2028.

In addition, Opel is already preparing the next step in the success of the Vivaro by pushing ahead with production of the Vivaro-e HYDROGEN. It is based on the existing battery electric Opel Vivaro-e, the “2021 International Van of the Year”. With full tanks of hydrogen, the driving range is more than 400 kilometres (WLTP1). 45 kW fuel cell is capable of generating enough power for continuous highway driving. It takes only three minutes to refuel with hydrogen – about the same time needed to fill up a conventional diesel or petrol vehicle. Thanks to smart packaging, Vivaro-e HYDROGEN demands no compromises on space compared to the combustion engine versions, offering up to 5.3 or 6.1 cubic metres of cargo volume. Fuel cell electric LCV is available in lengths M and L (4.95 and 5.30 metres) with up to 1,000 kilogrammes of payload.

[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.

Opel shows compact class at the 9th Bodensee Klassik

• After 60 years on an anniversary tour: Opel Kadett A in the rally field
• Sonorous names: "Kulläng" Rallye-Kadett, Kadett GT/E and Kadett GSi from ex-Chancellor Schmidt also at the start
• Prominent crew: actress Gesine Cukrowski and Olympic champion André Lange in Opel vintage cars
• State-of-the-art support: Rally organizers drive all-new Opel Astra

Opel shows at this year's Bodensee Klassik compact class! For the 9th edition of the varied classic rally, legendary Opel Kadett models of different generations will be at the start from May 5th to 7th . At the same time, with the new Astra , which is celebrating its dealer premiere on Opel Day on May 7th, Opel is demonstrating how the manufacturer continues to bring innovations to the compact segment, making them affordable for everyone. Actress Gesine Cukrowski and four-time Olympic bobsleigh champion André Lange are also convinced of this. Closely associated with the brand for many years, they take part as prominent Opel drivers in the Rallye Kadett of former rally ace Anders Kulläng at the vintage car outing in the Lake Constance region.

Tour: New routes with proven scenic beauty

Thrilling, varied and beautiful – these are the characteristics that have characterized the Bodensee Klassik and its routes since the start in 2012. And that also applies to the most recent edition. It starts on Thursday afternoon, May 5th, with the “Prologue Bodenseeblick”. Start and finish this time is the city center of Friedrichshafen. On Friday, May 6th, the field of participants will embark on the "Swabian Alb Tour". Historical and scenic highlights will be Salem Castle and the beautiful hinterland of Lake Constance in the direction of Sigmaringen. After the third stage, which takes place on Saturday, May 7th, via the Oberjoch in the "Ostallgäu" to Kempten and Wangen, the rally drivers and their co-drivers will have covered a total of around 550 kilometers when they return to Friedrichshafen and will be enriched by unforgettable experiences .

Opel rally classics: Kadett legends from generation A to E

Opel Kadett A

This is ensured in particular by the classics, in which the participants master the individual stages. Opel shows here what real compact class means! The oldest Opel at the start is the Kadett A , which rolled off the assembly line for the first time 60 years ago. Post-war Kadett was a prime example of lightweight construction at the time, weighing 670 kilograms. One-litre, short-stroke engine impressed the contemporary testers with its spontaneous power delivery, good torque and elasticity. After a short time it became clear that the success of the Kadett A exceeded all expectations and the compact Opel was rightly advertised with the slogan "A car without problems". By the time production ended in August 1965, the Kadett A had sold a total of 649,512 buyers.

Opel Kadett B Rallye

Actress Gesine Cukrowski and the four-time bobsleigh Olympic champion André Lange are completing the Bodensee Klassik in a very special example of the Kadett B generation. You will pilot the Rallye Kadett , driven by Swedish rally ace Anders Kulläng and his co-driver Bruno Berglund in the 1970s. Equipped with the engine of the "big brother" Rekord Sprint, a special rear axle, roll cage and additional instruments, it is a perfect basis, not only for motorsport use.

Opel Kadett C GT/E

Opel Kadett GT /E from 1977 and a Kadett GSi from 1991 ensure further Opel brilliance on the classic tour Make motorsport particularly easy. The competition vehicle, which was consistently trimmed for sporty use, still inspires enthusiasts today with its equipment from the two-liter engine with electronic fuel injection to the ZF five-speed gearbox and limited-slip differential to the sporty tuned and reinforced chassis. Eye-catching white and yellow paintwork was standard.

"Last, but not least", a "state-supporting" example of the last Opel Kadett generation completes the starting field: Metallic-black painted Opel Kadett GSi with 85 kW/115 hp was purchased in 1991 by none other than former German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt, who had owned the car for five years long used together with his wife Loki for private trips. Opel Kadett GSi was able to reach the then prestigious mark of 200 km/h top speed not least because of its aerodynamic qualities with a trailblazing drag coefficient of 0.30.

Opel Kadett E GSi

On-site vehicles: Rally organizers on the move in the all-new Opel Astra

Just as brilliant as the Kadett models of the different decades, latest generation of the Opel Astra also drives up as a support vehicle at the Bodensee Klassik. Organizers can experience the newcomer as a limousine on site.Sixth, completely newly developed generation of the compact class bestseller is not only a real design gem with the Opel Vizor, fully digital Pure Panel and top technologies such as the latest version of the adaptive, non-glare IntelliLux LED Pixel light, it is also electrified for the first time available - and in the future in three variants. All-new Opel Astra can already be ordered as a plug-in hybrid, which will be supplemented by a second performance level in the course of the year. From 2023, the purely battery-electric Opel Astra-e will complete the range.

All-New Opel Astra Hybrid

At the same time, the new Astra once again stands for making technologies and innovations affordable for everyone. Every version comes with numerous state-of-the-art assistance systems as standard. These include systems such as the front collision warning with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition and drowsiness detection, as well as the park pilot for the front and rear or a 180-degree reversing camera.

Strong Field in ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup 2022

• World's first electric one-make rally cup made even more attractive
• Teams from seven nations are at the start at seven events
• Romanian Cristiana Oprea takes on the otherwise male field of participants

Opel Corsa-e Rally

Preparations for the second season of the ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup are entering the home straight before the battle for points resumes at the ADAC Actronics Rally in Sulingen from May 6. The world’s first electric one-make rally cup is even better positioned for the 2022 season than it was in its successful debut year. Opel Corsa-e Rally was optimised with detail improvements over the winter. A newly developed multi-disc limited slip differential increases the traction of the 100 kW/136 hp electric rally car and upgraded software improves the thermal management of the 50-kilowatt-hour battery. In addition, a modified sound system enhances the acoustic appeal of the electric rally car.

Attractive schedule with seven rounds in the German Rally Championship (DRM) as well as guest outings in Austria, France and the Netherlands is enhanced by the very international field of participants. German rally aces face competitors from six other nations. With Germans Lukas Thiele, Christian Lemke, Joe Baur, Max Reiter and Alexander Kattenbach as well as the Dutch veteran Timo van der Marel, six ”old hands” go into their second e-Cup year. Timo Schulz (22) makes his debut in the Corsa-e Rally with the support of ADAC Saarland.

They all face ambitious newcomers such as Swede Calle Carlberg and Finn Kalle Markanen, both of whom are competing for the experienced Schmack Motorsport team. With 22-year-old Luca Pröglhöf from Sittendorf, a promising young Austrian talent will compete with the Opel Austria Corsa-e Rally entered by Stohl Racing. Dutchman Jari van Hoof got such a taste for the sport at last year's Sachsen Rally that he will contest a full Cup season in 2022 in the racing team of his mentor Timo van der Marel. And last year's champion team Saintéloc Racing from France goes to the start with 30-year-old Romanian Cristiana Oprea, the only female driver in the illustrious field.

 Cristiana Oprea with Opel Corsa-e Rally

Two Opel Corsa-e Rally from England in Cup plus VIP vehicle from TotalEnergies

Two highly interesting new entries come from the United Kingdom. British Opel sister brand Vauxhall is entering a Corsa-e Rally, which will be piloted by rotating guest drivers. Excitement is being stirred up by the second British vehicle, which is even sponsored by the British government. The project is driven by Simon Moss, who teaches motorsport management at Myerscough College in Bilsborrow, Lancashire and uses the innovative concept of the ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup as a showcase for his studies.

In addition, TotalEnergies' VIP car will be used at selected events as a rally taxi and course car or with guest drivers in competition. Global technology partner of the Stellantis Group is increasing its involvement in the ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup this season.