New Opel Grandland GSe: High Performance SUV

• Premiere: Opel brings GSe performance to C-SUV segment
• Dynamic mixture: Sports car performance plus e-AWD traction and SUV style
• Unique: Specific steering calibration, exclusive GSe springs and dampers
• GSe-style: 19-inch wheels inspired by Opel Manta GSe and unique diffusor

Following closely in the tracks laid down by Opel Astra GSe and Astra Sports Tourer GSe comes the next dynamic model from Opel’s new electrified sub-brand: Opel Grandland GSe.

Performance SUVs combine sports car pace with versatility and style. They offer dynamism and all-wheel drive traction and exert strong driver appeal. Currently they are most often found in the premium segment but with the new Opel Grandland GSe, a performance SUV will premiere soon in the popular C-segment.

“New Opel Grandland GSe is exceptionally dynamic, capable and stylish. We are confident that it will attract customers who want not only electrification from their SUV, but also a sporty drive,” said Opel CEO Florian Huettl.

New Opel Grandland GSe combines a 1.6 turbocharged petrol engine and two electric motors – one at each axle – for a strong system power output of up to 221 kW/300 hp (provisional WLTP fuel consumption, weighted, combined 1: 1.3 l/100 km; 31-29 g/km CO2). Plug-in hybrid powertrain makes the Grandland GSe a permanent electric all-wheel-drive vehicle with optimum traction and class-leading launch from a standstill. Acceleration from zero to 100 km/h is completed in a sports-car-like 6.1 seconds and the maximum speed is reached at 235 km/h (135 km/h electrically driven).

Like its Astra GSe siblings, the prerequisites for the Opel Grandland GSe’s especially dynamic and fun-to-drive character lie in its unique suspension and steering calibration. With McPherson struts at the front and a multi-link axle at the rear, Opel’s sportiest SUV features firmer springs and dampers with KONI FSD (Frequency Selective Damping) technology, which enables different damping characteristics for handling versus comfort. As a result, Opel Grandland GSe responds immediately and predictably to every driver input while retaining Opel’s typical stability under braking, in corners and on the Autobahn.

Bold and pure exterior design of the Grandland with its Opel Vizor brand face is further enhanced by the GSe signature styling cues: 19-inch light-alloy wheels inspired by the award-winning Opel Manta GSe concept; a unique rear diffusor; and a GSe emblem on the tailgate. As a further distinguishing feature, Opel Grandland GSe is optionally available with a black bonnet. Inside, AGR-certified Alcantara-trimmed performance front seats are yet another demonstration of Opel’s excellence in seat engineering. They ensure that Opel Grandland GSe pilot and co-driver can enjoy dynamic driving while their spines benefit from the additional comfort and support of the exceptionally ergonomic seats.

[1] Provisional fuel consumption and CO2 emissions figures mentioned comply with the WLTP homologation (regulation EU 2017/948). From 1 September 2018, new vehicles are type-approved using the World Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP), which is a new, more realistic test procedure for measuring fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. WLTP fully replaces the New European Drive Cycle (NEDC), which was the test procedure used previously. Due to more realistic test conditions, the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions measured under the WLTP are in many cases higher compared to those measured under the NEDC. Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions figures may vary depending on specific equipment, options and format of tires.

Opel Corsa-e Rally at FIA Motorsport Games

• Edition of international multi-discipline competition in France
• Mega-event with 1,000 competitors from 100 nations
• Opel Motorsport will perform slalom competition with Opel Corsa-e Rally

With the FIA Motorsport Games, which will be held for the first time in 2019, FIA (Fédération Internationale d'Automobile) is building a bridge between racing and other motorsport disciplines. At the first edition three years ago in Vallelunga, Italy, 49 nations competed for glory and medals in five disciplines. At the second FIA Motorsport Games from October 26-30, 2022, in southern France, around 1,000 competitors from 100 nations will compete.

This time there will be 17 different motorsport disciplines at four venues. New to the FIA Motorsport Games programme is the automobile slalom, for which the organisers had envisaged the use of battery-electric vehicles from the outset. As one of the leading manufacturers of battery-electric vehicles, Opel was an obvious choice with the Corsa-e Rally. Opel is successfully running the ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup together with the ADAC and is also the only carmaker to have an electric rally variant already in use in its portfolio. Opel Motorsport will perform the agility test between the pylons with three of the 100 kW/136 hp one-make cup racers. Course is at the Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet, the venue of the Formula 1 French Grand Prix.

“With its enormous torque of 260 Nm and high agility, Opel Corsa-e Rally is ideal for slaloms and therefore a perfect choice,” says Opel Motorsport Director Jörg Schrott. “FIA Motorsport Games promise to be a mega event with a high international profile, which we are very happy to support. We are delighted to have the opportunity to demonstrate the performance of the world’s first electric rally one-make cup car once again.”

Noller/Kopczyk start in Opel Corsa Rally4

Team Germany will take part in the FIA Motorsport Games with a total of 22 male and female competitors. Michelle Tute (28, Hanover) and Marcel Hellberg (29, Löhne) are nominated for the slalom competitions. Furthermore, 20-year-old René Noller from Abstatter and his experienced co-driver Stefan Kopczyk (41, Heilbronn) will represent Germany in the rally discipline in an Opel Corsa Rally4. Opel’s new customer rally car with the French crew Laurent Pellier/Marine Pelamourgues recently won the fifth European Junior Rally Championship (JERC) title for the ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team.

AGR-Certified Opel seats: Optimum Ergonomics for every journey

• Decades-long Opel philosophy: Seats must offer support as well as comfort
• Top of the line: State-of-the-art GSe performance seats will lead Opel’s AGR offer
• Wide range: AGR seats for Opel Astra, Crossland and Grandland

 All-new performance seats unique to Opel Astra GSe and Astra Sports Tourer GSe

Opel’s offer of ergonomic seats certified by AGR (“Aktion Gesunder Rücken” – Campaign for healthy backs, an independent German association promoting research related to back-pain prevention) is extensive and a key component of the German carmaker’s customer-centric approach to mobility. Today, Opel buyers can already order ergonomic AGR seats on the new Opel Astra, Opel Crossland and Opel Grandland. However, seat development at Opel never stands still and the next stage will soon be available in the form of all-new performance seats unique to the Astra GSe and Astra Sports Tourer GSe – certified, of course, by AGR.

At Opel, car seats must not only provide comfort, they must also support the occupant’s back; throughout the journey and especially when driving longer distances. It therefore comes as no surprise that the innovative German brand (which this year celebrates its 160th anniversary) was the first to offer back-friendly seats in the mid-size segment in 2003, with the first seal of approval from the ergonomics experts at AGR for the Opel Signum.

That GSe-feeling: Stylish performance seats with ergonomic AGR certification

New GSe performance seats represent the youngest developments in healthy seating technology from Opel. Trimmed in black Alcantara, the stylish front seats in the Astra GSe and Astra Sports Tourer GSe feature especially high upper wings. Unique construction with fully integrated head restraints also displays a distinctive grey accent-stripe electro-welded onto the backrest – a high-precision technology used for the first time on a series production car. Also unique to the GSe is the stitched pattern at the base of the backrest and on the seat cushion, while the unmistakable yellow-on-black GSe logo adorns the top of the seatback.

Take your (AGR) seat: Functions and adjustments for every trip and driving style

Opel already offers a variety of AGR seats with a choice of comfort or more sports-oriented contours. To enable the driver and the front passenger to adopt a comfortable and back-friendly seating position for any journey, AGR seats offer 10 adjustments for the driver and six for the co-driver. Regardless of the seat contour, the multitude of adjustable parameters – many electrically operated on the driver’s seat – include sliding range, height, tilt, backrest tilt, thigh support, lumbar support and seat cushion tilt, as well as heating for the cold season.

Comfort of AGR driver’s seats can be further enhanced – depending on the model variant – with ventilation. In addition, the memory function particularly comes in handy when sharing driving duties over long distances.

With AGR-certified seats, Opel drivers always have the comfort they want and the support they need, regardless of the journey’s type or duration.