Focus on software development and vocational training
Hands-on workshops on data measurement and vehicle software
Need for well-trained female professionals
Girls' Day wants to create enthusiasm for MINT professions (mathematics, information technology, natural sciences, technology). Car-related jobs are currently more exciting than ever in the context of electrification and digitization. Opel has supported the nationwide Girls' Day since very beginning and today opened its doors again to girls between the ages of 10 and 17. At the Opel headquarters in Rüsselsheim, participants were welcomed by Managing Director Human Resources Ralph Wangemann.
“Initiative sends an important signal to society. In MINT occupations in particular, we need young females in order to be able to successfully implement and live equal rights and diversity. Diversity, in turn, promotes creativity and ideas. It is a cornerstone of our corporate success,” said Ralph Wangemann.
This year, Opel is focusing on topics of software development as well as dual study options and diverse apprenticeships at Opel. Participants can test their technical skills directly on site and, among other things, experience interaction of electrical engineering and mechanics during data measurement performed on a vehicle. Another workshop provides insights into future of vehicle software with a simulation and live demonstration using air conditioning system as an example.
Automotive industry is currently undergoing a profound transformation and the demands on skilled workers are changing rapidly. Opel is consistently pushing ahead with its electrification offensive and is working intensively on vehicle communication and mobility services. More and more modern software is being used and is playing a key role on way to climate-neutral mobility - with new and exciting challenges for the next generation of skilled workers.
Spring 1998: Completely newly developed second generation Astra reaches customers
Safety first: With DSA chassis, ESP, H7 headlights and fully galvanized body
Powerful into 2000s: Opel Astra OPC, Astra V8 Coupé and Astra OPC X-treme
Opel Astra today: Latest generation debuts plug-in hybrid and battery-electric variants
In 1991, Opel presented Astra F as successor to Opel Kadett and marked start of a new chapter in company’s success story in the compact class. Opel Astra F became an absolute bestseller and the most-produced Opel model of all time. Successor, launched in 1998 had all the best prerequisites to continue the success of its predecessor. Opel Astra G was rolled out with many innovations: It was the first Opel with a fully galvanized body. In addition to 30 percent higher light output of transparent H7 headlights, active driving safety was provided by newly developed DSA (Dynamic Safety Action) chassis. In addition, customers could choose from a wide range of body variants. And Opel Astra G also displayed its performance car potential in the following years as a powerful Opel Astra OPC and as an Astra V8 Coupé, which competed in both German Touring Car Masters and 24-hour race on Nürburgring.
Opel Astra G thus has many parallels to latest generation Astra. With it, Opel has opened another, completely new chapter of its compact class success story. Current Astra not only impresses with its bold and clear design including the characteristic Opel Vizor brand face and fully digital, intuitively operated Pure Panel Cockpit. Winner of “Golden Steering Wheel 2022” 1 is also electrified for first time: with powerful plug-in hybrid variants and the battery electric Opel Astra Electric coming soon. Locally emission-free range-topping Opel Astra GSe (fuel consumption according to WLTP 2: 1.2-1.1 l/100 km, CO2 emissions 26-25 g/km; each combined) shows how particularly dynamic driving fun can be combined with a sense of responsibility.
Rüsselsheim goes Hollywood: From development to market launch of Opel Astra G
Given big shoes Opel Astra G had to fill at end of 1990s, it is no surprise that development process of car was ground-breaking. Repeating success of predecessor was paramount for Opel. That's why development team decided to look for some completely new inspiration when planning second Opel Astra generation. Film “Jurassic Park”, which had already become a huge box office hit, proved to be a great help for designers. Opel Astra G had little to do with dinosaurs themselves – rather team used a computer-aided design program called ALIAS, which was originally developed for computer-animated films such as the Hollywood blockbuster. With help of software, designers could create new model in a virtual, three-dimensional computer world.
In the spring of 1998, Opel Astra G was launched as a three and five-door hatchback and an estate – all with a coupé-like design. Four-door notchback saloon, coupé, Astravan commercial vehicle and the convertible followed shortly afterwards ensuring that all important body styles were covered. All-new second generation Opel Astra shone with its own design including then-characteristic trapezoidal grille, a dynamic wedge front with windscreen pulled forward and an extended roof line as well as a high belt line and a coupé-like appearance on three-door model. This was also reflected in best-in-class aerodynamic drag coefficient of 0.29.
Outstanding overall package: DSA chassis, fully galvanized body and ample space
Comfort and safety had the highest priority during development and Opel Astra G was characterised by dynamic chassis and drive technology as well as almost doubled torsional and flexural rigidity thanks to use of high-strength steels. All this combined with intelligent lightweight construction measures, so that the vehicles - combined with powerful, efficient engines - offered a lot of driving pleasure.
DSA chassis, which was newly developed, played a part in the active driving characteristics. It also ensured maximum driving stability in critical situations such as braking on different road surfaces. “With Opel DSA chassis, the front wheel with the better grip offers controlled manner toe-in, causing a counter-steering effect and thus counteracting the tendency to yaw,” stated Rüsselsheim-based carmaker at time. Safety chassis also combined comfort with agile and safe handling – even with a full load. From 1999, introduction of ESP further increased safety. And patented Pedal Release System (PRS), which protects against serious foot or leg injuries in the event of an impact, was also standard in every Opel Astra G.
1998 Opel Astra also set standards in its segment when it comes to interior spaciousness. The wheelbase, which is around ten centimetres longer than on its predecessor, allowed for more space, especially more head and knee room in rear. In hatchback variant, luggage compartment volume increased to 370 litres while Opel Astra estate boasted up to 1,500 litres. At same time, Astra G made a "quantum leap in terms of quality", as Frankfurter Rundschau at time confirmed. Main contributors to this improvement include high-quality interior materials along with low noise and vibration levels. Above all, however, body, which was fully galvanized for the first time, ensured an increased quality impression and high value.
Competition ambitions: Opel Astra G as OPC and V8 Coupé
At same time,second Astra generation showed that it could do much more than just master everyday tasks perfectly. It became a popular piece of sports equipment – and thus aroused the emotions of particularly ambitious drivers. Almost at the same time as Astra G was introduced, Opel Performance Center, or OPC for short, was launched under direction of Volker Strycek. First model from performance professionals was 1998 Opel Astra OPC with 118 kW/160 hp. Four years later, team showed that much more is possible with the further refined Astra OPC, which could reach speeds of up to 240 km/h. Further developed version had 147 kW/192 hp under bonnet – and was available both as a three-door model and as an estate.
But that's not all: Starting in 2000, Opel also got involved in German Touring Car Masters with the specially developed Opel Astra V8 Coupé – and immediately took second place in championship with high-tech racing car. More competitions followed, such as legendary 24-hour race at Nürburgring. And at 2001 Geneva Motor Show, Opel presented sports car as a 326 kW/444 hp Astra OPC X-treme concept, which promised top acceleration from zero to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and could be driven on normal roads.
Opel Astra and Astra GSe today: Outstanding driving pleasure – with responsibility
Opel is once again tapping into this sporty heritage with current Astra – in a contemporary, future-oriented and above all responsible way. New top-of-the-range Opel Astra GSe 2 and Astra Sports Tourer GSe 2 are powerful, dynamic - and electrified. Because today GSe stands for “Grand Sport electric”. Models of the new Opel sub-brand offer everything that sporty but also responsible drivers desire: top performance, a sporty chassis and an electrified drive for locally emission-free driving. All this combined with a stunning design.
In addition, just like their Astra siblings, they come with numerous state-of-the-art technologies that make driving more relaxed and that customers previously only knew from higher segments – such as the latest version of the adaptive, glare-free IntelliLux LED Pixel Light with a total of 168 LED elements. Interior of the latest Astra generation is just as ground-breaking. With the fully digital Pure Panel, all analogue displays disappear. Instead, state-of-the-art human-machine interface (HMI) offers an intuitive operating experience with an extra-wide touchscreen. Opel developers attached great importance to the fact that the driver receives all necessary information and has direct access all useful operating options, but is not burdened with superfluous data or functions. Important settings such as air conditioning can still be set directly with just a few adjustments of controls.
Outstanding seating comfort is also typical of Opel. Front seats, developed in-house, are certified by AGR (Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V.) and, with their exemplary ergonomics, make long journeys relaxing. Driver is supported by state-of-the-art assistance systems from the head-up display to the Intelli-Drive 1.0 system, which combines many driver assistance systems, to the 360-degree all-round view called Intelli-Vision. In addition, latest Astra makes a clear design statement: more dynamic than ever before, with clear, exciting lines without superfluous flourishes and with the new, characteristic brand face, Opel Vizor.
[1] AUTO BILD edition 45/2022 and BILD am SONNTAG edition 46/2022, category for “Best car up to €50,000”.
[2] Values determined using more realistic WLTP (Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Procedure) test method which replaces the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle) test procedure. A vehicle's consumption, CO2 emissions and range not only depend on efficient use of energy by vehicle but are also influenced by driving style and other non-technical factors. Information on consumption and emissions does not refer to an individual vehicle and is intended solely for purposes of comparison between various vehicle types.
Visionary and full of character: Opel Astra takes award in “Product Design” category
Expressive: Bold and pure design with Opel Vizor brand face
Focussed on essentials: Fully digital and intuitive Pure Panel cockpit
Serial winner: Opel Astra adds Red Dot Award to growing list of accolades
Opel Astra impresses at first sight – as a five-door model as well as Opel Astra Sports Tourer estate. A statement that the international expert jury of Red Dot Awards fully agrees with. Panel of experts, consisting of 43 judges this year, awarded compact class bestseller from Rüsselsheim Red Dot Award 2023 in "Product Design" category. This adds yet another award to Astra’s growing list of accolades. Among others, it has already won ”Golden Steering Wheel 2022” 1, was voted “FAMILY CAR of the Year 2022” 2, and independent expert jury of the "German Car Awards" (GCOTY) voted Opel Astra "German Compact Car of the Year 2023" 3.
“Our Bold and Pure design philosophy really shines in our latest generation Opel Astra. Like every new Opel model, Astra comes with expressive Opel Vizor brand face and combines innovative technology with emotional design. We also developed cockpit according to this principle. Fully digital Pure Panel can be operated intuitively and is focused on essentials,” said Opel’s Vice President Design Mark Adams.
Bold, pure, expressive: Opel Astra design stands out in compact class
Current Opel Astra not only thrills with its locally emission-free plug-in hybrid drives and soon as a fully electric Opel Astra Electric – it also stuns with clear, exciting lines without superfluous flourishes. Opel Vizor (new face of brand first seen on Opel Mokka and central exterior design element) follows Opel Compass where vertical and horizontal axes – sharp crease in hood and wing shaped graphic of daylight running lamps – intersect with Opel Blitz emblem in middle. Stretching across front, making new Opel Astra look even wider, Vizor also seamlessly integrates technologies such as the optional ultra-slim IntelliLux LED headlamps and front camera of Intelli-Vision system. Viewed from side, next-generation Astra looks especially dynamic thanks to pronounced forward rake of C-pillar.
At rear, Opel Compass is repeated by centrally mounted Blitz, vertically aligned high-mounted brake lamp and tail lamps (energy-saving LED, as is all exterior lighting). Blitz emblem also doubles as latch for tailgate, which is made of state-of-art composite material. This technology is not only light in weight and rigid, it also allows precise execution of design details such as especially slim tail lamps.
Fully digital and fully glazed: Intuitively operated, focussed Pure Panel Cockpit
Same German precision and balance applies throughout the interior where a leap in time has taken place. Absolute highlight is the next generation of the Pure Panel. This expansive, digital cockpit (fully glazed depending on variant) features two 10-inch displays, integrated – together with the driver’s side air vent – in a horizontal format. Analogue instruments are consigned to history in new Opel Astra. Thanks to a shutter-like layer that prevents upward reflections in the windscreen, design dispenses with a hood over displays, which further enhances high-tech functionality and ambience.
Opel designers and engineers have taken great care to ensure that the driver receives all the necessary information and useful operating options, but is not burdened with superfluous data or functions. With physical controls reduced to minimum in form of finely crafted keys, Pure Panel achieves the optimum balance between digitisation and intuitive operation, detoxed of irritating visual stimuli and without the need for sub-menus. “Visual detox” is the keyword here. In combination with the high-quality and precisely designed AGR-certified ergonomic active seats, Astra offers a modern feel-good atmosphere – inside and out.
Red Dot Award: Design highlights for over 60 years
Current Opel Astra generation expands the long line of Red Dot Award winners from Rüsselsheim. Numerous other Opel models and communication tools have already received the coveted award. As one of the world's largest design competitions, "Red Dot Award" has been recognising innovative design in the categories "Product Design", "Brands & Communication Design" and "Design Concept" for over 60 years. In 2023, expert jury evaluated products from 60 countries. This award is not conducted as a competition, but rather through an individual product test.
[1] AUTO BILD edition 45/2022 and BILD am SONNTAG edition 46/2022, category for “Best car up to €50,000”.
[2] “FAMILY CAR of the Year 2022” by AUTO Straßenverkehr, categories “Design” and “Technology” (up to €25,000).
[3] “German Compact Car of the Year” (compact class category, up to €30,000).
All-terrain: Solar-powered fun vehicle for a bright future of the space exploration
IntelliLux Laser Light: Optimal vision for extra-terrestrial surfaces
Safety first: ADAS systems and nickel-titanium mesh wheels for planetary driving
Next-level Interior: Pure Panel Space with Pillar-to-pillar display
Space, the final frontier – for many years, this was the common conception However, today, with space tourism becoming increasingly likely, it is time to address the mobility needs of extra-terrestrial exploration and Opel is once again pioneering this new era. Rüsselsheim-based brand has just released advanced information and images of its new space mobility concept: Opel Corsa Moon II. Brand with the Blitz will be the first mobility provider to start to offer tourism on the moon as of mid-decade, once again sticking to its credo of making innovations accessible to everyone.
Consequently, Opel’s lunar vehicle is based on the German brand’s best-selling battery-electric Corsa-e. Opel Corsa Moon II is equipped with space-age technologies to offer the optimum balance between ride comfort, reliability and moon driving performance.
Solar-powered, laser-technology and mesh wheels: Get electrified for the space-age
Based on the extensive knowledge gathered with the 1997 Opel Corsa Moon concept car, Opel R&D team identified solar energy as one of the best options for powering a lunar vehicle. Built-in solar cells efficiently will power the 500-kWh battery of Opel Corsa Moon II in a sustainable way. Opel Corsa Moon II can cover up to 7,000 km in ULTP (Universe-wide harmonised Light-duty vehicles Test Procedure) cycle on a single charge of the battery.
Opel’s space vehicle is first to introduce all-new adaptive IntelliLux Laser Light. High-intensity laser headlamps react faster, with more precision than ever before, providing optimum visibility for the moon’s surface. In each headlight, small laser modules generate adaptive light beams that act as a spotlight extending several thousand metres. Opel laser headlights light up surfaces to 1,000 times stronger than the light produced by terrestrial LED technology, while only using a fraction of the power.
Extra-terrestrial chassis: Extremely durable wheels and plenty of ground clearance
Airless, durable space tyres are another key innovation of Opel’s space tourism concept car. Woven mesh wheels of Opel Corsa Moon II ensure extraordinary grip on extra-terrestrial surfaces and will never puncture thanks to highly-elastic yet strong nickel titanium materials. In addition, the raised chassis of Opel Corsa Moon II provides enough ground clearance for the rugged lunar terrain.
In the interior, space explorers are treated to the Pure Panel Space, a high-tech cockpit that is both fully digital and yet focussed. The “detoxed” cockpit is tailored for moon explorations and lunar tourism and will feature a razor-sharp, high-contrast pillar-to-pillar display spanning the entire windshield. It provides the latest digital technologies and the most important information for the driver, for example energy management.
Windshield display seamlessly interacts with the moon cruiser’s ADAS systems to provide all necessary information for. This becomes crucial when driving in and out of craters. For streamlined human and robotic exploration on the planet, Opel Corsa Moon II interacts with geostationary satellites and allows intuitive communication with other moon explorers.
“With our revolutionary Opel Corsa Moon II, we are once again crossing new frontiers and focussing on sustainable mobility solutions. Opel Corsa Moon development project aims to bring moon exploration a significant step towards ultimate goal of a long-term presence on moon,” said Quentin Huber, Head of Brand Marketing at Opel.
Throughout the more than 40 years lifetime of the Opel Corsa, well over 14 million units have been built. Every single generation of the Corsa has driven and continued the democratisation of individual mobility. Opel’s space-age ambitions began with the first Corsa Moon, presented in 1997 as design concept based on the second-generation Corsa.
