10. Paul Pietsch Classic: Sporty Opel icons and the top-of-the-range Opel Astra GSe inspire spectators

• Fantastic: "Sporty Opel icons from three decades" on the road through the picturesque Black Forest
• “Only flying is nicer”: Opel Head of Communications Harald Hamprecht and auto motor und sport chief reporter Jörn Thomas on the road in the Opel GT
• Tradition meets innovation: Field of participants is led by the new Opel Astra GSe

Picturesque Black Forest villages, scenic landscapes and in the midst of them classic cars that are second to none: Last week the 10th Paul Pietsch Classic came to an end in the most beautiful spring weather. Participants drove into the market square in Offenburg in Baden with their shiny vintage cars to great applause. In line with the anniversary rally, Opel was there with “sporting icons from three decades”. Opel GT, Commodore GS/E, Kadett GT/E and Corsa GSi had already attracted the attention of fans on the winding routes through the Black Forest - just like the Opel Astra GSe (fuel consumption according to WLTP 1 :1.2-1, 1l/100km, CO2-Emission 26-25 g/km; each combined). The new top model of the Astra series led the field on both days and showed how tradition and modern, locally emission-free driving fun can be optimally combined.

"Paul Pietsch Classic is one of the most beautiful vintage car rallies in Germany and is always an experience," enthuses Opel Head of Communications Harald Hamprecht, who drove in a 1969 Opel GT together with auto motor und sport chief reporter Jörn Thomas. “The routes through the picturesque valleys and over the Black Forest heights are more fun with every kilometer. It is a pleasure to be able to honor the passionate racing driver and car enthusiast Paul Pietsch. At Opel, we also live the love of the automobile every day - and continue it with exciting, modern and electrified models such as our new Astra GSe."

Dream vehicles on dream routes: Around 120 teams in Offenburg at the start

With varied routes to the Kaiserstuhl and – on day 2 – past Freudenstadt and through the Kinzig Valley, the regularity rally was once again in the tradition of its namesake. Born in Freiburg, Paul Pietsch was not only one of the founders of Motor Presse Stuttgart, but also a Grand Prix driver. As befitting, the Hamprecht/Thomas team circled an Opel GT over the winding climbs and descents. The yellow and black GT from 1969, which can reach speeds of up to 185 km/h, with its unusual "Coke Bottle" design, still lives up to the slogan "Only flying is nicer" even today.

Jörg Mannsperger, Managing Director of Motor Presse Stuttgart, and Opel Classic Manager Leif Rohwedder were in no way inferior. The duo covered the stages through the high and northern Black Forest in style in an Opel Commodore GS/E Coupé "Rallye Monte Carlo 1973". The specimen is a homage to rally ace Walter Röhrl, who made his debut 50 years ago with his co-driver Jochen Berger with such a sports coupé in the Irmscher team at the Monte Carlo Rally. The field of "sporty Opel icons" was completed this weekend by an 85 kW/115 hp Opel Kadett GT/E of the 1000 series and a top speed of up to 190 km/h, as well as a Corsa GSi from 1989. The sporty top model of the first Corsa generation was made as a manoeuvrable, lively small car to drift through the tight corners.

New Opel Astra GSe also showed its potential. With a system output of 165 kW/225 hp and a maximum torque of a powerful 360 Newton meters, the "Grand Sport electric" sets standards. With sharp, GSe-typical design highlights and innovative technology such as a special chassis lowered by 10 millimeters including KONI-FSD suspension technology (Frequency Selective Damping), it conveys precise, pure driving pleasure - and in a responsible manner. Thanks to the plug-in hybrid drive with a 12.4 kWh lithium-ion battery, Astra GSe drivers can cover up to 64 kilometers with zero local emissions according to WLTP 2 (EAER City according to WLTP 2 : 69‑73 km).

[1] The values ​​were determined using the more realistic test procedure WLTP (Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Procedure), which replaces the test procedure with reference to the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle). The WLTP values ​​are also the basis for calculating vehicle-related taxes. A vehicle's consumption, CO 2 emissions and range not only depend on the efficient use of energy by the vehicle, but are also influenced by driving behavior and other non-technical factors. Further information on the official fuel consumption and the official specific CO 2 emissions of new passenger cars can be found in the "Guide to fuel consumption, the CO 2-Emissions and power consumption of new passenger cars” which is available free of charge at www.dat.de. The information on consumption and emissions does not refer to an individual vehicle and is not part of the offer, but is intended solely for purposes of comparison between the various vehicle types.

[2] The specified range was determined using the WLTP test procedure (Regulation (EG) No. 715/2007 and VO (EU) No. 2017/1151). The actual range may vary under everyday conditions and depends on various factors, in particular personal driving style, road conditions, outside temperature, use of heating and air conditioning and thermal preconditioning.