Calle Carlberg Wins 2023 ADAC Opel Rally Cup

• 23-year-old Swede finishes second in last round to take the title
• Austrian Luca Pröglhöf scores first victory in Opel Corsa Rally Electric
• Electric cars perform strongly at Central European Rally in front of 125,000 fans

The winner of this year’s ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup “powered by GSe” is Calle Carlberg. At the season finale on the Central European Rally around Passau, the final round of the FIA World Rally Championship, the 23-year-old Swede made certain of victory. In front of the world rally elite and around 125,000 spectators, Calle and his father Torbjörn drove maturely to second place in the Corsa Rally Electric from Schmack Motorsport, thus taking the 2023 title in the world's first electric rally one-make cup.

“We really did it!”, Carlberg cheered. “There was so much pressure on us all weekend. I was so nervous because I knew that I only had to finish, but it was clear to me how quickly a mistake could be made in these incredibly difficult conditions. In the end I only thought about the championship, not the rally result, and I am overjoyed that we brought the Corsa Rally Electric to the finish line safely. Many thanks to everyone who helped, and especially thanks to Max and Conny, who were such strong, fair opponents throughout the season.”

As probably the best reward for winning the title, the young Scandinavian is promoted to the ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team and will drive the Corsa Rally4 in the Junior European Rally Championship (JERC) next season. “It’s a dream come true,” beamed Carlberg.

Meanwhile, his rival Max Reiter's title hopes suffered a sudden setback early on. A tyre failure in the first special stage on Saturday morning cost around one and a half minutes and dropped him to the back of the field. Nevertheless, the 23-year-old German and co-driver Conny Nemenich fought their way back up to third place with three fastest times, but in the end had to settle for second position overall.

“It was a really great rally and a real honour to be able to take part in this world championship event,” commented Reiter, who was ultimately 18 points short of the title. “After the puncture the motto was ‘maximum attack’ to close the gap as much as possible. Without bad luck we could have won here. But ‘if and maybe’ doesn’t count in motorsport. Congratulations to Calle, it was a fantastic battle with him throughout the season. He is definitely a worthy champion.”

Freed from the pressure of the title fight, Luca Pröglhöf and co-driver Christina Ettel delivered an outstanding rally, fighting for the lead of every special stage, setting two best times and celebrating their first victory in the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup. Thanks to their best time in the final “Power Stage”, the 24-year-old Pröglhöf scored the maximum 35 points and ended the season in third place overall.

“I’m speechless,” admitted Pröglhöf. “It was the first time for me in so many areas – the first world championship rally, the first special stage best time, and now the first Cup win. We improved as a whole team. Christina played a big part in helping us with her feedback. It was a great rally in extremely difficult conditions. To be here and stand at the top of the podium is simply brilliant.”

In fourth place, Raffael Sulzinger and his partner Lisa Kiefer delivered a strong guest-start in the field of electric rally cars. Despite only a few test kilometres in the Corsa Rally Electric, the 38-year-old local hero quickly acclimatised and was happy with his performance at the finish: “It took a few kilometres to adapt, but our goal was to finish in the top five among all the experienced Cup drivers. We really enjoyed the guest drive. Especially because the atmosphere in the cup and among the competitors is really cool.”

Since Sulzinger was not entitled to points, Sarah Rumeau and Julie Amblard once again picked up the points for fourth place, where they also completed their debut season in the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup.

After their strongest performance of the season and only two seconds behind Rumeau/Amblard, the brothers Anthony and Adrien Rott continued their upward trend and finished the rally in sixth place, which brought the Frenchmen the points for fifth.

“The Central European Rally was both a highlight and a challenge for our mostly young drivers, which they mastered very well,” commented Opel Motorsport boss, Jörg Schrott. “Against this impressive backdrop, we were able to prove once again that electric rallying works. This season’s ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup was exciting and eventful. We have had great rallies and Calle Carlberg is a worthy champion. We are looking forward to working with him in the Junior European Championship.”

Final standings ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup (after 8 rounds)

1. Carlberg, 253 points.

2. Reiter 235.

3. Pröglhöf 186.

4. Rumeau 153.

5. Van Hoof 108.

6. Lemke 102.

7. Baur 81.

8. Gudet 70.

9. Rott 64.

10. Mendoza 59.

Opel LCV Range: New-Generation Combo, Vivaro and Movano Revealed

• New look: LCV models also with characteristic Opel Vizor brand fascia
• New work space: Refreshed cockpits with up to 10-inch colour touchscreens
• New electric drivetrains: Class-leading driving range

Opel announced that it will introduce new generations of its Combo compact, Vivaro mid-size and Movano large-size Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV). Each model will feature new exterior styling and a redesigned cockpit, while battery-electric versions will continue to offer class-leading driving range. In addition, German brand announced that new Opel Movano will also be available as a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle in near future.

Upcoming light commercial vehicle models from brand with Blitz will be immediately recognisable thanks to new, LCV-specific interpretation of Opel Vizor brand fascia familiar from Opel’s newest passenger cars. Vizor integrates brand emblem with signature front lighting systems, creating a single visual unit that stretches fully across face of vehicle.

In addition to exterior design, interiors of new Opel Combo, Vivaro and Movano have undergone further development. Highlights of refreshed cockpits will include new wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto-compatible infotainment systems with colour touchscreens up to 10 inches in size.

Battery-electric versions of new Opel Combo, Opel Vivaro and Opel Movano will continue to offer uncompromised usability similar to that of respective combustion engine variants. Thanks to state-of-art battery technologies and enhancements such as further improved drivetrain efficiency, all three will therefore continue to offer class-leading, locally emissions-free battery-electric range.

New range of Opel light commercial vehicles will carry over all strengths of their predecessors. These include a wide range of advanced driver assistance systems to make journeys and manoeuvring more comfortable and above all safer. Furthermore, the trio will be available in various lengths, heights and body types to meet all professional needs, and they will maintain their convincing load volumes, payloads and towing capacities. Opel will reveal more details about the individual vehicle lines in the coming weeks. 

New Opel Corsa Assistance Systems: Safer, More Relaxed Driving

• Continuous development: IntelliLux LED Matrix Light now with 14 LEDs
• Democratising technology: Assistance systems from higher vehicle segments
• Higher safety all around: Active Lane Positioning, Side Blind Zone Alert, High-Resolution Rear View Camera

New Opel Corsa offers numerous advanced technologies and driver assistance systems that are more familiar to customers of pricier cars from higher segments. The adaptive, glare-free IntelliLux LED Matrix Light, which Opel Corsa brought to small car segment in 2019, is now even better and more precise, with 14 LED elements (seven on each side). Camera and radar-based driver assistance systems enable safer, more relaxed driving.

Glare-free IntelliLux LED Matrix Light: Revolutionary lighting for bestseller

Since 2019, the adaptive, glare-free, IntelliLux LED Matrix Light has demonstrated how Opel Corsa makes innovations in small car sector available to everyone. Engineers are continuously working on further developments and new Opel Corsa benefits from this commitment. Fourteen individually controllable LED elements ensure a stadium-bright driving experience that now “cuts out” other road users even more precisely than before.

Outside urban areas, matrix headlights switch automatically to high beam. LED elements are controlled by a high-resolution front camera and continuously adapt light beam to traffic and the surroundings. Preceding or oncoming vehicles are simply cut out of light pattern, so their drivers are not dazzled, while Opel Corsa driver enjoys optimum night-time vision, creating additional time to avoid potential collisions with objects or animals.

Camera and radar: Advanced driver assistance systems

Corsa’s numerous advanced driver assistance systems, which enable safer, more relaxed driving, are based on camera and radar technology. Extended Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR) recognises signs for speed limits and other road information, which are then displayed in Driver Info Centre. Active Lane Positioning, in combination with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system, precisely keeps the car in middle of travelling lane, driver only needs to keep his or her hands on steering wheel with a light touch. 

Side Blind Spot Alert (SBSA) uses ultrasonic sensors in front and rear bumpers to alert driver to presence of moving objects in blind spots either side and to rear of car. A warning symbol lights up in corresponding exterior mirror.

Using front camera and radar sensors, Adaptive Cruise Control automatically adapts gap between car and preceding vehicle by decelerating or accelerating according to distance selected by driver. If preceding car decelerates, Opel Corsa also slows down – with automatic transmission and electric drive even to a standstill, if necessary. If preceding car gains speed again, Opel Corsa also accelerates up to selected speed while automatically maintaining chosen safety gap.

Opel Corsa also offers a camera and radar-based automatic emergency braking system (Forward Collision Alert with Automatic Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Detection). Camera-based system operates at speeds from 5-85 km/h. If a vehicle or pedestrian ahead is approached too fast, system sounds a warning chime and displays a message in Driver Info Centre. If a collision is imminent, the braking system is prepared and, if necessary, emergency braking is deployed to avoid or, at higher speeds, minimise effects of a potential collision.

Drowsiness Detection recognises signs of potential driver drowsiness by monitoring steering behaviour and the duration of the journey, and warns the driver, via audio and visual signals at three levels, to take a break. 

Level of detected drowsiness is clearly displayed in a bar within the digital instrument cluster.

Opel Corsa helps driver into and out of parking spaces by various means:

• Parking Pilot (standard equipment at the rear) measures the distance to potential obstacles and gives audio-visual warnings of potential impacts.
• Flank Guard gives audio-visual warnings if the side of the car could touch or collide with an object, e.g. a post, or a wall, during low-speed manoeuvring.
• High-Resolution Panorama Rear View Camera: additional parking assistance; increases visibility by up to 180 degrees behind the car, enabling drivers to see traffic approaching from the right or left.

Goodbye Dark Roads: IntelliLux LED Headlamps from Opel

• Innovative lighting for all: Adaptive, glare-free IntelliLux LED technology in the new Corsa, Mokka, Astra and Grandland
• Bright as day: Latest IntelliLux LED Pixel Light with 168 LED elements
• Technology with style: IntelliLux LED integrated into Opel Vizor brand fascia
• High safety plus durability: LED systems are highly efficient

With autumn already upon us, hours of daylight are getting shorter. For motorists, this means driving with increased caution, as visibility deteriorates in early evening. But this is not a problem for drivers of Opel cars. Adaptive, glare-free IntelliLux LED technology can be found in all classes of car from German brand, starting with newest generation of Opel Corsa and eye-catching Opel Mokka. Optionally equipped with latest generation of IntelliLux LED Pixel Light are Opel Astra and Opel Astra Sports Tourer, as well as Opel Grandland.

Innovation for small cars: New Opel Corsa with further developed IntelliLux LED Matrix Light

Opel has demonstrated how it makes innovations available to all by offering Corsa small car with IntelliLux LED Matrix Light since 2019. Engineers are continuously working on further developments and new-generation model naturally benefits from this commitment. As a result, system in new Opel Corsa features 14 individually controllable LED elements – as in Opel Mokka – which ensure a stadium-bright driving experience that “cuts out” other road users even more precisely than before.

Opel Astra and Opel Grandland take IntelliLux LED technology to next level. With a total of 168 LED elements (84 per headlamp), IntelliLux LED Pixel Light always produces a seamless light pattern, without dazzling other road users. Ultra-slim headlamps “cut” oncoming vehicles out of light cone with pinpoint accuracy within milliseconds. Remaining areas remain fully illuminated with high beam. Opel Astra and Grandland therefore set benchmark in their respective classes.

IntelliLux LED technology is superior to xenon or conventional lighting systems because it is more precise and more powerful. As soon as car leaves urban areas, matrix headlamps automatically switch to high beam and continuously adjust length and distribution of light cone. Other road users are not dazzled, while rest of road and its surroundings remain brightly illuminated. LED segments switch back on automatically as soon as system detects no lights from other vehicles.

Thanks to IntelliLux LED, Opel drivers can also see objects at roadside much earlier as well. This gives them more time to react accordingly, for example, when animals unexpectedly cross road.

In addition to increasing safety, IntelliLux LED systems also look good. In new Opel Corsa, Mokka, Astra and Grandland, headlamps are an integral component of Opel Vizor, characteristic brand front fascia.

Bright as day, highly efficient: Opel's full LED lighting systems

Opel offers similarly efficient and modern LED systems in other models. New Opel Corsa, for example, is offered with a full LED system comprising headlamps, daytime running lights, indicators and rear lights. In Opel Crossland, adaptive full-LED headlamps with cornering light, high beam assist and automatic range control are available as an option.

Opel's state-of-the-art LED systems are also more durable and energy-efficient than conventional headlamps. Compared to halogen, LED bulbs use more than 80 per cent less energy while producing same light output.

Kaiserslautern plant is a key location in Stellantis production network: components for more than 30 models of different brands

• Kaiserslautern currently supplies six Stellantis brands
• Europe's Car of the Year 2023, Jeep Avenger, will also come from West Palatinate
• Planning for Gigafactory at Kaiserslautern site continues

With production of components for more than 30 vehicle models from Stellantis world, the Kaiserslautern plant has developed into a key location in the international production network.

Employees in Kaiserslautern currently produce components for numerous vehicles from six different automobile brands, including Opel models Corsa, Mokka, Crossland, Combo Life as well as Astra and Astra Sports Tourer. Also in cars from Peugeot (208, 2008, 308, new 3008 and new 5008, 408, 508, Rifter) and Citroën (C3, C4, C5 Aircross, Berlingo) as well as in DS 7 Crossback, in Fiat 500 and in Europe's car Year 2023, Jeep Avenger is fitted with parts from Palatinate, latter with reinforcements in door area.

Even beyond classic components business, automotive location in West Palatinate is strategically well positioned for mobility of future. Automotive Cells Company (ACC) joint venture, in which Mercedes-Benz and TotalEnergies are involved alongside Stellantis/Opel, will build a Gigafactory on same site in which battery cells for electric vehicles will be produced from 2025. Planning for this billion-euro project is progressing well.

“Kaiserslautern is ideally positioned for age of electromobility. We are looking into future with confidence,” said factory manager Rafal Trojca. Especially since components for cars from several Stellantis brands will also be produced in West Palatinate on new STLA Medium platform in the future.Vehicle platform, designed for purely electric cars, crossovers and SUV models from C and D segments, has state-of-the-art performance features such as a range of 700 kilometers, which is unmatched in this class.

Stellantis has formulated ambitious goals in its “ Dare Forward 2030 ” strategic plan. CO 2 emissions are to be halved by 2030 compared to 2021 and goal of net zero CO 2 emissions is to be achieved by 2038. Remaining emissions (in single-digit percentage range) are to be offset. In this context, the aim is to achieve, among other things, a sales share of 100% battery-electric passenger cars in Europe and 50% for passenger cars and commercial vehicles in United States by 2030.

ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup: Electrifying Situation Ahead of Final Showdown

• Round seven: Calle Carlberg wins ADAC Rallye Stemweder Berg
• Hard-fought battle: Max Reiter close second ahead of Austrian Luca Pröglhöf

With his fourth win of the season on the ADAC Rallye Stemweder Berg Calle Carlberg has taken a step closer to victory in the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup “powered by GSe”. 22-year-old Swede, as always with father Torbjörn in the co-driver’s seat of the Opel Corsa Rally Electric, won seventh round of world’s first electric one-make rally cup just ahead of rival Max Reiter and his co-pilot Conny Nemenich. Scandinavian extended his lead over three-time-winner Reiter (Germany) in the standings to 17 points. That means that fourth place in final round in four weeks’ time would be enough for Carlberg to take title.

Asphalt rally around Lübbecke was a reflection of entire season. From first special stage onwards, Carlberg and Reiter fought for every tenth of a second. Lead changed hands between the two rivals several times before Carlberg was able to pull ahead by 5.8 seconds in SS11 and managed this lead until finish. With his fourth best time in the final “Power Stage”, Carlberg collected the maximum 35 points.

“I’m super happy,” beamed Carlberg. “It was such a tough battle with Max. In last two stages we were only separated by a tenth of a second, we were both driving absolutely at limit. Our lead in standings has increased a little, but that doesn't change much in my approach to title fight: I want to try to win final round. We'll see what happens."

Narrowly defeated Reiter, who was fastest on five special stages, was not that unhappy: “It's hard to be disappointed when things are so close. Whole rally was once again a great battle between the Carlbergs and us, it was really fun. Even if our situation in the title fight doesn't look very favourable, giving up is not an option! Nothing has been decided yet. No results are dropped in Cup, which means that he also has to finish. But we don’t want to think too much, we just want to do our best as always and hope for a nice finale.”

After their third podium of season, Austrians Luca Pröglhöf and Christina Ettel are now 17 points ahead of French pair Sarah Rumeau and Julie Amblard, who finished in thankless fourth place for the fourth time. Pröglhöf: “I am very satisfied. Power Stage in particular was cool because the top three were only 0.8 seconds apart.” Rumeau openly admitted “that this rally with the many junctions didn’t really suit us. Yesterday was great, I've always enjoyed driving in the rain. But we just didn't find the right rhythm today.”

Dutchmen Jari van Hoof/Colin Wils and French brothers Anthony and Adrien Rott also put in strong performances in positions five and six. Cindy Gudet, like Sarah Rumeau a member of FFSA French motorsport academy, came seventh with co-driver Jeanne Rey.

Final showdown in ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup takes place from October 27-29 at central European Rally around Passau, a new round in World Rally Championship.

Standings ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup (after 7 of 8 rounds):

1. Carlberg, 226 points.

2. Reiter 209.

3. Pröglhöf 151.

4. Rumeau 134.

5. Van Hoof 94.

6. Lemke 91.

7. Baur 72.

8. Gudet 58.

9. Mendoza 51.

10. Rott 48.