Opel Corsa Trophy turns 40

• In 1984 the first of 15 consecutive editions
• An excellent proposal to enter the world of rallying
• Forerunner of the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup "powered by GSe"

Forty years ago, in 1984, the Italian single-make championship debuted, initially reserved for Opel Corsa-A 1.3 SR (the GSi was not yet available) prepared according to the international Group N regulations. 

The event, launched by the then importer of the German manufacturer, was born in the wake of the enthusiasm for the successes of the Opel Ascona 400 in the Italian and world championships of the specialty - which materialized respectively with the titles of “Tony” Fassina and “Rudy” Dal Pozzo in 1981 and Walter Rohrl and Christian Geistdörfer in 1982 - and aimed to introduce young enthusiasts to the specialty.

How did it start?

In particular, the Opel Corsa Trophy aimed to, if not solve, at least contain the problem of participation costs, which for many were absolutely prohibitive. The series was in fact run as part of the Coppa Italia trials, that is, the first series national rallies with a maximum duration of 400 kilometers, suitable for those who wanted to try their hand at this specialty for the first time. In essence, it was possible to participate in the trophy with a budget of around 10 million lire, thanks to the 14% discount on the purchase price of the car and the equipment kit that included the essential elements for the rally setup of the Opel Corsa. In this way, it was possible to participate in both the Coppa Italia and the single-make trophy which, in each of its more than 60 races, offered a prize pool of 2,250,000 lire. Result: with 64 participants in its first edition in 1984, it immediately achieved the record for the most crowded single-make.

The story continues “electrically”

The history of the Italian one-make series ended 25 years ago at the end of 1999 (coinciding with the launch of the third-generation Opel Corsa) after fifteen consecutive editions, but it can be said that it paved the way for today's ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup "powered by GSe" which is a glimpse into an innovative future of motorsport. The world's first electric one-make rally cup, which was contested for the first time in 2021 with the Opel Corsa Rally Electric, is uncharted territory in every respect. With this pioneering achievement, Opel Motorsport is pushing the electrification of rallying forward, thus combining Opel-typical sustainability and efficiency with high dynamics and emotionality.

Stellantis Reaffirms Commitment to Opel and Germany

• Visit of Rüsselsheim plant and Design Centre
• Preview of future grEEn-campus

Stellantis Chairman John Elkann und Xavier Chéreau, Stellantis Chief Human Resources & Heritage and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Opel Automobile GmbH, visited the premises in Rüsselsheim and reaffirmed their support and commitment for the long-term future of the site. Together with Florian Huettl, Opel CEO and Stellantis Germany Managing Director, they visited yesterday the production plant, where the best-selling Opel Astra in all drive variants and the DS4 from its sister brand DS Automobiles are manufactured. They also received an insight into Opel’s future model portfolio in the Design Centre. Furthermore, they took time to talk to employees and social partners.

“Opel and Germany are very important to Stellantis. At a time of deep industrial transformation, I was happy to take the opportunity of this visit in Rüsselsheim to reaffirm our commitment to Stellantis’ German operations and to our high-quality dialog with our key partners and stakeholders, in particular IG Metall. This cooperative approach will bring sustainable opportunities to all in Germany, a first example of which is the construction of the grEEn-campus in Rüsselsheim,” said Stellantis Chairman John Elkann.

“The speed with which our German plants have transformed into efficient, state-of-the-art production sites is impressive. Of course, we must not let up on continuously increasing our competitiveness and quality in production and customer service. I would like to thank IG Metall and our works council for the constructive and trustful collaboration,” added Opel Supervisory Board Chairman Xavier Chéreau.

“Rüsselsheim not only stands for 125 years of automotive production, but also for innovation and progress. We look forward to the future with confidence, we will continue to play a pioneering role in the transformation of the automotive industry and surprise our customers with our exciting models. Opel is the first German manufacturer to offer a battery-electric variant of every model, without exception. 

With our employees and all partners, we are implementing our strategy with full conviction and concentration,” said Florian Huettl, Opel CEO and Stellantis Germany Managing Director. “With our extensive Stellantis brand portfolio, we have a strong market position; we are number two on the German market in total and number one in the German light commercial vehicle business. 

We will further develop the entire organisation together and focus on collaborative partnerships – inside and outside the company. We are one team for Stellantis in Germany. We have a strong dealer network as well as successful brands and models like the Opel Astra, Peugeot E-3008, Citroën ë-C3 and Fiat 500e.”

Just a few weeks before a crucial year for the entire automotive industry in connection with the stricter CO2 fleet limits, Stellantis rejoined the European Automotive Association ACEA. “We intend to engage constructively with all stakeholders, from our union and commercial partners to political leaders, to identify a common path towards a strong future for our industry. Our strategy and commitment to electrification remain unchanged,” emphasised John Elkann. The Stellantis Chairman shared his views with Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, in recent conversations.

During the visit to the Adam Opel Haus, Elkann and Chéreau also received an update on the progress of the grEEn-campus project, the future Stellantis Germany headquarters and the new global Opel headquarters on Mainzer Straße in Rüsselsheim. The new modern, efficient and urban company headquarters will make a decisive contribution to reducing the carbon footprint of the Rüsselsheim location.

Pure Focal Sound On Board The Latest Generation Of Opel Grandland

Focal brings its signature sound on board the next-generation OPEL GRANDLAND Electric model, with a Premium hi-fi system boasting 10 speaker drivers. Available as an optional extra, this system features exclusive audio technologies to offer a high-quality, immersive emotion-fuelled listening experience for the driver and passengers alike. Already a partner for PEUGEOT and DS AUTOMOBILES vehicles, this is the first time Focal has made its mark on an OPEL model.

FOCAL QUALITY: IMMERSIVE SOUND

The Premium hi-fi system made for this vehicle boasts no fewer than 10 exclusive speaker drivers:

• 4 woofers/mid-ranges (4 x 50W / 2 Ω) in the doors and a central speaker (30W / 2 Ω) fitted in the dashboard.

All are equipped with Polyglass technology, a light yet rigid high-performance cone, extending the bandwidth of the speaker drivers while retaining excellent sensitivity. Their uncompromising design delivers powerful, faithful rendering.

• A compact, powerful elliptical subwoofer (3 x 50W / 2 Ω), capable of flawlessly reproducing musical dynamics.

Its Power Flower neodymium motor consists of several magnets and offers tight control of the cone’s movement for perfect sound reproduction.

• 4 TNF tweeters (4 x 15W / 4 Ω) with aluminium inverted dome, which reproduce the top end of the spectrum with finesse and precision in the sound space.

• 12-way, 690-watt amplification using boosted Class D technology. Tightly controls all speaker drivers thanks to its impressive damping and low distortion. The amplifier offers excellent energy efficiency, consuming only the energy required, to avoid unnecessarily affecting the vehicle’s battery life.

AN ENHANCED EXPERIENCE

Matching the vehicle’s impressive collection of automotive technologies (electric STLA Medium platform), alternative propulsion modes, Selective Frequency Damping technology, a wide range of driver-assist systems, and more), the Focal hi-fi system delivers top-of-the-range performance. Each element has been considered both individually and as a whole, for meticulous sound rendering. Focal has also paid particular attention to the positioning of the speaker drivers. Plus, Focal offers two listening modes for incredible immersion: “All-Passengers”, an optimised stereo mode for each passenger, and “Front Optimized”, an experience that augments the stereo stage, making it wider and deeper for the front seats. The sound is enveloping, voices clear and detailed, the bass deep and impactful.

IN-CAR COMFORT

Inspired by the design codes from the OPEL EXPERIMENTAL concept car, the next-generation OPEL GRANDLAND combines elegant and dynamic exterior design with a spacious, versatile and comfortable interior. Its comfort level is enhanced by an innovative lighting system (IntelliLux Pixel HD), a 16-inch screen, ergonomic AGR seats, clever storage solutions, and of course the quality of its Focal hi-fi system. The French brand is a leading audio manufacturer for a reason: combining expertise and technology, craftsmanship and innovation, it provides multiple listening solutions: at home, on the go with headphones and in-car kits, in professional studios, and even on board yachts – whatever the scenario, Focal brings its audiophile signature.

FOCAL Premium hi-fi system:

‘SMARTBEST 2025’: Opel wins AUTOBEST Award for ChatGPT

• Top connectivity: International jury of experts honours Stellantis brands for the introduction of ChatGPT in their vehicles
• Extensive line-up: ChatGPT now available in most Opel passenger cars and LCVs
• Easy access: ChatGPT activated by a simple “Hey Opel”

Opel makes top technologies accessible and affordable for everyone. This has also been recognised by the high-profile international AUTOBEST jury. The journalists from more than 30 countries have now awarded Opel and other Stellantis brands unanimously with the ‘SMARTBEST 2025’ for the introduction of ChatGPT 1 in their models. The award recognises pioneering solutions for onboard connectivity in vehicles.

“We are delighted to receive this award,” said Vanessa Repp, Vice President Future Product at Opel and Vauxhall. “The unanimous vote of the independent journalists shows that we offer vehicles with pioneering technologies that make driving more enjoyable and that at the same time customers can afford. This applies to locally emissions-free electric drives as well as intelligent connectivity solutions such as ChatGPT 1.”

With ChatGPT 1 Opel drivers and passengers have access to a wide range of information from a long list of topics including science, biology, nutrition, pop culture, music and many more. In combination with the navigation system, a "Hey Opel" is sufficient to use natural speech recognition – which has now become even more desirable thanks to the addition of ChatGPT 1. The system can now learn and independently suggest destinations and route guidance based on the habits of the linked driver profile.

Opel is currently rolling out ChatGPT 1 in the new Opel Mokka as well as in many other models like the new Opel Grandland, the Opel Corsa, the Opel Astra, the Opel Astra Sports Tourer, the Opel Combo and the Opel Zafira. Furthermore, the Opel Combo and the Opel Vivaro light commercial vehicles are also available with the artificial intelligence chatbot.

[1] This new service uses the power of generative artificial intelligence including the technologies of the SoundHound Chat AI platform. Version 3.5 of ChatGPT uses data dating back to January 2022 at the latest, and therefore has no knowledge of events and data after that date.

Opel CEO Florian Huettl takes additional responsibility as Managing Director of Stellantis Germany

• New combined role aims at overall optimisation business on the German market, profitable growth and strengthening customer orientation for all brands

In addition to his position as CEO of Opel and Vauxhall, Florian Huettl will also be responsible for Stellantis' activities in Germany with immediate effect. This bundling of responsibilities will increase efficiency and support profitable growth in times of comprehensive industry transformation.

“We want to strengthen our organisation in Germany through targeted management and a focus on partnership-based collaboration inside and outside the company. We are therefore pleased that Florian Huettl will be taking over the management of Stellantis’ German business in addition to his role as Opel CEO,” said Jean-Philippe Imparato, COO Enlarged Europe and CEO Stellantis Pro One.

“I am very much looking forward to actively and collaboratively managing the German market for Opel and all other Stellantis brands from now on and to further sustainably expand the Stellantis market position. Our clear goal is to work together with our partners to get even closer to our customers and get them excited about the attractive brand portfolios,” said Florian Huettl.

Florian Huettl will succeed Lars Bilalkowski in this role. “We would like to thank Lars Bialkowski for his work over the last few years, which has significantly influenced the success of Stellantis in Germany, and we wish him all the best for the future,” said Jean-Philippe Imparato.

“125 years and not a bit quiet”: Opel at the RETRO CLASSICS BAVARIA 2024

• “125 Years of Opel Automobile Construction”: Legendary automobiles from Opel Patent Motor Car System Lutzmann to Opel Aero GT and all-electric Opel Manta GSe
• “40 Years of DTM”: Opel racers from Kadett GSi to “Cliff” Calibra to Vectra GTS V8
• 6 to 8 December: Exhibition at the Nuremberg Trade Fair daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Shortly before the end of the year there is a real highlight for car lovers: the classic car fair RETRO CLASSICS BAVARIA . It will be held from December 6th to 8th at the Nuremberg Exhibition Centre as the “traditional end of the season for driving culture”. Opel has a very special place this year. Because 2024 is the year in which the brand with the lightning bolt will celebrate “125 years of Opel automobile construction” . Opel Classic will be supplying numerous classics for the special exhibition “125 years and not a bit quiet – Opel celebrates 125 years of automobile construction at RETRO CLASSICS BAVARIA” – from the Monza GSE to Sepp Herberger’s Rekord B, from the Admiral to the 1899 Patentmotorwagen, the first Opel car produced in-house. They will all delight the audience in Hall 3C – just like Opel Manta GSe . The fully electric concept vehicle with electric drive and Opel Vizor brand face shows what Opel understands by the anniversary motto "Forever Forward since 1899" and how a rich tradition can be combined with inspiring, future-proof mobility. The numerous exhibits of the Opel Classic collection are complemented by other classic cars from the Alt-Opel IG on the stand right next door.

But that's not all: There are further highlights for motorsport fans to experience in Hall 3A of the Nuremberg trade fair. Famous racing touring cars are being presented there in a large special exhibition under the title "40 Years of DTM" . Legendary ITC Opel Calibra V6 4x4 "Cliff", an Astra V8 Coupé and a Vectra GTS V8 are among the most exciting exhibits here. In addition, four historic rally vehicles from Rüsselsheim will be on display, including a 1982 Ascona 400 from the Röhrl/Geistdörfer team.

"RETRO CLASSICS BAVARIA has become a magnet for all lovers of vintage cars, youngtimers and neo-classics. A highlight at the end of the year, which we are happy to celebrate with a wide range of anniversary items from '125 years of Opel automobile manufacturing'. Visitors experience the Opel model history in a variety that they will rarely find outside of Rüsselsheim," says Opel Classic Director Leif Rohwedder, inviting visitors to Nuremberg.

RETRO CLASSICS BAVARIA opens to the public from Friday, December 6th to Sunday, December 8th, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visitors can also look forward to the RETRO NIGHT on the opening day. The event, which runs until 10 p.m. and is already included in the ticket price, features live music as well as interesting greetings and discussions that give an overview of the highlights of the trade fair.

“125 years of Opel automobile construction: Forever Forward since 1899!”

Opel is putting the RETRO CLASSICS BAVARIA under the sign of the characteristic lightning bolt to mark the end of the anniversary of "125 years of Opel automobile construction". The Classic department from Rüsselsheim is travelling to Nuremberg with no fewer than 21 automotive rarities from almost every decade of the company's history. At both the "125 years of Opel automobile construction" exhibition in Hall 3C and the "40 years of DTM" in Hall 3A, great classics are just as important as legendary racing cars and concept cars. Here are a few examples that will certainly increase the desire to visit RETRO CLASSICS BAVARIA:

In the spring of 1899, the first automobile manufactured by Opel, the Patent Motor Car System Lutzmann, rolled out of the Rüsselsheim factory - and marked the start of what would become more than 75 million Opel vehicles. The 1,000th vehicle was built in 1906. With models such as the 4/12 hp "Laubfrosch" from 1924, Opel was quick to turn a prestige vehicle for the wealthy into a means of transport for broad sections of the population.

Fritz von Opel, the eldest grandson of the company's founder Adam Opel, is on a very special mission on May 23, 1928. At 10 a.m., a futuristic racing car with wings on the side whizzes along Berlin's Avus. It is the RAK2 with 24 powder rockets in the rear. With it, Opel spectacularly ushers in the rocket age in front of running cameras - and lays the first foundation stone for manned space travel.

Opel's success with series vehicles continued unabated. In 1956, the two millionth vehicle with the lightning bolt rolled off the production line - a Kapitän . To mark the occasion, the company made the "anniversary" a one-off: As a unique flagship of the brand, the cream-white painted Opel model was given a 24-carat gold coating on all decorative and chrome parts.

"Only flying is more beautiful..." - these four words are enough to awaken longings and pure emotions. Just as the slogan went down in advertising history, the advertised car has itself become a timelessly beautiful classic since its launch in 1968: Opel GT. In Nuremberg, visitors can take a look at a particularly unusual example. 1969 Aero GT convertible study with an electrically retractable rear window and removable roof will be on display - one of only two examples produced.

In addition, numerous rally and touring car classics are on display in Hall 3A. One unforgettable example is Opel Ascona 400, in which the exceptional driver Walter Röhrl and his co-driver Christian Geistdörfer first won the 1982 Monte Carlo Rally and then spectacularly won the drivers' world championship. 

Black Opel "Cliff" Calibra is just as legendary: high-tech coupé with a 500 hp V6 engine dominated the 1996 International Touring Car Championship, winning both the constructors' and drivers' titles.

As a desirable sports coupe for everyone, Opel Manta has secured a firm place in Opel history and in the hearts of numerous fans. Opel Manta GSe shows just how true this still is today . It combines the appearance of the style icon with the latest technologies and a locally emission-free electric drive - and wherever it has been driven since 2021, it continues to attract attention with its Opel Pixel Vizor, bright yellow and black paintwork and rejuvenated drive train.

25 Years Ago: One Millionth Opel “Made in Eisenach” is Produced

• November 10, 1999: Black Opel Corsa B “Edition 100” is milestone vehicle
• Strong signal: First automotive plant founded in the new federal states after German reunification
• Eisenach today: Home of the Opel Grandland is an ultra-modern plant for electrified vehicles

Eisenach and automotive production belong together, and Opel and Eisenach have enjoyed close ties for over three decades. The brand with the Blitz was one of the first companies to become involved in the new federal states in 1990, the year of German reunification, laying the foundations for a success story that continues to this day – with cars ‘made in Eisenach’. The one millionth Opel rolled off the production line at the Thuringian plant on November 10, 1999: a black Corsa B in the ‘Edition 100’ trim level.

The plant has continuously developed over the decades and had reason to celebrate again recently. In April, the all-new Opel Grandland celebrated its world premiere in Eisenach. The new electrified top SUV has recently been produced in the Wartburg town, making it a true ‘Eisenacher’. With the new Opel Grandland, the plant is well-positioned for the future.

Eisenach plant: First Opel vehicles produced in 1990

After the fall of the Berlin Wall, those responsible at Opel at the time quickly recognised the potential offered by the traditional automotive location of Eisenach. As early as March 1990, Opel founded Opel-AWE-Planungs-GmbH together with Automobilwerk Eisenach (AWE), thereby promoting economic development in Thuringia. Just two days after official reunification, on October 5, 1990, the first Opel Vectra rolled off the production line in an AWE plant. In February 1991, the foundation stone is laid for the new factory in the Eisenach. After a construction period of just 19 months and a total investment of around one billion German marks, the new Eisenach plant starts production of the Opel Astra in September 1992. And on 3 June 1993, the first Opel Corsa ‘made in Germany’ drives off the production line.

From then on, Opel production in Eisenach boomed. Due to the high demand, production in the first half of the 1990s is at times focussed exclusively on the best-selling small car. The Corsa is so popular with customers that just nine years after the start of car production at the site and only six years after the first Corsa from Eisenach, the one millionth Opel produced here rolls off the production line. On November 10, 1999, exactly 10 years to the day after the fall of the Berlin Wall, a 48 kW (65 hp) black Corsa ‘Edition’ made its way from final assembly in Thuringia to its buyer in Regensburg, Bavaria.

Success factors: state-of-the-art production and continuous development

Right from the start, the plant in Eisenach undergoes continuous development to ensure its success. It quickly sets standards in terms of environmental compatibility, manufacturing technology and production systems. There are five fundamental principles: employee involvement, continuous improvement, quality assurance from the outset, standardisation and short throughput times thanks to perfectly organised logistics. As a result, the plant is subsequently recognised several times as the most modern and productive automotive production facility in Europe.

In 2012, the Astra and Corsa were joined by the Opel ADAM. Since the extensive modernisation of the production facilities in 2019, the plant has been solely responsible for the Opel Grandland SUV.

For the all-new Opel Grandland: Eisenach becomes an ‘electrified plant’

The all-new Opel Grandland, which celebrated its world premiere on site earlier this year and has been available to order for a few weeks, now rolls off the production line in Eisenach – and the demands on the site beforehand were significant. After all, the new generation of the top-of-the-line SUV is also available as a fully electric Grandland Electric for the first time. The new Grandland is the first model from the German manufacturer to be based on the ultra-modern, BEV-native STLA Medium platform and, with a battery capacity of up to 97 kWh (usable capacity), enables a locally emissions-free range of up to around 700 kilometres (WLTP 1).

To make the Eisenach plant ready for the production of electrified models, the company invested €130 million in the site and developed it into a genuine ‘electrified plant’ in numerous areas. For example, significant changes have been made to the production process with modifications in the body shop and final assembly. In addition, the entire conveyor systems were adapted and reinforced, the body shell was fully automated and many state-of-the-art camera systems were installed in the various areas for detailed inspection. A new battery shop has also been created, in which the battery packs for the electric Grandland are assembled on site. Specialised high-voltage experts have been trained for this task.

The fact that Eisenach is also planning a solar park to supply the plant with ‘green’ energy fits in perfectly with the new, electric Opel Grandland and its own battery assembly. In this way, the gradual switch to renewable energies is also helping to ensure that the plant is sustainably positioned for the future and can continue its success story.

[1] Preliminary range values 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. Preliminary values, vehicle not available yet.

Grand Title: All-New Opel Grandland Wins ‘2024 Golden Steering Wheel’

• ‘Best car under €50,000’1: New top-of-line SUV strikes gold
• Serial winners: 21 ‘automotive Oscars’ for brand with Blitz to date

All-new Opel Grandland, which will arrive at dealerships soon, has already been able to celebrate its first major success. The top-of-the-line SUV has won the ‘2024 Golden Steering Wheel’ in Germany. Stylish, dynamic, spacious and with an electrified drivetrain portfolio – all strong arguments that convinced the experts to name the newcomer ‘made in Germany’ ‘Best car under €50,000’. The award presented by AUTO BILD and BILD am SONNTAG is recognised as one of the most renowned of its kind in the automotive industry. This year’s award for the all-new Grandland takes Opel’s overall ‘Golden Steering Wheel’ tally to 21.

“All-new Opel Grandland is already bringing the automotive future to the road. It is the first Opel on a BEV-native platform. This enables exemplary locally emissions-free ranges combined with excellent comfort. This blend combined with the bold and pure Opel design is exceptional. We are delighted that AUTO BILD and BILD am SONNTAG have rewarded this innovative spirit with the Golden Steering Wheel,” said Opel CEO Florian Huettl at the award ceremony in Berlin's Axel Springer Haus.

“All-new Opel Grandland convinces with its distinctive design and modern cockpit. And it shows how important it is today to give customers freedom when choosing their drive. Whether hybrid, plug-in hybrid or fully electric – everyone will find the right variant,” said Robin Hornig, editor-in-chief of AUTO BILD.

Opel clearly presented what it means by “German Energy” and how the brand envisions the automotive future with the Opel Experimental concept car. The all-new Opel Grandland is already making many of the Experimental’s visionary innovations a reality. The top-of-the-line SUV is the first Opel on the BEV-native STLA Medium platform and offers numerous groundbreaking technologies, clever equipment and sustainable solutions. It always shines with the new 3D Vizor – depending on the trim even for the first time with an illuminated Opel Blitz. When viewed from the rear, the Grandland also has the continuously illuminated Opel wordmark.

In the cockpit, Grandland drivers look at two widescreen displays. Together with the optional Intelli-HUD (head-up display), they ensure that the driver can always keep his eyes on the road. In addition, Pure Mode reduces the content displayed to a necessary minimum at night or at higher speeds. The ergonomic seats with individually adjustable side cushions, certified by Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V. (AGR), also ensure pure and, above all, relaxed driving pleasure; the patented Intelli-Seat ergonomics feature is standard on both front seats. Safety and comfort are increased by features such as the adaptive, glare-free Intelli-Lux HD light with more than 50,000 elements and the practical Pixel Box. It has an illuminated, translucent glass surface under which the smartphone can be inductively charged. And with a volume of up to 1,645 litres, the new Grandland has plenty of loading space.

Opel and ‘Golden Steering Wheel’: 21 winners from Rüsselsheim

All-new Opel Grandland is the latest in a proud line of ‘Golden Steering Wheel’ winners from Opel. The award, which has been presented since 1976 by the Axel Springer publishing house BILD am SONNTAG (as of 2009 in cooperation with AUTO BILD) was won for the 21st time by the German carmaker. It all started in 1978, two years after the award was founded, with the Opel Senator A.

Opel Corsa Electric Wins “Best in Class” Award 2025

• “Best electric city vehicle”: electricar magazine awards Opel Corsa Electric
• Winner: Opel Corsa combines emotional appearance with top technologies and high utility value
• Small car bestseller: at the top of its segment for more than three years in a row

Opel Corsa Electric inspires customers as much as experts. The latest proof is the "Best in Class" award 2025 from electricar in cooperation with the Institute for New Mobility. The jury of the trade magazine has chosen Opel's current best-selling small car as the winner in the "Best Electric City Vehicle" category. First, the committee, made up of personalities from business, science and the media, evaluated all the proposals received and identified five finalists per category. In the second step, the Corsa Electric emerged as the winner in the electric city vehicle category. Opel Germany brand boss Patrick Dinger accepted the award from electricar editor-in-chief Armin Grasmuck at the weekend.

"The 'Best in Class' award means that we as an automobile manufacturer have done something crucial right: developing a product with the Opel Corsa Electric that is well received by experts and customers alike. A product that is successful and points the way to future-proof, resource-saving mobility. Many thanks to the electricar jury and to all Opel partners who arouse enthusiasm for the Corsa on site every day," said Patrick Dinger at the awards ceremony at the Hockenheimring.

There are many reasons for the enduring success of the Opel Corsa Electric: It scores points with its characteristic design including the Opel Vizor brand face, space for five people, and top technologies such as the adaptive, glare-free Intelli-Lux Matrix light, which make every journey more relaxed and safer. In addition, there is locally emission-free driving fun in two versions: Customers can choose from two battery-electric power levels with Opel Corsa Electric. With the 115 kW (156 hp) drive and 51 kWh battery, up to 405 kilometers (according to WLTP 2) can be covered without stopping to charge, while with 100 kW (136 hp) and 50 kWh battery, up to 357 kilometers (WLTP 2) are possible before the journey can continue after a short "break" - for example, just under 30 minutes of charging at a 100 kW direct current fast charging station for 80 percent of the battery capacity.

All of this makes the current generation of the Opel small car a bestseller. Opel Corsa - across all drive variants - has been at the top of its segment in Germany for the past three calendar years. According to statistics from the Federal Motor Transport Authority, in the first half of 2024 Opel Corsa dominated the segment again and also ranked first among battery-electric small cars.

[1] The values ​​of a vehicle depend not only on the efficient use of fuel by the vehicle, but are also influenced by driving behavior and other non-technical factors.

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

All-New Opel Grandland with Intelli-Lux HD Light: Scary Nights a Thing of the Past!

• Turns night into day: State-of-the-art technology makes “creatures of the night” of all sizes visible
• Industry leading: New Intelli-Lux HD headlights with over 50,000 individual elements
• Improved safety: Objects detected earlier thanks to adaptive, glare-free LED system
• Opel Grandland lighting: Debut for 3D Vizor, illuminated Opel Blitz and edge light
• 125 year of lighting innovations: Opel has been democratising lighting technologies since day one

In a few days or rather nights, spooky creatures will once again roam the streets searching for treats of all kinds. From now on, however, their efforts to remain undetected before playing a potential trick will be in vain – thanks to all-new Opel Grandland. With its new Intelli-Lux HD light, the latest generation of glare-free Intelli-Lux LED technology, the all-new SUV ‘made in Germany’, which has been available to order for a few days now, creates light where there was previously nothing but darkness. But this is not the only lighting innovation that has been introduced at Opel with the all-new Grandland. It is also the first Opel with 3D Vizor, illuminated Opel Blitz and ‘Edge Light’ technology. This makes all-new Opel Grandland an all-round radiant newcomer that draws attention with its innovative lighting technologies alone. The democratisation of advanced lighting technology across the various vehicle classes is a tradition at Opel – and has been for 125 years.

More precise, sharper, better: New Intelli-Lux HD light with over 50,000 elements

Opel customers are already well acquainted with the adaptive, glare-free Intelli-Lux LED technology from bestsellers such as the current Astra, the Corsa, the outgoing Grandland and the Combo. However,together with the all-new Opel Grandland, the Intelli-Lux HD light, which is the industry leader in this vehicle segment, is celebrating its premiere. For the first time, the headlights have more than 50,000 elements (exactly 51,200, i.e. 25,600 per side) and enable high-resolution, glare-free light distribution.

The ultra-modern system turns night into day for the driver and precisely illuminates the route and surroundings. Depending on the prevailing traffic situation, the camera detects road users in front and oncoming traffic and the Intelli-Lux HD light cuts them out even faster and more precisely than previous matrix light technologies. The “light tunnel”, i.e. the area left out by the light beam, is narrower than before, while the rest of the street and the surrounding area is better lit. In this way, the system delivers even brighter and more even light distribution without dazzling others. Scientific studies prove the benefits for safety. Objects in front of the vehicle can be detected around 30 to 40 meters earlier at a speed of 80 km/h than with conventional halogen headlights. This allows the driver to react to the potential obstacle between one and two seconds earlier – valuable time to avoid an impending collision.

Next evolutionary stage: New functions and graphic animations

At the same time, all automatic Intelli-Lux functions, from city and country road light to cornering light and bad weather light, have been improved and taken to a new level. The light cone in front of the vehicle can be completely digitally adjusted using more than 50,000 pixels, so that it intuitively guides the driver's perspective along the road when cornering. In addition to the digital adjustment of the light cone, depending on the turning angle, an additional light module is activated on the corresponding side of the vehicle. It illuminates the side of the road even better and thus prevents “black holes” when cornering. In bad weather or fog mode, Intelli-Lux HD factors in the possible glare effect caused by rain-soaked streets and adjusts the light intensity accordingly in order to reduce this effect for oncoming traffic.

In addition, the high-resolution light technology not only protects the eyes of other road users, but also those of the Opel Grandland driver. The system recognises traffic signs appearing on the road and dims the LEDs so that the reflection of the signs does not glare the driver. And “tourist mode” ensures that the Intelli-Lux HD light can use its full performance and all functions even when driving in countries with left-hand traffic.

Finally, the new animations in the form of graphic videos that are projected in front of the vehicle to greet and bid farewell to Opel Grandland occupants provide a first impression of what lighting developments will be possible in the future.

Unique lighting design: 3D Vizor, illuminated Opel Blitz and edge light technology

Above all, it is not only the innovative Intelli-Lux HD light which is setting standards. All-new Opel Grandland also stands out at first glance with its unmistakable style – especially in the dark. The new light signature of the Opel brand face makes a decisive contribution to this: the new 3D Vizor integrates the Opel Blitz, illuminated for the first time, and the innovative “edge light” technology, which extends across the entire width of the vehicle, in one flowing element. The newcomer also underlines its unmistakeable appearance at the rear. All-new Grandland is the first production model from Opel to integrate illuminated OPEL lettering centrally into the compass light signature.

The technologies in the new Grandland thus represent the latest and most advanced evolutionary stage in Opel's lighting development. But offering outstanding visibility and thus the highest level of safety for all drivers across all segments is a tradition at Opel – and has been since the company produced its first car. The history of lighting development began back in 1899 with the Patentmotorwagen System Lutzmann. You can find out more about Opel's innovations in lighting technology over the decades here.

Crisper, More Modern and Digital: New Opel Mokka available from €26,740

• Bold and pure: Accentuated Mokka style with new Opel Blitz and LED lighting signature
• Top technologies: New infotainment with natural voice recognition and widget interface, wireless smartphone connectivity, 180-degree HD rear-view camera
• Opel Vizor optic in the interior: New steering wheel, even clearer centre console
• Electrified: New Opel Mokka Hybrid from €29,740, new Opel Mokka Electric from €36,740 (all prices RRP incl. VAT in Germany)

Modern, compact, with an unmistakeable style – this is Opel Mokka. With its bold and pure design, the Mokka has become a bestseller. Now Opel is making the unconventional compact SUV even more desirable – both on the inside and the outside. New accents further highlight the unique character of the Mokka and Opel is also bringing technologies from higher vehicle segments to the SUV B segment. And that is not all, the brand with the Blitz has also opened the order books for the new Mokka. With the efficient 100 kW (136 hp) petrol engine prices start at €26,740. As a hybrid with 48-volt technology it is available from prices starting at €29,740 whereas prices for the battery-electric Mokka Electric with 115 kW (156 hp) electric motor and up to 403 kilometres of locally emissions-free range (WLTP 2) start at €36,740 in Germany. In the anniversary year of “125 years of automobile manufacturing at Opel”, the manufacturer is once again making innovations available for a wide range of customers.

“Our Mokka is a bestseller. Bold, pure and unmistakeable – a car full of character that stands out in the crowd. That is exactly why we have only gently sharpened its contemporary design with the new Opel Blitz and graphic elements. The biggest change can be found in the interior. The cockpit now appears even clearer and takes up the Opel Vizor graphics from the front of the vehicle. In addition, the driver and passengers of the new Opel Mokka can enjoy the next generation of infotainment. We are delighted to open the order books for the new Opel Mokka already,” said Opel CEO Florian Huettl.

Character sharpened: New Opel Blitz, lighting blocks and graphical accents

With its bold and clear lines, including the Opel Vizor, the Mokka has already made its mark. It was the first model to introduce the characteristic brand fascia, which now adorns every new model. This confident design inspires customers – and that is why Opel has not completely overhauled the Mokka's appearance, but rather subtly emphasised its visual strengths. The new Opel Blitz in the centre of the Opel Vizor brand face helps to further sharpen the Mokka's character. The black Vizor visually integrates the new Blitz and the headlights into one element. As on the new Opel Frontera, the familiar wing signature of the LED lights at the front and rear shines in a more modern interpretation with three ‘lighting blocks’ ensuring an uncompromising look.

In keeping with the motto ‘black is beautiful’, a black design line running from the bonnet to the rear above the side windows will attract attention in every variant in future. On the Opel Mokka GS, black claddings at the front, rear and wheel arches also convey sporty elegance. A high-gloss black trim strip running across the lower door surfaces to the rear reflects the window design line in the side moulding and emphasises the stylish appearance. In line with Opel's ‘Greenovation’ approach, special aero wheels (available for the Opel Mokka Electric) and the redesigned front bumper improve aerodynamics. In addition, the new Opel Mokka completely dispenses with chrome applications on the exterior.

Detox and Greenovation: New Opel Mokka interior shines in new light

The new Opel Mokka continues its resource-saving approach in the interior. All fabrics are made from materials with recycled content. Visually, the ‘detox’ approach – the clear focus on the essentials – takes centre stage. The new steering wheel, flattened at the top and bottom, not only conveys a sporty character, it also brings the Opel Vizor into the cabin with the new Blitz in the centre and reflects the Opel compass of the exterior design with horizontal lines.

The centre console between the front seats, in a matt silver tone, is now even clearer than before. The designers and engineers have integrated some of the settings previously controlled via buttons into the central colour touchscreen. The entire cockpit design thus appears fresher and more desirable, as if from a higher vehicle class. For example, the design of the remaining switches for the electric parking brake and the selectable driving modes (on the Mokka Electric and automatic variants) comes from the all-new Opel Grandland.

Intelligent, intuitive, customisable: Upgraded infotainment system

The new multimedia and navigation infotainment system also takes the new Mokka to the next level. The further developed bestseller now offers a 10-inch digital driver information display and an equally large colour touchscreen as standard. The latter can be easily operated via widgets, just like a smartphone – alternatively and in combination with the optional navigation system, a ‘Hey, Opel’ is enough to use the natural voice recognition. Both displays can be personalised in many ways. The system recognises the driver's personal profile on the connected smartphone; the connection is always wireless in the new Mokka. Various virtual shortcuts can be set up on the central screen and different colour schemes offer further customisation options.

When ordered with the integrated navigation system, map updates are made available over-the-air. The system also constantly learns thanks to ChatGPT (available in combination with Connected Navigation) and – based on the habits of the linked driver profile – independently suggests destinations and routes. The myOpel app can also be used to easily send the destination and the corresponding route to the vehicle. Furthermore, the infotainment system of the Mokka Electric offers EV routing with charging station display. In addition, smartphones can also be charged wirelessly. Portable devices such as smartphones and tablets can also be connected via the USB-C plug in the centre console. Elsewhere, the optional 180-degree rear-view camera ensures excellent visibility when manoeuvring in the city.

Detoxed offer: Two electrified drivetrains, two trims, two packs

Opel is making the selection process for the new Mokka as clear as the design: The newcomer will be available in the “Edition” and “GS” trims and can be further customised with two individualisation packs.

On the drive side, Opel Mokka customers can choose from an efficient petrol engine for an entry-level price of €26,740 and two electrified alternatives. The compact SUV will be available both as a modern hybrid with 48-volt technology and as a battery-electric, locally emissions-free Mokka Electric. Fully electric, the new Mokka is now available from €36,740 exclusively with the 115 kW (156 hp) electric motor and 54 kWh battery. Thanks to efficient packaging, the engineers were able to ensure an exemplary range with a compact battery size. This means that up to 403 kilometres (WLTP 2) can be covered locally emissions-free. The space-saving underfloor location of the battery enables a low centre of gravity and ensures that the new Opel Mokka Electric stands confidently on the road. And with 260 Newton meters of torque available immediately, Opel Mokka Electric provides quick acceleration from a standing start and plenty of driving pleasure.

Customers who prefer an alternative drive can choose the new Opel Mokka Hybrid with 48-volt technology for prices starting at €29,740. It combines a 100 kW (136 hp) 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a 21 kW (28 hp) electric motor and a new electrified six-speed dual-clutch transmission. The optimised system helps to significantly reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions compared to a comparable conventionally powered vehicle. And at low speeds, Opel Mokka Hybrid drivers can even steer their SUV through city traffic purely electrically and thus locally emissions-free.

With the new Mokka, Frontera and Grandland, all of which are now available to order, Opel offers a state-of-the-art, future-proof SUV trio that fulfils virtually all customer wishes.

1] A vehicle's values not only depend on the vehicle's efficient use of fuel, but are also influenced by driving behaviour and other non-technical factors.

[2] Range values 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.

ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup: Sensation at the Season Finale in Lower Bavaria

• Central European Rally: Belgian guest driver Tom Heindrichs wins the 2024 Cup finale at World Rally Championship round
• Despite an “off” before the finish: Frenchman Anthony Rott secures Cup runner-up spot

What a debut for Tom Heindrichs with the Opel Corsa Rally Electric in the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup “powered by GSe”! At the grand season finale as part of the Central European Rally, the 20-year-old half-brother of World Rally Championship leader Thierry Neuville celebrated his first victory in the world's first electric one-make rally cup alongside his co-driver Jonas Schmitz. Even though he received neither points nor prize money as a guest driver in the 100 kW (136 hp) Opel electric car, the young Belgian was speechless at the finish in Passau: “I never expected that! We quickly got used to the car and improved continuously. We dedicate the victory to the team around Philipp Reich and Johannes Fürst, who made this possible and were just as motivated as we were. We learned a lot and had a lot of fun in this great atmosphere. I take my hat off to Opel and ADAC. They have built a super cup here, a perfect entry-level platform for professional rally sport.”

Christian Lemke and Jan-Eric Bemmann crossed the finish line just 4.7 seconds behind the Belgians, taking full points for the overall ranking for the third time this season. “It was a tough rally. We missed the start yesterday on Saturday a bit. Today we were able to work our way forward again and take full points at the end. All in all, we can be very satisfied. The finale as part of the World Championship round was a great event, superbly organized. The stages were great, everyone was in a good mood, it was really great fun.”

In the overall standings, Lemke thus consolidated fourth place and even moved closer to the Spaniard Alex Español. His ambitions to win had already been dampened by off and the subsequent repairs to his Corsa Rally Electric in the first special stage. At least the Opel Spain driver recovered by winning the final “Power Stage”. Third place went to the young Dutchman Fabian Kamermans, who thus put himself in an excellent position in the three-way battle for a regular cockpit in the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup 2025, sponsored by the Dutch association KNAF, against his compatriots Hank Melse and Esmee Den Hartigh.

The brothers Anthony and Adrien Rott were on course for victory until the last special stage, but then slipped off the road in the “Power Stage” and fell back to 10th place. Driver Anthony Rott was therefore anything but satisfied with the day's result: “It was a very difficult rally that started well for us and went really well until three kilometers before the finish. Unfortunately, we then made a small mistake that cost us the win. What remains is a good performance over the entire season.” Despite the error, the Alsatians secured the runner-up title behind the Austrian Luca Pröglhöf, who was unable to take part in the season finale due to illness.

The Waldherr Motorsport team found an adequate replacement at short notice in Daniel Mayer. The 24-year-old Viennese took on the challenge without much preparation and finished fifth behind the German guest drivers René Noller/Stephan Schneeweiß. Positions 6 and 7 were secured by Johannes Wittenbeck and Maximilian Kugler as well as the French drivers Emma Chalvin and Amandine Borderie. In the year-end rankings, the 23-year-old FFSA Academy driver finished fifth as the best participant – level on points with Wittenbeck, who is ranked behind Chalvin due to poorer individual results.

Opel Motorsport boss Jörg Schrott drew a positive conclusion from the last Cup rally of the year: “The ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup presented itself very well against the impressive World Championship backdrop here in Hauzenberg. The 16 Corsa Rally Electric cars put on a good show for the approximately 90,000 spectators. The battle for victory was just as exciting as in all rallies of the season. We had numerous fast guest drivers and more than 30 enthusiastic guests from the Opel dealer organizations in Germany and Austria as well as our sponsor Total Energies on site. The atmosphere was very special. I am very happy with the finale and the entire season. Electric rallying works, it is fun and offers a perfect platform for a junior one-make cup.”

Final results ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup “powered by GSe” after eight rounds:

1. Pröglhöf              216 points.

2. Rott                     188.

3. Español               170.

4. Lemke                 154.

5. Chalvin                113.

6. Wittenbeck          113.

7. Pottier                  77.

8. Hangodi               66.

9. Baudet                 65.

10. Kamermans       61.

11. Melse                 37.

12. Bayer                 36.

13. Den Hartigh       36.

14. Felke                  13.