11. Paul Pietsch Classic: Legendary Opel coupés and electrified Opel Astra Sports Tourer attract attention

•   125 years of automobile manufacturing at Opel: Manufacturer in the anniversary year with Opel Admiral, Kadett GT/E, Monza and Calibra on a big Black Forest tour
• “Forever forward since 1899”: Current Opel Astra Sports Tourer plug-in hybrid leads the field

This year's Paul Pietsch Classic , which came to a close on Saturday afternoon on the market square in Offenburg, Baden, was varied in every respect. Beforehand, the participants had covered many kilometers in their shiny vintage cars in changeable weather through picturesque villages, along scenic valleys, and over the heights of the Black Forest. Always in the thick of it: Opel Classic with real icons of the past decades. To mark the anniversary of "125 years of automobile manufacturing at Opel," the brand drove up with classics from the 1960s to 1990s, including the Admiral V8, Kadett GT/E, Monza, and the "aerodynamics world champion" Calibra. True to the anniversary motto "Forever forward since 1899," a current model was also present - in a prominent position. The highly efficient, electrified Opel Astra Sports Tourer plug-in hybrid was used as the lead vehicle on both days of the rally.

"Paul Pietsch Classic is an unforgettable experience every year. Even the odd rain shower cannot harm the beauty of this region and the classic cars that are on the road here," says Opel Classic manager Leif Rohwedder, who conquered the stages together with Motor Klassik editor Peter Michaely in a bright yellow Opel Calibra 4x4 2.0i 16V, built in 1990, looking back on the past two days.

From Offenburg through Black Forest: Sporty Opel classics inspire

111 teams started on Friday to complete the scenic circuit through the Black Forest. From Offenburg, the route first led towards Kaiserstuhl, then turned through the Elztal and went via Schramberg and Schiltach back to Offenburg. On day 2, the regularity rally also lived up to the motto of its namesake Paul Pietsch - "For the love of motorsport" - and his connection to his homeland. Here, the participants passed landmarks such as Appenweiher, Sasbach, Gaggenau and the Bühler Höhe - exactly the right terrain for the streamlined, 110 kW (150 hp) Calibra sports coupe.

But the crews of the other Opel Classic vehicles also showed what their style icons can do. For example, auto motor und sport editor-in-chief Birgit Priemer and former editor-in-chief Bernd Ostmann mixed up the field in a 1977 Opel Kadett GT/E specially designed for sporting use. In addition to the sporting ambitions, the enjoyment factor was not neglected. "It is always impressive how much positive attention the Opel brand attracts from visitors to the Paul Pietsch Classic. Many people still have fond memories of Opel Kadett GT/E. It sparks a lot of passion, even at the side of the track," says Birgit Priemer, looking back on the experience.

Current compact class bestseller from Rüsselsheim also impressed with its dynamism and efficiency: the organizers of Paul Pietsch Classic were able to make themselves comfortable in an Opel Astra Sports Tourer plug-in hybrid with 133 kW (180 hp) system output and a powerful 250 Newton meters of torque. Electrified station wagon led the field - responsibly and resource-efficiently with a purely electric and thus locally emission-free range of up to 65 kilometers according to WLTP 2 (EAER City according to WLTP 2 : 65-66 km).

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

[2] Stated range was determined using the WLTP test procedures (Regulation (EC) No. 715/2007 and Regulation (EU) No. 2017/1151). 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.