50th Anniversary: Opel Celebrates Record Breaking Elektro GT

• Six pack: Modified Opel GT sets world speed records for battery-electric cars
• Special development: Two electric motors, jet-fighter batteries, high-pressure tyres
• Bare necessities: No air intakes, mirrors or door handles
• First BEV with the Blitz: Elektro GT is predecessor of today’s Opel Corsa-e
• Need for speed: Georg von Opel in wheel tracks of cousin and “rocket man” Fritz

Opel Elektro GT

1971 was the year that Apollo 15 astronauts become the first to ride in an all-electric lunar rover after landing on the Moon. That year a unique Opel GT also proved that electric motors were not just for golf buggies. For on May 17-18, 1971 at the “Hockenheimring” racetrack in Germany, Georg von Opel set out to establish new speed records for electric cars with a specially prepared and modified sports car – the Opel “Elektro GT”. In the end the car set six world records.

Grandson of Opel-founder Adam Opel, a successful businessman and a world-class athlete, Georg von Opel's record attempt with the “Elektro GT” was not only “proof of concept” for the future of battery electric vehicles (BEV); it was also the continuation of a family tradition. His cousin “Raketen-Fritz” (rocket-man Fritz) grabbed the headlines from 1927 to 1929 with rocket-powered demonstrations that reached their peak at the Avus racetrack on May 23, 1928 with the RAK 2 and a top speed of 238 km/h.

“Elektro GT” was equipped with two Bosch DC electric motors that together produced 88 kW (120 hp) of continuous power and a peak power output of even 118 kW (160 hp).

Varta provided the four nickel-cadmium batteries installed beside and behind the driver. With 280 cells, the batteries added 590 kg to the 960 kg of the production GT, totalling 1,550 kg – about the same as an Opel Diplomat B.

Long distance record attempt necessitated three hundred and sixty cells, increasing the weight still further to 740 kg. Tipping the scales at 1,700 kg, the GT then weighed the same as a short wheelbase Opel Blitz truck. The extra weight required harder springs and Continental developed special high-pressure tyres that minimised the rolling friction to a minimum.

Modifications to the bodywork included closing all air intakes and outlets at the front, a “flat” bonnet without the production GT’s characteristic bulge for the carburettor, the removal of bumpers, mirrors and door handles, as well as the complete stripping of the engine and passenger compartments.

Just enough space for driver: Jet-fighter batteries fill up passenger compartment

An electronic management system occupied the boot and, unique for a GT, the rear of the car featured a large spoiler. The rear lamps were removed and the holes they left behind simply covered up. A heat exchanger replaced the exhaust system silencer.

A conventional car battery, providing the electricity for the electronics, sat at the front of the engine compartment where the electric motors replaced the petrol engine. The batteries (more usually found in jet-fighters), mounted in special racks, took up all the space beside and behind the driver, leaving him just enough room to sit on a normal seat.

Behind the steering wheel of the “Elektro GT”, Georg von Opel set four new world records for electrically powered cars on May 17, 1971:

Distance	Time	Speed
1.0 km	19.061s	188.86 km/h
1.0 km standing start	31.066s	115.88 km/h
0.5 km standing start	19.358s	92.98 km/h
0.25 mile standing start	16.869s	85.87 km/h
Two more records were added on May 18, both from a standing start:
10 km	4 min 43.69s	126.89 km/h
10 miles	7 min 35.63s	127.15 km/h

However, the low energy capacity of the Ni-Cd batteries prevented a new world record for 100 km at a constant speed of 100 km/h. Attempt ended after only 44 km.

First BEV from Opel, the “Elektro GT” demonstrated that a battery electric vehicle could match the speed of a contemporary sports car. Today, 50 years of development and innovation later, the former high performance runner has morphed into the Opel Corsa-e – an all-round athlete capable of not only sprinting from zero to 100 km/h in 8.1 seconds but also covering up to 337 km in the WLTP 1 cycle on a single charge of its lithium ion battery.

Opel Corsa-e

[1] Range 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.

!NEW! Opel Astra 1.6 BiTurbo CDTI Hatchback: The Spicy One

• Powerful: 1.6 BiTurbo CDTI with 118 kW/160 hp
• Major plus-point: Maximum 350 Nm torque from only 1,500 rpm
• Agile and efficient combination: Lightweight architecture and latest diesel technology

New Opel Astra is one of the lightest cars in its segment and with the new 1.6-liter twin-turbo engine, few cars can match the Astra 1.6 BiTurbo CDTI for power, performance, refinement and fuel economy

If you are the kind of person who likes hot chili sauce on his toast and you are in the market for a sensible yet spicy five-door hatchback, the Opel Astra with the all-new 1.6-liter BiTurbo diesel engine is the car for you (NEDC combined cycle fuel consumption: 4.1-4.0 l/100 km; 109-106g/km CO2). The Astra 1.6 BiTurbo CDTI sprints from zero to 100 km/h in 8.6 seconds; accelerates from 80 to 120 km/h in 7.5 seconds; and keeps loping on to a maximum speed of 220 km/h. This blend of high performance and modest fuel consumption makes the twin-turbo Astra one of the most fuel-efficient cars in the compact class.

Despite the high performance, the modest fuel consumption of the twin-turbo engine makes the new Opel Astra 1.6 BiTurbo CDTI one of the most fuel-efficient cars in the compact class.

In addition to outstanding fuel efficiency, flexibility (or pulling power) is the major plus-point of the top-of-the-line 118 kW/160 hp engine. The maximum 350 Newton meters of torque are available at only 1,500 rpm. In combination with low mass – the new Astra is up to 200 kg lighter than the previous model – and good throttle response, the BiTurbo gains speed quickly from low rpm. Mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, the four-cylinder engine with sequential, two-stage turbocharging revs smoothly and progressively up to the maximum power output at 4,000 rpm. The engine is also very refined, making the Astra’s passenger compartment a particularly quiet, comfortable and roomy space in which to travel.

“When we launched the Astra last year, its combination of space, equipment, comfort and connectivity shook up the competition in the compact class”, says Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann, Opel CEO. “The new Astra is one of the lightest cars in its segment and with the new 1.6 liter twin-turbo engine, few cars can match the BiTurbo’s unique blend of power, performance, refinement and fuel economy.”

In addition to outstanding fuel efficiency, flexibility is the highlight of the new 118 kW/160 hp Opel Astra 1.6 BiTurbo CDTI engine. The maximum 350 Newton meters of torque are available at only 1,500 rpm

An all-new lightweight architecture provides the basis for both the five-door Astra hatchback and the Sports Tourer.

Smartphone integration and the groundbreaking personal connectivity and service assistant Opel OnStar enable ultra-modern connectivity. The Astra also continues Opel’s tradition of bringing features previously only available in higher market segments into the compact class, such as IntelliLux LED Matrix lights.

These qualities have already won the Astra many prizes. In addition to the 2016 European Car Of The Year title, the new Astra has picked up international awards such as SAFETYBEST 2015 and the 2015 Golden Steering Wheel. It also received the maximum five stars for its performance in the Euro NCAP crash test. Opel Astra BiTurbo hatchback is a winner of important comparison tests in the automotive media too. In Germany, Auto Zeitung (edition 10/2016) headlined, “Opel Astra beats the premium league” after the new Astra’s victory over the Mercedes A 220d and BMW 118d ; and Europe’s biggest car magazine, AutoBild (edition 17/2016) announced that the Opel Astra “even leaves BMW behind.”

Prices for the new five-door Astra 1.6 BiTurbo CDTI begin at € 27,310.

!NEW! All-New Opel Astra Sports Tourer and new 1.6 BiTurbo-Diesel Available for Order

• Spacious station wagon now available: Prices for Astra Sports Tourer start at €18,260
• Family resemblance: All innovative technologies from 5-door Astra carried over
• New powerful premium diesel: 1.6 BiTurbo CDTI with 118 KW/160 PS
• Clever: Flexible up to 1,630 liter large loading space with power tailgate

Spacious station wagon now available: Prices for new Opel Astra Sports Tourer start at €18,260.
 

The new Astra generation is continuing to grab the headlines. After recently celebrating its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the 5-door variants will now roll to dealerships. 

This coming weekend potential customers will be able to take a seat in the new Astra at Opel partners across Germany. But that is not all: Order books for the new Sports Tourer will open simultaneously with the 5-door dealer launch. The dynamic looking station wagon with loading space of up to 1,630 liters is available from just €18,260 (all prices RRP in Germany). A new top-of-the-range diesel presently only available for the Astra will also make its debut. The 1.6 BiTurbo CDTI with 118 kW/160 hp delivers maximum torque of 350 Nm from 1,500 rpm. In combination with a six-speed transmission and Start/Stop, it consumes just 4.2 liters per 100 kilometers for the combined cycle (CO2: 110-107g/km) in the new Astra Sports Tourer.

“Our new Astra represents a quantum leap in the compact class. The Sports Tourer and the 5-door variant both offer numerous high-tech features from higher segments as standard or as an option. Now both models can be ordered and come with exemplary value for money, which is typical for Opel,” enthused Peter Christian Küspert, Vice President Sales & Aftersales Opel Group.

The new Astra combines efficiency with elegance and sets new standards in the compact class with outstanding innovations. No matter whether the 5-door or the Sports Tourer variant – both are up to 200 kilograms lighter than their predecessors are and offer passengers, especially those in the rear – more space.

Numerous technologies and assistance systems from higher segments improve comfort and safety for the occupants. Starting with the personal connectivity and service assistant Opel OnStar, continuing with the ultra-modern IntelliLink infotainment systems that are compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and by no means ending with the groundbreaking adaptive IntelliLux LED® matrix light, which enables driving with permanent high-beam without glaring other road users. The latest generation Opel Eye front camera offers important safety features such as the optimized Traffic Sign Assist, Lane Keep Assist, which ensures that drivers stay on track with active steering corrections right up to Forward Collision Warning with emergency automatic braking (8 to 60 km/h). In addition, the new AGR-certified premium ergonomic seats now offer a unique combination of side bolster adjustment, massage and memory function along with ventilation. Heated rear seats are also available.

Sports Tourer highlights: Power tailgate and all-new BiTurbo diesel

The Opel compact station wagon, now available for order for prices starting at €18,260, comes with the same virtues as its 5-door sibling: The Astra Sports Tourer is more spacious inside without growing its exterior dimensions. This leads to more comfort for the driver and the passengers along with up to 1,630 liters of loading space. The interior is very flexible thanks to the 40/20/40 folding rear seats. The FlexOrganizer product range, with side rails, dividing nets and various fastening options ensures that all loaded materials can be stored tidily.

Opel also offers an especially practical novelty for the Astra Sports Tourer: In combination with Keyless Open and start, a kicking motion under the rear bumper is enough to open the tailgate. Furthermore, the tailgate can still be opened or closed by a switch on the driver’s side of the car, buttons in the luggage compartment or via the key’s remote control.

The powertrain portfolio of the Sports Tourer is the same as for the 5-door – with one especially powerful exception: The new 118 kW/160 hp 1.6 BiTurbo CDTI, which delivers maximum torque of 350 Nm from 1,500 rpm, is presently reserved exclusively for the station wagon. Performance and power generation are comparable to that of a two-liter engine. In the Astra Sports Tourer, mid-range acceleration from 80 to 120 km/h in fifth gear is absolved in 8.1 seconds. Top speed is 218 km/h. The sovereignty of the four-cylinder common rail unit comes from the sequential, two-stage turbocharging. In combination with a six-speed transmission and Start/Stop, the 1.6-liter all-aluminum diesel engine consumes just 4.2 liters per 100 kilometers for the combined cycle (CO2: 110-107g/km), making the Astra Sports Tourer 1.6 BiTurbo CDTI one of the most fuel efficient vehicles in the compact class. Prices for the Astra Sports Tourer with the power diesel start at €24,950.

Pure efficiency: The new generation engines

Outputs of the completely new gasoline and diesel units offered for the new Astra Sports Tourer range from 70 kW/95 hp to 147 kW/200 hp. The new Astra Sports Tourer with the 74 kW/100 hp 1.4-liter all-aluminum gasoline engine under the hood will be available for a very affordable entry-level price of €18,260. The 77 kW/105 hp three-cylinder 1.0 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo is available for only €700 more. Elsewhere, the completely new 1.4 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo is available with outputs of 92 kW/125 hp or 110 kW/150 hp and delivers maximum torque of up to 245 Nm. Depending on the output, fuel consumption can be reduced to 5.3 liters per 100 kilometers (122-119 g/km CO2).

The 1.6 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo gasoline unit is the most powerful engine available for the Sports Tourer with prices starting at €26,910. The 147 kW/200 hp turbocharged direct injection gasoline unit mobilizes an impressive 300 Nm of torque (with overboost), enabling the station wagon to accelerate from 80 to 120 km/h in fifth gear in 7.2 seconds. Top speed is up to 235 km/h. Consumption and emissions are relatively modest given the high level of performance with 6.1 l/100 km and 142-139 g/km CO2.

Apart from the 1.6 BiTurbo CDTI, diesel fans can also order a new Astra with a 1.6 CDTI single-stage turbocharged engine in three outputs ranging from 70 kW/95 hp to 100 kW/136 hp and offering maximum torque of 320 Nm. The current efficiency champion of the new Astra Sport Tourer family is the 81 kW/110 hp model, with fuel consumption a mere 3.7 liters and CO2 emissions of 99 to 96 grams.