!NEW! Premiere of Green Mobility Trophy: Opel Ampera Takes Top Honors

EV suitable for everyday use convinces readers of trade magazine Auto Zeitung

Clear vote for the trailblazer in electric mobility: readers of Auto Zeitung have awarded the Opel Ampera the “Green Mobility Trophy 2013” and named the mid-size sedan the best electric vehicle. For the first time, the trade magazine presented 134 models and engines from 34 brands as candidates in seven categories. In the electric vehicle class the Opel Ampera beat out 18 competitors to take the title. The 18,000 participating readers put the two closest competitors – the Tesla Model S and BMW i3 – well behind the Ampera. With the “Green Mobility Trophy” Auto Zeitung honors models and propulsion concepts chosen by its readers that are trendsetting in their class in terms of particularly eco-friendly use of resources.

Title chaser Ampera: Trophy cabinet is getting crowded

Since its introduction in 2011, the Opel Ampera has become a real trophy collector. Its title highlights include “Car of the Year 2012”, “World Green Car of the Year” and victories in the readers’ choice awards from Auto Bild and Autoscout24.de.

“What customers expect from electric cars is clear: they want technology that is more environmentally friendly while offering all the benefits of conventional propulsion systems. The “Green Mobility Trophy” is latest proof that we more than meet these expectations with the Ampera,” says Andreas Marx, Director Marketing Opel Germany.

Opel Ampera: Impeccable environmental balance and driving dynamics

The Opel Ampera is the first electric vehicle that does not require any changes in habit or attitude. A unique 16 kWh lithium-ion battery pack feeds an advanced, 111 kW/150 hp electric drive unit to deliver between 40 and 80 km of pure electric operation with zero emissions – depending on terrain, driving technique and temperature – when fully charged.

In extended-range mode, which activates whenever the battery has reached its minimum state of charge, power is seamlessly inverted to the electric drive unit from a generator driven by a gasoline engine. This enables a total driving range of more than 500 kilometers without refueling. The Ampera’s electric propulsion system delivers instant torque of 370 Nm that enables zero to 100 km/h acceleration in under 10 seconds and a top speed of 161 km/h.

!NEW! Opel Zafira Tourer wins two Titles in the election for Taxi of the Year

Comfort and efficiency are paramount virtues of compact vans

Opel Zafira Tourer 1.6 CNG Turbo wins Taxi of the Year 2013

The Opel Zafira Tourer is the ideal taxi. When choosing the "Taxi of the Year 2013," to bring the elegant and spacious Opel compact van in two evaluation criteria the winner's trophy: The Opel Zafira Tourer 1.6 CNG Turbo ecoFLEX (CNG= Compressed Natural Gas) wins in the compact and mid-size vans economical car, in addition, he has been voted the most comfortable member of his profession.

Eleven automakers, with a total of 19 models at Europe's largest taxi-comparison test of the journal "taxi today" in Fulda at the start. Taxi operators from all over Germany tested the vehicles for two days in the points cost, functionality, comfort and emotion through their paces.

Opel Zafira Tourer 1.6 CNG Turbo - CNG gas tank storage 

With a consumption of just 4.7 kg H gas per 100 kilometers in the combined cycle of 110 kW/150 hp Opel Zafira Tourer 1.6 CNG Turbo ecoFLEX emits only 129 grams of CO2 per kilometer - values ​​that are just for the environment as expected for the taxi company. Due to the low fuel thirst and a tank volume of 25 kg as a range of 530 kilometers in pure natural gas is in it - without time-consuming refueling stops. In addition to the cost of a taxi operator counts above all the comfort for the guests. Here the variable Opel compact van shines with either AGR-certified ergonomic seats for driver and front passenger, an extraordinary degree of flexibility is guaranteed by the Flex 7 seating system plus with exclusive lounge function. So that the driver can be used with little effort to address the individual needs of its passengers and the carriage of passengers in the second row enjoy as much space as never before. The Opel Zafira Tourer is a taxi model from 20,630 euros (RRP excluding VAT in Germany).

Electric Opel Ampera and Chevrolet Volt wins Green Engine Award

• First time ever a range extending powertrain wins an “International Engine Award”
• Revolutionary propulsion concept wins green engine category amid fierce competition
• Unique range extender enables go-anywhere–anytime mobility

The revolutionary Ampera and Volt electric vehicles have been given yet more global recognition by the automotive media. Their range extending 1.4 liter engine has won the “International Engine of the Year Award” for the best green engine in a tough field of 45 other “green” contenders. The Ampera and the Volt are the first electric vehicles in the market that can go anywhere anytime. It is also the first time in the 14 year history of the awards that a range extending powertrain has emerged as a winner. The awards ceremony was held in the German city of Stuttgart.

“Until the Volt and Ampera the short range of battery electric vehicles has limited their suitability for everyday use,” said Uwe Winter, Vehicle Line Director and Chief Engineer, who was handed the prize by the British organizers, the Engine Technology International magazine. “Our revolutionary propulsion system removes this obstacle by uniting the environmental friendliness of electric drive with the long range of a combustion engine. And the Best Green Engine Award is the highest recognition of this achievement.”

 

Seventy-six leading motoring journalists from 35 countries around the world sit on the panel of judges and award prizes in twelve different categories for excellence in powertrain engineering. They agree that this year was one of the toughest to judge so far with 39 all-new engines taking part in the contest.

One of the jury members, Bill McKinnon, explained why there had been strong support for the Ampera/Volt range extender: “Combining pure electric efficiency with petrol versatility and convenience means that this is a leading solution.”

The latest accolade comes against a backdrop of rising global fuel prices, where small, green and electric powertrains are playing an increasingly prominent role in the international automotive trade.

A 16 kWh lithium-ion battery powers the 111kW/150 hp electric motor of the Ampera/Volt. Depending on the style of driving and road conditions, distance of between 40 and 80 kilometers can be covered in the purely battery-operated mode, completely free of emissions. The wheels of the car are always powered electrically. In extended-range mode, which activates whenever the battery has reached its minimum state of charge, power is seamlessly inverted to the electric drive unit from a generator driven by the 1.4 liter, 63 kW/86 hp gasoline engine. Extended-range mode enables a total driving range of more than 500 kilometers without refueling.

The Ampera and Volt together have won numerous international awards including the “World Green Car of the Year 2011” and have just been named the European “Car of the Year 2012”. There have also been accolades for safety like the maximum 5-star Euro NCAP award. Last year, the propulsion system of the Volt was named one of the ten best engines for North America by Ward’s automotive magazine.

New Opel Zafira Tourer 1.6 CNG Turbo

• 1.6 liter CNG Turbo ecoFLEX with 110 kW/150 hp, only 129g/km CO₂
• 530 kilometers CNG range with full 7 seat configuration
• Innovative light weight gas tank system now enables 25 kg CNG capacity

Shortly after the Zafira Tourer’s world premiere at the 64^th Frankfurt Motor Show, Opel is broadening the spectrum of its new compact monocab with highly efficient and environmentally friendly alternative propulsion. In January 2012, the new natural gas ecoFLEX version with a best-in-class CNG range of up to 530 km – well beyond the 500 km mark - will be added to the powertrain portfolio of Opel’s flexibility master. Like the previous model, the Zafira Tourer features Opel’s Monovalent^Plus system and has a 14 liter gasoline reserve, giving it an extra 150 km range. 

Opel Zafira Tourer 1.6 CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) Turbo ecoFLEX has 110 kW/150 hp, 210 Nm of torque and reaches a top speed of 200 km/h. The vehicle only uses 4.7 kilograms (7.2 m³) of natural gas per 100 kilometers in the combined cycle which is at least 6% better than the predecessor Zafira CNG model. CO₂ emissions were reduced to 129 g/km (predecessor: 139 g/km), thereby fulfilling the Euro 5 norm. However, the 1.6 liter engine can also run on biogas or a mixture of natural gas and biogas. In the case of 100% biogas propulsion, the carbon foot print is almost zero. 

The extended CNG range of the seven-seat vehicle represents an improvement of around 25% on its predecessor. These enhancements have been mainly achieved with a new light weight gas tank system providing an increased CNG capacity of now 25 kg (predecessor: 21 kg) and an optimization of the drivetrain. 

Prices for the Zafira Tourer CNG version, which can already be ordered, start at 27,950 Euro (recommended retail price in Germany, including VAT). CNG vehicles like the new Zafira Tourer offer significantly lower running costs than their gasoline counterparts. For example, in Germany CNG is 50% cheaper than gasoline. 

Cutting edge gas storage solution

Opel engineers increased the volume of the gas tanks to 25 kilograms from previously 21 kilograms. This has helped to boost the operative range in the CNG mode by around 25% to 530 km. Rather than using conventional steel gas cylinders, the engineers opted for state-of-the art composite material including carbon fiber. The use of this lightweight material resulted in a weight saving of 85 kilograms.

Another important innovation that has further increased the range is the use of electronic pressure regulators rather than mechanical ones, as it was the case in the Zafira CNG predecessor model. The electronic regulators ensure that when the gas cylinders are almost empty, even small remaining reserves can be efficiently exploited. In the seven seat configuration, the Zafira Tourer CNG has a clear advantage over its competitors in terms of operating range.

Monovalent^Plus concept for maximum efficiency and everyday suitability

Opel was the first manufacturer to optimize engines for the use of natural gas by employing the clever Monovalent^Plus system. Under the tried and tested concept the engine has been optimized to use CNG but the vehicle also holds a 14 liter auxiliary gasoline tank. When the CNG tanks are empty, the vehicle automatically starts utilizing the gasoline reserves.

On the engine side, the optimization includes several measures: as natural gas has an anti-knock resistance of up to 130 octane, compression can be increased, yielding greater efficiency. The increase in the compression ratio is also supported by a piston specially designed for use with natural gas. The cylinder selective sequential injection, with an injection block and four injectors for natural gas and gasoline, also permits precision control of the injection timing and quantity. This reduces harmful emissions, leading in turn to especially clean exhaust gases. 

Opel Zafira: The flagship CNG vehicle

Since launching its first CNG vehicle in 2001, Opel has sold more than 70,000 CNG powered vehicles throughout Europe, including the Zafira, the Astra Caravan and the Combo. More than two-thirds of total CNG sales are for the Zafira. This makes the Zafira the undisputed bestseller and flagship of Opel’s CNG offering. Opel has consistently been in the top three manufacturers in terms of total European sales in the CNG segment.

While the Opel Zafira 1.6 Turbo CNG version is still available, the new Opel Zafira Tourer 1.6 CNG Turbo ecoFLEX takes the Opel CNG offer up-market. The new Opel Zafira Tourer offers a perfect blend of functionality and comfort. It brings the Insignia values to the monocab segment – premium qualities, innovative technologies, sculptural and dynamic design. With an extensively redesigned Flex7 seating system, the new Zafira Tourer now sets novel standards in interior flexibility and atmosphere.