Kings of Aerodynamics: New Opel Astra Shares Calibra’s Crown

• Most aerodynamic: New Opel Astra hatchback and Sports Tourer lead their class
• Active full-face shutter: front grille opens and closes according to driving conditions
• Smooth airflow: aerodynamically optimized underbody for even lower drag
• IAA star: New Opel Astra makes world premiere at Frankfurt International Motor Show

New Opel Astra, which will make its world premiere at the IAA Frankfurt International Motor Show (public days September 12-22), has joined the legendary Opel Calibra and the Opel Insignia as the most aerodynamic automobiles the German carmaker has ever produced. With a drag coefficient of 0.26 for the Opel Astra hatchback as well as the Sports Tourer estate, the new compact Opel belongs to the most aerodynamic cars in its class. Drag has a major influence on fuel consumption. Aerodynamic efficiency is therefore key to reducing CO2 emissions.

Opel Calibra

As the king of aerodynamics, Opel Calibra has worn the crown for almost 30 years. With a drag factor of 0.26 Cd, the sleek coupé makes no secret of its wind-cheating talents; but the new Astra’s equally low drag has been reached by the optimization of details that are less obvious to the naked eye. Current model, which made its world premiere at the IAA in 2015 and was elected European Car Of The Year the following year, already has a low drag coefficient of 0.29. When it came to the development of the new Astra, the engineers in Rüsselsheim refused to rest on their laurels. Instead they gave themselves an ambitious new goal – class-leading aerodynamics for both the hatchback and the Sports Tourer estate versions of the compact bestseller.

New Opel Astra  Sports Tourer 

Using the Stuttgart University wind tunnel operated by the Research Institute of Automotive Engineering and Vehicle Engines, the development team concentrated on optimising the current Astra’s already excellent aerodynamics for the new model.

An automobile produces 40 to 50 per cent of its total aerodynamic drag in and around the underbody, the wheels and the wheel arches. Opel engineers therefore focussed much of their attention on these areas. They also formed a special cross-functional task force to develop a new full-face active shutter.

New Astra’s full-face active shutter further improves fuel efficiency by closing the top as well as the bottom of the grille. By combining thermal, electrical and aerodynamic considerations, intelligent control strategies for opening and closing the upper and lower portions of the grille – even independently from each other – can enable highly efficient driving under a variety of real-life conditions. For example, a ten per cent cut in drag results in a fuel consumption reduction of around two per cent in the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), or up to five per cent when driving at 130 km/h.

Reduction in drag achieved by the full-face active shutter alone lowers CO2 emissions of the new Astra by up to 2.0 g/km.

Full-face active shutter: Thermal as well as aerodynamic benefits

The full-face shutter also delivers thermal advantages by delaying cooling down after switching off the engine, or by accelerating the engine warm-up after a cold start, which especially in winter provides significant benefits in fuel consumption and cabin heating comfort.

Despite the apparent simplicity and logic of the solution, the full-face active shutter represents a significant challenge for designers and engineers: they need to consider numerous factors, including not only styling, packaging, and pedestrian protection, but also insurance ratings, engine and transmission types, their corresponding thermal management and, of course, cooling requirements.

Underbody airflow-improvements include a cover under the engine and transmission, panels at the front of the floor, an enlarged fuel tank heat-shield that doubles as an air deflector, ride-height lowered by up to 10mm, depending on the model variant, and aerodynamically shaped control arms at the rear axle.

In total, the aerodynamic optimization of the new Opel Astra saves 4.5g of CO2 per kilometre in the WLTP cycle. In the context of increasingly strict CO2 standards, this is a hugely important saving: as of 2021, an average CO2 emissions target of 95 grams CO2 per kilometre for the new car fleet will apply in the European Union.

IAA star 1989: World premiere for aerodynamics champion Opel Calibra

New Opel Astra makes its world premiere at the IAA exactly thirty years after the Opel Calibra. Following the start of production in 1990, the two-door coupé from Rüsselsheim ruled for ten years as the most aerodynamic production car in the world, with a drag coefficient of only 0.26. Opel Calibra owed its reign to its long, low profile and a host of aerodynamic tweaks, such as optimum height of the front spoiler and the inward tapering of the rear end. Rocker mouldings between the front and rear wheels further reduced drag by preventing the air flowing underneath the car from spilling outward.

Aerodynamics champion: Opel Calibra

Opel Calibra was the most successful sports coupé of the 1990s, more than 238,600 units were produced between 1989 and 1997. The Calibra was available with a total of five power outputs, ranging from the 85 kW (115 hp) 2.0 litre to the 150 kW (204 hp) turbo. Highlight of the Calibra’s career in motor sport was victory in the 1996 International Touring Car championship.

ITC champion Manuel Reuter in Opel Calibra on the Hockenheimring track, May 1996. 

!NEW! Opel Increases European Sales by Four Percent in 2016

·  Highest sales in five years: Increase of around 46,000 units

·  Car of the Year 2016: Opel/Vauxhall Astra bestselling model

·   7 in 17: Further growth expected this year thanks to model offensive

Car of the Year: Opel’s success in 2016 was driven by the Opel Astra.

Opel/Vauxhall have once again significantly increased annual sales. According to provisional data, the Rüsselsheim-based carmaker sold approximately 1.16 million units in 2016. This is a year-on-year increase of some 46,000 vehicles or four percent and is the highest sales volume since 2011.

Overall Opel managed to increase sales in 18 of 22 markets including, amongst others, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands and Poland. Market share was also up in twelve markets. Opel/Vauxhall’s market share of the overall European market was almost unchanged at 5.73 percent. Significantly lower sales volumes in the United Kingdom following the Brexit vote offset the market share increase on numerous European markets.

The new Opel Astra was the main driver of the increase in sales across Europe. The European “Car of the Year 2016” was newly registered more than 285,000 times – up over 25 percent from the previous year. It therefore claimed the accolade of being Opel’s bestselling model.

“We held our own well and increased our sales in a difficult environment in 2016. We are optimistic for 2017. We will continue our growth course thanks to our product offensive with attractive new models. We will be well-placed in the growing CUV segment thanks to our new Opel Crossland X and Opel Grandland X models,” said Vice President Sales & Aftersales Peter Christian Küspert.

Opel is currently in the middle of the biggest model offensive in its history and will bring 29 new models to market from 2016 through 2020, seven of which in 2017 alone. Therefore, this year has been placed under the motto “7 in 17”.

In addition to the new generation of the Insignia flagship, which will be available as a five-door sedan (Opel Insignia Grand Sport), as a station wagon (Opel Insignia Sports Tourer) and a crossover version (Opel Insignia Country Tourer), the company will also launch two models in the fast-growing CUV segment (Crossover Utility Vehicles) – the Crossland X and the Grandland X. Furthermore, spring will see the arrival of the Opel Ampera-e electric car – a true range champion. The 2017 model offensive will be completed by an especially attractive variant of the Opel Vivaro.

!NEW! In Final Development Stage: All-New Opel Insignia Grand Sport

• Today: Elegant, athletic silhouette discernable despite camouflage

• Future: Opel flagship with all-new architecture and top technologies

• In March: World premiere at Geneva Motor Show 2017

Final development phase: Opel Insignia Grand Sport is still heavily camouflaged. Opel’s new flagship will celebrate its world premiere at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show. 

All-new Opel Insignia Grand Sport is currently completing its final development phase. Even though the next generation of Opel’s flagship still hides its elegance from inquisitive eyes with extensive camouflage, the five-door sedan’s new grandeur is clearly distinguishable. The Opel Insignia Grand Sport is based on a completely new architecture and has a considerably longer wheelbase (over nine centimeters longer). But thanks to markedly shorter front and rear overhangs, it is only 5.5 centimeters longer than its predecessor. The one-centimeter wider track and three-centimeter lower roofline emphasize the Insignia Grand Sport’s dashing presence. 

Longer wheelbase, shorter overhangs: Reworked proportions give new Opel flagship, Insignia Grand Sport, a more athletic presence than ever before.

These altered proportions give the next generation of Opel’s flagship a look that is more athletic and striking than ever before. But the Insignia Grand Sport doesn’t simply look more athletic – it delivers on this sportiness too. Space efficiency and weight-savings were at the top of engineers’ specifications: by using lightweight materials, they were able to shave up to 175 kilograms off of the new model generation. Optimized packaging allows for a roomier interior and of course a great range of top technologies is on board.

New presence: Elegant and athletic silhouette of Opel’s future flagship, the Insignia Grand Sport, is clearly visible despite the camouflage. 

“The name Opel Insignia Grand Sport says it all. It reflects the efficient dynamics of a Monza Concept as much as it does our pride in the magnificent Opel classics Kapitän, Admiral and Diplomat,” says Opel Group CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann. 

“Our future flagship represents a new dimension – elegance, lightness and sportiness blend to create an extremely attractive combination.”

Lightweight athleticism: New Insignia Grand Sport shows true grandeur – despite being up to 175 kilograms lighter that the outgoing model.

With the new Opel Insignia Grand Sport, the company is starting the next chapter in the history of its top-of-the-line models. In 2008, the predecessor founded a new Opel era in terms of development and design – and was a huge hit with the public: to date, over 900,000 Insignia cars have been sold and it was named “Car of the Year” in 2009.

At the 2013 IAA, Opel gave a glimpse into the future of the automobile with the visionary Monza Concept Study: light, athletic, efficient and with top connectivity – this is what defines future Opel cars.

The new Astra, which was promptly named “Car of the Year 2016”, follows this philosophy. With the Insignia Grand Sport, Opel now launches another potential successful model that consistently realizes these standards.

The Insignia Grand Sport consistently continues the approach, which Opel began in the compact class with the youngest Astra generation and now takes to the next level. The newcomer is slightly larger than the current Insignia on the outside but this leads to a noticeable increase in spaciousness on the inside, putting it in a higher league in terms of size, roominess and comfort. Even as innovative technologies underline the future top-of-the-line Opel model’s ambitious standards, the company remains true to its philosophy: mobility and trend-setting developments must remain affordable and accessible for a broad audience. The Insignia Grand Sport thus represents the chic alternative to considerably more expensive cars.

The official world premiere of the Opel Insignia Grand Sport takes place in March 2017 at the Geneva Motor Show.

!NEW! Opel Astra Named as South African Car of the Year Finalist

 Opel Astra, the reigning European Car of the Year, has been selected as a finalist for the 2017 Wesbank South African Car of the Year (COTY) competition. This is the second successive year in which an Opel has been named COTY finalist in South Africa after Opel ADAM and Opel Corsa were voted as finalists last year.

Opel Astra which was launched in South Africa in April this year has received great accolades from local as well as international media. Packed with segment leading safety, infotainment and driver aid technology, the Opel Astra is a game changer in the mid-size hatchback segment giving buyers access to technology usually reserved for luxury vehicles.

“We’ve won the big European prize and it would be a real honour to add the local trophy to our cabinet,” commented Brian Olson, vice president vehicle sales, service, and marketing GM Sub-Saharan Africa. “There’s no doubt that Europe’s top automotive communicators found the Astra to be the best of the best and we hope that evaluators from the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists reach the same conclusion. Local customers have certainly recognized the Astra as the best in its class, so far demand has far outstripped supply with the new Astra achieving its best market share in 20 years”

Of course, COTY success is not new to the Opel brand, both here and abroad. In 1985 a previous Astra generation was the European COTY, while on the local front Opel products were chosen by the SAGMJ evaluators as their benchmark car in 1991, 1994 and 1995.

Past and present Opel Astra models clearly have got what it takes to win. The current Opel Astra has averaged close to 100 units a month since launch, and holds about 10 percent of the C-segment hatchback market share, April to August.

The SAGMJ COTY jury will evaluate the Opel Astra and the other finalists in early February 2017, with the winner announced on 15 March 2017.

!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! Opel Germany Reports Best First Quarter in Five Years

• Passenger car market share grew to 7.5 percent from January to March
• Opel Astra success story: Already more than 140,000 orders in Europe

Opel Astra success story: Already more than 140,000 orders in Europe.

Thanks to its successful model offensive, Opel has started this year on its domestic German market stronger than in the last five years. In the first quarter, the Rüsselsheim automaker increased passenger car sales by around 7,500 units or 14.5 percent to 59,000 cars. So in the first three months of the year, Opel’s growth was more than three times that of the overall German passenger car market, which only reached a plus of 4.5 percent. Opel’s market share increased between January and March by about 0.7 percentage points to around 7.5 percent. With this, Opel recorded the best first quarter since 2011 both in terms of market share and volume.

Following strong growth in January and February, Opel continued its upward trend in March and increased both sales and market share. Sales volume last month grew by around 1.3 percent to about 23,400 units, while the overall German passenger car market was practically stagnant with a total increase of just 41 units.

The strong start to the year was again mainly due to the high demand for Europe’s “Car of the Year 2016”, the new Opel Astra. Over 7,200 units of the current generation of the five-door model were sold in the first quarter – a plus of more than 80 percent compared to sales of the predecessor model during the same period last year.

The station wagon variant, the Opel Astra Sports Tourer, makes its premiere at German dealerships on Saturday, April 9. 

More than 140,000 orders have already been received in Europe for the new Opel/Vauxhall Astra.

Another success story was Opel’s flexibility champion Meriva, which recorded strong growth of nearly 19 percent. With more than 4,000 units sold, it was number one in the MPV B segment, just like the Opel Mokka in the SUV B segment. Sales of the Opel Zafira Tourer family van grew by an impressive 16 percent

!NEW! Strong February for Opel: Sales Increase of more than 28 Percent

• Market share in Germany now at 7.7 percent
• Best February market share for Opel since 2012
• Opel Astra leads the way with more than 130,000 orders across Europe

Driving force: New Opel Astra is well received by the customers and registered a year-on-year sales increase of 84 percent in February.

Opel registered its second record-breaking month in a row on the German market in February. The brand’s passenger car sales were up by over 28 percent to 19,160 units compared to the same month of last year. The Rüsselsheim-based carmaker thus outgrew the overall market significantly with overall figures increasing by over 12 percent. Opel’s market share increased by around 1 percentage point to 7.7 percent – the best February result since 2012. Opel recorded an overall increase of more than 25 percent (or 7,200 units) in the first two months of 2016, outgrowing the overall market threefold (increase of 7.8 percent). Opel’s market share grew by over 1 percentage point to 7.6 percent in this period.

The strong performance in February is once again based on the high demand for the new European “Car of the Year” – the new Opel Astra. The latest generation compact car was sold more than 2,300 times in February – an increase of around 84 percent compared to the performance of the previous model last year. Across Europe Opel has already received around 130,000 orders for the bestseller.

The Opel Corsa was also a guarantee for success. Sales for it were up 29.5 percent in February and registrations of 4,486 units gave it second place in its segment (Car-B and KBA small car segment). Elsewhere, Meriva registrations were up by almost 22 percent. The Opel flexibility champion defended pole position in the MPV-B segment. The Opel Mokka also succeeded in holding off the competition in the SUV-B segment.

“After an already good January we managed to put in an even better performance in February. It shows just how attractive our current portfolio is. The new Opel Astra, the European ‘Car of the Year’ is exceptionally well received and registered growth of 84 percent in February,” said Jürgen Keller, Executive Director Sales, Marketing & Service Germany.

!NEW! Opel Records January Sales Increase of over 10 Percent across Europe

• Opel outgrows the overall market considerably
• Highest European sales and market share since 2011 

Huge success: Sales of the new Opel Astra were up by more than 43 percent in January.

Opel has started the year positively across Europe. New registrations of around 80,000 gave the company its highest January sales figures and market share since 2011. According to preliminary data, sales increased by 7,500 units or 10.4 percent compared to January 2015. Thus, the Rüsselsheim-based carmaker registered significantly more growth than the overall European market (growth of 2.6 percent). Opel’s market share was up by 0.4 percentage points to 5.75 percent.

Extremely popular: New Opel Astra was sold over 17,500 times across Europe.

“Our excellent start to the year once again shows that our product offensive is appealing to the taste of our customers,” said Peter Christian Küspert, Vice President Sales & Aftersales Opel Group. “The new Opel Astra is a resounding success with an increase of over 43 percent in January.

The new Opel Astra Sports Tourer and the new Opel Mokka X will continue to drive sales during the course of the year.”

Opel’s strong display in the opening month of the year is mainly based on the demand for the new Astra. The current generation, available at dealerships in most European countries during the course of November, was sold more than 17,500 times. The winner of six national Golden Steering Wheel and nine Car of the Year awards has already been ordered more than a 100,000 times across Europe. In addition, the Opel Mokka registered an increase of 5.4 percent in January and recorded sales of around 12,500 units.

Opel registered an increase in sales in 14 European markets in January including the three large western European markets Germany (+20.5%), France (+16.6%) and Spain (68.8%). In Germany, Opel posted its highest January sales and markets share since 2008. In Spain, the increase saw the company record its highest sales since 2008 and its highest market share since 2001.

!NEW! Opel Corsa E is Car of the Year 2015 for Greece

Just weeks after the official presentation to the public of Europe and the Greek presentation in Santorini, the new Opel Corsa E simultaneously won two major distinctions, one European and one Greek !

New Opel Corsa E - Car of the Year 2015 for Greece. The Jury members along with Opel Mktg and Communication Managers

This is the European 'AutoBest 2015' and 'Car of the Year 2015' for Greece.

New Opel Corsa E - President and CEO of GM Hellas, John Passadis and Communication Manager Amalia Giannakopoulou 

The President and CEO of GM Hellas, John Passadis said: 'We are very happy and yet very proud for both titles, but much more for the prize we won here in Greece, the' Car of 2015 '. The honor this distinction came from professional journalists - members of the institution, who appreciated the technological innovations that brings the new Opel Corsa E, safety, premises and performance of new engines. The new Opel Corsa E will continue to be best seller in both Greece and the rest of Europe'.

New Opel Corsa E - Car of the Year 2015 for Greece