!NEW! Opel IntelliLux LED Matrix Light: “SAFETYBEST 2015”

AUTOBEST jury gives award for safety technology in new Opel Astra

IntelliLux LED^® Matrix light offers permanent, glare-free full beam

Light system more intense and durable than conventional headlights

Newcomer takes first place: New Opel Astra has won the “SAFETYBEST 2015” award with its adaptive IntelliLux LED® matrix light system.

To each saint his candle: All-new Opel Astra has won the “SAFETYBEST 2015” award with its trendsetting adaptive IntelliLux LED® matrix light system. The AUTOBEST jury consisting of specialized independent journalists from 26 European countries awards the prize. The opinion of the jury was: “The Matrix light technology is a breakthrough in car lighting systems. After extensive tests performed by many of the AUTOBEST Jury members, the system proved to be so effective it earned the nickname ‘magic’.” By winning the award, the new Astra is continuing the success of the new Corsa, which was named the AUTO “Best Buy Car of Europe for 2015”:

IntelliLux LED®: Full-LED Matrix Light of the next generation enables driving with glare-free high beams and is available in the compact class for the first time in the new Opel Astra. 

The groundbreaking IntelliLux LED® matrix light system enables driving with glare-free high beams and will be available in the compact class for the first time in the Astra at a precisely calculated surcharge comparable to that of conventional adaptive lighting systems. The IntelliLux LED® matrix light is much more than a pure LED high beam as offered by competitors. The intelligent and dynamic system automatically adapts to the current traffic conditions and always offers the best possible illumination. With the introduction of the powerful LED matrix light, Opel is making state-of-the-art light technology previously only available in more expensive luxury class vehicles available to a wider audience.

Award winning: New IntelliLux LED® Matrix system automatically and constantly adapts the length and distribution of the light beam to every traffic situation.

“We are democratizing technology by making innovations affordable and bringing them to high volume vehicles. Our new LED matrix light, IntelliLux, is a perfect example. Our integration of the LED Technology provides outstanding night time performance enhancing safety for the driver and those around them,” said a jubilant Charlie Klein, Vice President Vehicle Engineering at Opel.

Does not dazzle: When Opel IntelliLux detects light sources from oncoming or preceding traffic, individual LEDs in the relevant zone are deactivated, simply “cutting out” the area around the vehicles. The rest of the road and its surroundings remain brightly illuminated.

However, that is not all. The overall package of ultra-modern technologies, outstanding comfort and athletic design is also convincing. The Opel newcomer is also one of five finalists competing for the AUTOBEST “Best Buy Car of Europe for 2016” award.

!NEW! AGR Ergonomic Wellness seats for All-New Opel Astra

• Art of German engineering: All-new comfort seats from Opel
• Unique in compact class: With massage and memory function, plus much more
• Tradition at Opel: AGR (Campaign for Healthier Backs) seal of approval
• Attractive offer: Ergonomic AGR driver’s seat already available from 390 euros

Unique in the compact class: Beyond being 18-way adjustable including side bolster adjustment, the Astra seats are now optionally available with massage and memory function along with ventilation.

The new Opel Astra celebrates its world premiere at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt this fall (September 17 – 27, 2015), but it is already clear today: never before has there been so much luxury in the compact class. The Astra is lighter, more efficient and offers state-of-the-art features; thanks to its advanced seating technology, it makes every drive a relaxing journey. AGR (Campaign for Healthier Backs) certified premium Opel ergonomic seats provide excellent long-distance travel seating comfort. They continue the Opel tradition of award-winning, back-friendly seats. Beyond being 18-way adjustable including side bolster adjustment, they are now optionally available with further comfort features such as massage and memory function along with ventilation – a unique combination in the compact class. Rear seat passengers can also look forward to more luxury – in addition to more legroom, heated outer rear seats are optional. Astra customers can treat themselves to these luxury seats that are completely developed in-house at Opel for very attractive prices – the driver’s seat with the AGR seal of approval is already available from 390 euros.

Ergonomic AGR driver’s seat is already available from 390 euros.

“Seating is among the most important elements in a vehicle as it delivers safety, comfort, and design. It is one of the reasons we place such a high priority- with the support of our partners- on the development of our seating systems," says Charlie Klein, Vice President Vehicle Engineering at Opel. "The new Opel Astra seats continue to deliver on the promise of excellence and are a reflection of the skill and commitment of our engineers and designers. The Astra seats provide advanced features in the compact segment that are normally found only in the premium class."

Lightweight: Seat alone ten kilos lighter

Development of the seating environment in the new Astra already began nearly five years ago for the over 100 employees in the team of experts. “Especially integration of the relatively bulky seats must be considered from the very beginning. This means the seats have to fit into the car accurately to the last millimeter – in every direction,” says Andrew Leuchtmann, Senior Manager GME Interiors. A very challenging task, as the seat components are one of the car’s largest parts. Seat production alone accounts for around ten percent of the total production costs of a new car model.

At the same time, the seats have a large impact on total weight. That is why for their new development, the engineers first had to minutely examine all single elements of the Astra comfort seats that come as standard. “Compared to the predecessor, not one single part is identical,” says the expert. In order to offer rear seat passengers 35 millimeters more legroom, the seat back of the new comfort front seat was made much more compact. State-of-the-art calculation methods enable this, as do lighter polyurethane foams and ultra-high-strength steels that are built in under the seat upholstery. “So the new seats are around ten kilos lighter than those in the previous model,” explains Leuchtmann. This is not only true for the driver and co-driver seats – the new Astra’s rear seats are also lighter and more compact, their contouring was optimized and thigh support was enhanced with a steeper seat tilt.

AGR seal of approval for ergonomic seats

“In-vehicle ergonomics is more than just the seat contouring, it already begins with the positioning of the seat in the car,” says Leuchtmann. The Opel experts also further optimized the Astra comfort seat in this regard, positioning it lower. “This especially accommodates taller drivers with a sporty driving style,” he explains. Thanks to a 65-millimeter height adjustment span – the largest in the segment – shorter drivers are also guaranteed an optimum seating position. With the optional premium ergonomic seat’s memory function, this can even be saved at the press of a button. This is ideal for fleet vehicles with the same group of drivers or couples who share the new Opel Astra. The base version of the optional ergonomic seats comes with four-way electropneumatically adjustable lumbar support (forwards, backwards, up and down), variable seat cushion tilt, cushion length adjustment and a seat form with contours that adapt to the natural curvature of the spine. The premium ergonomic seats also feature electropneumatically adjustable side bolsters that support the body by making the seatback narrower or wider. All these exemplary ergonomic elements made it clear to the AGR (Campaign for Healthier Backs), an independent association of doctors and experts dedicated to preventing back problems, that the new Astra also deserves the AGR seal of approval.

Wellness massage, climate control and heating included

Seats should not only keep drivers securely in place, they should also keep them warm or cool depending on the prevailing conditions. The new Astra comfort seat features passive climate control, meaning breathable surface fabrics and perforated polyurethane foams that considerably improve transporting away moisture and thereby the micro climate in the seat. The new Astra’s premium ergonomic seats can do both – keep warm and cool. Small fans suck air, and thus the moisture that develops when someone is in the seat, away from the body. In the winter, integrated seat heating keeps the driver and co-driver as well as both outer rear seat passengers comfortably warm. Those who want to turn their car into a wellness mobile on longer journeys can enjoy a massage at the push of a button – and arrive at their destination even hours later relaxed and free of aches or pains.

Opel Signum (2003)

Opel Signum (2003) - First Opel with Ergonomic AGR seat.

Opel is the leading volume manufacturer of ergonomic seats with the AGR seal of approval. The first ergonomic Opel seat was introduced with the Signum in 2003. Today, in addition to the new Astra, the certified and popular seats can be ordered for many Opel models including the Insignia, Meriva, Zafira Tourer, Mokka and Cascada. “We want to really speed up the democratization of good seats – more Opel models with AGR seats will follow,” promises Andrew Leuchtmann.

!NEW! Charlie Klein and Carsten Wreth to strengthen Opel Group Top Management Team

The Opel Group continues to strengthen its top management team. Effective January 1, 2015, Charlie Klein (54) currently Executive Chief Engineer, Vans, Light Commercial Vehicles and Alliance Programs, is appointed Vice President Vehicle Engineering, Europe. Charlie Klein will replace Mike Ableson who is moving back to the US and will become Vice President of Global Product Planning and Program Management at General Motors. Charlie Klein will report to Ken Kelzer, Vice President, Global Vehicle Components and Subsystems and to Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann, GM Executive Vice President and Head of the Opel Group. He will also replace Mike Ableson as a Member of the Board for Adam Opel AG.

Charlie Klein, Vice President Vehicle Engineering Europe

Dr. Neumann: “We welcome Charlie Klein to the Opel Group top management team. He has been in charge of successful alliance projects with Renault and PSA in recent years, and we believe he is the right person to lead the more than 6,000 engineers at the International Technical Development Center (ITDC) in Rüsselsheim. At the same time, I would like to thank Mike Ableson who put his stamp on the engineering work here in a relatively short time and played a significant role in the ongoing Opel/Vauxhall product offensive.”

To further support Opel’s comeback, effective January 1, 2015, Carsten Wreth (49) will join the company in a newly created position as Vice President, Customer Experience Europe. Wreth comes from Telefonica Global Services and will report to Peter Küspert, Vice President Sales & Aftersales and member of the Board, Opel Group.

Carsten Wreth, Vice President Customer Experience Europe

Küspert: “Carsten brings in 15 years of experience of putting the customer at the heart of everything the company does. He will play a pivotal role in making our organization even more customer focused.”

Carsten Wreth was born in 1965 and has a degree in Business Administration and Mechanical Engineering from the University of Kaiserslautern, Germany.