Stellantis reveals STLA Medium Platform with State-of-the-Art features including Best-in-Class Range of 700 kilometers

• STLA Medium is designed to meet customer expectations on what matters most to them: Best-in-class range of more than 700 km (435 miles), charging time, performance, efficiency, affordability, driving pleasure  
• STLA Medium is the first of four global BEV platforms to be launched less than two years after EV Day presentation in July 2021
• Flexibility of STLA Medium enables one platform to host several brands’ passenger cars, crossovers and SUVs in C and D segments – the heart of the global vehicle market
• STLA Medium will be installed in several plants to support bold electrification ambition, starting with Europe

Stellantis N.V. unveiled STLA Medium, a global BEV-by-design platform with state-of-the-art features including best-in-class range of 700 kilometers (435 miles), energy efficiency, embedded power and charging power.

STLA Medium platform offers long range combined with designed-in flexibility to host a variety of vehicles and propulsion configurations in the heart of the market, the C- and D-segments, which accounted for 35 million sales in 2022 – nearly half the 78.5 million vehicles sold globally that year. Today, Stellantis brands offer 26 vehicle nameplates in those segments on a variety of platforms. Up to two million vehicles per year can be built on the STLA Medium platform in several plants across the world, starting in Europe this year.

“What we see today is the product of just over two years of no-compromise innovation to deliver clean, safe and affordable mobility, supported by our €30 billion investment in electrification and software through 2025,” said Carlos Tavares, Stellantis CEO. “The STLA Medium platform demonstrates the power of the global Stellantis technical community, delivering products that are hyper-focused on our customers and rewriting long-held assumptions of transportation as we drive for carbon net zero by 2038.”

STLA Medium is the first of four global BEV platforms, outlined on EV Day 2021, that underpin the Company’s future products and are key to achieving the bold targets of the Stellantis Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan, including reaching a 100% passenger car battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales mix in Europe and a 50% passenger car and light-duty truck BEV sales mix in the United States by 2030. Dare Forward 2030 is led by deep emission cuts to slash CO2 in half by 2030, benchmarking the 2021 metrics, and achieve carbon net zero by 2038, with single-digit percentage compensation of the remaining emissions.

STLA Medium Is Fitted to Exceed Customer Expectations

BEV-by-design STLA Medium platform delivers best-in-class range of more than 700 km (435 miles) with a Performance pack, while a Standard pack is rated at more than 500 km (310 miles) on the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP). With a useful energy up to 98 kilowatt-hours (kWh), STLA Medium is best in class in embedded energy between the wheels.

STLA Medium, which uses a 400-volt electric architecture, will deliver best-in-class energy efficiency and charging time and connectivity to a charging and services ecosystem that enhances every journey. Depending on the application, consumption can be less than 14 kWh per 100 km, which is best in class in energy efficiency. Owners will be able to take their battery from 20% to 80% charge in 27 minutes, a rate of 2.4 kWh per minute.

Vehicles based on STLA Medium will be sold globally and be available with front-drive propulsion or all-wheel drive with the addition of a second electric drive module at the rear, with BEV power output range from 160 kW to 285 kW.

Body styles will include passenger cars, crossovers and SUVs. The flexibility of STLA Medium gives Stellantis designers the freedom to create vehicles with:

• A wheelbase that can range between 2,700-2,900 millimeters
• An overall length range of 4.3-4.9 meters
• Ground clearance of more than 220 mm to ensure off-road capability and performance
• Wheels up to 750 mm in diameter, a key attribute for the platform design

Stellantis engineering and manufacturing experts focused on making installation of the modular, high-energy density single-layer battery pack at the assembly plant as efficient as possible, maximizing space inside the vehicle and improving ride and handling with a low center of gravity. Platform components, such as the cabin heating/cooling system, steering, braking assist and propulsion are designed to minimize energy consumption. Those efforts combine with extensive use of lightweight and rigid materials to optimize vehicle range and deliver exemplary ride and handling performance.

STLA Medium will deliver best-in-class battery packaging cost that also enhances production volumes. The perimeter dimensions of the battery pack are constant among the stored energy options, with common tray and cooling designs.

Future-Proof Platforms

The STLA platform family (Small/Medium/Large/Frame) is engineered to be future proof – modular and inherently flexible in wheelbase, width, overhang, ride height and suspension design. The capabilities and performance of STLA based vehicles will adapt and improve over the years with the implementation of the STLA Brain architecture, STLA SmartCockpit and STLA AutoDrive platforms – enabling over-the-air updates to software and enhanced hardware.

The engineered-in flexibility includes propulsion – front-drive, rear-drive, all-wheel drive and multi-energy – covered by a family of three, scalable electric drive modules (EDMs).

The platforms are designed with provisions for future battery chemistries, including nickel- and cobalt-free and solid-state batteries. This enables Stellantis brands to tailor vehicle capabilities for the ideal balance of cost and performance.

!NEW! Buick Introduces All-New 2017 LaCrosse

Leaner and sleeker with effortless technology

The all-new 2017 Buick LaCrosse introduces the new face of Buick, influenced by the dramatic cues of the award-winning Avenir concept unveiled at the 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit and inspired by a Buick concept from the mid-20th century.

All – New 2017 Buick LaCrosse

The LaCrosse, which goes on sale in early summer 2016, features a new grille design with a large opening distinguished by the return of a three-color – red, silver and blue – Buick tri-shield insignia, accented by wing-shaped elements set against darkened waterfall grille bars inspired by the 1954 Wildcat II concept.

2017 Buick LaCrosse with red, silver and blue Buick tri-shield insignia

Buick revealed the 2017 LaCrosse today at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

“The new LaCrosse is drop-dead gorgeous and signals the next phase of Buick’s international momentum,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Global Buick. “Its quietness, comfort and connectivity were developed to set new standards in the segment, supported by technologies not offered on competitors such as the Lexus ES.”

Longer, lower and wider than the current model, the 2017 LaCrosse is built on a stronger yet lighter structure. It is about 300 pounds lighter than the current LaCrosse – largely due to the use of press-hardened, high-strength steels – which contribute to greater efficiency and more responsive handling.

The new LaCrosse’s lower weight is also due in part to new lower mass sound-absorbing materials including a lightweight dissipative dash mat in place of heavier noise-blocking pads that  result in a new threshold for Buick’s signature QuietTuning.

2017 Buick LaCrosse - Quiet Tuning

The balance of the efficiency equation comes from a technologically advanced, second-generation 3.6L V6 engine paired with a new eight-speed automatic transmission. Standard Stop/Start technology improves efficiency in stop-and-go driving.

Additional new and enhanced features include:

• New five-link rear suspension and available HiPer Strut front suspension
• Available electronically controlled Continuous Damping Control active suspension with selectable Touring and Sport modes
• Driver-selectable Electronic Precision Shift
• An available advanced, all-new dual-clutch all-wheel drive system
• Efficiency-enhancing low-drag disc brakes with Duralife rotors
• Electric power steering system with Lead/Pull Compensation
• Easier rear-seat entry/egress
• More usable storage space
• Technologies including available wireless charging, available Teen Driver and configurable, LED driver information center with 8-inch-diagonal color display
• Perforated leather-appointed front seats with new lumbar massaging feature
• IntelliLink with frameless 8-inch-diagonal color touchscreen featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and OnStar 4G LTE with Wi-Fi hotspot integration.

The 2017 Buick LaCrosse also features extensive active and passive safety including:

• Ten standard air bags – including two knee air bags for front passengers
• Front Pedestrian Braking, which alerts drivers to and can automatically apply the brakes for pedestrians detected directly ahead in some driving conditions
• Lane Keep Assist, which provides gentle steering wheel turns – and Lane Departure Warning alerts, if necessary – to help drivers avoid crashes due to unintentionally drifting out of their lane
• Automatic Park Assist, which helps the driver parallel park/perpendicular park by automatically steering the vehicle into a detected parking space while the driver applies the brakes
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Forward Automatic Braking
• Forward Collision Alert
• Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert
• Rear Vision Camera
• Safety Alert Seat.

“We’ve blended sophisticated technologies and advanced safety systems to offer a more enjoyable and engaging driving experience,” said Aldred. “It’s a rewarding sedan for those who seek luxurious appointments, style and quality.”

2017 Buick LaCrosse - Advanced Safety Systems

New face of Buick

The new LaCrosse’s expressive exterior design creates a new proportion for a more dramatic road presence. The front wheels have been pulled forward and the wheelbase stretched 2.7 inches (65 mm), while the overall length is only 0.6 inch longer (15 mm). The dynamic proportion is further enhanced by a roofline that’s 1.6 inches (40 mm) lower than the current model.

The longer wheelbase is matched by wheels pushed outward 1.3 inches (33 mm) in the front and 1.1 inches (28 mm) in the rear, while the car’s width has grown only 0.4 inch (10 mm), creating a wheels-at-corners stance intended to convey road confidence.

“It’s a sleeker design that looks confident and purposeful,” said Holt Ware, exterior design director. “Stretching the wheelbase, lowering the roofline and making it slightly wider creates a dramatic effect that is enhanced by the design’s supporting elements such as the swept headlamps.”

2017 Buick LaCrosse - High-intensity discharge headlamp

The signature sweepspear body-side design element has been reinterpreted in a modern fashion, enhancing the car’s sculpture. The split design gives the body side a greater perception of depth, while picking up additional body lines for an elegant, uninterrupted flow from the front fenders to the rear.

2017 Buick LaCrosse - LED taillamp

The 2017 LaCrosse’s body lines are reinforced by a longer “daylight opening” – the portion of the upper body between the A- and C-pillars. They’re ringed with chrome, intended to add a tastefully restrained premium accent to the body side.

Other details blend form and function. Outside mirrors are mounted on pedestals on the doors rather than the corners of the front side windows. The design offers a greater field of view while the mirror housings were shaped in the wind tunnel to help reduce wind noise.

2017 Buick LaCrosse

Aerodynamic considerations also drove the dynamic sweep of the decklid, which acts as a spoiler to make the most of airflow over the LaCrosse. Deflectors in front of the tires help reduce drag.  

Additional exterior elements include:

• Standard high-intensity discharge headlamps, LED signature lighting and ED taillamps are standard

• Eighteen-inch wheels are standard and 20-inch wheels are available
• Active grille shutters, which open and close automatically to control airflow, reducing aerodynamic drag and improving fuel efficiency.
• Capless fuel filler on all models.

Seamless ambience, authentic craftsmanship

The new LaCrosse’s interior is designed to offer an open and inviting space for passengers – one that is relaxing, luxurious and well-connected. Sculpturally beautiful form and premium materials complement technologies developed for effortless interfacing.

2017 Buick LaCrosse - Cockpit 

It is the first Buick with a single cockpit design aesthetic, characterized by a horizontal form that sweeps across the instrument panel and into the doors. It also incorporates a “floating” center console that positions the controller for the new Electronic Precision Shift high and close to the driver, while creating storage space below the console for items such as a handbag or tablet.

2017 Buick LaCrosse - Center console

“There is fluidity in the 2017 Buick LaCrosse -  forms – a seamless ambience that flows throughout the cabin,” said Liz Wetzel, interior design director. “Like the exterior, there is sculptural beauty in the interior’s functionality, complemented with high-quality, authentic materials and exceptional attention to detail.”

That attention to detail includes soft materials for practically every touchpoint; French stitching on the seats, instrument panel and more, aluminum sill plates and wood decorative trim, depending on the model.

2017 Buick LaCrosse - Interior

“There is a handcrafted essence that is inviting and rewarding,” said Wetzel. “It is a clean environment designed to refresh and inspire.”

New and enhanced available luxury features amplify the LaCrosse’s comfort:

• Three fashion-inspired interior trim choices: Jet Black, Dark Atmosphere and Shale, and Jet Black and Brandy
• Contemporary Moon White ambient lighting
• Eight-way-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with improved heating for quicker warm-up on cold mornings and a new massage feature
• Perforated leather-appointed seats
• Heated steering wheel with power tilting/telescoping steering column
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Power rear sunshade
• Premium Bose® audio system

It also offers greater, more practical storage space and easier access. The rear doors, for example, open wider and offer easier entry/egress. The trunk offers approximately 7 percent more storage space than the current model, and was configured to accommodate four golf bags.

Sophisticated, intuitive technologies – including phone integration

As one of the segment’s most technologically advanced vehicles, the new LaCrosse offers a host of communication and convenience features designed for effortless connectivity.

The central technology is the latest edition of Buick IntelliLink, which is displayed in a new, frameless 8 inch-diagonal color touchscreen located at the center of an ergonomically optimized instrument panel. Along with the climate system and other features on the “center stack,” it was designed with fewer buttons and controls for more intuitive use.

Phone integration technology is paired with IntelliLink and is designed to display phone features users would want while driving and put them on the 8-inch display via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The features allow customers to use select smartphone apps through the touchscreen interface. Many features can be controlled via voice commands through a button on the steering wheel, helping drivers keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.

Additional LaCrosse technology highlights include:

• All-new Electronic Precision Shift – Rather than a traditional shifter, gears are chosen and engaged via a simple toggle pull. It provides smooth, precise and responsive shifting while enabling added storage in the center console.
• Configurable, high-definition driver information center – Located in the center of the gauge cluster and flanked by round instrument binnacles, it has a large, 8-inch-diagonal full-color display.
• Head-up display – This available feature offers four page views: speed, audio, navigation and performance. It also offers alerts for certain active safety features such as Lane Keep Assist and Forward Collision Alert.
• Available Teen Driver Technology – It encourages safe driving habits for new drivers by muting the audio or any device paired with the vehicle when front-seat occupants aren’t wearing their safety belts. It also provides audible and visual warnings when the vehicle is traveling over predetermined speeds – and offers a driving “report card” for parents.
• Wireless charging – When equipped with this available feature, the phone storage slot in the center console enables inductive charging without plug-ins or cables.

Buick QuietTuning process

The new LaCrosse builds on the reputation of the current model to offer an even quieter driving experience.

Additional quieting features include:

• New five-link rear suspension for greater isolation from road noise than the current four-link design
• Active noise cancellation is standard on all models
• Acoustic wheelhouse liners
• Acoustic-laminated windshield and front side windows
• Triple-sealed doors
• Improved body noise-path sealing
• Windshield wipers “park” below the hood line to reduce wind noise.

Next-generation powertrain

LaCrosse’s all-new 3.6L V6 engine with direct injection and dual overhead cams is the second generation of GM’s DOHC V6 engine family and incorporates new features such as Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation) and Stop/Start technology.

The Active Fuel Management system temporarily deactivates two of the 3.6L’s cylinders in light-load driving conditions to enhance fuel efficiency and seamlessly reactivates them when full power is needed.

With the efficiency-enhancing Stop/Start system, the engine shuts down in certain driving conditions such as at a stop light to reduce fuel consumption. It automatically restarts when the driver takes his or her foot off the brake pedal.

An all-new noise-reducing cam drive system contributes to the LaCrosse’s benchmark quietness.

The 3.6L is General Motors-estimated at 305 horsepower (227 kW) and 268 lb-ft of torque (363 Nm); and it’s matched with a new eight-speed automatic transmission.

Balanced, efficient driving experience

The 2017 LaCrosse offers enhanced capability with Buick’s first twin-clutch all-wheel-drive system. It offers better performance during acceleration and cornering by splitting torque between the rear wheels for optimal performance and uses independent clutch actuation to determine and control the amount of torque sent to each rear wheel.

2017 Buick LaCrosse - AWD Suspension

A new five-link rear suspension is the central component of the improved ride and handling characteristics. It helps reduces roll center motion, enables positive lateral control and promotes dynamic stability. In short, it helps keep the tires planted on all surfaces – and contributes to a quieter ride through greater isolation from road noise.

2017 Buick LaCrosse - FWD Suspension

At the front, a MacPherson-strut suspension is standard and Buick’s HiPer Strut suspension is used on front-wheel-drive models with 20 inch wheels. It helps reduce torque steer and maintain negative camber during cornering, improving maximum grip in all road conditions. It also improves the direct feel of the vehicle, while isolating undesirable feedback.

Available, electronically controlled Continuous Damping Control further optimizes ride comfort and handling capabilities over varying road surfaces and profiles. It’s an active suspension system that can adjust damping every two milliseconds, with Touring and Sport damping modes selected by the driver through the Electronic Precision Shift.

Also contributing to LaCrosse’s more-direct driving experience is an enhanced, rack-mounted electronic power steering system, which incorporates Lead-Pull Compensation, automatically adjusting the steering angle to account for factors like

crowned roads or high crosswinds.

Additional chassis and driver control features on the 2017 LaCrosse include:

• Low-drag four-wheel disc brakes with Duralife rotors, which offer up to double the service life of conventional rotors
• Hill Start Assist with Automatic Vehicle Hold, which can hold the brakes up to five minutes, depending on conditions
• Electronic park brake
• Shear-type suspension mounts that offer greater ride, handling and noise isolation attributes.

!NEW! Triple Victory for Opel at Ypres Rallye

• Opel teams dominate fourth round of FIA ERC Junior
• Three ADAM R2 winners – Aleks Zawada ahead of Marijan Griebel and Julius Tannert
• Bad luck costs Opel works drivers Griebel and Bergkvist near certain victory

Marijan Griebel, Stefan Clemens, Cathy Derousseaux, Aleks Zawada, Julius Tannert and Jennifer Thielen (from left to right) celebrate the Opel one-two-three at the Ypres Rallye.

Opel reinforced its strong position in the FIA ERC Junior at the Kenotek Ypres Rallye in West Flanders, Belgium. Pole Aleks Zawada and his French co-driver Cathy Derousseaux celebrated their first victory in their customer Opel ADAM R2, ahead of German Opel works drivers Marijan Griebel/Stefan Clemens from the ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team and Julius Tannert and his Luxembourgian co-driver Jennifer Thielen in another customer Opel ADAM R2. Three of this year‘s four season victories in the FIA ERC Junior have now gone to the brand with the blitz!

“A fantastic day, a fantastic car, a fantastic rallye,” said an elated Zawada, who seemed to be out of the running for victory at the beginning of the second day after his 190 hp front-wheel drive car was stuck in a ditch for a minute after a harmless spin. But the Polish-French team did not give up, fought their way back and ultimately also benefitted from their competitors’ back luck. “Luck also plays a role, and the score is settled at the very end,” said Zawada. “I am really sorry for Emil and Marijan. Both deserved to win. But I am overjoyed that our efforts resulted in victory.”

The Opel works drivers Emil Bergkvist and Marijan Griebel battled for the lead from the first kilometer before both were impeded by mishaps. First Bergkvist had to retire his Opel ADAM R2 in the twelfth of seventeen stages with an engine problem. And then Griebel, who went into the last stage with a 36-second lead, suffered a left rear puncture shortly before the finish line. The 26-year-old from Hahnweiler still managed to take his Opel ADAM R2 across the finish line on one rim, but the time loss of nearly one minute sent him and his co-driver Stefan Clemens (28, from Thailen) to second place behind Zawada.

Bad luck strikes: Opel factory driver Marijan Griebel was leading until a damaged tire on the last stage of the Ypres Rallye saw him drop to second.

Griebel was understandably frustrated: “After a few days, I’ll probably be able to be pleased with our good performance and Opel Motorsport’s superior showing in this magnificent setting in front of thousands of excited spectators here in Ypres. But right now disappointment is the overwhelming feeling. Opel’s triple victory clearly proves that especially on asphalt, ADAM R2 currently sets the benchmark in its class. So we’re going into the last two FIA ERC Junior events in Estonia and the Czech Republic with a lot of self-confidence.”

Lead defending: Opel factory driver Emil Bergkvist defended first place in the FIA ERC Junior despite having to retire from the Ypres Rallye.

Swede Bergkvist (21, from Torsaker), who together with his co-driver Joakim Sjöberg (29, from Ösmo) won the first two FIA ERC Junior rounds in Latvia and Ireland, was disappointed but composed. “We had absolutely everything we needed to win here today. But things like this happen in motorsports, and there is no one I can blame for it. To be honest, I’d rather fight to win and have to pull out because of bad luck than be too slow and finish fourth. And we still have the best shot at the FIA ERC Junior championship.”

Indeed, the ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team’s position in the FIA ERC Junior is still excellent. As only four of six rallye results are taken into consideration for the final points tally, Bergkvist’s withdrawal in Ypres could be a void result. And as his two toughest pursuers also failed to finish the race, he even increased his lead in the ranking after four rounds by two to 26 points. Griebel’s second-place finish put him in third place in the overall standings. He is currently 43 points behind his team colleague Bergkvist.

Opel Motorsport Director Jörg Schrott commented on his charges’ results with mixed feelings: “Today two hearts beat in my chest. We celebrated a fantastic result for Opel that proves that our customer ADAM R2s are just as powerful as both works cars. I really feel for Emil and Marijan. Both gave a fantastic performance that deserved a victory. Marijan really had everything under control until the last stage. But I’m also happy for Aleks and Julius, who showed that they are capable of keeping up with the fast pace at the top of the FIA ERC Junior. Overall the performance of the Opel ADAM R2 was extremely good. And we are of course happy to go into the races in Estonia and the Czech Republic knowing this.”

!NEW! Buick’s U.S. Crossover Sales Rise 22 Percent in May

Encore small SUV has best May ever; brand sales post best May since 2005

Buick Encore retail and total sales rose 22.1 percent and 20.7 percent, respectively, in May as demand for the brand’s small luxury SUV shows no signs of letting up. It made up 30 percent of the brand’s sales.

Buick U.S. sales increased in May compared to a year ago on the strength of the brand’s crossover models. Buick Enclave deliveries were up 23 percent and the Encore was up 21 percent, for its 17th consecutive year-over-year sales increase.

Buick has sold more Encores this year than any other model, accounting for 30 percent of the brand’s retail sales.  

2015 Buick Encore small SUV

“Buick was among the first to capitalize on the rapidly growing small SUV segment with the Encore, which appeals to buyers seeking luxurious features in a smaller and more efficient package,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president, Buick. “The Encore has performed extremely well in its segment and we expect it will continue to do so.”

In its debut year, Encore scored at the top of its segment in the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study – practically unheard of for a new model. In a recent owner survey, 96 percent said they were either satisfied or completely satisfied with their vehicle and 95 percent said they would recommend a Buick based on their experience with the Encore.

Autotrader.com recently named Encore one of its 10 Best Cars for Recent College Grads, citing its sleek exterior styling, premium interior, maneuverability, quality and fuel efficiency.

Earlier this year, Buick was the first U.S. automaker in the Top 10 in a popular consumer magazine’s annual ranking of automotive brands. At No. 7, Buick moved ahead of traditionally high-rated automakers such as Honda and BMW. Eighty-three percent of Buick models made it onto the magazine’s recommended list – the most for any brand.

!NEW! Opel Insignia Country Tourer: Adventurer Now With Front-wheel Drive

• Bold off-road design combined with low consumption at attractive prices
• Premiere at Brussels International Motor Show (January 16^th to 26^th)

Customers benefit from an attractive entry-level price for the Opel Insignia Country Tourer – around 3,000 euros less than with the 4x4 system.

The new Opel Insignia Country Tourer, the model family’s adventurer with bold, dynamic design and top driving performance, is now also available with front-wheel drive. The robust mid-size station wagon can be teamed with the new-generation 125 kW/170 hp 1.6 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo engine or with the 2-liter turbo diesel with 120 kW/163 hp. So Insignia fans who prefer characteristic off-road styling with under-body guards, prominent wheel-arch and lower body cladding together with dual exhaust tailpipes (with the 1.6 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo) but don’t necessarily need the 4x4 drive can choose front-wheel drive, thus lowering fuel consumption and CO2 emissions compared to the all-wheel drive version. Customers also benefit from an especially attractive entry-level price of 34,100 euros for the Insignia Country Tourer in Belgium – around 3,000 euros less than with the 4x4 system.

Opel Insignia Country Tourer now also with new 1.6 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo engine (125 kW/170 hp) 

“With the front-wheel drive Opel Insignia Country Tourer we make our mid-size model even more attractive for customers,” says Peter Christian Küspert, Opel Board Member for Sales. “Our adventurer leaves a lasting impression with its purposeful looks, and with front-wheel drive it now also appeals to Insignia buyers who want typical Country Tourer styling even if most of their driving is in cities and on the autobahn.”

With front-wheel drive, six-speed manual transmission and Start/Stop, Opel Insignia Country Tourer 2.0 CDTI consumes just 4.5 liters diesel per 100 km – around 20 percent less than the comparable all-wheel drive version. This not only has a positive impact on fuel costs, it also benefits the environment. CO2 emissions are just 119 g/km, earning the Insignia Country Tourer 2.0 CDTI the best German A+ energy efficiency label.

!NEW! Opel Antara SUV Achieves Best Fuel Economy of 6.5 L/100 km during GM China Consumer Fuel-Saving Challenge

Opel Antara SUV - Test Drive

The Opel Antara SUV made its first appearance in the 2013 GM China Consumer Fuel-Saving Challenge, which visited Shenyang on October 26. The 10 front-wheel-drive Antara owners who participated averaged fuel consumption of 7.3 liters per 100 kilometers over 104 kilometers. The winning driver, Mr. Wang Shoulian, had fuel economy of 6.5 liters per 100 kilometers.

Participants drove their Antaras on urban expressways, along rural roads and at the Qipanshan off-road test-drive venue. This complex route seriously tested the fuel efficiency, performance and overall capability of the Antara.

Opel Antara SUV - Off-road Test Drive

"I was originally attracted to the Antara by its dynamic appearance, refined interior and excellent handling,” said Mr. Wang Shoulian. “It also provides excellent safety, even on Shenyang’s snow-covered roads. The Antara’s outstanding fuel economy for an SUV is a real bonus that is enabling me to explore the city limits and beyond.”

Opel Antara SUV - Track Experience

The imported Antara is Opel’s best-selling model in China. It has a sporty exterior with chrome accents as well as a roomy interior that makes it ideal for business and family use. It also comes with a range of advanced safety features such as an upgraded ABS system and Hill Start Assist (HSA). Its electronically controlled All-Wheel-Drive (AWD system combines the advantages of Front-Wheel Drive (FWD), such as low fuel consumption, with the traction benefits of all-wheel drive. While the engine normally powers the front wheels, the system seamlessly redistributes power to both front and rear axles if inadequate traction is detected.

Opel Antara SUV - Consumers Group Photo

The annual GM China Consumer Fuel-Saving Challenge began in 2011. It was created to demonstrate how GM is addressing demand for high fuel efficiency through the products it builds and sells across China. The 2013 GM China Consumer Fuel-Saving Challenge Series kicked off on June 15 in Kunming. Shenyang was the fourth of six stops. Under the theme of “Drive Smarter, Drive Further,” this year’s activity is showcasing the fuel economy of products from the Buick, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Baojun and Opel brands. More information can be found on the Official Event Site and the 2013 GM China Consumer Fuel-Saving Challenge Weibo App.

General Motors traces its roots back to 1908. GM has 12 joint ventures, two wholly owned foreign enterprises and more than 58,000 employees in China. GM and its joint ventures offer the broadest lineup of vehicles and brands among automakers in China. Passenger cars and commercial vehicles are sold under the Baojun, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Jiefang, Opel and Wuling brands. In 2012, GM sold more than 2.8 million vehicles in China. It has been the sales leader among global automakers in the market for eight consecutive years.

!NEW! First Opel Insignia ST in China Delivered to Customer

Opel recently delivered its first imported Insignia ST (Sport Tourer) sold in China to a customer through Shanghai Trading Co. Ltd. for Automobile Import CTCAI (Shanghai Trading).

The first Opel Insignia ST in China delivered to customer in Shanghai

The Insignia ST made its public debut in China at Auto Shanghai 2013 in April. It is now available at most Opel 4S stores in China.

"Opel is a German brand with a great reputation. Its newest model in China has received many positive reviews," said Mr. Zheng, the first local Insignia ST owner. "I took a test drive. It met my needs and its handling was superior. It is a value-for-money car."

"The Insignia ST, like the imported Antara SUV, is an eye-catching model in our Opel showrooms," said Mr. Gu, Opel Sales Manager at Shanghai Trading. "Many customers have expressed an interest in the Insignia ST. The number of pre-orders is growing."

Embodying Opel's proud heritage of German engineering and technology excellence, the Insignia ST represents the brand's forward-looking design. It is powered by an ECOTEC^® 2.0 T Direct Injection Turbocharged engine that can take the Insignia ST from 0 to 100 km/h in just 8.1 seconds. Its functional people-oriented amenities include an electric panoramic sunroof, Ergonomic Sport Seats (AGR), intelligent parking assist and Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL).

Two Opel Insignia ST variants are being offered in China: the Front-Wheel-Drive (FWD) Luxury and the All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) Sports. They are priced at RMB 325,000 and RMB 375,000.

New Opel Mokka: Big on agility, low on fuel consumption

• Top fuel economy in segment for both diesel and gasoline engines
• Impressive 1.7 Turbo diesel unit among best in class: 4.5 l /100 km, 120g/km CO₂
• Sophisticated 1.4 Turbo gasoline engine: 6.4 l/100 km, 149 g/km CO₂
• German engineered chassis ensures dynamic handling and ride comfort
  
  
  

  The all new Opel Mokka SUV is offered with five agile and efficient powertrains that combine strong driving performance with fuel economy that is among the best in the SUV-B segment. Both the gasoline and diesel engines on offer ensure that the German engineered SUV brings drive dynamics and power onto the road but remains efficient at all times. 
  
  
  Opel Mokka powered by the 1.7 liter CDTI (96 kw/130 hp) six speed manual, front wheel drive powertrain only emits 120 g/km CO₂ and consumes 4.5 liters of diesel combined per 100 kilometers. The engine which generates maximum torque of 300 Nm is therefore one of the most fuel efficient diesel SUVs in its segment. Customers can also opt for an automatic variant of the FWD diesel powertrain which is unique in the segment. This version uses 5.3 l/100 km, equivalent to 139 g/km CO₂. An all wheel drive (AWD) version of the 1.7 CDTI Mokka is also available. 
  

  
  
  On the gasoline side, the 1.4 liter turbocharged Mokka variant with 103 kW/140 hp, a six speed manual gear box and AWD as standard only uses 6.4 liters combined on 100 kilometers with emissions as low as 149 g/km CO₂, so fuel economy remains high. Two hundred Nm of torque ensure that the 1.4 liter engine is responsive and agile.
  

  
  

  All Mokkas, with the exception of the 1.7 CDTI automatic transmission variant, are fitted with Start/Stop fuel saving technology. This means that urban fuel efficiency is always guaranteed, even when the Mokka is in busy town traffic. For customers who want to purchase a solid entry level engine with the Mokka, there is the 85 kW/115 hp 1.6 liter gasoline variant.

  
  

  On demand All Wheel Drive and sophisticated chassis

  Apart from Front Wheel Drive (FWD), the Mokka can be fitted with an All Wheel Drive (AWD) technology for better traction and handling. The AWD technology is efficient, clever and is only activated on demand. Torque distribution can be varied seamlessly from 100-0 to 50-50 when there are low grip conditions. Overall, the driver benefits from a system that adapts automatically to the prevalent road conditions. So even in low grip situations, the vehicle remains stable.

  
  

  

  
  

  The chassis of the Mokka ensures maximum ride and handling performance even under difficult road conditions. On the front suspension, MacPherson struts were further optimized by Opel engineers. On the rear suspension, the Opel engineering team included a U-section tubular shaped torsion beam ahead of the rear wheels. This compound crank axle is developed with two different designs to fit the AWD and FWD variants. That allows drivers to experience best possible handling and body control for every powertrain.

  
  

  

  
  

  Opel’s all new SUV, the Mokka, expands the company’s product portfolio, making it the first German brand to enter the growing sub-compact sports utility vehicle segment. Despite its 4.28 meter measurement, the Mokka generously accommodates five people in a commanding position. It also delivers on Opel’s promise to combine attractive design with innovative technologies and upmarket functionalities, making them accessible and affordable to a wider segment of customers.