!NEW! Successful Opel Astra and IntelliLux LED Matrix Light Winning over Customers

• Recipe for success: Astra’s overall package wins over customers across Europe
• Shining example: System popular on the important Germany market
• Seeing the light: Technology enables permanent high-beam lighting without dazzling
• Next generation: Further development of LED matrix light coming in new Opel Insignia

Sterling display: Innovative IntelliLux LED Matrix headlights are popular with the Opel Astra customers.

Over 350,000 Opel Astra orders since the car went on sale in 2015, Opel’s bestselling model in 2016, second place in the compact segment across Europe and in the compact retail segment in 2016 and a host of international accolades including the Golden Steering Wheel and the European ‘Car of the Year 2016’ award – Opel Astra is without a doubt a real winner. Its recipe for success consists of ingredients such as lightweight construction, highly efficient propulsion systems, outstanding digital connectivity and driver assistance technologies normally only found in the premium segment. The intelligent IntelliLux LED Matrix light is one these technologies. It has not only won over critics across Europe winning various awards on the way but it has also established itself as one of the most sought after options available for the Opel Astra. Eighteen months after its introduction, IntelliLux LED Matrix light can look back on a success story only rivalled by the success of the Opel Astra itself.

In Germany, Opel’s important home market, every third Astra is ordered with the highly efficient and high performance lighting system. In neighboring Switzerland around 45% of Opel Astra buyers want IntelliLux LED Matrix light and the feature is also winning over customers in Austria with over 40% of vehicles intended for the Alpine republic coming with the innovative and affordable lighting technology. Elsewhere, IntelliLux LED is also extremely popular in Finland and Sweden (each 37%). However, even these impressive figures are dwarfed by the success of the system in Norway where a massive 84% of new Opel Astra cars on the roads are equipped with the lighting technology of the future.

“We are obviously delighted with the success of the IntelliLux LED Matrix light. It is further proof that our principle of democratizing technology by providing innovative and affordable solutions is finding its mark with the customers. I must compliment our engineers on this highly effective system that provides outstanding night time performance enhancing safety for the driver and those around them,” said Opel Vice President Sales & Aftersales Peter Christian Küspert.

Matrix system automatically adapts to every traffic situation

Light on: Consisting of 16 LED segments – 8 on each side of the vehicle – the new LED Matrix system automatically and constantly adapts both the length and shape of the light cone for every traffic situation

Consisting of 16 LED segments – 8 on each side of the vehicle – the LED Matrix system automatically and constantly adapts the length and distribution of the light beam to every traffic situation. As soon as the vehicle exits urban areas, the high-beam lighting is automatically switched on. Not only Astra drivers benefit from this – while they enjoy excellent light and visibility conditions, they do not dazzle other road users. When the camera 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. With this degree of precision and adaptation, LED Matrix light elevates lighting technology to the next level.

Opel lighting engineers have not only made an intelligent, Full LED system more affordable, they have also taken it to a new level of intelligence. As not all Astra customers opt for an embedded navigation system, the lighting system can recognize if the vehicle is in an urban area or on a highway for instance independently. In addition to the many automatic low and high beam pattern variations, IntelliLux LED also provides a special highway light mode that further increases safety at night. In addition, the system also has a considerably longer running life than headlamps with Halogen or Xenon lamps.

Added safety and comfort also coming in new Opel Insignia Grand Sport

New Opel Insignia Grand Sport with latest generation IntelliLux LED Matrix light: 32 individual LED segments – 16 per headlight – and a special high beam range of up to 400 meters.

Given the success of the system in the Opel Astra, it is hardly surprising that the company is optimistic that the next generation of IntelliLux LED lighting, which will be introduced with the all-new Opel Insignia Grand Sport in 2017 will prove to be just as popular with the customers. LED technology has developed rapidly since the introduction of the Astra and the Opel engineers have been able to incorporate 32 individual LED segments on the Insignia. As a result of the smoother transitions between the higher number of LED segments, the light patterns can be more precisely adapted. The adaptive IntelliLux LED Matrix headlights of the new Insignia therefore produce a larger amount of even brighter light.

To improve visibility still further while driving through curves on full high beam, the engineers added a new function to the new Opel Insignia IntelliLux LED Matrix headlights. The light intensity at the inner Matrix segments rises according to steering angle in order to increase the illumination of the curve. Each IntelliLux LED headlight also features a high-beam spotlight that provides additional illumination at full high-beam for up to 400 meters, further improving the new Opel Insignia long-range visibility.

Higher trim levels proving to be popular

Elsewhere, both the higher trims available for the Opel Astra, ‘Dynamic’ and ‘Innovation’, have also proved to be extremely popular with customers. Since the European “Car of the Year 2016” was launched, over 60 percent of Astra buyers have opted for the higher trim choices, giving them access to a lot more standard equipment and features that they subsequently do not need to order as an option. For example, Opel’s personal connectivity and service assistant Opel OnStar comes as standard in both of the aforementioned trim levels. Furthermore, comfort features such as leather steering wheel, adjustable armrest or fog lamps are also included.

!NEW! Things Continue to Look up: 300,000 Orders for the Opel Mokka SUV

• Bestseller: SUV is becoming a real customer favorite
• Segment leader: most sold car in its segment in Europe in August
• Squeaky clean: available with new, frugal 1.6-liter Euro 6 Turbo Diesel from early 2015

With whisper diesel from 2015: From next year, the Opel Mokka will be available with the new 1.6-liter Turbo Diesel

“Things are really looking up for Opel,” said Borussia Dortmund coach Jürgen Klopp when he drove the Mokka for the first time. Obviously, that is not just true for the company but also for the Mokka. In the two years since being brought to market, the sub-compact SUV has been ordered 300,000 times. Mokka sales even stepped up a gear in recent times. The latest 100,000 orders were recorded in the last seven months. In August, the Opel bestseller even managed to outsell any other car in its segment in Europe. The Mokka is the third most sold car in the Opel rankings behind Corsa and Astra but ahead of Insignia and Zafira.

Currently, the sub-compact SUV segment is the fastest growing in the automobile industry. Compared to last year, registration figures in Europe have almost doubled. Opel Mokka has become a bestseller without regard to national borders. The two-time All-wheel Drive Car of the Year winner leads its segment in Germany with almost 24 percent, in Austria with around 22 percent and in Finland with 27 percent. Throughout Europe, the Mokka achieved a segment share of 15 percent from January to August 2014 and ranks third.

SUV bestseller: Opel Mokka has already been ordered 300,000 times

“The Mokka interprets our definition of an exciting model with ultra-modern technology at affordable prices perfectly,” said Peter Christian Küspert, Vice President Sales & Aftersales Opel Group. “We are delighted with our bestseller amongst the compact SUVs. It is a guarantee for success and an important part of our model offensive. Next, it will be available with the 1.6 CDTI whisper diesel. That will definitely give the Mokka even more momentum.”

Refinement par excellence: New 1.6 CDTI

Opel Mokka SUV does not just impress with its stylish appearance, modern all-wheel drive and generous spaciousness – from early 2015, it will also be available with the 100 kW/136 hp 1.6 CDTI turbo diesel. Already dubbed the ‘whisper diesel’, the extremely compact four-cylinder unit will replace the current 1.7-liter diesel in the Mokka line-up. It gives more power and torque – up six hp and 20 Nm, respectively – from a smaller displacement, as well as significantly lower fuel consumption. The lively 1.6 CDTI is part of a new family of Opel all-aluminum diesel engines. 320 Nm of torque, from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.9 seconds and a top speed of 191 km/h are figures that highlight driving fun. The whisper diesel is also extremely economical and kinder to the environment: with the standard Start/Stop system, the 1.6 CDTI Mokka consumes just 4.1 l/100 km over the combined cycle while emitting only 109 g/km CO2. This is almost 0.5 l/100 km less fuel and 11 g/km less CO2 than the predecessor 1.7-liter version. This new diesel engine complies with the stringent Euro 6 emissions standard. 

Improved running smoothness, more power, better fuel efficiency: With the new 100 kW/136 hp turbo diesel, the Opel Mokka boasts a fuel consumption of only 4.1 liters per 100 kilometers 

!NEW! 25 Years of Opel Calibra: From Aerodynamic Champion to Cult Coupé

• Big splash: World premiere at 1989 Frankfurt Motor Show
• Slippery shape: Low 0.26 Cd, best value among series production cars
• Affordable dream: Thanks to volume production technology, 115 hp for 33,900 marks
• Sporting highlight: All-wheel drive Calibra V6 wins 1996 ITC Championship
• Most successful sports coupé of 1990s: 238,647 units produced in seven years

Calibra: Real cult coupés come from Opel

Real cult coupés come from Opel. Following the successes of the Manta, Opel GT and Monza, the sleek Calibra continued Opel’s winning formula when it premiered at the Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) in 1989, exactly 25 years ago. It was an extremely progressive concept way ahead of its time, with the best drag coefficient of all series production cars, independent wheel suspension and semi-trailing arm rear axle, optional all-wheel drive and ultra-modern gasoline engines with closed-loop-controlled catalytic converters fitted as standard. These attributes were recognized in 1990 when the Calibra won the coveted Golden Steering Wheel, Germany’s most prestigious automobile award.

Opel Calibra 2.0: Entry-level engine with 115 hp

The 2.0 liter entry-level engine with 85 kW/115 hp propelled Opel’s aerodynamic world champion to a top speed of 203 km/h, while the 150 hp, four-valve version went on to 223 km/h. Despite such impressive performance, the Calibra 16V was still able to return 7.7 l/100 km combined cycle fuel consumption. In other words, this was sporty looks and performance with no compromises – typical Opel, just like the low entry-level price of 33,900 marks.

This kind of value is, of course, a tradition for coupés from Rüsselsheim. The legendary Manta already benefitted from the high volume production technology of the Ascona, and the Calibra leveraged a similar gain from its close relative, the Opel Vectra. As a result, the Manta and the Calibra were both affordable dream cars that became cult coupés thanks to their successful recipe of sportiness with economy and reliability, and both are now much sought-after classic cars.

Design lesson: Form follows function

Opel Calibra: Wind tunnel testing 

Opel Calibra united exciting design with optimized aerodynamics and uncompromised everyday practicality. The wide-opening tailgate gave easy access to a versatile, 980 liter luggage compartment. And despite its coupé format, the Calibra’s long wheelbase ensured all four occupants had plenty of space and comfort. Generous standard equipment included power steering, a five-speed close-ration gearbox, a six-speaker audio system and tinted windows. Air conditioning, a four-speed automatic transmission and an electric tilt/slide sunroof were among the options.

Top priority: Safety first

In developing the Calibra, Opel engineers were already focused on pedestrian protection, a top issue today. Trend-setting features such as the slippery body shape, rounded edges, the hidden windshield wipers and concealed roof drip moldings would become part of future vehicle design.

Safety first: Opel Calibra new ellipsoid headlamps with higher light output

Electronic ABS and sleek, new ellipsoid headlamps with a higher light output, sharp contrast and reduced light scatter improved active safety. And the large, beautifully integrated front and rear bumpers were designed to absorb plenty of impact energy in the event of an accident.

The most important models: As you like it

Powerhorse: Opel Calibra Turbo with 204 hp

At market launch in 1990, a high-quality all-wheel drive system was optionally available in addition to the standard front-wheel drive for both 2.0 liter gasoline engines. The Calibra 4x4 impressed with excellent traction, superb braking stability and ultra-safe driving behavior. They were qualities that deserved even more power under the hood – and in March 1992 Opel made waves when the Calibra Turbo entered dealerships at a highly-competitive price of 49,800 marks. All-wheel drive, a six-speed gearbox, sports seats and 16-inch light alloy wheels with wide, 205/50 tires all came as standard. But the big story was the 2.0 liter turbo engine pumping out 204 hp (150 kW) with a massive torque ‘curve’ that resembled the elevated plateau of Table Mountain in Cape Town. In short, whenever the driver of a Calibra Turbo knocked on the door, there was always someone at home!

Six pointer: Opel Calibra 2.5 V6 with 170 hp

The Calibra’s Keke Rosberg Edition is, of course, legendary. Just in time for its works debut in the German Touring Car Masters (1993/94), Opel introduced  the new 125 kW/170 hp, 2.5 V6 Calibra, together with 2.0 liter four-cylinder  variants in Opel’s white-yellow DTM look. Customers who chose a Calibra Cliff Motorsport Edition in May 1996 were way ahead of the game. Its paintwork was the same as the Class 1 racing car in which Manuel Reuter would win the ITC championship – successor series to the DTM with World Championship status – for Opel at the end of the season. The street-legal Cliff racer had a 20 mm lower sports chassis, BBS light alloy wheels (7J x 16) and a price advantage of 3,601 marks.

For real fans: Opel Calibra Cliff Motorsport Edition

Grand finale: Last Edition

Just one year after its ITC success, the Calibra entered another home stretch, this time towards the end of production. After 222,000 registrations since 1990, a special limited volume Last Edition was created as a final chapter in the Calibra story. It could be ordered until the end of April 1997 and came with a sports chassis, BBS wheels, leather trim and air conditioning to provide a luxurious experience. The engine choice comprised the 2.5 liter V6 or a 136 hp/100 kW, 2.0 liter, four-cylinder unit.

Last but not least: Opel Calibra Last Edition

August 29, 1997 marked the official end of production. After seven years, 238,647 Calibras had been produced at the main plant in Rüsselsheim, and also at Valmet in Uusikaupunki, Finland. To meet high customer demand, the production run in 1990 was increased to 60,000 units from a planned volume of 20,000, with part of this being produced at Valmet Automotive.

The Calibra’s biggest markets were Germany, the UK, Italy, Spain and France. The 115 hp entry-level model led the sales charts with production totaling more than 130,000 units, followed by the 150 hp, 2.0 liter version, of which more than 61,000 were built.

Opel Calibra was most successful sports coupé of 1990s: 238,647 units produced in seven years

Fittingly, it was a black Last Edition with a 2.0 liter, four-valve engine which rolled off the assembly line as the final Calibra to be made. Today, Opel Classic enjoys showing this car at many Youngtimer events, where the beautiful coupé always ends up a crowd favorite.

!NEW! Opel and DRIVE C2X: Vehicle Communication Improves European Road Safety

• European cooperative mobility project with 47 partners successfully completed
• Car2X communication as a key tool of future traffic management
• Opel leads testing of interoperability of individual systems

Opel and DRIVE C2X: Together with 46 consortium partners, Opel has been testing the functionality, practicality and effectiveness of car2X under real conditions in DRIVE C2X, a cooperative mobility project co-funded by the European Commission.

An increase in road safety and traffic efficiency through vehicle communications (car2X) is one of the main aims of automobile manufacturers and politics. Together with 46 consortium partners, Opel has been testing the functionality, practicality and effectiveness of car2X under real conditions in DRIVE C2X, a cooperative mobility project co-funded by the European Commission. The consortium presented the results of the successfully completed project today, at its closing event in Berlin.

Opel and DRIVE C2X: Together with 46 consortium partners, Opel has been testing the functionality, practicality and effectiveness of car2X under real conditions in DRIVE C2X, a cooperative mobility project co-funded by the European Commission.

Opel has been carrying out R&D into intelligent systems for improving road safety and efficiency for several years. The communication between connected cars and the traffic infrastructure is one of the main areas of research. Car2X is a model of the future for intelligently controlled road management. In the last 42 months, DRIVE C2X has performed field tests in seven countries (Finland, France, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Spain and Sweden). The goals were to demonstrate the advantages of the cooperative systems of each project partner, to avoid risks in traffic or prevent them from happening at all, and thus to achieve an effective improvement of traffic flow.

The systems tested included not only warnings of construction sites and traffic jams, approaching emergency vehicles, weather and road conditions, but also traffic sign information and systems that optimize traffic flow at traffic lights, or give early warning of hidden dangers and obstacles. Opel not only supplied a specially equipped Insignia with weather warning; the company also led the testing of the interoperability of the individual systems supplied by the participating manufacturers.

“It was important to find out whether the various cars could even communicate with each other, since each manufacturer uses different hard and software”, explains Opel electronics development engineer, Bernd Büchs. “Field tests in Helmond, Netherlands, demonstrated that the communication between vehicles functioned very well”.

Avoiding accidents near schools: Additional warning signs can be transmitted to the vehicle via car2X technology.

The consortium tested the weather warning developed by Opel in Tampere, Finland. Sensors gathered data on along roads most affected by temperature, fog, rain or snow and informed the vehicles via car2X technology. During this testing Opel assessed the suitability of vehicle electronics systems for gathering data on risky conditions such as ice, and communicating this information to other car2X-vehicles as a localized warning.

Opel and DRIVE C2X: The systems tested included not only warnings of construction sites and traffic jams, approaching emergency vehicles, weather and road conditions, but also traffic sign information and systems that optimize traffic flow at traffic lights, or give early warning of hidden dangers and obstacles.

Seemingly trivial details occasionally delivered the biggest learnings. For example, on country roads in Germany, signs that warn of wild animals crossing the road show a deer, while in Scandinavia the signs show a moose. The electronics in each vehicle must be adapted to such differences, so that the car reacts the same way in every country. In Finland and Sweden, the authorities also place great importance on avoiding accidents near schools with special warning signs and speed limits; these additional warning signs were transmitted to the vehicle via car2X. Car2X also had to respect the various legal requirements in the participating countries. Bernd Büchs: “In France, for example, the speed on motorways is 130 km/h, when it rains it is 110 km/h. The systems must consider differences such as this, as well as the corresponding laws in other countries”.

Opel and DRIVE C2X: Sensors of the weather warning developed by Opel gather data on along roads most affected by temperature, fog, rain or snow and inform the vehicles via car2X technology.

The automobile industry predicts that car2X will be market-ready in between two and five years’ time. The priorities are standardization, vehicle integration and ease of use. In addition, the technology must be affordable for the customer, since road users will only benefit from the advantages when as many drivers as possible use the systems. The reaction of the test drivers to the technology was very positive; the majority would use the systems and would be willing to pay an additional price for them.

About DRIVE C2X:

The DRIVE C2X consortium consists of 34 partner und 13 support members. The project costs amount to 18.6 million euros; the European Union contributed 12.4 million euros. The consortium includes of automobile manufacturers, the supplier industry, software developers, research institutes, traffic engineers, and road network operators. The participants were: Adam Opel AG, Audi, BMW Forschung und Technik, Centro Ricerche Fiat, Daimler AG, Ford Forschungszentrum Aachen, Honda Research Institute Europe, Peugeot Citroën Automobiles, Renault, Volvo Personenvagnar, Yamaha Motor, Continental, Delphi Deutschland, Denso Automotive Deutschland, Hitachi Europe SAS, Neavia Technologies, NEC Europe, Renesas Electronics Europe, Robert Bosch, Testing Technologies, Vector Informatik, YGOMI, PTV Planung Transport Verkehr, Bundesanstalt für Straßenwesen, Centro Tecnológico de Automoción de Galicia, Chalmers University, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt, Facit Research, Fraunhofer Institute FOKUS, Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Saarland, Institut Français des Sciences et Technologies des Transports, de l'Aménagement et des Réseaux, Institut Nationale de Recherche en Informatique et en Automatique, Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Lindholmen Science Park, Technische Universität Graz, Nederlandse Organisatie voor Toegepast Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek, Universitatea Tehnica Cluj-Napoca, University of Surrey, Technical Research Centre of Finland, Autostrada del Brennero, City of Tampere, Hessen Mobil – Road and Traffic Management, Rijkswaterstaat, Trafikverket, EICT, ERTICO – ITS Europe, ETSI Centre for Testing and Interoperability, Nokian Renkaat.