Hidden in Plain Sight: Shark-Spotting in the New Opel Astra

• Secretive sea creatures: Finding sharks in the new Opel Astra requires a keen eye
• Full of character: Compact class bestseller is sharper and more modern than ever
• Iconic idea: Shark tradition at Opel began more than 20 years ago with a boy's brainwave
• For shark fans: Customers will also be able to spot little sharks in future Opel models

With Easter and the traditional egg hunt Opel can offer an exciting alternative activity no matter what the weather – the traditional Opel shark spotting. These secretive sea creatures have been a tradition at Opel for two decades now. To delight fans, the team in Rüsselsheim always comes with new hiding places for the sea dwellers – as is now the case with the new Opel Astra. The compact class bestseller – designed, engineered and built at Opel’s headquarters – not only looks more modern, sharper and more distinctive than ever, but also has a few surprises in store.

The adaptive IntelliLux HD lighting system, featuring over 50,000 elements, is not such a surprise but rather the logical next step in lighting technology. Following its introduction in the top-of-the-range Opel Grandland SUV, it is now being used for the first time in the new Opel Astra, which is already available to order. The improved range of the Opel Astra Electric is also a logical step forward, allowing drivers and passengers to travel up to 454 kilometres (WLTP 2) between charging stops. The more modern appearance is underlined by the sharper design, featuring an even narrower and more precisely styled Opel Vizor. Additionally, both the Vizor and the Blitz are illuminated.

But whilst the new Opel Astra makes an even brighter appearance overall, the little sharks are normally afraid of the light. They feel much more at home beneath the Astra’s surfaces, which are crafted from eco-friendly materials. 

This means that the search for these cartilaginous fish remains exciting in the newcomer. A little hint: it is worth changing one’s perspective between the front seats and turning things around a bit. And in the luggage compartment of the new Opel Astra Sports Tourer, the sharks might just be ‘swimming’ at higher altitudes than expected.

Iconic brainwave: The Opel sharks story began in 2004

But how come that, for the past 20 years now, miniature sharks have been popping up in all kinds of Opel passenger cars and generating such enthusiasm within the community? A brief look back: One Sunday afternoon in 2004, designer Dietmar Finger was at home working on a sketch for the Opel Corsa D which was to be launched two years later. He was designing the ordinary outer panel of the glove box, which is mostly invisible because it is hidden by the closed passenger door. However, when the glove box is opened, this panel must ensure stability – which it does with ribs integrated in the plastic surface. Finger was designing the ribs when his son looked at the sketch and said, “Why don’t you just draw a shark?” “Why not!” thought the designer and gave the ribs their characteristic shape! The next day, he showed the shark profile to Niels Loeb and the then Opel Corsa Chief Designer was immediately sold on the idea. The shark in the glove box went into series production and the ‘Opel sharks story’ began.

Next came the Opel Zafira, where Karim Giordimaina, then in charge of the interior design, hid three sharks in the compact van’s cockpit. Further permanent ‘shark appearances’ followed, first in the Opel ADAM and subsequently in all other car models up to the current generations of the Opel Grandland, Frontera and Mokka as well as the new Astra, where several tiny sea creatures are hidden in various places.

This has created an iconic ritual. Since the mid-2000s, every interior chief designer has made sure that at the end of the development process of a new model they have at least one shark somewhere in the interior. The exact locations always remain secret, even from top management. The fish therefore often stay hidden until the launch, which makes for an interesting search for shark lovers both inside and outside the company.

Consequently, the ‘Opel shark story’ will continue. Thus, in future Opel vehicles, too, the mini predators will be making their rounds, sometimes more, sometimes less hidden. Depending on the model, they may well change their territory in the depths of the interior and bodywork. So it remains exciting for customers to see where and how many sharks they will discover in their new Opel model.

[1] A vehicle's values not only depend on the vehicle's efficient use of fuel, but are also influenced by driving behaviour and other non-technical factors.

[2] The stated range was determined on the basis of the WLTP test procedures (Regulation (EC) No. 715/2007 and Regulation (EU) No. 2017/1151). The actual range may vary under everyday conditions and depends on various factors, in particular personal driving style, route conditions, outside temperature, use of heating and air conditioning as well as thermal preconditioning.

Easter Egg Hunt - Opel Way: Find Sharks in All-New Opel Grandland

• Dive into depths of New Opel Grandland: Several sharks hide in new top SUV
• Iconic idea: Shark tradition at Opel began around 20 years ago with a boy's brainwave
• Attention to detail: Designers fill Opel's pure and bold design philosophy with life
• To be continued: Small sharks also in new Opel Frontera and further models

Many families are already to go on an Easter egg hunt together. But why should it always be the classic Easter nests in the garden or chocolate bunnies that provide surprises? Opel has a completely different, even more exciting and above all ‘weatherproof’ suggestion – and those familiar with the brand will guess what it is: Why not dive into the depths of an Opel model and keep an eye out for well-hidden little sharks? Miniature predators have been delighting drivers and passengers alike for almost 20 years now – and continue to do so in all-new Opel Grandland.

New top SUV from Opel offers plenty of everything: innovative technologies such as the adaptive, glare-free IntelliLux HD light, maximum comfort with Intelli-Seats as standard, clever solutions such as the translucent Pixel Box in the centre console and many other surprises such as the cute sharks – which appear in whole swarms in some places on the latest ‘Golden Steering Wheel’ winner 1. But you will need to do a bit of detective work to find out exactly where, as the sea dwellers are shy by nature. 

They can hardly be seen at first glance; instead, one lid has to be opened, another tray turned or the surroundings of the wirelessly charging smartphone viewed from a completely new perspective. Electrified in every variant and produced with many recycled materials, the Grandland also conserves resources in line with Opel's ‘Greenovation’ approach and thus ensures that the iconic sharks feel even more at home in the vehicle.

“The sharks have become iconic among the community. And they show the attention our designers pay to even the smallest detail,” said Design Director Karim Giordimaina. “Many customers are already looking forward to searching for the sharks when they buy their next Opel model. So, the playful sharks are also proof of how we inspire enthusiasm and emotions with our vehicles, on a large as well as on a small scale.”

Iconic brainwave: Opel sharks story began in 2004

Thus, it is no wonder that the miniature sharks have been making their way into every new model for many years. But how come that they were allowed to become a regular feature in Opel cars at all? A brief look back: One Sunday afternoon in 2004, designer Dietmar Finger was at home working on a sketch for the Corsa D which was to be launched two years later. He was designing the ordinary outer panel of the glove box, which is mostly invisible because it is hidden by the closed passenger door. However, when the glove box is opened, this panel must ensure stability – which it does with ribs integrated in the plastic surface. Finger was designing the ribs when his son looked at the sketch and said, “Why don’t you just draw a shark?” “Why not!” thought the designer and gave the ribs their characteristic shape! The next day, he showed the shark profile to Niels Loeb and the then Corsa Chief Designer was immediately sold on the idea. The shark in the glove box went into series production and the ‘Opel sharks story’ began.

Next came Opel Zafira, where Karim Giordimaina, then in charge of the interior design, hid three sharks in the compact van’s cockpit. Further permanent ‘shark appearances’ followed, first in the Opel ADAM and subsequently in all other car models up to the current generation Astra and Astra Sports Tourer as well as the new Grandland, where several tiny sea creatures are hidden in various places.

This has created an iconic ritual. Since the mid-2000s, every interior chief designer has made sure that at the end of the development process of a new model they have at least one shark somewhere in the interior. The exact locations always remain secret, even from top management. The fish therefore often stay hidden until the launch, which makes for an interesting search for shark lovers both inside and outside the company.

Consequently, the ‘Opel sharks story’ continues. Customers will soon be able to go on a shark hunt with the whole family in the new Opel Frontera. And in future Opel vehicles, too, the mini predators will be making their rounds, sometimes more, sometimes less hidden. Depending on the model, they may well change their territory in the depths of the interior and bodywork. So it remains exciting for customers to see where and how many sharks they will discover in their new Opel model.

[1] AUTO BILD edition 46/2024 and BILD am SONNTAG edition 45/2024, category ‘Best car under €50,000’.

Opel Shark Cult spreads to All-New Astra Sports Tourer

• Shark shoal: All-New Opel Astra Sports Tourer is home to several marine predators
• Cult origins: Shark tradition began with little boy’s bright idea
• Shark as symbol: Opel designers show their passion for tiniest details

All-New Opel Astra Sports Tourer

Real Opel fans immediately begin the search whenever the brand launches a new model. Not for the numerous advanced technologies included in the standard equipment, but for the marine lifeform hiding in and around the car: the shark. Miniature avatars of the creature that sits atop the ocean food chain have amused Opel drivers and passengers for years – as now in the new Astra Sports Tourer.

While the interior of most Opel models, such as the award-winning Mokka-e and Corsa-e, somewhere conceals one shark, the newest generation of the compact estate hosts several – one near the front, another towards the rear and others in more unusual places (but even Opel sharks must get their energy from somewhere). Exploring the new Astra Sports Tourer in search of sharks – for example as plug-in hybrid (WLTP combined fuel consumption1: 1.2-1.1 l/100 km; CO2 emissions 27-25 g/km) – is almost as much fun as driving it.

“Little sharks hidden in the new Opel Astra and Sports Tourer show our designers’ love for the tiniest of details”, said Design Director Karim Giordimaina. “Our customers can feel this passion and in the meantime Opel’s sharks have become a cult. This also demonstrates how approachable the Opel brand is.”

Opel Design Director Karim Giordimaina

From idea to cult: Opel sharks story began in 2004

But how do miniature sharks come to be hiding in Opel cars? One Sunday afternoon in 2004, designer Dietmar Finger was at home working on a sketch for a new Corsa. He was designing the ordinary outer panel of the glove box, which is mostly invisible because it is hidden by the closed passenger door. However, when the glove box is opened, this panel must ensure stability – which it does with ribs integrated in the plastic surface. Finger was designing the ribs when his son looked at the sketch and said, “Why don’t you just draw a shark?” “Why not!” thought the designer and gave the ribs their characteristic shape!

Opel Corsa Chief Designer at the time, Niels Loeb, was immediately sold on the idea. Shark in the glove box went into series production and the “Opel Shark Story” began. Next came Opel Zafira, where Karim Giordimaina, then in charge of the interior design, hid three sharks in the compact van’s cockpit. More followed, first in the Opel ADAM, then the Astra and other cars such as the Crossland and the Grandland SUV flagship.

In the meantime, every interior chief designer has placed a shark or two inside a new Opel model.  Wxact location always remains secret, even from Design top management. Fish therefore stay hidden until the launch, which makes for an interesting search for shark lovers both inside and outside the company.

Shark cult is set to continue with future Opel models. Exactly where they will be hiding in the car remains a mystery, but customers can already look forward to having fun looking for them.

[1] Values were determined using the more realistic WLTP (Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Procedure) test method which replaces the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle) test procedure. A vehicle's consumption, CO2 emissions and range not only depend on the efficient use of energy by the vehicle but are also influenced by driving style and other non-technical factors. The information on consumption and emissions does not refer to an individual vehicle and is intended solely for purposes of comparison between the various vehicle types.

!NEW! Opel Zafira Wins “autonis” Design Prize

• “Best design newcomer of 2016”: Opel Zafira triumphs in van category
• “Cost-effectiveness star”: Opel wins “Car Connectivity Award”
• Huge interest: 50,800 readers of auto motor und sport and CHIP have voted

New Opel Zafira received 36.3 percent of the votes and won its category comfortably

autonis – Best design newcomer of 2016: Karim Giordimaina (center), Director Interior Design, accepted the award for the new Opel Zafira from auto motor und sport editor-in-chief Jens Katemann (left) and his deputy Birgit Priemer

New Opel Zafira is already a star despite only having celebrated its start of regular production recently. Opel’s traveling lounge impressed the readers of magazine auto motor und sport and won the readers’ choice award “autonis – Best design newcomer of 2016”. 36.3 percent of the 18,300 auto motor und sport readers who participated in the online vote chose the Zafira, making it the most beautiful van in its class. Furthermore, Opel was the “Cost-effectiveness Star”, thus winning the “Car Connectivity Award” presented by auto motor und sport and computer magazine CHIP.

“Zafira’s success is further confirmation for our design philosophy ‘sculptural artistry meets German precision’,” said Karim Giordimaina, Director Interior Design at the award ceremony in Stuttgart on Thursday evening. “I am especially happy that the completely redesigned instrument panel and simplified cockpit are so well received.” Elegant interior design of the brilliantly connected Opel traveling lounge allows the driver and passengers a perfect forward visibility. All important functions such as display and operating buttons can easily be reached by the driver.

Most important newcomers of the last twelve months are eligible in the autonis awards. In total, the readers can choose between 115 passenger car models in ten different categories. The rules are simple: Every participant has four votes – two for positive and two for negative scores. The results are made up of these scores. If, for example 20 percent vote for model A as the car with the best design and five percent decide that the same model is a complete flop it gets an overall score of 15. The Zafira achieved a positive score of 36.3 whereas its closest rival came in well adrift with a score of 17.4.

Popular: Opel offer high-tech at low prices

Elsewhere, auto motor und sport and CHIP asked their readers to cast their votes for the third time. 80 potential winners and many exciting products were divided into eleven categories. The initiators of the “Car Connectivity Awards” decided to create a new category for this year’s edition – the “Cost-effectiveness star”. Around 32,500 readers and users of online media came to the result that Opel leads the way in this category and offers innovative technology at a reasonable price.

Cost-effectiveness star: auto motor und sport editor Dirk Gulde (left) and CHIP Magazin editor-in-chief Josef Reitberger (right) present the “Car Connectivity Award” to Dr. Peter Heitkämper (center), Senior Manager Infotainment & Telematics at Opel.

“Large number of participants shows just how important connectivity has become for car owners,” said Dr. Peter Heitkämper, Senior Manager Infotainment & Telematics at Opel on the occasion of the award ceremony held in Stuttgart. “Award confirms our approach of offering state-of-the-art technologies such as IntelliLink infotainment systems and our personal connectivity and service assistant Opel OnStar at fair prices, thus making them available to a broad audience.”

Fully connected: Latest generation Radio R 4.0 IntelliLink is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and enables comprehensive access to numerous smartphone functions.

Latest generation Radio R 4.0 IntelliLink, which comes as standard as of the Edition trim level in the new Opel MOKKA X for example, is compatible with Apple CarPlay (Apple iOS 8 / iPhone 5 or higher) and Android Auto (as of Android 5.0 Lollipop) and enables comprehensive access to numerous smartphone functions. Furthermore, the optional personal connectivity and service assistant Opel OnStar is available. It turns Opel vehicles into entertainment hotspots.

!NEW! Wild, Wilder, Opel ADAM: Shark Attack in Cool Lifestyle Car

• Different kind of Easter egg hunt: Where are the sharks in the Opel ADAM ?
• From sketch to series production: Sharks thrive inside Opel models
• Three’s the charm: Tiny sharks hidden in Opel ADAM, Corsa and Zafira Tourer

Be careful, there are tiny wild sharks on board the wild Opel ADAM

Be careful, there are tiny wild sharks on board the wild Opel ADAM. But don’t worry, they won’t bite – they are hidden and almost invisible in the car’s interior. While the kids go on their Easter egg hunt in the garden this weekend, ADAM owners can take a closer look at their lifestyle mini and get to know its more unconventional side. They won’t discover colorful eggs, but they will find at least two sharks – provided they look very, very carefully…

How the shark made it into Opel ADAM and co. ?

But how did sharks actually get into the Opel ADAM ? Well, since 2006, a few Opel designers have been finding discreet ways of putting shark motifs inside the cars they work on. Let’s take a short look back on the long path from the ocean into the car. It all began one Sunday afternoon in 2004 when Opel designer and amateur diver Dietmar Finger was at home working on a sketch for the new Corsa. More precisely, he was considering the rather unspectacular outer panel of the glove box, which is invisible most of the time because it’s completely covered by the closed passenger door. Dietmar’s son saw his sketch with the sharks and said they looked pretty cool. Dietmar had to smile… an idea and a new passion was born. The next day, he showed his fine-tuned shark profile to Australian-born Corsa Chief Designer Niels Loeb, who was immediately sold on the idea. The shark in the glove box went into production. It’s now a standard feature in the interior of well over two million Corsas which have been produced since 2006.

Sharks thrive inside Opel models: In 2006 the shark went into production in the glove box of the Corsa

The ‘Opel Shark’ success story continued: Niels Loeb mentioned it to Karim Giordimania, in charge of interior design for the Opel Zafira Tourer MPV, who then created three little sharks which now secretly populate the new compact van’s cockpit. They are well-hidden – after all, the Opel Zafira Tourer MPV is a serious car.

Shark in Opel ADAM

Sharks must go on, thought Stefan Arndt when he was given responsibility for Opel ADAM’s interior design development, pairing with Niels for the exterior. Given the wild nature of Opel ADAM, the sharks could be made more visible, and more fun. And they could even get a few companions. There are now two sharks in the Opel ADAM. One can be found quite easily. The other one is accompanied by two innocent fishes – but where exactly are they hidden? Well, everyone knows sharks like liquids... here’s to a fun Easter shark hunt!

Opel ADAM - Shark with two innocent fishes