!NEW! Police car-stody: Arresting Vauxhalls built at Europe’s biggest cop car factory

• Largest Police car factory in Europe opens in Luton, Bedfordshire
• 2,500 vehicles per year converted for Police, Fire and Ambulance
• 50 new jobs in Luton after production moved in-house
• UK supplier firms benefit with 90 per cent material sourced locally

Vauxhall blue light conversion centre at Luton plant 

Vauxhall has officially opened its Police car factory, the largest of its kind in Europe, at its manufacturing plant in Luton, Bedfordshire.

The factory will convert 2,500 vehicles per year, including cars and vans, for use by Police forces, and Fire and Ambulance services nationwide.

Bringing 50 new jobs to Luton, the new facility has been created after moving production in-house from its previous location in Millbrook, Bedfordshire.

Supplier firms around the country also benefit with 90 per cent of blue-light content, the materials used to convert a standard car in to a Police car, sourced locally from UK suppliers. Local firms include Border Engineering in Luton who make brackets and AV Engineering in Royston who make fascia mouldings.

An array of Vauxhalls will be converted for use by the emergency services at the Luton facility with cars including Corsa, Astra, Insignia and Mokka, and CVs, such as Combo, Movano and the Luton-built Vivaro vans.

Vauxhall is the only manufacturer to offer a one-stop shop for blue-light vehicles. Everything is done in-house from testing to converting and even remarketing of decommissioned vehicles.

Policing has changed dramatically in recent years with new types of crimes and the increased terror threat. With technology like 4G Wi-Fi and rugged Toughbook tablets, Vauxhall can offer the emergency services everything they need to stay connected on the move.

“Through our flexible production facility, Vauxhall is able to offer a one-stop shop purchasing experience to UK emergency services,” said Dick Ellam, Vauxhall’s Manager, Special Vehicles.

“We can deliver a wide choice of car and van models, specifically designed and rigorously-tested to meet the stringent demands of our emergency services. We can also supply turn-key vehicle solutions that enable rapid turnaround of replacement vehicles, plus we can now offer a unique in-house de-commissioning and re-marketing service.”

Vauxhall is the number one supplier to Police fleets with a 70 per cent market share of competitive segments.

!NEW! Opel Gains Multiple World Records After Astra-nomical Attempt

• FIA & MSA confirm that Opel/Vauxhall have set/broken 18 World and UK records
• Astra covered over 3,000 miles in 24 hours on tortuous banked circuit
• Exceptional reliability: Zero down-time for lead record car, despite 125+ mph average

Receiving the trophy and certificates for the 18 records: Volker Strycek, Head of OPC and Opel Motorsport, Alan Gow, Chairman of the MSA and Duncan Aldred, Vauxhall’s Chairman and Managing Director (from left).

Opel/Vauxhall flew into the record books today, after motorsport’s governing bodies confirmed that a recent attempt by two standard Astras to set and break 18 World and UK Speed Endurance Records had been successful. The lead Astra 2.0 CDTI 165 hp in the attempt covered a total of 3002.44 miles at an average 125.101 mph, only stopping for fuel and a single, cautionary change of its Michelin tires.

The two winning Astras make it over the finishing line

In partnership with sister company Vauxhall, Opel attempted two sets of speed endurance records at Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire, UK: 12 in the FIA’s* 1600-2000cc forced-induction diesel production car class, and a further six in the MSA’s* 1500-2000cc forced-induction diesel production car class. All 18 records (see table below) were achieved, with key records such as the World 1-, 6-, and 12-hour broken conclusively, and the long-standing UK 24-hour smashed by 25 mph.

Opel/Vauxhall invited a team of twelve drivers to complete the challenge, comprising nine motoring journalists and three Opel/Vauxhall staff. Each drove a total of four hours, split between the two cars.

Group photo of journalists and Opel team in front of record Astras

Despite circulating the two-mile banked circuit 1,500 times, both Astras proved hugely reliable and consistently quick, with the fastest two-mile lap achieved in 55.453 seconds at an average speed of 131.852 mph, just 2.148 mph below the car’s official top speed – no mean feat, given the steep banking on Millbrook High Speed Bowl’s fifth lane.

“We’re over the moon with today’s news,” said Volker Strycek, Opel Director Performance Cars & Motorsport and team captain of the world record drivers. “This was an important test for the Astra, and it proved that a car with the qualities that most motorists are after – exceptional reliability, a good performance/economy blend and long-distance comfort – can be found at their nearest Opel showroom.”

“But the attempt was also a success thanks to the stamina and skill of our driving team, who performed faultlessly through the attempt. The team’s ruthless adherence to FIA rules, Michelin’s great support and Millbrook’s efficiency and experience with speed attempts completed the picture and turned an audacious attempt into an unqualified success. Last but not least thanks to the whole Opel/Vauxhall team and especially our fantastic pit crew,”said Strycek.

A smiling team captain Volker Strycek meets his pit crew at the end of the race

A trophy presentation was made to Opel/Vauxhall by the MSA’s Chairman, Alan Gow, on the opening day of the Autosport International Racing Car Show yesterday at the NEC (http://www.autosportinternational.com/).

2013 FIA Land Speed Records

Category B Class 9 (over 1,600cc to 2,000cc): Diesel cycle engine with forced induction

Record	Date	Elapsed time hh:mm:ss.sss	Speed-MPH	Speed-KPH
10 Kilometers	Saturday 05 October, 2013	03:14.629	114,933	184,967
10 Miles	Saturday 05 October, 2013	05:02.551	118.988	191,492
100 Kilometers	Saturday 05 October, 2013	29:16.907	127,322	204,905
100 Miles	Saturday 05 October, 2013	47:00.753	127,625	205,392
500 Kilometers	Saturday 05 October, 2013	02:27:32.572	126,343	203,330
500 Miles	Saturday 05 October, 2013	03:58:41.296	125,686	202,272
1000 Kilometers	Saturday 05 October, 2013	04:55:04.596	126,347	202,337
1000 Miles	Sunday 06 October, 2013	07:58:36.097	125,365	201,755	Distance- Miles	Distance- Kilometers
1 Hour	Saturday 05 October, 2013		128,024	206,036	128,024	206,036
6 Hours	Saturday 05 October, 2013		125,418	201,842	752,514	1211,055
12 Hours	Sunday 06 October, 2013		125,103	201,335	1501,247	2416,023
24 Hours	Sunday 06 October, 2013		125,101	201,331	3002,440	4831,960

2013 British Land Speed Records

Class E (over 1,500cc to 2,000cc) – Group III: Diesel cycle engine with forced induction

Record	Date	Elapsed time hh:mm:ss.sss	Speed-MPH	Speed-KPH
100 Miles	Saturday 05 October, 2013	47:00.753	127,625	205,390
1000 Kilometers	Saturday 05 October, 2013	04:55:04.596	126,347	202,337
1000 Miles	Saturday 05 October, 2013	07:58:36.097	125,365	201,755	Distance - Miles-	Distance - Kilometers
1 Hour	Saturday 05 October, 2013		128,024	206,036	128,024	206,036
12 Hours	Saturday 05 October, 2013		125,103	201,335	1501,247	2416,023
24 Hours	Sunday 06 October, 2013		125,101	201,331	3002,774	4831,960

New FIA/MSA record holders:

The drivers listed below achieved all the above records collectively

Driver	Publication
Owen Mildenhall	Auto Express
Matthew Prior	Auto Car
Richard Aucock	Motoring Research
Alisdair Suttie	The Scottish Sun
David Finlay	Car Keys
Pere Prat	La Vanguardia
Alexander Lidl	Autozeitung
Carlos Hernandez	LUIKE Iberoamericana de Revistas ('Autofácil' and 'CAR&Tecno')
Franco Nugnes	Omnicorse
Volker Strycek	Opel
Peter Hass	Opel
Simon Hucknall	Vauxhall Motors

*FIA – Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile; MSA – Motor Sports Association

!NEW! 24-Hour Record Drive: Opel Astra is Fastest Series Diesel in the World

Two Astras attempt to clinch a total of 18 new records on high speed route

Driver teams with international journalists in record run at Millbrook

World record attempt for a series passenger car with two liter diesel engine

All results subject to confirmation from motorsport governing body the FIA

Fabulous 201 km/h average speed for Opel/Vauxhall Astra along Millbrook’s steeply banked curves

24 hours at full throttle on the Millbrook Proving Ground’s High Speed Bowl with its spectacular, steeply banked curves. Twelve pilots take it in turns to alternate driving of two series model Astra 2.0 CDTIs. A 4800 km journey with just 22 minutes downtime for both cars in 24 hours. All this produced a stunning average speed of 201 km/h, in the attempt to achieve the world record for diesel passenger cars in the FIA’s 1600-2000cc forced-induction diesel production car class.

Red thunderbolt: Astra 2.0 CDTI on Millbrook Proving Ground's High Speed Bowl

In total, Opel’s and its sister brand Vauxhall’s test team attempted twelve world records and six British National Speed Endurance Records. The 24-hour sprint included the obligatory fitting of roll cages, Corbeau race seats and Luke harnesses, then the sealing and locking in a secure compound under supervision of the sports authorities right up until the attempt. Opel/Vauxhall is still awaiting FIA confirmation that its attempts have been successful.

Teamwork: Pitstop crew gathers around the Opel racer - time for a short refueling stop

The two Astra CDTIs started out on the High Speed Bowl in Millbrook near Milton Keynes on October 5, 2013 at 16.00. Nine journalists shared the cars with three Opel/Vauxhall specialists. Volker Strycek, former DTM race driver and Director Opel Performance Cars & Motorsport acted as team captain. The previous touring car expert and race director was happy at the end of the 24-hour-marathon about the 18 new records attempted: “The two Astras were absolutely convincing at full throttle. The combination of performance and efficiency made the 24 hour benchmark possible. Furthermore, the cars didn’t need a single drop of oil”.

Weighing of Astra: Technical approval procedure underway ahead of the start of the race

Michelin was tire partner, providing Pilot Super Sports tires from the Astra’s original fittings – the same set that an Opel customer receives with a new Astra. Rig tests were carried out as well as 500 miles of testing at Millbrook during the summer in order to test their durability. Volker Strycek remarked: “We did a tire change once on each car just to be absolutely on the safe side: the stress on the suspension and tires can be intense, due to the forces exerted by the track’s banking.”

Records make you happy: A smiling team captain Volker Strycek meets his pit crew at the end of the race

Volker Strycek not only brought his motorsport expertise to the project, but he also took a four-strong pit crew to England, that serviced the Astras as if at a 24-hour run in Le Mans or at the Nürburgring. The crew undertook quick and efficient re-fuelling and driver changes throughout the day and night and it was thanks to them that the very short downtime of 22 minutes was possible.

Which is fastest?! The two winning Astras make it over the finishing line

“This is real testament to the durability, safety and performance of the Astra in extreme conditions that a normal motorist would never experience,” said Duncan Aldred, Acting Vice President Sales and Aftersales Opel/Vauxhall and Chairman & Managing Director of Vauxhall. ‘Sometimes too much focus is put on the final one per cent of a car’s handling, or its 0-60mph time, but for most buyers exceptional reliability and secure, safe handling are paramount. Above all, this test sets out to prove these virtues.’

24 hours of speed and endurance: The group has met the challenge