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.

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.

All-New Opel Astra Sports Tourer: Top Design Down to Smallest Detail

• Pure and bold: Sports estate with new expressive brand design
• Exclusive and typical Opel: First model in compact class with two-tone paint finish
• Digital and intuitive: Pure Panel powered by the Snapdragon® Cockpit Platform from Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

All-new Opel Astra Sports Tourer is a designer piece and at the same time an all-rounder in everyday life. Next generation of the compact class bestseller is the first Opel estate to be electrified and the first with the unmistakable Opel Vizor brand face. In addition, the sports estate from Rüsselsheim will be optionally available in stylish two-tone paint. Like that of the five-door model soon to make its debut at dealerships, the Sports Tourer's interior is also a leap forward in every respect. For the first time, drivers will find the fully digital Pure Panel cockpit in front of them – the next generation of the fully connected and intuitively operable Human Machine Interface (HMI). Utilising the integrated Snapdragon® Cockpit Platform from Qualcomm Technologies, Pure Panel cockpit features enhanced graphics, multimedia, computer vision and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities to provide a more integrated, contextually aware and constantly adaptive cockpit system that evolves to its passengers’ preferences.

“With its bold and pure design, inside and out, our new Opel Astra Sports Tourer makes a real statement: precise, high-quality and at the same time extremely practical. Every line, every detail has been meticulously designed. This turns our newcomer into a stylish sports estate that sparks emotions,” says Opel Vice President Design Mark Adams.

Bold and pure: Opel Vizor and two-tone paintwork sharpen the look

Like its five-door hatchback sibling, the new Opel Astra Sports Tourer has a solid, wide stance. The overall lines emphasise its sporty, stretched look. This starts with the characteristic new brand face. Specially developed for the latest generation of the compact class model, the Opel Vizor defines the front. As the central exterior design element, it follows the Opel Compass where the vertical and horizontal axes – the sharp crease in the hood and the wing shaped graphic of the daylight running lamps – intersect with the Opel Blitz emblem in the middle. Stretching across the front, making the new Astra look even wider, the Vizor also seamlessly integrates new technologies such as the optional ultra-slim IntelliLux LED headlamps and the front camera of the 360-degree Intelli-Vision system.

Viewed from the side, Opel Astra Sports Tourer looks especially dynamic. Strong wheel arch blisters give the estate a muscular yet pure and bold look, emphasising its firm grip on the road. The pronounced forward rake of the wide rear pillars accentuates the Sports Tourer’s ‘ready to pounce’ stance. At the rear, the Opel Compass is repeated by the centrally mounted Blitz, the vertically aligned brake lamp and the ultra-slim LED tail lamps featured on all Astra models.

Emotional everyday hero: Beautiful design can be this practical

Sparking emotions while offering superb practicality for customers – the new Astra Sports Tourer was designed to combine the best of both worlds. New-generation estate designers’ goal was to make it a real eye-catcher, while at the same time – like all its predecessors – fully exploit its proven strength, its suitability for everyday use.

Mission accomplished: with vital statistics of 4,642 x 1,860 x 1,480 millimetres (L x W x H) and a loading height of around 600 mm, the practical new Astra Sports Tourer further strengthens Opel’s leading reputation in the estate market sector and also displays the brand’s typical talent for efficient packaging. To keep the loading sill low, the number plate, for example, is not located in the bumper – unlike in the five-door model – but in the tailgate. This makes it easier to load the completely flat rear compartment with luggage or equipment. And despite the considerably longer wheelbase of 2,732 mm (+70 mm) that is even 57 mm longer than that of the new Astra hatchback and increases cabin comfort for passengers, all-new Opel Astra Sports Tourer is 60 mm shorter than the previous model, thanks to the particularly short front overhang.  

“Despite its compact dimensions, all-new Opel Astra Sports Tourer looks almost as long as an Opel Insignia – even though it is a good deal shorter. We achieve this visual impression by using flowing, elegant lines, combined with a distinct two-tone roof execution, which is available for the first time in the compact estate class,” says Mark Adams. Colour-contrast option for the roof and body is not only new for the Opel Astra Sports Tourer, this innovation in the compact-class estate segment also gives the newcomer an even more sleek and stretched look on the road.

Detox to the max: Pure Panel with full connectivity and intuitive operation

Pure and bold, reduced to the essentials look is also echoed in the interior. Fully digital, driver-orientated Pure Panel cockpit takes the customer into a completely new world. Human-machine-interface (HMI) offers customers an intuitive operating experience. This expansive cockpit (fully glazed depending on variant) features two 10‑inch displays, integrated – together with the driver’s side air vent – in a horizontal format. “Fully glazed cockpit surface characterises what I call 'Glass to Edge', where the glass extends to the edges of the Pure Panel. This creates an exceptionally modern and progressive cockpit look,” says Opel Vice President Design. And thanks to a shutter-like layer that prevents upward reflections in the windscreen, the design dispenses with a hood over the displays and touchscreens found in most other vehicles.

“Detox to the max” is the basic principle behind the cockpit design. Opel designers and engineers have taken great care to ensure that the driver receives all the necessary information and useful operating options, but is not burdened with superfluous data or functions. With the physical controls reduced to the minimum in the form of finely crafted keys, the Pure Panel achieves the optimum balance between digitisation and intuitive operation, detoxed of irritating visual stimuli and without the need for sub-menus. Never before has an Opel been so intuitive and easy to operate, ensuring total concentration on driving and road traffic.

Thanks to the Snapdragon® Cockpit Platform, the fully digital Pure Panel cockpit is designed to deliver highly intuitive AI experiences, supporting driver and passenger personalisation, in-car virtual assistance, natural voice control, language understanding, and adaptive human machine interfaces.

There is no need for cables in the new Astra Sports Tourer either, since the new generation of multimedia infotainment systems can be connected as standard on all model variants to wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via compatible smartphones. Here, too, the maxim was to create a clear, fully functional high-tech design that does not appear cold and impersonal, but rather conveys a feeling of security.

Opel will soon open the order books for the new Astra Sports Tourer so that customers can configure their dream vehicle.

!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

!NEW! Opel ADAM Wins “Red Dot Design Award”

Urban lifestyle car recognized for unconventional, trend-setting design

New individualization champion continues rich Opel “red dot” tradition

The Opel ADAM is all the rage with experts and customers alike thanks to its unconventional looks and groundbreaking technology. Most recent proof of this is the renowned “red dot design award” which the 37-member jury of international experts now awarded to Opel’s individualization champion.

As winner of the “product design 2013” award in the “Automotive and Transport” category, the ADAM successfully “asserted itself against extremely intense competition”. Over 30,000 orders have already been received for the stylish Opel newcomer, which captivates with “aesthetic shapes and sustainable trends” according to the experts. “We seamlessly continue our tradition of ‘red dot design award’ victories of the last years with our new lifestyle car and make a strong statement in terms of innovative power,” says Niels Loeb, Opel Chief Designer Exterior. “With our ADAM, we once again show that we can offer superb design in every passenger car segment and for every taste.”

The new ADAM is the fourth Opel “Red Dot design award” winner since 2009. Previously the mid-size Insignia, the Astra Sports Tourer and the compact Astra GTC coupé were awarded the coveted “red dot”. This is further proof that Opel’s design language “sculptural artistry meets German precision” that was introduced with the Insignia is very well received by both customers and experts.

This year there were more applicants than ever before for the „red dot design award“. 1,865 companies and designers from 54 countries presented the expert jury a total of 4,662 products in 19 categories for consideration. The award will officially be presented at the “red dot gala” on July 1, 2013 in the Aalto Theater in Essen, and over 1,200 international guests from business, politics and media are expected to attend. The origins of the award, one of the largest and most renowned design competitions in the world today, date back to 1955.

Individualization champion and best connected small car

Individual design defines the Opel ADAM – there is no other car in this class in the world that can offer more than 61,000 variants for the exterior and nearly 82,000 for the interior. These range from 12 body colors and three additional combinable roof colors to 31 different wheel designs with unique clips and details like different headliners with LED illumination.

Inside, the ADAM features high-tech innovations like the IntelliLink infotainment system that is compatible with both iPhones and Android smartphones. This makes the ADAM the best connected small car, as it also supports SIRI Eyes Free voice recognition for iPhones. The lifestyle car also boasts a host of equipment and technology options that have at best been familiar from higher-class models until now. These include the latest generation Automatic Park Assist (APA), heated steering wheel, Side Blind Spot Alert (SBSA) and the integrated bicycle carrier FlexFix – all features worthy of accolades. A few weeks ago the unconventional Opel ADAM already won over the "Plus X Award” expert jury with its operating comfort, design, high quality and innovations.

Opel ADAM with fully integrated FlexFix bicycle carrier