Opel Astra F with over 1,000,000 kilometers on the clock

• Gerry Dirix, owner of a 25-year-old Opel Astra F, visits Opel headquarters in Rüsselsheim
• More than a million kilometers on the clock: it's possible!
• 31 years of Opel Astra: Compact bestseller and ambassador of innovation
• Five generations of success: Nearly 15 million Astras (F-K generations) sold

Beginning of a new era with the sixth generation of Astra, available as a plug-in hybrid, i.e. with electric drive, in two power variants.

Since 1991, Opel Astra has continued the tradition of innovation started by the Opel Kadett in the compact class. Opel Kadett brought premium technology to the mainstream and the Opel Astra - like its predecessor - has been Opel's ambassador of innovation through all its generations. The Astra gave everyone access to expressive design, versatility and dynamic handling, along with German thrills, precision and reliability. New generation of Opel's compact model, which made its debut in 1991, fully embodied the spirit of innovation that reigned at Opel. Newcomer also had a new name - Astra - and featured state-of-the-art security systems,

Opel Astra F emphasized reliability and durability. With this Astra, Opel had already taken an important step, opting for a closed circuit of raw materials with a high degree of component recyclability. From 1991 to 1997, Opel produced no less than 4.13 million Astras, making the Astra F the best-selling Opel to date. Opel was keen to point out that Gerry Dirix was one such buyer and takes great care of his car.

Gerry - immensely and rightfully proud of his car - wanted to personally present his Astra to Opel's new CEO, Florian Huettl. After all, his car has over a million kilometers on the clock and it still has the original engine and gearbox. A unique event for him and Opel!

This loyal customer is therefore called Gerry Dirix and he comes from Paal-Beringen. He is 45 years old and has been an Opel driver for decades. Professionally, he is a musician and also works in an educational institution.

At the age of 20, he bought an Opel Kadett as his first car, and his second car was a 1997 Opel Astra F, which already had 150,000 km on the clock. 25 years later, he has traveled a unique route, totaling more than 1,000,000 kilometers on the clock without any problems!

This car is still used for his daily trips.

Thanks to his calm driving style, good care and timely maintenance of his vehicle, Gerry achieved a unique performance.

He left on Tuesday, July 12 for Rüsselsheim with his Opel Astra F. "A very exciting moment that I was looking forward to," he says. “My car was ready a week in advance and had undergone a full technical check. Everything went off without a hitch, like it has for the past 25 years. But of course, I still had a little stress. An invitation from the headquarters of Opel is still something”.

Man from Beringen therefore arrived in Rüsselsheim on Tuesday evening without incident, with no less than a million and 11,000 kilometers on the clock. “A unique case,” he comments proudly.

Secret of this exceptional longevity, according to Gerry? “My car has always been maintained in an official garage with original parts. And of course the love of the driver also plays a role. Because it is and remains simple: take care of your car like a person, with love and respect”, says Gerry with great pride.

A message to which Opel fully subscribes, wishing Gerry Dirix and his Opel Astra F many pleasant kilometers to come!

Last year marked the start of a new era for the Opel brand, with the arrival of the sixth generation Astra: with the announcement of the last Astra in 2021, this successful model is now in its sixth generation . For the first time, the C-segment model from Opel will be available as a plug-in hybrid, i.e. with electric drive, in two power variants.

Opel Classics to participate in Germany’s biggest Oldtimer Rally

• Classic Opel competition cars among 197 starters of Olympia Rally ’72 Revival
• World rally champion Walter Röhrl pilots Opel Commodore GS/E and Ascona 400
• Opel Astra plug-in hybrid for organisers

Opel Classic will participate in the Olympia Rally '72 Revival, which will take place across Germany from August 8-13. One hundred and ninety-seven teams from nine nations will complete 6 daily stages between Kiel in the north and Munich in the south – a total of 2,252 kilometres. Among the starters is rally legend and double world champion Walter Röhrl, whose career took off exactly 50 years ago on the original Olympia Rally.

“We are delighted to be able to contribute real gems to this great revival with classic Opel models such as the 1971 Rallye Kadett and the Commodore GS/E Coupé. And of course, the Opel Olympia will also play a part to match the title of the rally. Just like our new Astra plug-in hybrid, which will attract attention with its bold, clear design and pioneering technologies as an advance and crew vehicle,” said Harald Hamprecht, Vice President Communications.

“1972 Olympia Rally was unique and the Revival will thrill the fans”, said Opel Classics Manager Leif Rohwedder. “Our legendary Opel cars are sure to bring back lots of memories for the participants and spectators.”

Walter Röhrl drives Opel Commodore GS/E and Ascona 400

Walter Röhrl describes the 1972 Olympia Rally as “the rally of the century. After this, nothing was the same as before.” His first works contract with Opel followed. “Under the guidance of Opel tuner Günter Irmscher, I prepared for my first Monte Carlo Rally and an exciting ‘73 season with my new co-driver Jochen Berger.” Bavarian went on to win the European Rally Championship in 1974 in a works Opel Ascona A and the drivers’ world championship title (for the second time) in 1982 with the Ascona 400.

On Thursday, August 11, Röhrl will start the rally in the Commodore GS/E from Opel Classic. It was precisely with a car like this that Röhrl and Berger made their Irmscher/Opel-debut at the Monte Carlo Rally in 1973. Röhrl will then cover the second leg from Pferdsfeld in an Opel Ascona 400 – a car with which he celebrated numerous successes, above all victory on the Monte Carlo Rally in 1982. The day's destination is the Speyer “Technik Museum”, home of Europe's largest space exhibition.

In addition to the Opel classics driven by Walter Röhrl, a special Opel Kadett B will be piloted on the Olympia Rally ’72 Revival by ADAC sport president Hermann Tomczyk and motorsport veteran Günther Holzer. They will share the Rallye Kadett driven by Swedes Anders Kulläng and Bruno Berglund in the 1970s.

Finally, an “Olympia Rally” would be incomplete without an Opel of the same name and the one taking part in this year's revival is an Olympia 1100 SR from 1967. This particular example features the 1100 SR engine with 44 kW/60 hp. More powerful Olympia 1900 could reach a top speed of up to 170 km/h – sports car territory at the time.

Opel Astra plug-in hybrid bold and pure course car

To ensure that the organisers of the Olympia Rally revival can travel in the same bold and pure style as the classic models from Rüsselsheim, Opel has put a new Astra plug-in hybrid at their disposal. Electrified Astra matches the rally’s climate-neutral concept and produces 133 kW/180 hp in system power and 360 Newton metres of maximum torque (WLTP combined fuel consumption1: 1.1 l/100 km, CO2 emissions 26-24 g/km). In pure electric mode, the five-door compact can cover up to 60 km locally emissions-free (WLTP1).

[1] Provisional range determined according to WLTP test procedure methodology (R (EC) No. 715/2007, R (EU) No. 2017/1151). Actual range can vary under everyday conditions and depends on various factors, in particular on personal driving style, route characteristics, outside temperature, use of heating and air conditioning and thermal preconditioning.

9. Paul Pietsch Classic: Opel classics inspire the spectators

• It couldn't be nicer: traveling in timeless Opel vintage cars on dream routes
• Arouse emotions: Participants and spectators celebrate legendary automobiles
• Promo on Tour: Jockel Winkelhock piloting Opel Kadett GT/E Warmbold/Pitz

Opel Kadett GT/E

A dream tour of a special kind came to an end in saturday on the market square in Offenburg. In the most beautiful early summer weather and pleasant temperatures, 128 classic cars started the 9th Paul Pietsch Classic over the past two days . In the anniversary year of "160 years of Opel" , field was led by all-new Opel Astra. 

All-New Opel Astra

Behind them in the field of participants were legendary Opel models such as Kadett GT/E, Commodore A Coupé and Kadett GSi – with prominent drivers on board. British touring car champion and Le Mans winner Joachim Jockel” Winkelhock the scenic route. On day 1, it led through the Kinzig and Elz valleys in the High Black Forest and on the second day over the Bühlerhöhe in the direction of Baden-Baden in the northern Black Forest.

Jockel Winkelhock with Opel Kadett GT/E

“I am a 'repeat offender' out of conviction at the Paul Pietsch Classic. Routes along the picturesque Black Forest towns and little rivers as well as over the lush green hills are a lot of fun. Whole thing is topped when you sit in a rally classic like the Opel GT/E,” enthuses Opel driver Jockel Winkelhock.

Opel Kadett GSi Rallye

Opel Head of Communications Harald Hamprecht, who started in a Rallye Opel Kadett GSi together with Auto Motor and Sport Editor-in-Chief Michael Pfeiffer, adds: “Paul Pietsch Classic is one of the most beautiful vintage car rallies in Germany – in one of our most beautiful regions country. We are honoring Paul Pietsch, the racing driver and one of the founding publishers of Motor Presse Stuttgart. And we are also celebrating 160 years of Opel in the year of the new Astra. Our tradition is very important to us. It is our duty and a matter close to our hearts to look after them.”

Blessed with fantastic routes and wonderful views, the regularity rally was entirely in the tradition of Paul Pietsch, who gave its name and was born in Freiburg. At the same time, the former Grand Prix driver was one of the founders of Motor Presse Stuttgart and regularly made the route from his native Black Forest to the publishing house into old age. Managing director of Motor Presse Stuttgart, Jörg Mannsperger, took the opportunity to drive in a famous Blitz model together with Opel Classic manager Leif Rohwedder. Duo completed the 15 special stages in an Opel Commodore A Coupé known for its particularly smooth-running 2.5-litre straight-six.

Opel Commodore A Coupé 

Opel Classic presents new virtual “160 Years of Opel” anniversary tour

• Now online: New tour shows highlights of Opel history from 1862 to today
• For all interests: “160 Years of Opel” complements the previous theme tours “Alternative Drives”, “Rally Racing”, “Roaring Twenties” and “Mobility for Millions”
• For fans and friends of the brand: Virtual tours developed with great attention to detail

Virtual Tour Opel Classic

In 2022, Opel is celebrating the company's 160th birthday. To mark this anniversary, Opel Classic has a special gift for all fans and friends of the brand: they can now immerse themselves in the company's history in the new "160 Years of Opel" theme tour at opel.com/opelclassic. From the comfort of their couch at home, users can take a virtual tour back to the beginnings of the company and enjoy numerous highlights from 160 years of Opel engineering. Opel Classic takes them on a varied tour from the first sewing machines and bicycles "made in Rüsselsheim" to the current "Golden Steering Wheel" title holder Opel Mokka-e 1 – around the clock, 365 days a year.

"New anniversary tour was developed with great attention to detail. Team first had to meticulously archive and document all the exhibits and precisely align them for filming so that online visitors can view the vehicles from all sides. Bilingual '160 Years of Opel' tour offers completely new Opel perspectives to all those interested. It's really worth clicking on and taking the tour," says the new Opel Classic Director Leif Rohwedder, looking forward to numerous online visitors.

"160 Years of Opel": Virtual tour from the beginning to today

New 360-degree tour takes visitors virtually into the "hallowed halls" of the Opel Classic Collection in Rüsselsheim. Here, the brand with the Blitz shelters a veritable treasure trove of 600 historic vehicles and studies as well as 300 other exhibits ranging from Opel sewing machines to aircraft engines. The highlights of the "160 Years of Opel" tour include a look at the beginnings in the 1860s as well as the following decades. By clicking on the yellow info points, Opel Classic reveals important information about the selected exhibits – short and sweet, right to the point.

"Wanderjahre Adam Opels" (Adam Opel's wandering years) are discussed as well as historically valuable exhibits such as the "Quintuplet" – a five-seat bicycle – on which the five sons of the company founder had themselves photographed for publicity purposes at the end of the 19th century. The pioneer among Opel automobiles can also be seen for the first time in a virtual tour: the Patentmotorwagen "System Lutzmann" from 1899, which marked the beginning of car production in Rüsselsheim.

Then interested visitors can continue on various paths through the historic halls. They will not only encounter numerous Opel icons and bestsellers, but also innovative record-breaking vehicles such as the Opel Elektro GT. 

Five decades ago, this car demonstrated at the Hockenheimring what is possible with zero emissions. Tour through 160 years of Opel history leads to further groundbreaking developments such as the first fully electric vehicle suitable for everyday use, the Opel Ampera, and the battery-electric Opel Mokka-e. Current e-car with the Blitz won the "Golden Steering Wheel 2021"1 with its convincing driving performance as well as its very own style and rounds off the journey through time in the Opel halls.

"160 Years of Opel" tour now complements the Opel Classic online tours that were successfully launched in 2021. Here, visitors can also explore and enjoy the subjects of "Alternative Drives", "Rally Racing", "Roaring Twenties" and "Mobility for Millions".

[1] “Golden Steering Wheel 2021” Opel Mokka-e (power consumption according to WLTP 16.2-15.8 kWh/100 km, CO2 emission 0 g/km, range up to 338 km, efficiency class A+++). AUTO BILD edition 45/2021 and BILD am SONNTAG edition 46/2021, category for “Best car under €25,000” incl. environmental bonus.

IAA Premiere: New Opel Corsa Meets Rare Opel Corsa GT

• Predecessor: rare first-generation Opel Corsa GT on Opel stand
• Time-travel: 1987 “young-timer” drives 2,700 km from Portugal to IAA
• World premiere: sixth-generation Opel Corsa in the spotlight at Frankfurt show
• In the tradition: from sporty Opel Corsa GT to battery-electric Opel Corsa-e Rally

New Opel Corsa meets rare Opel Corsa GT

Opel is celebrating three world premieres at this year’s IAA Frankfurt International Motor Show (public days September 12-22). New Opel Astra with high efficiency engines, Opel Grandland X Hybrid4 with e-All-Wheel Drive (WLTP fuel consumption, weighted, combined: 1.6 l/100 km, 37 g/km CO2; NEDC: 1.6 l/100 km, 36 g/km CO2) and the new sixth-generation Corsa in three versions. The best-selling small car (more than 13.6 million units) is going electric and with the Corsa-e Rally – also making its debut at the IAA – even forms the basis of an emissions-free competition car. At the IAA the new Opel Corsa will be joined by a special guest – a rare 1987 Opel Corsa GT in yellow, a testament to 37 years of fun and success. The not-so-old-timer was driven from its last home in Portugal to the Opel Classic Workshop in Rüsselsheim. From there it will drive to the IAA in Frankfurt, where it will contribute tradition and further excitement to the launch of the new Opel Corsa.

Opel the reliable: 2,700km from Porto to Rüsselsheim via Zaragoza

It took a while for Opel Classic to find a scarce first-generation Opel Corsa GT. This particular example, originally registered in Spain, was languishing, forgotten, in a garage in Portugal. Drive to Frankfurt for the small, unassuming Gran Turismo starts from a carpark at the harbour of Porto.

Opel offered the GT from April 1985 until autumn 1987. It was the successor of the Opel Corsa SR, with a 70hp 1.3-litre carburettor engine. Extra power and the subtle spoilers made the GT the sportsman of the first Corsa generation – until the more extrovert GSi arrived in 1988. A five-speed manual gearbox tamed the thirst and the rpm on longer trips.

Even today, keeping up with the traffic in the Opel Corsa GT is surprisingly quiet and effortless. There is no unnecessary firmness in the chassis, no slack in the steering and no superfluous information in the instrument panel: apart from the usual dials, only a rev counter and an oil pressure gauge. Fuel consumption matches the official figures of the time – more than six litres per 100 km is hardly ever burned. 750 kg kerb weight is a big help here, and also allows a power-to-weight ratio of 10.71 kg per horsepower.

On the way from Portugal to Rüsselsheim, GT drops in at Zaragoza, where it was built in 1987. The car is even allowed to visit the production plant. As the yellow Opel Corsa stops at the assembly line, lots of employees come over as if to greet a long lost friend.

Journey east goes past Barcelona, across France and from Basel along the Rhine. A total of 2,700km for a 32-year-old Opel Corsa that was ripped out of peaceful retirement in Portugal – without any repairs for the long road trip. As the GT pulls up in Rüsselsheim, the Opel Classic team is waiting eagerly.

Project “IAA 2019”: From plucky pensioner to show star

The warm sunshine in Spain and Portugal has been good for the Opel Corsa GT. A life without salty roads means no rust, no rot. Yellow oldie is still in good condition. TÜV agrees and after the check-up for German registration the inspectors put their precious sticker on the licence plate. But now comes the much higher hurdle: the experts from Opel Classic give the new arrival a thorough examination. Several pairs of beady eyes discover numerous more or less serious imperfections – dents in the roof, non-original badging, scratched glass, worn out seat cushions. Even the horn sounds wrong! In the end the car is taken apart completely.

Opel Classic team get together with their colleagues from the Service Workshop. “Project IAA 2019” is formed, under the leadership of Thorsten Götz and Dieter Eder. Piece by piece they rebuild the Corsa puzzle. First the reconditioned engine, followed by the suspension, shock absorbers and springs. Freshly painted body gets new trim and the correct GT badges. Then come the original light-alloy wheels. Finally the windows are installed, thanks to a friendly Opel dealer who has them in stock, of course.

Opel Corsa GT is now ready for its second life that will begin in grand style – at the 68th IAA Frankfurt International Motor Show. Visitors can admire the freshly restored Opel Corsa GT on the Opel stand D31 in hall 11.0. World premiere of the sixth-generation Opel Corsa is bound to benefit.

!NEW! Strong Opel Display at the Bodensee-Klassik

Only flying is better: Opel GT trio with well-known drivers thrill spectators

Opel GT trio sparkles in the sun.

Actor Benjamin Sadler in an Opel GT, Vice President Sales & Aftersales Peter Christian Küspert also in a GT and touring car legend Joachim Winkelhock at the steering wheel of Opel CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann’s perfectly restored personal GT – what an impressive formation flight of the Opel classic cars at the drive around Lake Constance.

 Touring car legend Joachim Winkelhock at the steering wheel of Opel CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann’s perfectly restored personal GT

In addition, the Opel Classic rescue team was also in action with fashion star Peyman Amin in an Opel Kadett Caravan of the German road service ADAC, a fire service Opel Rekord E and an Opel Commodore ambulance.

Opel Kadett Caravan of the ADAC with fashion star Peyman Amin behind the wheel, fire service Rekord E and a Commodore C ambulance.

The exciting mixture of well-known drivers and cars with a lot history delighted the fans lining the roads along the picturesque course through Austria, Germany and Switzerland.

Colorful mix of well-known driver and classic cars from the vaults of Opel Classic.

Day one saw the classic car armada complete a trip from Bregenz to Wangen via Friedrichshafen and back. On Friday, the Bodensee-Klassik became an alpine express with special tests in the Allgäu and Tyrol. Final day will see the 184 classic cars cruise back to the finish in Bregenz. 

Legendary racing driver Joachim Winkelhock drives the GT belonging to Opel CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann. 

“The slogan ‘Only flying is better’ is just as current now as it was back in the day. Taking part in the Bodensee-Klassik with an Opel GT was a very special experience,” said Benjamin Sadler. “You could literally feel Opel’s heartbeat. The classical GT or the new GT Concept – two cars, two icons and both ahead of their time.”

Actor Benjamin Sadler is delighted with the legendary Opel GT.

“I am delighted that we could once again demonstrate that Opel is a strong, emotional and approachable brand. We have this tradition in mind even when creating new models. Opel Astra Sports Tourer, the Car of the Year, is the prime example,” said Vice President Sales & Aftersales Peter Christian Küspert.