Happy Birthday: Order Books for Special 120 Years Edition Opel Models with Top Features now Open

• Made in Germany: Opel celebrates 120 years of car making with great offers
• Full of features: Lots of Opel passenger cars from ADAM to Zafira in “120 years” trim
• All in: Park assist, seat and steering wheel heating, IntelliLink mostly standard
• Attractive conditions: Customer savings on special “120 years” edition models

Opel Grandland X “120 years” edition

Opel will celebrate 120 years of car manufacturing in 2019 and thus 120 years of innovative technologies that the carmaker makes available to a broad range of customers – true to the Opel motto “The Future is Everyone’s”. In order to celebrate this anniversary with its customers accordingly, Opel is launching the “120 years” special editions. Passenger car models such as the small cars ADAM, KARL and Corsa, the bestselling Astra, the sporty SUV family consisting of the Crossland X. the Mokka X and the Grandland X right up to the Zafira compact van and the Insignia flagship will be available in the “120 years” trim and thus come with bundles of state-of-the-art technologies, design and comfort features as standard at attractive conditions. Order books for the special “120 years” edition models are open now.

Opel Corsa “120 years” edition

“Opel has been democratising mobility for 120 years. In our cars, we make trendsetting technologies and features affordable for all groups of buyers. That is what we stand for! And that is why we are offering the special edition ‘120 years’ trim level for so many of our models to mark the start of our anniversary,” said Xavier Duchemin, Managing Director Sales, Aftersales & Marketing.

The special edition trim sits directly above the “Edition” trim and, depending on the model, includes assistance systems such as Park Assist or Cruise Control as standard. Features such as heated seats, heated steering wheel and velour floor mats increase the level of comfort. The “120 years” models become true eye catchers with stylish alloy wheels, chrome elements, door sills with Opel lettering and of course the “120 years” badge. And all this is available at attractive prices. For example, the special edition Corsa is already available from €15,440, prices for the anniversary Astra start at €21,725 and for the Grandland X at €29,200 (all prices RRP including VAT in Germany).

Opel Astra “120 years” edition

Example Opel Astra: The compact Opel bestseller already shines with assistance systems such as Hill Start Assist and Cruise Control as standard in its entry-level version. Air conditioning, thermal glazing and Quickheat heating system are also already on board. Fog lamps and Rear Park Assist are added as standard on the “120 years” variant. Heated front seats and the heated steering wheel along with the sight package including rain sensor, automatic headlamps with tunnel detection and automatic dimming rear-view mirror ensure comfortable temperatures and an increased level of safety on cold and wet days. In addition, Astra 5-door and Sports Tourer drivers and occupants can rely on outstanding connectivity and entertainment thanks to the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible R 4.0 IntelliLink infotainment system with seven-inch colour display. The door sills with Opel lettering, 17-inch alloys in 5-twin-spoke design and the “120 years” logo immediately identify the Astra as a special edition model.

Opel Crossland X  “120 years” edition

The “120 years” Opel Crossland X comes with the same inner values as the Astra. Furthermore, the SUV, which was successfully launched last year, features a heated ThermaTec windscreen for a clear view on frosty days. The LED ambient lighting in the centre console and the doors increases the feel-good atmosphere in the dark. On the outside, the “120 year” Crossland X shines with high-gloss black B pillars, a chrome roofline, front and rear silver underride guard look and anthracite-coloured alloys in 4-twin-spoke design. Prices for the “120 years” Crossland X start at €21,650.

Opel Achieves Market Share of 10.2 Percent in September in Germany

Opel benefitted from the timely and consistent preparation of the transition to the new WLTP (Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure) test cycle in September: The brand with the Blitz achieved a passenger car market share of 10.2 percent (+ 2.6 percentage points) in Germany in September. This is the highest market share in an individual month since December 2010 and the highest September value since 2006.

New vehicles registered as of September 1, 2018, need to be certified according to the WLTP driving cycle. The procedure delivers fuel consumption data much closer to reality than this was the case for its predecessor, the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle). Unlike some competitors, Opel implemented these regulations at an early stage and can offer the entire passenger car portfolio without restrictions or delays.

Furthermore, Opel is already equipped for the new Euro 6d-Temp emissions standard: Currently, the Rüsselsheim-based carmaker offers 127 passenger models that already meet the strict limits of the new standard. It comes into force for all new registrations on September 1, 2019, at the latest.

“We have been preparing for these changes for years and certified our portfolio according to WLTP and Euro 6d-TEMP in good time. We can be proud of that. And now we are benefitting from it. With a view to the discussions on diesel driving bans in Germany, we can clearly say: Whoever buys an Opel now, does not need to fear driving bans,” said Jürgen Keller, Executive Director Sales, Marketing & Aftersales Opel Germany.

Modern Euro 6d TEMP vehicles, regardless of whether they have a petrol or a diesel engine, are not affected by the current discussions on inner-city driving bans.

Opel also benefitted from the extensive availability of WLTP-certified vehicles in other European countries. The brand with the Blitz achieved a market share of almost six percent in Spain while in France the company delivered its best passenger car market share since May 2015 with 4.3 percent. And Opel’s British sister brand Vauxhall also posted strong sales results in September. The combined passenger car and light commercial vehicles market share reached an 18-month high of 8.6 percent (compared to 7.3 percent in September 2017).

!NEW! Navi 4.0 IntelliLink: Integrated Navigation and full OnStar Functionality for Opel KARL, ADAM and Corsa

• All-new infotainment system Navi 4.0 IntelliLink
• Embedded satellite navigation and Opel OnStar with Destination Download
• Best connections: compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Opel Corsa drivers can now enjoy integrated navigation with Navi 4.0 IntelliLink.

A new infotainment system named Navi 4.0 IntelliLink is immediately available for Opel’s small car champions, KARL, ADAM and Corsa. Drivers can now enjoy infotainment with integrated navigation and all the benefits of OnStar, Opel’s personal connectivity and mobility assistant – including Destination Download – to reach their destination with high precision and convenient routing.

In addition to the advantages of the R 4.0 IntelliLink system – seven-inch touch screen display, Bluetooth-connectivity as well as both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility – Navi 4.0 IntelliLink features European roadmaps displayed in 2D or 3D and dynamic route guidance via TMC. With the Opel OnStar “guardian angel” at their side, drivers can also have destinations sent straight to the navigation system (Destination Download), either by the OnStar advisor or via the MyOpel app.

With the lean, clear menu structures of Navi 4.0 IntelliLink and its intuitive usability, the Opel KARL, ADAM and Corsa belong to the best connected small cars on the market.

!NEW! Opel OnStar: 1.5 Million Customer Interactions for Guardian Angel

• 15 vehicles recovered with help of Opel OnStar Stolen Vehicle Assistance
• Every second new Opel equipped with OnStar

Opel OnStar has already recorded around 1.5 million interactions with customers who make contact by phone, mobile app or the blue OnStar service button. 

“Having that guardian angel there is just fantastic!” says Charlotte Tyson about OnStar, the personal connectivity and service assistant introduced by Opel in August 2015. Charlotte from England was one of the first drivers in Europe to experience how OnStar automatically reacts in an emergency. Last October she was on the way to one of her friends when she was involved in a head-on collision with another car. As the airbags in her Corsa deployed, vehicle sensors automatically alerted an OnStar advisor – Charlotte’s guardian angel – who notified the emergency services and stayed with her on the phone until they arrived at the scene of the accident.

Automatic crash response is just one of the many innovative features of Opel OnStar, which makes driving more convenient and ensures best connectivity. The unique service with friendly advisors instead of machines also remotely unlocks doors, downloads destinations directly to the vehicle, sends emails on vehicle health and offers a 4G/LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Less than nine months after its launch, Opel OnStar has already recorded around 1.5 million interactions with customers who make contact by phone, mobile app or the blue OnStar service button. Currently every second new Opel delivered features OnStar.

Opel OnStar is available on all Opel passenger cars, from ADAM, KARL, Corsa and Astra, to Meriva, Mokka, Cascada, Zafira Tourer and Insignia. Less than nine months after launch, Opel OnStar has already recorded around 1.5 million customer interactions.

“These unbelievable numbers prove that Opel OnStar is a resounding success! Less than a year after launch, our personal connectivity and service assistant is clearly on its way to becoming the helpful companion every driver of an Opel passenger car wants to have at their side”, exclaims Tina Müller, Chief Marketing Officer Opel Group. “The smartphone generation are ecstatic about the 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot, while services such as automatic Emergency Call Service provide the older generation with the safety and security they long to have when driving.”

Opel OnStar - Emergency Call Service

The most popular service is the myOpel mobile app, which to date customers with smartphones have launched around 700,000 times by. The app’s most popular features so far are remote locking/unlocking of doors, online vehicle location and honking the vehicle’s horn and flashing its lights. Customers can also call up important data such as oil condition or tire pressures, send destinations to the in-car navigation system and manage the car’s embedded Wi-Fi hotspot, which allows up to seven devices to connect in and around the vehicle.

The favorite Opel OnStar service is the myOpel app. To date, customers with smartphones have launched the app 700,000 times. The most popular features: locking/unlocking of doors, vehicle location, honking the horn and flashing the lights.

Since launching last year Opel OnStar has received about 300,000 calls from customers and sent more than 150,000 monthly vehicle diagnostics emails. On the internet, customers have logged into the Opel OnStar page around 300,000 times.

Opel OnStar also assists vehicle owners and police alike in case a vehicle with the system is stolen. Stolen Vehicle Assistance enables Opel OnStar to work closely with police to recover the car quickly and safely and return it to its rightful owner. Ignition Block allows Opel OnStar to send a remote signal to the vehicle that blocks the engine from starting once it has been reported stolen.

Opel OnStar assists vehicle owners and police alike in case a vehicle with the system is stolen. Thanks to Opel OnStar, 15 stolen vehicles have been located and returned to their owners to date – even across borders !

Thanks to Opel OnStar, 15 stolen vehicles have been located and returned to their owners to date – even across borders! Dominik Gamel’s Astra was stolen in Austria. He immediately reported the theft to the Austrian police and Opel OnStar, who located the car in neighboring Hungary. Working with the police in both countries, Opel OnStar helped retrieve the car and return it to its rightful owner within 24 hours. “When my Astra was stolen, I was so upset”, recalls Dominik, “I thought I would never see it again. I’m just so grateful to OnStar for getting it back to me!”

Opel OnStar is available on all Opel passenger cars, from ADAM, KARL, Corsa and Astra to Meriva, Mokka and Cascada and Zafira Tourer and Insignia . The Opel OnStar service is offered to customers in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland, and as Vauxhall OnStar in the United Kingdom. An additional 18 countries will follow as of August 2016.

!NEW! Automated manual transmissions: Automatic comfort for everyone

• Automated manual gearboxes are affordable-alternative to automatic transmissions
• Lower fuel consumption than manual five-speed gearboxes
• Easytronic 3.0 available in Opel KARL, ADAM, Corsa and new Astra

Attractive: Easytronic 3.0 automated manual gearbox is an affordable alternative to a conventional automatic transmission for the Opel ADAM, Corsa and KARL.

Smaller cars are popular in big cities where traffic is dense and parking spaces tight. However, the enthusiasm of even the biggest small-car fans can wane after spending hours in traffic jams. After all that decoupling and shifting between first and second gears, they frequently wish for the luxury of an automatic transmission.

Automatic transmissions that select the right gear ratio without any driver intervention are very comfortable and very easy to use. However, they are often too expensive for most drivers of smaller cars. The difference in price between cars with manual or automatic transmission can be thousands of euros.

Fortunately, drivers of small cars don’t need to give up completely on a little luxury. An automated manual transmission, based on a manual gearbox with an automated gear-shifting system, is an affordable, efficient alternative to a conventional automatic transmission for small or compact cars.

Easy to operate, economical on the wallet: Thanks to the automatic shift function, Opel Easytronic 3.0 is more comfortable than a manual gearbox and also enables lower fuel consumption.

Although automated manual transmissions cannot reach the highest comfort levels of full automatics, they do offer considerably easier operation than manual gearboxes because of their automatic shift-actuation. Automated manual transmissions also enable lower fuel consumption.

Smooth operator: The wide spread of five gears on the Opel Easytronic 3.0 transmission reduces engine speeds for pleasant acoustics.

The latest generation of automated manual transmissions, such as the Easytronic 3.0 from the German automobile manufacturer, Opel, are particularly advanced, providing not only enhanced shifting comfort and drivability but also optimized functions such as “creep” and “launch”.

Compared with previous automated manual transmissions, Easytronic 3.0 impresses with smoother gear shifts and reduced reaction times. In addition to automatic mode, Easytronic 3.0 also offers manual gear shifting via simple movement of the gearshift lever.

Silky smooth: The latest generation of Easytronic impresses with reduced reaction times enabling quicker and smoother gear shifts.

The wide spread of the five gear ratios reduces engine speeds for pleasant noise levels, especially at higher speeds. “Creep” mode for slow-speed maneuvers is similar to that of an automatic transmission, and the special start/stop function enables rapid starts and acceleration.

For optimum fuel economy Easytronic 3.0 automatically selects the most fuel-efficient gear and is combined with Start/Stop technology that reduces fuel consumption even further especially in urban areas. In combination with Easytronic 3.0 the new Opel Astra 1.0 Turbo ecoFLEX is one of the most fuel efficient gasoline cars in its class, consuming just 4.2 liters per 100 km (96 grams CO2/km) in the NEDC combined cycle.

Opel offers the Easytronic 3.0 automated manual transmission in the KARL, ADAM and Corsa family of small cars, as well as the all-new Astra, the 2016 European Car of the Year.

!NEW! High-tech for the mini car: Opel KARL Now with Wi-Fi Hotspot and Smartphone Integration

• Extensive infotainment offer at attractive price: R4.0 IntelliLink from €350
• Intuitive familiar handling: 7 inch IntelliLink touchscreen
• Surfing with Opel KARL: Powerful 4G/LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot thanks to Opel OnStar

Opel KARL can now also be ordered with the ultra-modern, smartphone-compatible IntelliLink system and Opel OnStar.

Good, affordable and now with outstanding connectivity: Just like its bigger brother the Corsa the Opel KARL can now also be ordered with the ultra-modern, smartphone-compatible IntelliLink system and Opel OnStar. The smallest member of the Opel family will therefore offer leading technologies not expected in the class. R4.0 IntelliLink seamlessly and easily integrates smartphone functionalities via Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It is compatible with devices from Android 5.0 Lollipop and Apple iOS 7.1 (from iPhone 5). Elsewhere, the personal connectivity and service assistant Opel OnStar is responsible for providing a stable and powerful internet connection and turning Opel KARL into a 4G/LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot.

Connected to Apple CarPlay: That allows drivers to make calls, send or receive messages and listen to music from the touchscreen or by voice via Siri.

“Opel KARL offers outstanding qualities at a small price. This is not only visible in its elegant design, the first-class workmanship and modern propulsion technology but also in the latest infotainment generation now available for KARL. It can definitely compete with bigger cars when it comes to mobile connectivity and extensive services,” said Peter Christian Küspert, Vice President Sales and Aftersales of the Opel Group.

Value for money: Opel KARL makes it possible

Opel KARL is the ideal car for price-conscious customers. For an entry-level price of a mere €9,500 (all prices RRP including VAT in Germany) buyers can expect a 3.68 meter, five-door mini car with space for up to five adults or up to 1,013 liters of loading space. But KARL has even more to offer – such as a great infotainment offer at an affordable price. The R4.0 IntelliLink system is now available for Opel’s smallest family member for prices starting at €350. The extensive service portfolio includes a clear 7 inch color touchscreen, USB and Bluetooth® interface for audio streaming and viewing photographs, videos and films or making a telephone call via the hands-free module. Furthermore, the infotainment system is now compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It brings the personal smartphone applications of each occupant into the car. The Opel infotainment technology immediately recognizes the systems when the iPhone or Android smartphone is connected to the R4.0 IntelliLink via USB. As soon as the connection is made, the smartphone interface is adapted to the 7 inch touchscreen and displayed clearly. That allows drivers to make calls from the touchscreen or by voice via Siri. A full list of those apps can be found at apple.com/ios/carplay. Android Auto is built around Google Maps, Google Now and the ability to talk to Google, as well as a growing audio and messaging app ecosystem. A full list of supported apps is available at android.com/auto. Simultaneously, the smartphone is charged when in use.

Thanks to smartphone integration Opel KARL occupant can access navigation apps such as Google Map or Apple Maps. The driver thus always has the latest map data at his/her disposal as updates are made available by the respective provider and downloaded onto the phone. Furthermore, smartphone based systems display traffic conditions in real time along with possible points of interest with additional information.

On the right way: Thanks to smartphone integration Opel KARL occupant can access navigation apps such as Apple Maps

Increasing the size of the map section on Android Auto is just as simple as on a smartphone – a touch of screen along with the according finger movement is enough. Another advantage of the system is that when a text message from services such as WhatsApp or Skype is received it pops up on the IntelliLink screen (without the text) and is read aloud allowing the driver to keep his eyes on the road.

Well connected: Android Auto is built around Google Maps, Google Now and the ability to talk to Google, as well as a growing audio and messaging app ecosystem.

Opel OnStar is responsible for delivering a stable mobile internet connection. The integrated 4G/LTE architecture turns Opel KARL into a powerful Wi-Fi Hotspot for up to seven devices. Use of the Wi-Fi Hotspot is free of charge for the first 12 months after registration. The hardware for the personal connectivity and service assistant comas as standard for the INNOVATION trim level and for a reasonable €490 for Edition. 

!NEW! Opel ADAM S Wins Autonis Design Award

• Best Design Newcomer 2015: Convincing win for Opel ADAM S in mini car category
• Public opinion: 17,000 auto motor und sport readers cast their vote
• Honored: Vice President Design Europe Mark Adams accepts award 

Opel ADAM S

Small Opel, big splash: The ADAM S pocket rocket was one of the big winners at the “autonis – Best Design Newcomer 2015” readers’ choice awards. A huge majority of the 17,000 participants voted for the Opel ADAM S as the best-looking car in its class.

Opel KARL – the practical sibling of the stylish Opel ADAM – finished a respectable fourth in the mini car category.

Opel KARL 

Furthermore, the new Opel Astra claimed the bronze medal behind the BMW 1 Series and the Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake in the highly competitive compact class category.

New Opel Astra 

“17,000 readers cannot be wrong! The convincing win of the Opel ADAM S is a fantastic confirmation of our design philosophy: Sculptural Artistry meets German Precision. In addition, the Opel ADAM shines with sheer endless individualization possibilities, giving every customer the opportunity to create an Opel ADAM according to his/her personal taste. And seeing our new Astra immediately break into the phalanx of German premium brands is also a huge success. As already said: the new Astra upsets the luxury class,” said jubilant Mark Adams, Vice President Design Europe, at the award ceremony in Stuttgart.

Best Design Newcomer 2015: Vice President Design Europe Mark Adams (center) accepts the “autonis” for the Opel ADAM S from the hands of auto motor und sport editor-in-chief Jens Katemann and deputy editor-in-chief Birgit Priemer.

The autonis readers’ choice award held by automotive magazine auto motor und sport follows its own set of rules: Each participant can votes, two for positive and two for negative assessments. The final result is based on following calculation: If, for example, 20 per cent vote for model A as the winner and five per cent see it as a flop, model A receives overall score of 15. This result then determines the final position of model A. The Opel ADAM S received an outstanding overall score of 50.1; the closest competitor only achieved a score of 29.8. The editors of auto motor und sport thus commented in their latest edition: “Opel ADAM S – incredibly versatile in configuring an unmistakable look.”

!NEW! Eco-excellence: Opel KARL ecoFLEX with only 94 g/km CO2

Opel KARL with Start/Stop system can now be ordered for 9,950 euros

Opel KARL: The new entry-level model can now be ordered in the super-economical ecoFLEX version

Small Opel KARL – huge impression: according to Auto Bild (issue 32/2015) the best model in the mini-car class shows real greatness when it comes to the environment. The new Opel entry-level model can now be ordered in the super-economical ecoFLEX version. Ideal for everyday use, the 3.68-meter long, five-door car with the Start/Stop system and three-cylinder, 55 kW/75 hp 1.0 ECOTEC engine consumes just 4.1 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers in the combined cycle, with CO2 emissions dropping from 99 to 94 grams per kilometer. The entry-level price of the especially environmentally friendly KARL variant remains under 10,000 euros at exactly 9,950 euros (RRP incl. VAT in Germany).

Opel KARL ecoFLEX: Attention to detail: Rear spoiler for better aerodynamics.

Yet the test winner is anything but a sedate economy model: its new one-liter all-aluminum engine is a member of the highly praised three-cylinder gasoline family, whose turbocharged versions in the Opel Corsa and Opel ADAM impress with outstanding running smoothness and efficiency. The engineers paid close attention to reducing noise and vibrations during the development phase with a low-resonance construction for the block, a split oil pan, the noise protected integration of the exhaust manifold in the cylinder head and a sound absorbing cam cover, which all contribute to the engine’s excellent manners.

1.0 ECOTEC: Three-cylinder engine with Start/stop system, outstanding running smoothness and efficiency.

Exceptional: Superb safety and comfort levels

Opel KARL also sets standards in this market segment in terms of space, safety and comfort: the 939 kilogram, five-door model offers room for up to five occupants and a load volume up to 1,013 liters. Apart from standard ABS, traction control TCPlus, stability control ESPPlus and Hill Start Assist (HSA), KARL can be equipped with a further safety feature highlight, Lane Departure Warning (LDW). 

This reduces the risk of accidents with the help of front camera sensors that scan the road. A cornering light function integrated in the fog lights ensures that turning maneuvers are safer for the driver and other road users. On-board comfort can be increased with optional features including a heated leather steering wheel along with heated front seats. 

Opel KARL ecoFLEX: Heated leather steering wheel along with heated front seats as option. 

The City mode (standard from Enjoy) of the speed-dependent power steering reduces steering effort in heavy city traffic at the push of a button and Park Assist prevents bumps when parking. Cruise control with speed limiter ensures driving at legal speeds.

Opel KARL ecoFLEX: IntelliLink infotainment system

From the fall of 2015, Opel KARL can be ordered with the new-generation IntelliLink infotainment system and the personal connectivity and service assistant Opel OnStar – features normally only found in higher classes. So Opel’s entry-level model will also raise the bar for connectivity in the mini-car segment as all its variants become fully-fledged members of the Opel model portfolio. 

!NEW! Opel Continues Successful Course in Europa

• Opel posts Europe-wide growth of nine percent in June
• Sales increase of three percent in first six months of the year
• Registrations up in 20 European countries

Opel Mokka SUV

Opel remains on a successful course in Europe: according to the preliminary numbers for June, new car registrations increased by more than 9,800 vehicles compared to the same month of last year – an increase of 9 percent, resulting in new registrations of 118,600. The market share was at 6.35 percent. Opel’s result for the first six months of 2015 is also positive – despite the exit from the Russian market. From January to June, the carmaker sold 582,300 vehicles, an increase of three percent or around 18,400 units more than in the same period of 2014. This is equivalent to a slightly improved market share of 5.9 percent.

New Opel Corsa

Opel ADAM 

“The increase in volume in more than 20 markets in the first six months shows that our models appeal to the customers. The new Opel KARL, for which we have already received 30,000 orders, our personal connectivity and service assistant Opel OnStar and the new Astra K will create additional impetus for further growth,” said Peter Christian Küspert, Vice President Sales & Aftersales Opel Group.

In the first half of 2015 Opel registered an increase in registrations in 20 European markets including Germany (+ 2 percent), the United Kingdom (+4 percent), France (+7 percent), Spain (+18 percent), Italy (+17 percent), Portugal (+21 percent), Poland (+20 percent) and Turkey (+ 36 percent). The brand registered an increase of market shares in more than 13 European markets. Opel achieved its biggest market share gains in Macedonia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Estonia, Bulgaria, Serbia and Poland.

In June, Opel conquered first place on the Hungarian passenger car market with a market share of 11.3 percent. The Rüsselsheim-based carmaker also took second place in the registration statistics in Austria (7.57 percent market share) and the Netherlands (8.1 percent market share. In addition, the Opel sister brand Vauxhall was the number two on the British market both in June (11.66 percent market share) and for the first six months of the year (10.35 percent market share).

Opel Mokka SUV once again led the way for the passenger car portfolio with an increase of more than 20,000 units or 28 percent.

Opel Corsa registrations were up by around 18,000 units or twelve percent followed by the Opel ADAM with more 2,500 units or nine percent.

!NEW! Small, Sensible, Standard Setting – New Opel KARL

• Sensible: All Opel virtues and qualities for only euro 9,500
• Appealing: Surprisingly mature exterior and interior design for the mini-car segment
• Spirited: Latest generation three-cylinder, one-liter engine for refined and efficient drive
• Exceptional: Safety and comfort-enhancing features from higher segments
• Outstanding: New generation IntelliLink and Opel OnStar available soon

New Opel KARL will be available from 9,500  euro (RRP including VAT in Germany)

Small but spacious, a dazzling appearance and above all entirely sensible – this is what buyers can expect from Opel’s all-new entry-level model which will be delivered to clients from June 2015. Its name: simply KARL. The mini car, available from euro 9,500 (RRP including VAT in Germany), was designed from a white sheet of paper and celebrated its debut on the big stage at the Geneva Motor Show. For this attractive price, customers can expect a 3.68-meter long, 1.48-meter high appealing five-door car with space for up to five people and numerous safety and comfort technologies that are unrivalled in its segment. KARL will also be available with the latest in automotive connectivity soon. From fall 2015, it will be possible to order it with both the new generation IntelliLink infotainment system and Opel OnStar – the personal connectivity and service assistant – which together make KARL the best connected and the most caring car in the segment. Under its hood, Opel’s new entry-level model has a tailor-made, completely new, one-liter, naturally-aspirated three-cylinder gasoline engine with fuel consumption and CO2 emission levels that can be as low as 4.3 liters per 100 kilometer and 99 grams per kilometer in the combined cycle respectively. From the summer of 2015, KARL, the sensible entry-level model, ADAM, the individualization champion and Corsa, the well-known all-rounder, will give Opel its strongest mini and small car portfolio ever – and the youngest on the market. They leave nothing to be desired.

New Opel KARL - Five-door mini car

”Short, crisp and full of character – the name KARL reflects its strengths,” explained Opel Group CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann. “It is a grown-up car and will appeal to heart and intellect. KARL offers typical Opel quality and virtues starting with the high-tech, quiet one-liter, three-cylinder engine and by no means ends with numerous safety and comfort features that are unique in this segment. The Opel KARL is the ideal car for price-conscious customers looking to combine everyday suitability with comfort and modern technologies.”

New Opel KARL - Spacious interior for up to five people

Opel KARL was also developed with functionality and versatility in mind. Sitting on a 2.385 mm-long wheelbase and tipping the scales at 939 kg, its five-door body offers plenty of room for up to five people. The driver seat and the steering column are height-adjustable (both as from Enjoy) and two ISOFIX child seats fitted in the rear. The asymmetrical (40:60) split foldable rear seat back (optional with Enjoy, standard with Cosmo) enables amply flexible loading space: With the rear seat backs folded down, KARL offers 1,013 liters of stowage up to its roof. The lightweight KARL also features Opel-engineered, best in class ride and handling. The front suspension has side-load compensation springs, double bonded ride bushings and a high structural stiffness to improve handling performance and minimize NVH (noise, vibration and harshness). Additional ride-improving measures have been implemented for the rear suspension. The V-section tubular type torsion beam is mounted in front of the rear wheels allowing the roll-rate and roll-steer characteristics to be perfectly aligned with engine power and vehicle weight. Furthermore, rear shocks are vertically mounted behind the rear wheels to provide a good shock leverage ratio and efficient damping performance and the vertical dual-path mount provides better ride and NVH performance. The tailored steering also adds to the impressive ride and handling – no matter whether in standard or City mode.

Efficient: New Opel 1.0 ECOTEC three-cylinder engine

This comfortable and nifty package is propelled by the latest generation in Opel powertrain technology. The new 1.0 ECOTEC with 55 kW/75 hp, an ultra-modern one-liter, all-aluminum, three-cylinder gasoline engine from the same family as the highly praised 1.0 liter turbocharged engine available for Corsa and ADAM impresses with outstanding running smoothness and efficiency. The engineers paid close attention to reducing vibrations during the development phase with a low-resonance construction for the block, a split oil pan, the noise protected integration of the exhaust manifold in the cylinder head and a sound absorbing cam cover all contributing to the engines excellent manners. Opel KARL is therefore exceptionally quiet and refined for a car of this segment and price category.

New Opel 1.0 ECOTEC 

When equipped with the optional ecoFlex package, consisting of an aerodynamically optimized front spoiler lip and roof spoiler as well as low-rolling resistance tires, Opel KARL only consumes 4.3 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers and emits just 99 g/km CO2. Drivers can regulate the power perfectly via the modern, soft five-speed transmission, ensuring that Opel’s new entry-level model ticks all of the relevant boxes in the extremely competitive mini-car segment.

Technologies and features that melt mini-car owners’ hearts

Elsewhere, Opel KARL is fitted with numerous safety and comfort features that customers do not expect in this price category. Apart from standard anti-lock brake system (ABS), traction control (TCPlus), stability control (ESPPlus) and the Hill Start Assist (HSA), which prevents the car from rolling back or forth when starting on a slope, Opel KARL can be equipped with a further safety feature highlight in the Lane Departure Warning (LDW). By means of Opel Eye front camera sensors, which scan the road, it alerts drivers with an acoustic signal and a blinking yellow icon on the instrument panel when they unintentionally stray out of their lane. A cornering light function integrated in the fog lights ensures that turning maneuvers are safer for the driver and other road users. The standard safety equipment also comprises no less than six airbags and a Pedal Release System (PRS).

New Opel KARL - Traction control, City mode and Lane Departure Warning buttons

On the comfort side, Opel KARL has good manners as well. Taking care of its driver in cold days, it optionally features a heated leather steering wheel along with heated front seats that ensure cozy warmth in the winter. The City mode (standard from Enjoy) of the standard speed-dependent power steering reduces steering effort and facilitates tight maneuvers at the push of a button as already implemented for the Opel ADAM and Corsa. Elsewhere, Park Assist prevents unwanted bumps when parking by issuing an acoustic warning from approaching obstacles when reversing. Cruise control with speed limiter ensures driving at legal speeds, which is extremely helpful in complicated urban traffic or in residential areas with a 30 km/h speed limit. In addition, summer days are made even more enjoyable by the optional electric sunroof.

Lifesaving and entertaining connectivity unrivaled in the segment

As early as this fall, it will be possible to order Opel KARL with a new generation, super-connected IntelliLink infotainment system and the Opel OnStar connected service. With these, Opel’s new entry-level model will set new standards for connectivity in the mini-car segment.

Opel OnStar will offer subscribers a wide array of services. If, for example, an airbag deploys, Opel OnStar’s center will be alerted automatically. An advisor will then contact the vehicle to determine whether help is required and, if there is no answer, emergency responders will be immediately sent to the exact location of the vehicle. However, this is just one of the services and functionalities offered by Opel OnStar. The driver and the passengers can call on OnStar 24/7 and 365 days a year for roadside assistance and other remote connection services, knowing that they will be connected to an advisor who speaks their language. Furthermore, Opel OnStar will provide KARL with a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, capable of connecting up to seven devices.  

New Opel KARL -  IntelliLink  infotainment system

In its Cosmo trim level, Opel KARL already includes the R300 BT radio, Aux-in and USB ports as well as Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity and audio streaming. It can be combined with DAB+ (Digital Audio Broadcasting), substantially increasing program choice and sound quality. Also orderable as of this fall, the new generation IntelliLink system will empower Opel KARL users to bring the connected world of smartphones and several apps into the cabin using Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

New Opel KARL - Navigation

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay give Opel KARL owners a smart and simple way to access select smartphone features through the IntelliLink infotainment system. These features include navigation, hands-free text messaging, access to contact lists, and entertainment apps for news or music. Many features can be controlled via commands through a steering wheel button, meaning drivers spend more time with eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.

New Opel KARL - Apple CarPlay

The IntelliLink home page gives access to five major functions: make phone calls (Phone), listen to music (Audio), look at photos and videos (Gallery), change settings such as the language of the system for instance (Settings) or use phone integration.

Sharp lines with character

Opel KARL’s design makes it a mature and characterful mini car. Its fascia displays a playful friendly but witty attitude. It features a wide and low proportioned single trapezoid grill with the brand bar that has been designed to cradle the Opel logo. The brand bar is lean and includes ‘winglets’ that link the eye to the intriguing eagle-eye shaped headlamps embracing the front grill. The signature ‘blade’ body side, dynamically sweeping upwards, is indicated on the doors and reflects Opel’s sculptured, precise design philosophy. The two sharp lines running through the door handles emphasize the dynamic high-quality character. Large headlights and taillights add to the vibrant appearance, creating an overall design that shows exceptional attention to detail for a vehicle in this class. Opel KARL is available in ten different colors ranging from ‘Mystic Violet’ to ‘Fresh Green Lime’. Furthermore, various designs are available for rims of 14 to 16 inches.

New Opel KARL in Fresh Green Lime color

On the inside, Opel KARL offers a roomy interior and driver-focused cockpit providing the driver and passenger with a feeling of space, quality and love for detail previously only known from cars from higher segments. Clever storage possibilities such as the additional storage are above the regular glove box or the enlarged front door pockets that can hold a standard one-liter PET bottle reinforce the efficient utilization of interior space. Opel KARL all offers full rear windows that can be rolled down – another rarity in this price category.

New Opel KARL - Heated leather steering wheel and heated front seats as option

Comprehensive package

With its typical Opel design, lively and well-tempered engine, almost countless safety features and technologies along with the standard-setting connectivity and infotainment technology Opel KARL shows that it is a fully-fledged member of the Opel family and that it offers a sensible and convincing package for a price of euro 9,500.