Serial production of PureTech three-cylinder petrol engine begins in Szentgotthárd

• With a production capacity of 350,000 engines per year, contributing to the high demand for gasoline engines
• EUR 38 million investment has transformed the Flex plant's modern production lines
• 27-year history of Opel's Szentgotthárd engine factory has entered a new chapter

Serial production of PureTech three-cylinder petrol engine begins in Szentgotthárd

Production of the PureTech three-cylinder petrol engine of the PSA Group has been solemnly launched in Szentgotthárd. From the headquarters of the PSA Group, Yann Vincent, Vice President of Manufacturing, has begun manufacturing new engines in the presence of French ambassador Pascale Adriani and factory workers.

With the launch of production in Szentgotthard, the number of PSA factories that help meet global demand has increased. PureTech engine family has been manufactured so far in France (Douvrin, Temery), Poland (Tychy), China (Xiangiang), Morocco (Kenitra) and India (Hosur).

More than five million engines have been made so far. Launch of the new capacity in St. Petersburg is in line with the growing market demand, which is largely due to the new Opel / Vauxhall models based on PSA platforms and technologies. This highly efficient engine family contributes to the reduction of CO2 emissions, reducing the consumption of PureTech petrol engines by 4% compared to the previous generation.

Opel's Szentgotthárd plant, which has a history of more than 27 years, has been converted with EUR 38 million to produce new engines. Most of the conversion was done with the factory's own people and resources, while previous engine variants were being manufactured. After the conversions, the plant will be able to continue producing previous resources in parallel with the new PureTech gasoline engines as long as it is needed.

“With the production of this new state-of-art engine, Szentgotthárd will become an important player in the PSA Group's manufacturing infrastructure, which is intended to supply all five of the company's car brands. Lading player in the Hungarian automotive industry and 27-year-old engine manufacturing have played a key role in achieving Opel's outstanding market position in Szentgotthárd. Smooth transformation and modernization of the factory is thanks to the colleagues and teams here. What's happening here today is good news for the PSA Group, our customers and our own employees, proving that Szentgotthárd has a sustainable future, ”said Yann Vincent, PSA Group Vice President, Manufacturing.

“With the launch of PureTech engines, we are opening a new chapter in the life of the Szentgotthard plant. We look forward to new tasks. We are proud to contribute to the production of state-of-the-art 1.2 petrol turbo engines to achieve low emission targets, ”said Grzegorz Buchal, plant manager at the launch of the new engine factory.

Name of Szentgotthárd coincided with the start of the modern Hungarian car industry and the Hungarian car production. In 1992, in what was then known as General Motors Hungary, the first Hungarian car, Opel Astra, was completed and the production of engines started, which is today a new chapter. Opel Szentgotthárd will also play an important role under the auspices of the new owner, the PSA Group, and the engine factory will continue its 27-year tradition.

Opel Grandland X: New Top-of-the-Line Petrol Powertrain Arrives

• Happy owner: Manuel Friedrich of Ludwigshöhe “thrilled” by Opel SUV
• Unique offer: Opel Grandland X combines power, performance and practicality
• Strong demand: More than 140,000 Opel Grandland X already ordered

Happy owner: Manuel Friedrich (centre) is one of the first to take delivery of the Opel Grandland X with the new top-of-the-line petrol engine. Patricia Princess of Erbach-Schönberg, Managing Director Auto Jacob GmbH in Rüsselsheim, and Sales Consultant, Georg Pelz handed over the keys.

Deliveries of the cool Opel Grandland X with the most potent petrol powertrain in the line-up are now underway. The first example of the compact SUV with the state-of-the-art direct injection power unit is now in the hands of its happy owner. An excited Manuel Friedrich (36) of Ludwigshöhe picked up his brand new Grandland X at the Auto Jacob Opel dealership in Rüsselsheim. Patricia Princess of Erbach-Schönberg, Managing Director, Auto Jacob GmbH, and Sales Consultant, Georg Pelz presented Friedrich with the keys to his new car.

“I am thrilled with my new Opel Grandland X”, said Manuel Friedrich. “I have always wanted an SUV. It was love at first sight when I saw the Grandland X’s cool design and I placed my order as soon as the top-of-the-line engine became available.”

More than 140,000 customers have chosen the Opel Grandland X since sales began in summer 2017.

Manuel Friedrich’s Opel Grandland X is powered by the new 133 kW/180 hp 1.6-litre Direct Injection Turbo petrol engine with eight-speed automatic transmission (fuel consumption1, 2: 7.2-7.1 l/100 km urban, 5.0-4.9 l/100 km extra-urban, 5.8-5.7 l/100 km and 132-130 g/km CO2 combined).

The all-aluminium four-cylinder engine with dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder develops maximum torque of 250 Nm at only 1,750 rpm. The lively power unit, which is notable for its particularly direct throttle response, accelerates the Opel Grandland X from zero to 100 km/h in only 8.0 seconds and up to a maximum speed of 222 km/h.

The PureTech power unit not only delivers strong performance. Thanks to a state-of-the-art exhaust after-treatment system that includes a Gasoline Particulate Filter (GPF), it also produces low emissions. Fuel economy and efficiency is further improved by the variable valve timing system, which enables infinite adjustment of valve timing and duration.

The Grandland X heads the “X-family” of Opel SUV models – which includes the Crossland X and the Mokka X – and is also leading the electrification of the brand’s model range. The order books for the Grandland X PHEV, Opel’s first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, will open in the first half of this year. Opel will launch a total of eight all-new or refreshed models between now and the end of 2020.

[1]  Values measured according to WLTP and converted to NEDC for comparison.

[2]  WLTP combined figures (for information only, not to be confused with official NEDC values): 8.0-7.1 l/100 km 181-161 g/km CO2

Groupe PSA starts production of the Turbo PureTech Three-cylinder petrol engine at the Tychy plant

• The Tychy plant (Poland) benefited from € 250 million in investments to improve its performance and manufacture the 1.2 litreTurbo PureTech engine
• A modernized plant implementing Groupe PSA process and quality standards
• Production capacity projected up to 460,000 engines to handle increasing customer demand for petrol engines

1.2 litreTurbo PureTech engine

Groupe PSA inaugurated the new assembly line for the Turbo PureTech 3-cylinder petrol engine in Tychy at a ceremony attended by Jadwiga Emilewicz, Poland’s Minister of Entrepreneurship and Technology, Carlos Tavares, Chairman of the Managing Board of Groupe PSA, local authorities, the plant’s management and all its employees.

Jadwiga Emilewicz, Poland’s Minister of Entrepreneurship and Technology, Carlos Tavares, Chairman of the Managing Board of Groupe PSA 

With this new assembly line, the EB Turbo PureTech petrol engine – awarded International Engine of the Year four times in a row – is gradually becoming a global-scale engine for Groupe PSA. The EB Engine (Atmo and Turbo) is currently produced in France (Douvrin, Tremery) and China (Xiangyang) and, from 2019 onwards, will be produced in Hungary (Szentgotthard), Morocco (Kenitra), and from 2020 in India (Hosur).

3.8 million EB engines have been produced to date and this additional capacity corresponds to increasing market demand, supported in particular by production of new Opel/Vauxhall models on Groupe PSA platforms and technology. This highly efficient engine contributes to the reduction of the CO₂ emission with an average fuel consumption reduced by 4% compared to the previous generation.

The powertrain plant in Tychy was modernized to boost its performance in line with Groupe PSA standards: New technologies and equipment, supported by new IT systems, ensure a high quality of production with appropriate trainings provided to production teams. Performance of our industrial organisation is also enhanced, by locating component plants close to vehicle factories.

 “I would like to highlight that the Tychy teams have demonstrated their ability to improve their performance, thus allowing for investments to modernize the plant and allocate a state-of-the-art engine. The Tychy plant has a sustainable future now and will be a strong contributor to the Groupe PSA manufacturing footprint, organized to produce engines for our five brands and meeting growing customer demand for this award-winning engine,” said Carlos Tavares, Chairman of the Managing Board of Groupe PSA.

“The factory in Tychy is back in the game as a part of Groupe PSA and all the teams are committed to meeting the new challenges set for us. The plant has been thoroughly modernized with the right level of investment to ensure the best level of efficiency, among the most modern engine manufacturing sites in Europe. We are proud to contribute to the shift to low-emission PureTech petrol engines,” said Arkadiusz Suliga, Tychy plant director.

More Power and Refinement for Opel Grandland X

 180 hp Direct Injection Turbo with eight-speed automatic for Opel’s compact SUV

Opel Grandland X 1.6 Direct Injection Turbo

Opel is offering a new top-of-the-line powertrain in the stylish Grandland X. The cool-looking sports utility vehicle (SUV) will receive a new turbocharged direct injection petrol engine, which is available with a seamless-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission. The all-aluminium, PureTech power unit not only delivers strong performance, it also produces low emissions, thanks to a state-of-the-art exhaust after-treatment system that includes a Gasoline Particulate Filter (GPF). Opel Grandland X 1.6 Direct Injection Turbo with start/stop (fuel consumption^1,2: 7.2-7.1 l/100 km urban, 5.0-4.9 l/100 km extra-urban, 5.8-5.7 l/100 km and 132-130 g/km CO₂ combined) already meets the future Euro 6d-TEMP emissions standard.

The four-cylinder engine with dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder develops peak power of 133 kW/180 hp at 5,500 rpm and maximum torque of 250 Nm at only 1,750 rpm. The lively power unit, which is also notable for its direct throttle response, accelerates the Opel Grandland X from zero to 100 km/h in only 8.0 seconds and up to a maximum speed of 222 km/h. In combination with variable valve lift, the variable valve timing system enables infinite adjustment of valve timing and duration, for further improved fuel economy and emissions.

Of course, the new top-of-the-line engine will also be available on the Opel Grandland X with the premium “Ultimate” trim, which includes a string of luxurious features as standard. The sporty yet elegant SUV thus becomes even more of an eye-catcher with 19-inch “BiColor” alloy wheels and silver coloured roof rails. Furthermore, premium ergonomic seats, leather trim, the Denon premium sound system and numerous ultra-modern assistance and infotainment systems promise a feel-good factor.

^[1] Values measured according to WLTP and converted to NEDC for comparison.

^[2] WLTP combined figures (for information only, not to be confused with official NEDC values):
8.0-7.1 l/100 km fuel consumption; 181-161 g/km CO² emissions.

Rüsselsheim Engineering Center Develops Next Four-Cylinder Petrol Engine Generation for Groupe PSA

• Innovative four-cylinder petrol engine family for highest efficiency and low emissions
• Market-introduction as of 2022 in China, Europe and North America
• Optimised for use with electric motors in hybrid systems
• Global responsibility for new engine family adds to earlier announced competencies in Rüsselsheim

The Rüsselsheim Engineering Center will take on the global responsibility for the development of the next-generation of high-efficiency petrol engines for all Groupe PSA brands (Peugeot, Citroën, DS Automobiles, Opel and Vauxhall). The next generation of four-cylinder engines will be optimised for operation in combination with electric motors and will be used in the drive train of hybrid systems. Market-introduction will begin in 2022.

The new generation of engines is designated for use in all Groupe PSA brands in China, Europe and North America, meeting the future emission standards of these markets. The power units feature state-of-the-art technologies such as direct-injection, turbocharging and variable valve control. The engines are thus highly efficient and will deliver low fuel consumption and low CO₂ values.

“Rüsselsheim already had global responsibility for engine development when we were still part of GM. With the development of the new generation of four-cylinder petrol engines, we can exploit one of our key competencies. The economic direct-injection, in combination with hybrid technology, will consolidate the strong position of Groupe PSA in lowering CO₂ emissions,” said Opel’s Managing Director Engineering, Christian Müller.

The Rüsselsheim Engineering Center has decades of experience in the construction of efficient petrol engines. The engineers are now developing the new engine generation on the basis of the current Groupe PSA four-cylinder PureTech units. These all-aluminium engine, which have a displacement of 1.6 litres, already convince with a high level of efficiency and direct throttle response – virtues that the successor generation will build upon.

The upcoming four-cylinder units form the second petrol engine family of Groupe PSA from 2022 alongside the well-known three-cylinder PureTech turbo engine that only recently won the “Engine of the Year” award for the fourth time in a row. In addition to the responsibility for the new engine family, the engineering team in Rüsselsheim also leads the development of light commercial vehicles (LCVs) for the entire group. This includes the development of LCV platforms and modules from advanced development to production maturity. Furthermore, Groupe PSA has currently established 15 Centers of Competence in Rüsselsheim – from hydrogen & fuel cell to seat development.

Groupe PSA’s Turbo PureTech petrol engine named International Engine of the Year for the 4th year in a row

Today, the Turbo PureTech 3-cylinder petrol engine (110 hp and 130 hp) was named International Engine of the Year in the 1-litre to 1.4-litre category, for the 4^th year in a row, by the panel of the 20^th International Engine of the Year Awards in Stuttgart.

Groupe PSA has filed 210 patents for its family of 3-cylinder petrol engines. The new‑generation PureTech engine offers improved performance, fuel consumption and efficiency, with specific benefits including:

• a 4% improvement in fuel consumption on average compared with the previous generation;
• improved engine response time thanks to an optimised turbocharger (20% faster increase in torque from 1500 rpm);
• a 75% reduction in particulate emissions through the use of a gasoline particulate filter (GPF), meeting the Real Driving Emissions (RDE) conformity factor of 1.5 set by EU regulations for 2020, three years in advance;
• a more compact structure, to adapt to the new Common Modular Platform (CMP) dedicated to small city cars, core sedans and compact SUVs.

Launched in 2017 on the new Peugeot 308, the new generation is now being deployed on Groupe PSA’s vehicles across some hundred applications in more than 70 countries. The engines comply with Euro 6d-TEMP and China 6b standards.

The PureTech 3-cylinder engine is currently manufactured in France (Française de Mécanique plants in Douvrin, Pas-de-Calais and Trémery, Moselle) and China (Xiang Yang plant). In addition to production capacity being doubled in the French plants in 2018, the plants in Tychy, Poland, and Szentgotthárd, Hungary, will also start producing the PureTech engine in 2019 and 2020, respectively.

On this occasion, Alain Raposo, Senior Vice President, Powertrain and Chassis Engineering at Groupe PSA, said: “We’re proud to receive this prestigious award for the fourth year in a row, as proof of the skills of our development teams. Most of our vehicles are now equipped with this engine, which has been highly successful among our customers. This award is a global recognition of the competitiveness and efficiency of our petrol range, and in particular our PureTech 3-cylinder engine.”

Opel and IG Metall / Works Council Agree on Measures for Improved Competitiveness and Investments

• Opel Grandland X SUV and hybrid version to be produced in Eisenach
• Development of next generation global Groupe PSA 1.6-litre engine family (EP) at Engineering Center in Rüsselsheim
• Framework agreement with job protection extended until 2023

Announcement: Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller announced that the Opel Grandland X SUV will be built in Eisenach as of mid-2019.

Opel has now also secured its future in Germany and is taking a further step on its way to becoming profitable, global and electric. Significant investments will be made in R&D and the sites in Eisenach, Rüsselsheim and Kaiserslautern between 2018 and 2023. As part of this investment, the Opel Grandland X will be produced in the Eisenach plant as of mid-2019 in two shifts, including a hybrid version which will follow in 2020. The company will announce details on the planned investments for the other German sites at a later date.

The negotiating parties also agreed on a further important step to define the Engineering Center in Rüsselsheim’s future role in the global Groupe PSA R&D network: The Engineering Center in Rüsselsheim will be responsible for the development of the next generation EP engine family. Previously, the Engineering Center in Rüsselsheim had already received global responsibilities for Groupe PSA with the allocation of 15 Centers of Competence. Furthermore, every future European Opel model will be developed in Rüsselsheim.

The carmaker also agreed on a new framework agreement with the social partners. It runs until July 2023 and includes an extensive package of measures to increase competitiveness. The exclusion of forced redundancies has been extended for the duration of the new agreement.

“This is a very important step in the implementation of the PACE! plan to make Opel fit for performance across Europe. And we are doing exactly what we promised. The increase of the competiveness is allowing us to invest and secure a good future for our people,” said Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller. “We are looking ahead after delivering on our commitment to not close any plants or announce any forced redundancies.”

“We will ensure long-term utilisation of our German sites and thus protect employment – and this well into the next decade – with attractive models and high-quality components,” said Lohscheller. “We are deeply rooted in Germany and our German plants are and will remain our backbone.”

Measures to improve the competitiveness of Opel in Germany are part of the new agreement. Balancing collective wage increases with remuneration components above the general pay scale shall be possible in future. Furthermore, the additional payments agreed within the scope of the IG Metall collective agreement, which would be applicable as of mid-2019, have been cancelled for the duration of the new framework agreement. Any potential further wage increases as of 2020 will be postponed in their effectiveness for the duration of the contract.

Successful SUV: Opel Grandland X will roll off the production line in Eisenach as of mid-2019.

Part of the agreement is also the departure of 3,700 employees in Germany based on the already successfully implemented voluntary programme approved by the social partners. Today, around 3,500 employees have already taken advantage of a voluntary programme.

“The measures agreed today are a further important milestone on the way to achieving the objectives of our PACE! strategic plan: To reach a recurring operating margin of two percent by 2020 and six percent by 2026,” said Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller. “We are grateful for the important contribution of our German employees to making Opel successful again,” added Lohscheller. “The intensive negotiations have been brought to a positive conclusion. I would explicitly like to thank our social partners for this.”

Groupe PSA optimizes its manufacturing base in Europe

• Improving performance of powertrain plants to fulfil orders for future Opel/Vauxhall models based on PSA platforms
• Preparing manufacturing facilities for the ICE energy mix transition as well as the electrification push
• Localising automatic gearbox production to meet shifting customer demand

In order to step up its development and boost its competitiveness in Europe, the Group has decided to:

• Increase the agility of its manufacturing base by producing components as close as possible to car plants,
• Adapt its output to customer expectations, taking into account technological and energy shifts.

These changes are also an opportunity to adjust production capacity for Group engines as the manufacture of Opel/Vauxhall models is gradually ramped up on Groupe PSA platforms and fitted with Groupe PSA powertrains and technologies.

In light of the above, the Group has decided to make three adjustments:

• Increase production of the 3-cylinder Turbo PureTech petrol engine – awarded “Engine of the Year” in its category for three years in a row – as close as possible to car plants. In addition to doubling production capacity in France, compared to 2016, already in progress in Douvrin and Trémery plants, the Group will be producing PureTech engines in Tychy (Poland) and Szentgotthárd (Hungary) from 2019 onwards.
• Increase production of gearboxes from 2019 with the manufacture under license of automatic gearbox in Valenciennes (France), set to reach full potential by 2020, thanks to a strategic partnership signed with AISIN AW. Until now, this component has been manufactured in Japan and China. The Group will also invest to produce additional volumes of manual ML gearboxes in Metz-Borny (France) and MB6 gearboxes in Aspern (Austria), in particular to equip its high-end and light commercial vehicles and serve growing needs driven by production of Opel/Vauxhall cars.
• Prepare the Trémery plant (France) to produce electrical motors from 2019 onwards, before acceleration from 2021 onwards, thanks to the joint venture signed with Nidec. They will support the electrification push, as 100% of the Group’s vehicle range will include e an electrified offering by 2025.

These decisions have been made based on a performance assessment of manufacturing sites and in accordance with the New Momentum for Growth commitments signed in July 2016 by five out of six trade union organisations. The new production allocations also take into account what has been presented to employee representatives as part of the Opel/Vauxhall PACE! plan.

Yann Vincent, Executive Vice- President, Manufacturing and Supply Chain, said: “What will make the difference will be our agility to prepare our manufacturing base to produce components that meet customer needs and respond to the energy shift, creating the conditions for a sustainable future through enhanced performance. Groupe PSA’s 15 component production plants in Europe, located in France, Germany, Austria, Hungary and Poland, are eager to propose the best quality and performance to our customers.”