Opel Zafira-e Life coming soon as All-Electric Crosscamp Flex

• Caravan Salon 2022: Crosscamp shows prototype of electric camper in Düsseldorf
• Locally emissions-free for the “great outdoors”: Driving range up to 322 km (WLTP 1)
• Highly flexible: Fully equipped with appliances and sleeping for four
• Planned for 2023: Battery-electric Crosscamp variants complement portfolio

Opel Zafira-e Life is the ideal vehicle for all those who want not only more space and flexibility but also electric mobility, even on a weekend trip to the countryside or camping. Spacious electric van from the German brand will be on display at this year's Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf from August 26 to September 4. Not only on stand D42 in hall 16, but also as the battery-electric Crosscamp Flex in the outdoor arena, where urban camper specialists Crosscamp will present the prototype of a battery-electric Crosscamp Flex based on the Zafira-e Life. Vehicle combines the high practicality and flexibility of the Opel van with the desire for a locally emissions-free camper.

75-kWh lithium-ion traction battery (located under the floor to save space) allows longer journeys, with a driving range of up to 322 kilometres in the WLTP 1 cycle. Charging is as easy as driving – via wall box, fast charging or even a cable for domestic plug sockets. Using 100 kW of direct current (DC), it takes around 48 minutes for the battery to reach 80 per cent state-of-charge. To preserve the energy in the traction battery for driving, an onboard 95 Ah auxiliary battery provides electricity for lighting, a cool box and a USB socket for charging other consumers such as smartphones or cameras.

Typically Crosscamp, typically Opel: High flexibility plus optimum safety

Like every Crosscamp, the all-electric Crosscamp Flex has everything needed for a relaxing trip. The practical equipment includes front seats that rotate by 180 degrees, a kitchenette, a wash basin, a gas cooker and fitted cupboards, as well as containers for drinking and waste water. Thanks to the rear bench seat that quickly turns into a double bed and two more beds under the rising roof, crosscamp Flex can accommodate four guests.

All Crosscamp variants based on the Zafira-e Life benefit from the Opel van’s wide range of assistance

systems offered as standard equipment. List includes front collision alert, emergency braking, drowsiness alert, lane keep assist and traffic sign recognition with semi-adaptive cruise control.

All-electric Crosscamp Flex will join the diesel-engined Crosscamp variants in 2023. Subsequently the brand also plans to offer the electric urban camper as the Crosscamp Lite.

[1] 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.

Rüsselsheim Mayor Udo Bausch drives the Opel Zafira-e Life

 Opel Germany boss Andreas Marx hands over new battery-electric company car

Rüsselsheim Mayor Udo Bausch and Opel Germany boss Andreas Marx

Yesterday, the mayor of Rüsselsheim, Udo Bausch, officially received his new company car - a battery-electric Opel Zafira-e Life . Opel Germany boss Andreas Marx handed over the “E-Lounge on wheels” to the mayor directly in front of the Adam Opel building. Opel Zafira-e Life is locally emission-free and offers plenty of space for up to eight members of the city council.

"My new company car is a contribution to local climate protection and shows that the city is setting a good example in the necessary traffic turnaround," says Mayor Udo Bausch, pleased about his new, fully electric company car. "But the new Opel Zafira-e Life also shows the innovative strength that emanates from our business and research location. Rüsselsheim is helping to shape the path to electromobility – with the right vehicles and technologies, but also with the expansion of the charging infrastructure,” says Bausch.

"Opel is fully committed to resource-saving, forward-looking mobility - just like the city of Rüsselsheim. By 2028 we will be a fully electric brand. We are pleased that Mayor Bausch can already attend all appointments locally emission-free with his new Zafira-e Life. Because our electric van combines maximum comfort and flexibility with a sense of responsibility,” said Andreas Marx when the keys were handed over at the Opel headquarters.

Electric drive of the Opel Zafira-e Life ensures unrestricted suitability for everyday use and operational readiness. With an output of 100 kW/136 hp and a maximum torque of 260 Newton meters from a standing start, the e-van gets away from the spot quickly. Company car is equipped with a 75 kWh battery, so that it can travel up to 322 kilometers locally without emissions (according to WLTP 1) can cover until the next charging stop. Charging the Zafira-e Life is just as easy as driving it. Its batteries can be charged using a wall box at home, a fast charger on the go, or any power socket. Practically installed in the vehicle floor between the axles, the batteries do not restrict the loading volume and at the same time lower the vehicle's center of gravity due to their position. A state-of-the-art regenerative braking system makes the electric van even more efficient.

Safety and comfort are top priorities in the Opel Zafira-e Life - with Opel-typical comfort seats for the driver and front passenger as well as variable individual seats in the rear. Standard sensor-controlled, electric sliding doors make it easier to get in and out of rows two and three. Numerous state-of-the-art driver assistance systems make short and long business trips more relaxed. Rich portfolio includes a front camera and a distance radar, the semi-adaptive cruise control and limiter as well as lane assistant, drowsiness warning and a 180-degree panoramic reversing camera. Speed, distance to the vehicle in front or navigation can also be displayed on the Opel Zafira-e Life via a colored head-up display. The "Multimedia Navi Pro" infotainment system, which is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, offers a seven-inch touchscreen.

[1] 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.

Best-selling small car: Opel Corsa is Number 1 in Germany

• Opel Corsa most popular small car in June and the first six months of the year
• Opel Corsa-e best-selling electric small car in June and year to date
• Opel Mokka very strong among compact SUVs

Opel Corsa

Whether purely electric or with a combustion engine - according to the latest figures from the Federal Motor Transport Authority, Opel Corsa remains number 1 in the small car segment on the important German home market. With almost 5,800 new registrations, bestseller from Rüsselsheim once again took the lead in its segment in June. Opel Corsa secured a segment market share of over 20 percent. And with more than 25,000 new registrations in the first half of the year, the Corsa also leads the previous year's ranking for small cars.

Opel Corsa-e

Opel Corsa-e also leads the sales ranking in the small electric car segment. With 1,500 new registrations in June and more than 6,500 new registrations so far this year, almost every fourth newly registered small electric car was a Corsa.

Opel Mokka-e

“Opel Corsa is celebrating its 40th birthday this year. Our latest generation seamlessly follows on from the successes of its predecessors with a total of over 14 million vehicles built. We are particularly pleased with the success of the battery-electric Opel Corsa-e. With all-new Opel Astra and Astra Sports Tourer, two more purely electric models will follow next year, which will give us further momentum," says Opel Germany boss Andreas Marx.

All-New Opel Astra

In addition to the Opel Corsa, the stylish Opel Mokka continues to enjoy great popularity: compact SUV has held a strong third place in its segment so far this year. In the purely electric variants, Opel Mokka-e , winner of the “Golden Steering Wheel 2021 1 ”, performs even better and is even in second place. Electric Opel Combo-e Life (number 1 in the segment) and Opel Zafira-e Life (number 2 in the segment) also secured further top positions.

Opel Combo-e Life

Opel Zafira-e Life

Across all model series, Opel achieved a BEV (battery electric vehicle) market share of 7.7 percent in June, improving its market share for the first half of the year to 6.0 percent. Brand with the lightning bolt expects further upswing in the near future – the battery-electric Opel Astra and Astra Sports Tourer will be rolling out to dealers in the coming year in addition to the plug-in hybrids that can already be ordered.

[1] AUTO BILD issue 45/2021 and BILD am SONNTAG issue 46/2021, category "Best car under 25,000 euros" (taking into account the BAFA environmental bonus).

Opel in May with significant increase in market share in Germany

• Increase of 0.8 percentage points compared to the same month last year
• Bestseller Opel Corsa best-selling small car 2022
• Market share of 7.7 percent for battery electric vehicles
• More than every fifth newly registered Opel is now electrified

Opel Corsa

Opel significantly increased its share of the passenger car market in the important German home market in May compared to the same month last year. According to official figures from the Federal Motor Transport Authority, the brand with the lightning bolt had a market share of 6.3 percent - an increase of 0.8 percentage points compared to May 2021. This growth was driven by the Opel Corsa , the best-selling small car on the German market, the new Opel Astra and the Opel Mokka .

Opel Mokka & Opel Mokka-e

Development of the battery-electric models (BEV) was particularly pleasing. According to preliminary figures, Opel closed the month with a BEV market share of 7.7 percent. "We offer our customers a large selection of battery-electric passenger cars. Portfolio ranges from the Corsa-e to the Zafira-e Life - and is very well received by customers," says Opel Germany CEO Andreas Marx.

Opel Zafira-e Life

Proportion of electrified Opels in the model mix also continues to grow. In May, every fifth newly registered Opel was already a battery-electric model or a plug-in hybrid. Brand with the lightning bolt expects additional impetus from the new Astra plug-in hybrid.

All-New Opel Astra

Perfect Fit: Stylish Decor Sets for Opel Vivaro and Opel Zafira Life

• Opel Vivaro Sportive: All-rounder with car-like qualities gets sporty look
• Expressive: Decal set turns flexible Opel Zafira Life into a racy lounge on wheels
• Style down to the last detail: Decors for bi-colour wheels in characteristic Opel yellow

Opel Vivaro-e Sportive

Opel Vivaro is a true all-rounder: practical, flexible and modern with driver assistance systems at passenger car level. From now on it also looks especially sporty with the new Opel Vivaro Sportive decor set. Especially the dynamic, all-electric Opel Vivaro-e, whose 260 Newton metres of torque is available from the first squeeze of the accelerator. Strong starts from a standstill are therefore ensured.

Performance has even attracted the attention of racing driver Joachim “Jockel” Winkelhock. Long-time Opel brand ambassador, former F1 driver and winner of Le Mans as well as the DTM took the dynamic Opel Vivaro-e for an emissions-free and almost silent spin around the Hockenheimring racetrack.

Joachim “Jockel” Winkelhock with Opel Vivaro-e Sportive

Equally eye-catching is the elegant, comfortable lounge on wheels, Opel Zafira-e Life, which is now even more stylish with the specially developed Expressive decal set. Triangular patterns and lines adorn the sides, bonnet and tailgate of the battery-electric travel vehicle.

Opel Zafira-e Life with Expressive decal set

Sporty outfits for vans are a tradition in Rüsselsheim

It is no coincidence that the Opel Zafira-e Life as well as the Opel Vivaro and Vivaro-e have acquired a sporty outfit. Opel Vivaro Sport of the previous Vivaro generation was highly popular with customers. So the designers in Rüsselsheim came up with two new decors for the current Vivaro and Zafira-e Life that create a unique, more dynamic look.

Opel Vivaro-e Sportive

Opel Vivaro Sportive decor set is available in silver or black for only €399 in Germany. Customers can order the Expressive decor, which has been specially developed for the Opel Zafira-e Life – also in silver or black – for €449 (all prices in Germany including VAT plus the price for application at the dealership).

 Joachim “Jockel” Winkelhock in Opel Zafira-e Life

Decor sets are not only available for new registrations, but also for used vans or vehicles already on the market. Appearance and durability of the decor sets are enhanced by the precise tailoring of the backing foils. Two-colour options of black-yellow or silver-yellow make them a perfect match for any Opel Vivaro and Opel Zafira Life paintwork.

Matching decors in characteristic Opel yellow for the 17-inch wheelsin silver or bi-colour black/polished are available for €49.

Opel Increases Europe Wide Sales of Light Commercial Vehicles

• Strong growth in European core markets
• Opel Vivaro-e is European leader in its segment
• Opel Combo and Vivaro-e named Van of the Year
• Complete van portfolio on the road with zero emissions

Opel e-LCV range: Opel Combo-e, Vivaro-e and Movano-e

Opel has significantly increased sales of its light commercial vehicles across Europe in the first 11 months of 2021. Compared to the same period last year, sales grew by 12.1 per cent to around 100,000 units1. Results in important markets such as Germany (+9.0 per cent), United Kingdom (+8.1 per cent), France (+25.2 per cent) and Spain (+6.0 per cent) contributed significantly to this development.

Growth of the battery-electric Vivaro-e from Opel and its British sister brand Vauxhall between January and October is particularly pleasing. In Europe, the Vivaro-e leads the D segment with a share of 21 per cent. In the overall ranking of all electrified commercial vehicles, the midsize van is in a convincing third place – also thanks to the high sales figures in the UK. There, the Vivaro-e holds a market share of almost 50 per cent in the segment. In Germany, the Opel Vivaro-e has reached third place in the top list. Demand for the only recently introduced Combo-e is already equally good.

“Our light commercial vehicles are holding their own very successfully in the market and have by no means exhausted their full potential,” said Opel CEO Uwe Hochgeschurtz. “Now that all our LCVs – the Opel Combo-e, Vivaro-e and Movano-e – are available for battery-electric, zero-emissions transportation, we will generate further impetus.”

Opel's light commercial vehicles are highly regarded by customers and the media. For example, the Opel Combo (2019) and the Opel Vivaro-e (2021) were named Van of the Year by an international jury of experts. Another big fan of the electric vans from Rüsselsheim is mountaineering legend Reinhold Messner, who uses the Opel Zafira-e Life and Opel Vivaro-e for emissions-free shuttle operations and deliveries to his mountain museums.

Fleet customers are currently particularly interested in the zero emissions Vivaro-e. Opel's sister brand Vauxhall has already signed contracts for 3,000 battery-electric Vivaro-e vehicles with British Gas and for a further 655 vehicles for the service company Mitie. In Germany, registrations of the Combo increased by 27 per cent compared with the same period last year, the highest growth within the Opel LCV fleet.

In addition to the Opel Combo compact van and the Vivaro midsize van, Opel also offers the Movano large van as the battery-electric Movano-e – as with all Opel's electrified commercial vehicles, with full functionality and unrestricted load volume compared to the conventional variants. This makes the brand with the Blitz currently the only one to offer its entire LCV portfolio battery-electric, emission-free and immediately orderable.

Electric City: Rüsselsheim opens the first charging farm with 152 charging points

Lord Mayor Udo Bausch (left) and Ralph Wangemann, Labor Director of Opel Automobile GmbH, put the first Rüsselsheim charging farm with 152 charging points into operation 

City of Rüsselsheim am Main is making a big leap forward in expanding its charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. On Wednesday (September 8th), Mayor Udo Bausch and Opel HR Director Ralph Wangemann put the first of three public charging farms with 152 charging points into operation. The charging farm was set up on a now public parking lot in front of the Opel factory gate. In the future, citizens and factory employees should be able to use the area on Mainzer Straße to charge their electric vehicles.

“Today is an important day for Rüsselsheim. As a city, we are keeping a first part of the promise we made to the citizens of Rüsselsheim: That Rüsselsheim will become electric, ”explained Mayor Udo Bausch. For this, he thanked the federal government as the sponsor, all partners and service providers of the project, in particular the Rüsselsheim municipal utilities, who took care of the network expansion, and Opel, who made space available. "Formerly private, company-owned employee parking spaces have now become public parking spaces that are also accessible to the general public."

"Together with the project partners, the city of Rüsselsheim has created this infrastructure in our hometown and thus not only ensures that Rüsselsheim remains a" car city ", but that Rüsselsheim will be a" car city "of the future," said Opel - Managing Director and Labor Director Ralph Wangemann. "I would like to express my thanks to everyone who made this project possible."

Charge electricity with up to 22 kilowatts

Rüsselsheim charging farm is charged at normal charging points with alternating current (AC) and a charging capacity of up to 22 kilowatts. The charging time is between two and four hours, depending on the charging capacity of the charging station, the capacity of the battery and the charging technology of the electric car. Type 2 charging sockets are located at all charging points created as part of the Electric City project. This socket meets the requirements of AC charging in Europe and is installed in every modern electric vehicle.

Electricity with and without a contract

Anyone who would like to charge at one of the public Rüsselsheim Electric City charging stations has a wide range of tariff and contract options. Since the charging stations will in future be operated by the Rüsselsheim municipal utility, the municipal utility's green electricity is available for spontaneous charging without a contractual obligation (ad hoc charging). Anyone who is tied to the electricity of the municipal utility for at least three months can save money with the “ÖkoStrom Mobil” tariff compared to spontaneous charging and can also refuel at any charging station outside of Rüsselsheim that is part of the roaming network of ladenetz.de. Roaming partner can also charge any electricity from any third-party electricity provider at an Electric City charging station that is part of the Ladenetz.de cooperation network.

Two more loading farms are about to go into operation

By the end of October, the city will have opened a total of three charging farms with 540 publicly accessible charging points in parking lots in the city area. Up to 250 additional public charging points, spread across the entire city area, will follow successively in the coming weeks and months. With the Electric City project, a total of around 1,200 charging points will be created in Rüsselsheim by spring 2022: around 800 public and almost 400 private ones. Based on 67,000 inhabitants, this means a charging station density of one public charging point for every 84 citizens. “Projects like 'Electric City Rüsselsheim' are lighthouses that create an important basis for the mobility of the future. With the development of a future-proof charging infrastructure, we support our climate protection goals sustainably and clearly. And at the same time we support the Rüsselsheim-based economy in developing and establishing e-mobility, ”emphasized Mayor Bausch.

Activation via RFID card, app and QR code

So that the electricity can then be assigned to the right customer and correctly billed, the city of Rüsselsheim has up to four different ways of authenticating yourself for a charging process. City of Rüsselsheim relies on all current standards, but also on standards that are still in development.

First of all, there is the charging card, which activates the charging point for charging by simply stopping at the RFID field of the charging station. Greatest advantage of RFID cards is that they are easy to use. Municipal utilities will also use it to equip their electricity customers.

Smartphone apps of the various charging tariff and roaming providers offer a lot of additional information, such as the current occupancy of charging stations or the tariff. In Rüsselsheim, this can be done using the popular app from ladenetz.de. An existing internet connection is required for this.

Ad hoc charging, which does not require a contract, is also dependent on the Internet. For this, the customer data and a means of payment must be stored on the website of the electricity provider before loading. Website can be accessed via a QR code attached to the charging station, which is scanned with the smartphone camera.

A fourth, but still future, variant will be the “Plug & Charge”. Billing chips are integrated directly into the charging electronics of the electric vehicles, so that it will be possible to pay without cards, apps or QR codes. This form of authentication is currently still in development and, when it is ready for the market, will be installed as an update on the Electric City charging stations.

Opel makes campus in Rüsselsheim electric

• 500 charging points at company headquarters already completed
• Another 540 charging points will be implemented in public parking lots near Opel as part of the “Electric City Rüsselsheim” project
• Battery container shows possible second life application of disused vehicle batteries
• Opel is going electric: Nine electrified models on the market this year, with more to follow

Opel campus in Rüsselsheim already has over 500 charging points for the company's steadily growing electric fleet

Opel is pushing ahead with the expansion of the infrastructure at its home location, which is so important for electromobility. Opel campus in Rüsselsheim already has over 500 charging points for the company's steadily growing electric fleet. Another 540 publicly accessible charging points are currently being installed by the city of Rüsselsheim am Main in the parking lots around the company headquarters.

New Opel Corsa-e

Since all new Opel are designed and developed in Rüsselsheim, the expansion of the charging infrastructure at the company headquarters was of particular importance. Announced construction of around 500 internal charging points for company cars and development vehicles has now been completed, so that a steadily growing part of the company fleet can be driven electrically.

New Opel Mokka-e

Initiative is linked to two funding projects. One - E-Mobility Lab Hessen - is a partner for around 120 charging points in the engineering sector in Rüsselsheim and Dudenhofen, which can be used for development vehicles. E-Mobility Lab Hessen is doing research together with Opel, and the development center will become “a real laboratory for electromobility, power supply, intelligent charging stations and intelligent load management”.

New Opel Grandland Hybrid4

As part of the second funding project, Electric City Rüsselsheim, more than 380 charging points for company and company cars have been created on the Opel campus. Another 540 public charging stations will follow in the parking lots around the plant, which the City of Rüsselsheim will implement in a further step by Electric City.

New Opel Combo-e Life

Electric City is a joint project of several partners, to which the city of Rüsselsheim am Main, Opel, the RheinMain University, the municipal housing company gewobau and the mobility consultancy Urban Mobility Innovations (formerly B2M) belong. Together, the partners want to massively advance the expansion of the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. Funded by the Federal Ministry of Economics, around 1,200 charging points are being built, more than 800 of which will be publicly accessible within the entire city area. Opel has already implemented its part, and urban activities are currently following in all city districts and residential areas, on the campus of the RheinMain University of Applied Sciences, in gewobau residential complexes and in parking lots at shopping centers.

New Opel Zafira-e Life

Another aspect on the way to e-mobility: modular battery storage system, which was developed entirely in-house at Opel as part of the E-Mobility Lab Hessen, has gone into operation in Dudenhofen. Battery storage system uses used vehicle batteries from the Opel Ampera to temporarily store electricity. This stationary battery use in so-called Second Life serves to balance consumption peaks and thus stabilize the power grid. A total of 18 vehicle batteries are reused in the battery storage system, with the storage capacity of which eight electric vehicles can be charged at the same time. Alternatively, a four-person household could be supplied with electricity for a month.

Opel battery storage system in Dudenhofen.

Basis for the successful implementation of the extensive electric strategy lies in the models, of course - and a lot has happened here at Opel in recent years. From Corsa-e to Zafira-e, from Combo-e to Movano-e, from passenger cars to light commercial vehicles - Opel offers its customers a diverse portfolio of electrified vehicles and already covers the most important segments. But this is only the beginning. An electrified version of the Opel Astra will follow this year, and by 2024 there will be an electrified version of every Opel.

New Opel Astra Hybrid

Opel's electric offensive is part of the overall strategy of the Stellantis Group, which was presented during EV Day. Company aims to become the market leader in Low-Emission Vehicles (LEV). By 2030, Stellantis' LEV mix for cars in Europe is expected to grow steadily to over 70 percent - 10 percentage points above the current industry forecasts for the overall market mix. Stellantis is also working on innovative charging solutions.

Opel Universal Charger: Swiss Army Knife of Electric Mobility

• Recharge everywhere: Electric Opel models can connect to most charging stations
• Attractive: All charging options from €720 (incl. VAT in Germany) with new car
• Private infrastructure: Government support for home wallbox, installed by experts

Europe has a variety of electricity grids, plugs and charging options, but electric mobility can still be easy. Electrified models from Opel, with their range of up to 337 kilometres in the WLTP cycle (such as the bestselling Corsa-e) demonstrate everyday practicality. The same goes for the charger options from Opel, above all for the Universal Charger, the Swiss army knife among chargers that supplies the appropriate electric “groove”, as the YouTube video shows. The Universal Charger is not only available for the battery electric Opel Mokka-e, Corsa-e, Zafira-e Life or Vivaro-e, but also the Grandland X plug-in hybrid.

Fully prepared: Opel models make recharging easy

It does not matter what Opel model customers drive, if they have to “refill” the battery on a longer journey they have the choice. If it needs to go quickly, the 50 kWh battery of the Corsa-e, for example, can be charged to 80 per cent of capacity in 30 minutes at a 100 kW DC charging station. Wallbox, high-speed charging or cable for the domestic plug socket, every electrified Opel model is ready for all charging options, from single-phase to three-phase AC at 11 kW.

Universal charger: Recharging without borders

Universal Charger unites the functions of “Mode 2” and “Mode 3” cables with various adapters in a single device. Customers can connect the charger to nearly all country specific household plug sockets. The latter works with the type 2 plug. Customers need a 400V AC socket in order to charge at home with up to 11 kW. The required CEE-16 plug, together with the aforementioned adapter, is part of the Universal Charger pack, along with a practical case for storing cables and plugs in the boot.

Universal Charger is therefore ideal for customers who normally charge their car overnight at home and for those who occasionally make longer journeys and need to recharge while travelling. The Universal Charger with its three different connections and the case is available with every new-car order, for prices starting at €720 (RRP incl. VAT in Germany).

In Germany, customers who want to install their own private recharging infrastructure at home can obtain financial support from the German government. Opel’s cooperation partner in Germany, inno2grid, then takes care of the installation and putting the wallbox into operation on-site.

Opel is Electric: Battery Refurbishment Center in Rüsselsheim for Best Service

• High-voltage: Experts test and service lithium-ion batteries
• Decade of experience: Electric drive systems refurbished in Rüsselsheim for ten years
• Unique: Only facility in the company for rapid customer support across Europe

Opel customers have had the choice of driving electrically or combustion engine powered cars for ten years. The first was the Opel Ampera in 2011, followed by the Ampera-e and the current models, from Corsa-e to Zafira-e Life. Alongside the e-vehicles, Opel has established a service for the maintenance of high voltage batteries. The facility set up ten years ago for the Ampera has been brought right up to date. The center now checks and, if necessary, repairs the batteries of all company vehicles on the eCMP platform (currently Opel Corsa-e, Mokka-e) and the Combo-e, Vivaro-e and Zafira-e Life. By the end of this year, Opel will be on the road with nine electric models and will offer an electrified version in each series by 2024.

“Over the years we have gained a lot of experience with lithium-ion batteries”, says Opel’s Managing Director Engineering, Marcus Lott. “A failure is very rare, but if it happens, investigating the cause and making repairs are jobs for specialists. We now put our competence at the disposal of the whole company and provide fast support.”

Opel has significantly expanded and modernised the “Battery Refurbishment Center” in Rüsselsheim. All the employees are professionals in electricity and trained to high-voltage level 5 standard. Technicians take care of the cases that dealers from all over Europe cannot handle. Last year, that amounted to around 100 defects among up to ten-year-old cars in which a control unit, or in the worst case, a battery cell failed to function. The battery then comes to Rüsselsheim, where the sealed pack is opened by the high-voltage experts. The malfunctioning cell is exchanged and the whole battery returned to the customer. In the event of more serious damage – such as after a collision – sufficient reconditioned batteries are always available in Rüsselsheim. In return the customer receives an exchange battery as replacement.

Only the Rüsselsheim battery centre is allowed to open the faulty battery. Sealed unit must be cut open by the high voltage experts. Damaged cell is replaced and the fully functional battery is then sent as a replacement battery to the warehouse.

Opel Zafira-e Life: New Emissions-Free Flagship of Exclusive Travel

• Top-of-the-range: electric multi-seater crowns Opel Zafira Life model line-up
• 330 or 230 km range (WLTP 1): up to nine passengers travel emissions-free
• Dynamic: 100 kW (136 hp) electric motor with 260 Nm torque
• Convenient: variety of charging options, payment via “Free2Move Services” app
• Customer chooses: 75 or 50 kWh battery depending on requirements
• “E-Lounge on Wheels”: electric sliding doors, movable leather seats, panorama roof
• All aboard for extra safety: numerous driver assistance systems enhance protection

New Opel Zafira-e Life

Opel continues the electrification of its product portfolio with the all-electric, flagship variant of the Zafira Life, the benchmark for multi-seat passenger cars. Fun to drive, with up to nine seats and available in three lengths, new Opel Zafira-e Life features all the benefits of the German brand’s combustion-engine “lounge on wheels”, plus the increasingly “must have” capability of emissions-free, silent travel. In addition, most versions of the Zafira-e Life are less than 1.90 metres high and can therefore access typical underground garages – important for hotel shuttles. Unique option of a trailer hitch enables Opel Zafira-e Life to tow trailers with a maximum capacity of 1,000kg.

With 100 kW of power (136 hp) and 260 Nm of maximum torque from the electric propulsion system, Opel Zafira‑e Life offers higher performance than most electric multi-purpose vehicles (MPV). Electronically controlled maximum speed of 130 km/h enables Autobahn cruising while also preserving the electric range.

Customers can choose between two sizes of state-of-the-art lithium ion battery, depending on their needs: with 75 kWh (2) and a class-leading range of up to 330 kilometres (ideal for large-family vacations) or with 50 kWh and a range of up to 230km, both in the WLTP (1) cycle.

Batteries consist of 18 and 27 modules respectively. Packaged under the load compartment where it makes no compromises on luggage volume, the battery further lowers the centre of gravity, which benefits cornering and wind stability while also making travelling more enjoyable.

A sophisticated regenerative braking system, which recovers the energy produced under braking or deceleration, further increases efficiency.

“OpelConnect” e-services, numerous charging options: e-mobility made easy

Charging Opel Zafira-e Life is as easy as using it. Via wall box, fast charging or even a cable for charging from a domestic plug socket if necessary, every Opel Zafira-e Life is ready for a variety of charging options. Offer of cables and wall boxes varies according to the energy infrastructure of each market, ensuring that Zafira-e Life customers can find and make use of a charging station almost anywhere.

Using 100 kW of direct current (DC), it takes around only 30 minutes for the 50 kWh battery to reach 80 per cent state-of-charge (about 45 minutes for the 75 kWh battery). Opel offers on-board chargers that ensure time spent plugged-in is as short as possible and that the battery (covered by an eight-year/160,000km guarantee) has a long life. Depending on the market and infrastructure, the Zafira-e Life features either a three-phase 11 kW or a single-phase 7.4 kW on-board charger as standard.

In order to make usage even more practical, “OpelConnect”, the “myOpel” app and “Free2Move Services” – the mobility brand of Groupe PSA – offer special solutions for all Opel electric vehicles, including the Opel Zafira-e Life. Services are accessible via apps.

“Charge My Car” function from the “Free2Move Services” app enables access to more than 160,000 charging points throughout Europe, including payment. To make it even easier for customers to choose the right charging point, the “Free2Move Services” app makes a preselection based on the distance to the charging point, the charging speed and the current charging price of the possible public charging options.

With the “OpelConnect” e-remote control functions, customers can use their smartphones to check the battery’s state-of-charge or programme air conditioning and charging times.

In addition, the “OpelConnect” portfolio ranges from eCall and breakdown calls to numerous other services, such as vehicle status and information. LIVE Navigation3 provides online traffic information in real time.

Good things come in threes: Opel Zafira-e Life in “Small”, “Medium” or “Large” sizes

Opel will offer the Zafira-e Life in three lengths, each tailor-made to customer requirements and available with up to nine seats. The Opel Zafira-e Life “Small” (available early 2021) competes with compact vans but offers considerably more room and space for up to nine occupants – unrivalled in this class. It also features a narrow turning circle (only 11.3m), good handling and two sensor-controlled sliding doors that open electrically with a movement of the foot – unique in this market segment. Opel Zafira-e Life “Medium” (likewise the Zafira-e Life “L”) has a 35cm longer, 3.28m wheelbase and thus more legroom for the rear passengers, which makes it a competitor of midsize vans in the D market segment. Compared with the competition, the Opel also features a larger tailgate and easier access for loading/unloading. With a luggage capacity of around 4,500 litres, the Zafira-e Life “Large” is a rival for even bigger vans. There is also an electric parking brake that can be comfortably applied or released with just one finger.

Opel Zafira-e Life offers leather seats on high-quality aluminium rails that allow full and easy adjustment for all versions. Five, six, seven or eight leather-seat configurations are available. The folding back of the front passenger seat allows the transportation of objects up to 3.50 m in length. Folding the third row seats increases the luggage capacity of the Opel Zafira-e Life “S” to 1,500 litres (to roof level). Removal of the rear seats (which are equally easy to reinstall) raises the total cargo capacity to as much as 3,397 litres.

Luxurious “Lounge” trim is available for the long wheelbase versions – seats with massage and electric heating in front, four movable leather chairs behind, each with a 48cm wide seat cushion. VIP passengers can thus also sit facing each other and enjoy the legroom.

Enhancing safety: head-up display, front collision warning and rear view camera

New all-electric Opel MPV features numerous driver assistance systems. A camera and radar monitor the area in front of the vehicle. System even recognises pedestrians crossing the road and can initiate an emergency braking manoeuver at speeds up to 30 km/h. Semi-adaptive cruise control adjusts the speed to that of the vehicle in front, automatically decelerates and can reduce the speed to 20km/h if necessary. Lane-keep assist and drowsiness alert warn drivers if they have spent too much time at the wheel and need a break. High-beam assist, which automatically adjusts to high or low beam, switches on above 25 km/h. Also unique in this market segment is the colour head-up display that shows speed, distance to the preceding vehicle and navigation.

Ultrasonic sensors in the front and rear bumpers alert the driver to obstacles when parking. The image from the rear view camera appears on the interior mirror or the 7.0-inch touchscreen – the latter with 180-degree visibility from the bird’s eye view.

Large touchscreen comes with Multimedia and Multimedia Navi infotainment. Both systems feature phone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Thanks to “OpelConnect”, the navigation system includes real time traffic information for the latest status on the roads. A powerful sound system is available with all trim levels. In the top-of-the-line version, passengers enjoy first class acoustics thanks to ten loudspeakers.

As the flagship of the Opel Zafira Life model range, the new emissions-free Opel Zafira-e Life represents an extremely attractive offer to environmentally conscious private customers as well as demanding business users. Order books are due to open this summer.