!NEW! Opel Ampera-e Impresses with Electrifying High-tech

• Revolutionary: Electric range of 520 kilometers (in accordance with NEDC)
• All-round safety: Assistance systems guard, warn and even brake in an emergency
• Outstanding connectivity: 4G/LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot, smartphone integration and new OnStar services
• Tailored: New myOpelApp developed especially for the Opel Ampera-e

Range champion: New Opel Ampera-e can cover 520 kilometers (measured in accordance with the New European Driving Cycle) between charges.

The new Opel Ampera-e is the electric car with a revolutionary officially certified NEDC range of 520 kilometers (measured in accordance with the New European Driving Cycle). The 4.17 meter long Ampera-e also offers plenty of space for up to five passengers plus trunk space of 381 liters (1,274 liters when the seats are folded down), which is more than some compact class cars. “We are bringing an electric car fully suitable for everyday use to market in the Ampera-e. It is not eco-luxury, not a gadget and not just a second car. Opel is showing that electro-mobility is also achievable for a much broader audience thanks to the most innovative technology,” said Opel CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann. The newcomer has been available for order in Norway, a country fully geared up for electro-mobility, for a few weeks now and orders have surpassed 3,400. With the Opel Ampera-e set to go on sale in Germany, the Netherlands, France and Switzerland shortly it is time to get to know the electric car better and take a closer look at the combination of high-tech battery, assistance systems and digital connectivity.

 

No range anxiety: New Opel Ampera-e revolutionizes electro-mobility.

The new Opel Ampera-e – Overview

Battery & range

60 kWh lithium-ion battery consisting of 288 cells arranged in eight modules of 30 and two modules of 24 cells. The entire battery pack is an integral part of the underbody. This saves space while simultaneously guaranteeing safety. A 30-minute charge at a 50 kW DC public fast-charger will add a further 150 kilometers of range. Opel grant a warranty of up to eight years or 160,000 kilometers for the battery system. The revolutionary electric car has a range of 520 kilometers measured based on the NEDC test cycle with a full battery. And the Opel Ampera-e also impresses when tested approximated to the speed profile defined in the WLTP (Worldwide Harmonized Light-Duty Vehicles Test Procedure) driving cycle (shortened test procedure): Based on this development test, the engineers estimate a combined WLTP range of 380 kilometers. Naturally, the range in everyday use will vary and depends on personal driving behavior and on external factors.

Performance & torque

Instant torque of 360 Nm is responsible for the electrifying temperament of the Ampera-e. The output of the electric motor is equivalent to 150 kW/204 hp (PS). This enables the Opel Ampera-e to accelerate from 0 to 50 km/h in just 3.2 seconds and from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds – times rivalling those of sports cars. Mid-range acceleration from 80 to 120 km/h, which is especially important for overtaking maneuvers, is completed in just 4.5 seconds. Top speed is limited to 150 km/h for the benefit of the overall range.

Comfort & Safety

The new Ampera-e also follows Opel’s strategy of making technologies normally only known from the luxury class available to a broader audience at affordable prices. Therefore, the electric car from Rüsselsheim comes with a string of high-tech assistance systems.

Advanced Park Assist: It finds suitable parallel and perpendicular parking slots automatically park the Ampera-e. The driver only needs to operate the pedals. Advanced Park Assist scans free parking spaces between parallel parked vehicles as normally encountered on supermarket car parks. Furthermore, the clever assistant searches for roadside parking spots between parked cars. The driver always has an excellent overview thanks to the 130-degree rear-view camera.

Safety assistant: A string of systems helps ensure that the Opel Ampera-e always keeps a safe distance to the vehicle in front, does not unintentionally leave its lane, no other road users are overlooked and supports the driver right up to emergency braking. The amount of assistants even helps eliminate the fear of being caught in hectic rush-hour traffic. The assistants are:

• Following Distance Indication & Forward Collision Alert – for sufficient distance to vehicles in front
• Lane Keep Assist – issues a warning when unintentionally leaving the lane (active at speeds between 60 and 150 km/h). Provides gentle steering wheel turns but does not steer the car continuously.
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert, radar based – for safe reversing
• Automatic High Beam Assist & Traffic Sign Assistant – to see everything at a glance.
• Radar based Lane Change Alert and Side Blind Zone Alert – so that nothing and nobody is overlooked
• Pedestrian Safety Signal & Front Pedestrian Mitigation Braking – to protect pedestrians. The warning signal was developed to make distracted or blind pedestrians aware of the quiet electric car and is active at speeds up to 30 km/h.
• Forward Collision Alert with Low Speed Collision Mitigation Braking & Reflective LED Alert Display – to help prevent front-end collisions.

Infotainment & connectivity

Well informed: New Opel Ampera-e with digital instrument panel and central, iPad-inspired monitor.

Opel’s electric car is the perfect match for our digital age: essential operations are performed via the individually configurable, tablet-like 10.2 inch color monitor. All important information on the vehicle or the outside conditions can be displayed here. The IntelliLink-e infotainment system can integrate compatible smartphones via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. These can be charged even when not connected through a cable thanks to wireless charging. Features such as voice control, USB and Bluetooth interfaces are obviously also available. Audiophile Ampera-e owners can also order the Bose sound system with subwoofer – a special treat in the super-silent electric car.

IntelliLink-e finally fuses to create a complete service offering when combined with the personal service and connectivity assistant Opel OnStar. OnStar offers a powerful 4G/LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot, ensuring outstanding connectivity for all Ampera-e occupants and their mobile devices. Furthermore, Opel OnStar users are only a press of a button away from a personal advisor who can help book a hotel room (booking service), find the closest available charging station or provide directions to a car park.

The digital offering is rounded off by the newly developed myOpelApp. It gives Ampera-e owners the possibility of controlling their car from afar – just like with all other models with Opel OnStar on board. The app helps fully exploit the advantages of an electric car: The Ampera-e can be pre-heated or pre-cooled no matter whether it is parked at a charging station or not via the app, thus enabling passengers to get into a perfectly acclimatized car no matter what the weather. In combination with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto the app also enables the location of charging stations to be considered when planning routes – just in case the distance exceeds the range.

Just like its sibling the Chevrolet Bolt EV, the Opel Ampera-e is made in the GM plant in Orion, Michigan.

!NEW! Pure Individuality – Opel ADAM and ADAM ROCKS UNLIMITED

Unique: New Opel ADAM family members freely configurable right up to the smallest detail

Opel ADAM UNLIMITED

From now on, everything is possible thanks to Opel ADAM UNLIMITED and ADAM ROCKS UNLIMITED. The latest additions to the stylish Opel ADAM family have overcome the final configuration hurdles. The bold lifestyle car already shone with almost endless individualization possibilities – but now Opel ADAM UNLIMITED will take that to a completely new level. Customers can configure their own personal Opel ADAM right up to the smallest detail. Wheels, colors, decors, interior fittings – it is all in the customers’ hand. The Opel ADAM UNLIMITED is available for prices starting at €14,300 (RRP including VAT in Germany, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions combined: 6.7-4.2 l/100 km, 125-99 g/km).

Opel ADAM ROCKS UNLIMITED 

“Ever since its launch almost three years ago our Opel ADAM has been a prime example for how much personality and individuality a small car can have. We are now taking this concept to the extreme with the Opel ADAM UNLIMITED and the Opel ADAM ROCKS UNLIMITED. Our customers can now let their creative imagination run wild. Every Opel ADAM fan can now have his own personal and distinctive car. That is truly unique,” said Jürgen Keller, Executive Director Sales, Marketing and Aftersales Germany.

How about a new color on the outside such as Orange Alert, Brownian Rhapsody or Greyzilla? Or a new color for the roof such as Dancing Green in combination with the extreme carbon package for the door mirrors and the grille and the “Swiss Blade” alloy wheels? The chrome package for the kick plates and the outer door handles along with seat covers in Morrocana are always on board. Automatic climate control comes as standard and increases well-being. The latest IntelliLink infotainment generation including smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is available as an option. The system enables quick and traffic-related navigation via Apple Maps and Google Maps.

IntelliLink R4.0 can read out messages from WhatsApp or Skype without affecting the navigation via Google Maps. 

The Opel dealers have a further navigation option available in the TomTom GO 40 including FlexDock® mounting.

The portable TomTom GO 40 with 3D display and traffic updates in real time is available at Opel dealers. 

Finally yet importantly, the Opel ADAM UNLIMITED can also be ordered with Opel OnStar. The personal connectivity and service assistant turns the Opel ADAM into a mobile 4G/LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot for up to seven devices. Furthermore, it offers an all-round carefree package including Automatic Crash Response, Roadside Assistance and Stolen Vehicle Assistance along with Vehicle Diagnostics via the myOpel smartphone app.

!NEW! Compact Connectivity Star: New Astra with Opel OnStar and IntelliLink

• Extensive: Full Opel OnStar portfolio including powerful Wi-Fi hotspot
• Innovative: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone integration available
• Entertaining: Next generation IntelliLink systems cover all bases
• Wi-Fi Hotspot makes online smartphone navigation more practicable

Phone integration: The Navi 900 IntelliLink system of the new Opel Astra is compatible with Apple CarPlay.

When the new Opel Astra hits the roads, it will do so with an unrivalled connectivity offer. The Astra is the first new model to be introduced with the new personal connectivity and service assistant Opel OnStar. In addition, two next generation devices of Opel’s award-winning IntelliLink infotainment systems also make their premiere in the new Astra. More than ever, they bring the connected world of smartphones and apps into the cabin. They are compatible with the latest Android 5.0 Lollipop and Apple iOS-8 (or higher) smartphones. With the integration of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, users can for instance access audio streaming and message reading, and additional, third party apps such as Stitcher, Podcast, Spotify, Umano, etc. (depending on the integration system) via the car controls and up to eight-inch large touchscreens.

“Connectivity is one of Opel’s outstanding features as seen with our award-winning IntelliLink infotainment system. Opel OnStar is further proof that we want to deliver trendsetting innovations in connectivity to a wider audience,” said Opel Group CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann. “Opel OnStar is a ground-breaking technology and service: It will make driving more comfortable – but most of all it will add a new, extraordinary level of safety to Opel vehicles. In addition, it enables a direct dialogue with our customers that will create stronger ties with the brand. All this will convince even more new buyers that Opel is the right choice.”

Powerful 4G/LTE mobile hotspot

The new Astra is the first Opel to be available with Opel OnStar from its launch – making it, by far, the most advanced and the most caring car in the compact segment. Created 17 years ago in the U.S.A, OnStar already is the leading provider of connected safety and security solutions, value-added mobility services and advanced information technology in North America, China and Mexico with over 7 million subscribers. Opel OnStar is making its debut in the Opel passenger car range in 13 European markets (Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK) with additional European countries following later.

Connected to people: Opel OnStar advisors are multilingual in order to be able to answer in the subscribers’ own languages and are available 24/7 and 365 days a year

When equipped with Opel OnStar, the new Astra doubles as a 4G/LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, enabling up to seven devices to be connected to the car network. The built-in 4G LTE structure is specifically designed for in-vehicle use: it is integrated into the vehicle’s electrical system and includes an external antenna to maximize connectivity and deliver a stable internet connection. As the OnStar system comprises an independent SIM card encapsulated in its module, customers are not required to have a smartphone to use connected services. 4G LTE will initially be introduced in three markets, Germany, the UK and the Netherlands with the remaining countries following suit at a later stage.

Extensive service portfolio

Apart from bringing the latest in mobile Wi-Fi technology to the automotive world, Opel OnStar also gives access to a broad portfolio of services such as emergency services, roadside recovery and smartphone remote control. Opel OnStar’s key principle is that subscribers are connected to real people, not to machines nor multiple-choice mailboxes. These OnStar Advisors are located at the high-tech Opel OnStar Contact Center in Luton, England. They are multilingual in order to be able to answer in the subscribers’ own languages and are available 24/7 and 365 days a year.

Fully connected. With Opel OnStar.

Opel OnStar’s only visible feature in the car is a module comprising three buttons that is located close to the interior rear view mirror above the windscreen. The blue Service Button gives access to comfort services such as Vehicle Diagnostics and Destination Download: for instance, OnStar subscribers looking for a certain destination such as a restaurant or the closest gasoline station press it to contact an Opel OnStar advisor who will send the desired destination directly to the navigation system embedded in the vehicle.

Push the button: The new Astra is available with Opel OnStar from its launch – making it, by far, the most advanced and the most caring car in the compact segment

At a push of the red SOS Button, Opel OnStar users can request assistance whenever they deem it necessary, for example if they witness an accident. But OnStar is also there in case one cannot ask for help personally. For example, if an airbag deploys, Opel OnStar’s guardian angel is alerted automatically. An advisor will then contact the subscriber and call him in the vehicle via the OnStar module to determine whether help is required. If there is no response, the advisor will immediately send emergency responders to the exact location of the vehicle. 

The Privacy button allows the subscriber to mask the position of the car and become invisible to the system. However, to ensure maximum safety for subscribers, Opel OnStar will automatically overrule the privacy command in case an airbag is deployed.

In addition, the Opel OnStar subscriber can also download OnStar’s MyOpel Smartphone App. It allows him to contact OnStar from anywhere via his smartphone, for instance if his car has been stolen, needs to be located and remotely immobilized at some point. The app also enables the subscriber to remotely access important vehicle data such as oil life and tire pressure, or to remotely lock or unlock his car.

The entire Opel OnStar service portfolio is available in the new Astra and in all equipped Opel vehicles free of charge for the first 12 months after registration.

Phone integration via Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

Two new IntelliLink systems premiere in the new Opel Astra, R 4.0 IntelliLink and Navi 900 IntelliLink – which features an integrated navigation system. They seamlessly and easily integrate smartphone functionalities. R 4.0 IntelliLink is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone integration from the beginning and enables, for instance, navigation via Apple and Android apps such as Apple Maps and Google Maps. The Navi 900 IntelliLink system is already compatible with Apple CarPlay, while Android Auto compatibility is scheduled to arrive in the course of 2016.

New Opel Astra: Navi 900 IntelliLink

Each system builds off of the features smartphone users rely on most. Apple CarPlay takes the iPhone features you would want to access while driving and puts them on the vehicle’s display in a smart, simple manner. That allows drivers to make calls, send and receive messages and listen to music right from the touchscreen or by voice via Siri. Apple CarPlay supported apps include Phone, Messages, Maps, Music and compatible third party apps. 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 that includes WhatsApp, Skype, Google Play Music, Spotify, and podcast players. A full list of supported apps is available at Android.com/auto.

The functions can be controlled via the large, up to eight-inch touchscreen located on the center stack, via remote control on the steering wheel (selected functions only) or via voice control. In order to minimize the risk of distraction, the most important information can be repeatedly displayed directly under the drivers’ eyes in the color instrument cluster located between the speedometer and the rev counter. In combination with Opel OnStar, smartphones can easily be connected to the car’s Wi-Fi hotspot. This brings additional benefits such as real-time traffic information or the latest maps, and thanks to the map data being stored on a server instead of the phone, it saves memory on the device. In addition, online navigation via smartphone requires a permanent internet connection as well as a data plan, which can be an expensive experience, especially while roaming. But thanks to the personal connectivity and service assistant, drivers of the new Astra can not only use Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for navigation, they can do so without impacting their smartphone’s data plan.

With Opel OnStar, the latest generation of IntelliLink infotainment systems and state-of-the-art smartphone integration, the new Astra is perfectly equipped to deal with the most sophisticated connectivity demands of the modern-day car owner.

!NEW! OnStar Reaches 1 Billion Customer Interactions

• Successful around the world: Your personal connectivity and service assistant
• 24/7 365 days a year: Customers contact OnStar via phone, mobile app, vehicle
• Pole position: Astra first completely new Opel model with OnStar 

OnStar has fielded more than 1 billion request from customers, who interact by phone, mobile app or embedded cellular service in their cars and trucks. Launched nearly 19 years ago as an industry-first service that would place a call from the vehicle when an air bag deployed, OnStar today remotely unlocks doors, loads driving directions directly to the vehicle, compiles and sends emails on vehicle health.

A customer contacts OnStar every two seconds. That adds up to about 5 million calls a month from its subscriber base of more than 7 million. Add 8.8 million interactions a month from the mobile app and you can see how indispensable OnStar has become since launching in 1996.

“OnStar created the original connected car in 1996 and today remains at the forefront of innovation through the services offered in Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac and soon, Opel vehicles around the globe,” said Alicia Boler-Davis, senior vice president, General Motors Global Connected Customer Experience. “The pace at which the brand has reached 1 billion interactions shows the vast customer demand for vehicle connectivity and there’s no doubt our second billion interactions will come even quicker.”

The Opel/Vauxhall OnStar connectivity and service assistant will be launched in Europe on August 3, 2015.

The new generation of the Opel Astra, which will celebrate its debut at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt (September 17 to 27), will be the first completely new Opel model to be available with OnStar. The system can also be ordered for ADAM, Cascada, Corsa, Insignia, Meriva, Mokka and Zafira Tourer in certain markets. The first introduction wave will see Opel OnStar being rolled out in 13 European markets, those being Belgium, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Switzerland and Spain, with additional countries following later. Customers will be able to use the entire service portfolio provided by Opel OnStar including the 24-hour Emergency Call Service free of charge for the first 12 months after registration.

Smartphone owners will be able to connect to their vehicle remotely with a Smartphone App. In addition, Opel OnStar will assist vehicle owners and police alike in case a vehicle with the system is stolen.

Opel OnStar can also provide subscribers with a monthly Vehicle Diagnostics email with the most important vehicle data and information. Furthermore, a diagnostics check can be requested at any time at the push of a button, thus providing peace of mind before setting off on a longer journey.

Opel OnStar subscribers in Europe will be in complete control of their data and the Opel OnStar services they receive. Before the services are activated they will have to agree to the terms and conditions. Furthermore, they will be able to choose whether they want to reveal their current location – at a push of the Privacy Button their position will be masked.

By the numbers, here is what 1 billion interactions looks like:

• 5.5 million Emergency Services delivered.
• 156 million mobile app requests.
• Delivered Roadside Assistance more than 3.9 million times.
• More than 390 million Vehicle Diagnostic reports delivered.

Before becoming known as OnStar, the original name for the service was Project Beacon. Its goal was integrating wireless communication into vehicles, years before mass adoption of smartphones.

In the fall of 1996, OnStar debuted in the Cadillac DeVille, Seville and Eldorado. The service initially offered Airbag Deployment Notifications, the core of OnStar’s safety and security premise, which progressed into Automatic Crash Response that uses sensors capable of determining the severity of a crash impact and alerting an OnStar emergency advisor to assist. OnStar today responds to more than 100,000 emergency calls every month. 

!NEW! Opel Acquires an Interest in Ridesharing Platform flinc

• Strategic investment in cooperation partner
• Together with CarUnity further element on the way to a mobility provider

Opel is taking the next important step to becoming a mobility provider after successfully launching the carsharing app CarUnity. The carmaker is investing in the internet and app-based ridesharing platform flinc. GM Ventures (GMV), the investment division of General Motors, will realize the investment. The technology used for flinc will play an important part in extending Opel’s mobility service offer throughout Europe. Deutsche Bahn will join GMV and also become an investor.

"For Opel this partnership is a decisive strategic investment. It will be crucial in the future to evolve from a product manufacturer to a provider of networked mobility," said Opel's chief marketing officer Tina Müller.

Opel and flinc are already working together successfully. A pilot project including an internal ridesharing platform for Opel employees in Rüsselsheim was launched in March. Currently, 9,000 rides per month are shared via the app-based platform, with an upward trend. In June, the partners also announced an expansion of the cooperation. From 2016, flinc will provide the technological platform so that rides can be shared via Opel’s new carsharing app ‘CarUnity’. Further details on this will be announced at a later date.

Opel is the first carmaker to introduce a carsharing concept for everyone. Cars can be shared no matter whether they are made by Opel or another brand. CarUnity enables flexible, individual mobility throughout Germany at all times. 

!NEW! Europe Premiere at the Geneva Motor Show: Opel OnStar to Set New Standards in Vehicle Safety and Connectivity

• Opel OnStar to be launched in 13 European markets this year
• Car occupants automatically connected with emergency specialist after crash detection
• Other main features: 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, stolen vehicle assistance, smartphone app
• Free trial period: No charge for Opel OnStar and Wi-Fi for 12 months

Opel OnStar

Can more than seven million happy customers in the U.S.A., Canada, China and Mexico be wrong ? No is Opel’s unequivocal response uttered loud and clear at the 85th International Geneva Motor Show. Therefore, the Rüsselsheim-based carmaker will be introducing Opel OnStar, the new mobility and service assistant, across the company’s passenger car range from August 2015. The first introduction wave will see Opel OnStar being rolled out in 13 European markets with additional European markets following later. Following the company’s ambition to make premium technologies available to a wider audience, customers will be able to use the entire service portfolio provided by Opel OnStar as well as the high-speed Wi-Fi hotspot free of charge for the first 12 months after registration.

Fully connected. With Opel OnStar.

“Connectivity is one of Opel’s unique selling points as seen with our award-winning IntelliLink infotainment system. Opel OnStar, for which we have already received a Connected Car Award, is further proof that we want to deliver trendsetting innovations in connectivity to a wider audience,” said Opel Group CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann. “Opel OnStar is a ground-breaking technology: It will add a new level of safety to our vehicles and at the same time make driving more comfortable. The direct dialogue with our customers will create stronger ties with the brand. All this will convince even more new buyers that Opel is the right choice.”

4G LTE Connection with Wi-Fi Hotspot

Stay in touch: The Opel OnStar 4G LTE connection enables a Wi-Fi hotspot, allowing up to seven devices to connect in and around the vehicle. 

With mobile data speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G technologies, increased responsiveness, and the ability to support simultaneous voice and data connections, a built-in 4G LTE connection will enable advances in a wide range of in-vehicle communications and entertainment capabilities. The 4G LTE connection enables a Wi-Fi hotspot, allowing up to seven devices to connect in and around the vehicle. Passengers will be able to stay in touch with family and friends via social media, play games, stream movies or watch TV via their favorite app or to work while away from the office.

The built-in 4G LTE structure is specifically designed for in-vehicle use as it is integrated into the vehicle’s electrical system and includes an external antenna to maximize coverage and connectivity. Customers will not be required to have a smartphone to use connected services. 4G LTE will initially be introduced in three markets, Germany, the UK and the Netherlands with the remaining countries following suit at a later stage.

24/7 lifesaver

In addition to the entertainment and working tool features, Opel OnStar is also there in case of an emergency and can be a real lifesaver – whether you can ask for it yourself or not. If an airbag deploys, Opel OnStar will be alerted automatically. An advisor will then contact the vehicle to determine whether help is required. If there is no response, emergency responders are immediately sent to the exact location of the vehicle. Opel OnStar Advisors located at the high-tech Opel OnStar service center in Luton, England, are available 24/7 and 365 days a year. The Opel OnStar buttons will be located in the overhead center console or the rear-view mirror on some cars. Furthermore, the new system also includes roadside assistance services.

Remote connection with Opel OnStar – The Smartphone App

Smartphone App: Opel OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics 

Smartphone owners will be able to connect to their vehicle remotely with a smartphone app. It will enable them to:

• Contact OnStar from anywhere
• Call up important vehicle data such as oil life or tire pressure
• Remotely lock or unlock the car
• Locate the car online
• Honk the horn and flash the lights
• Quickly download destinations to the in-car navigation system
• Easily manage the vehicle’s built-in Wi-Fi hotspot settings

Rapid vehicle recovery

Opel OnStar: Stolen Vehicle Assistance 

In addition, Opel OnStar will assist vehicle owners and police alike in case a vehicle with the system is stolen. The stolen vehicle assistance will enable Opel OnStar to work closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure that the car is recovered quickly and safely and returned to its rightful owner. Remote Ignition Block will allow Opel OnStar to send a remote signal to the vehicle that blocks the engine from starting once it has been reported stolen.

Up-to-date with monthly diagnostics

Opel OnStar can also provide subscribers with a monthly Vehicle Diagnostics email with the most important vehicle data and information. Furthermore, a diagnostics check can be requested at any time at the push of a button, thus providing peace of mind before setting off on a longer journey.

European customers in complete control

Push the button: Opel OnStar Advisors located at the service center in Luton, England, are available 24/7 and 365 days a year. The Opel OnStar buttons will be located in the overhead center console

Opel OnStar subscribers in Europe will be in complete control of their data and the Opel OnStar services they receive. Before the services are activated they will have to agree to the terms and conditions. Furthermore, they will be able to choose whether they want to reveal their current location – at a push of the Privacy Button their position will be masked. However, no matter whether the location is masked/unmasked Opel OnStar will not be used to monitor its user but will solely offer emergency services. In case of an airbag deployment, Opel OnStar will by default override the mask functionality so that emergency services can be dispatched to the exact location as quickly as possible.

!NEW! Opel Wins Red Dot Award for Communication Design

Innovative ADAM&YOU app awarded coveted Best of the Best prize

Best of the Best: Red Dot Award for the Opel ADAM&YOU app

The trendy Opel ADAM is the individualization champion among chic small cars and it is also a real communication star. With its Siri Eyes Free voice-controlled infotainment system IntelliLink, the ADAM is the best connected small car on the market. An excellent complement to that is the configuration app for the iPad called ADAM&YOU.

Designed like a computer game, the app is an impressive experience in high-quality 3D visualization that enables a virtual test drive and includes a direct link to the Opel online configurator. This allows the user to experience the car during the configuration process in a completely new and dynamic way. ADAM&YOU supported the market introduction of the Opel ADAM in around 35 European countries. For the Red Dot Design Award jury, this was perfectly implemented and therefore deserving of the prize.

The renowned design prize is also awarded for design in communication. In the category Mobile & App, Opel and its system partners RTT and Sevenval crossed the finish line as Best of the Best. A beaming Annette Elberskirch accepted the Red Dot Design Award at the awards ceremony in Berlin. The Opel Manager for Digital Marketing Communication was thrilled with the accolade: “Opel stands for modern, intelligent communication – in the dialog between the brand and customers as well as in the connectivity of our cars with the digital world. So this prize for the ADAM app is wonderful acknowledgment of that and motivates our team even more. We at Opel are on the right track towards an increasingly communicative automotive future.”

Annette Elberskirch, Opel Manager for Digital Marketing Communication, celebrating the Red Dot Award with representatives of Opel's system partners RTT and Sevenval.

Explaining their decision, the jury also said: “The Opel ADAM app is fascinating, as it goes to the performance limits of a comparative configurator. The customer can virtually test drive the model by using the iPad as a steering wheel. The design is absolutely convincing with its clear layout and high attractiveness.”

The Opel ADAM&YOU app can be downloaded free of charge from the iTunes Store.

!NEW! Mobile Apps Enable Opel Customers to Update In-Car Infotainment

• Vehicle owners can customize car’s Infotainment system
• Apps created for automobiles, seamlessly integrated for safety and easy use
• Available soon on Opel Insignia with New-Generation Infotainment system

Navigation and much more: Opel will display the new Opel Insignia apps “The Weather Channel”, “TuneIn”, “NPR” (National Public Radio) and “MiRoamer” at the Frankfurt motor show.

Opel customers will soon be able to “update” their in-car infotainment without having to buy a new vehicle.

Customers will be able to customize the infotainment system in their vehicles and update the apps, compared to today, when they purchase a vehicle and the infotainment features are fixed and remain the same throughout the ownership experience.

The apps are coming: Vehicle owners will be able to customize the infotainment system in their cars and update the apps, compared to today, when they purchase a vehicle and the infotainment features are fixed and remain the same throughout the ownership experience.

Apps – software applications for accessing information and services on the internet – that the customer can add after the initial vehicle purchase will be presented by Opel at the Frankfurt International Motor Show (September 12-22).

“Opel is rapidly becoming the automobile brand for connectivity”, says Opel CEO, Karl-Thomas Neumann. “Our IntelliLink touchscreen radio with smartphone integration and navigation in the Opel ADAM has already beaten far more expensive systems from premium German car makers in independent tests. In the future apps integrated in the car will help keep drivers connected in ways they never thought possible.”

Customers will be able to download apps and services from the Opel AppShop as they are created and approved, via a smartphone with Bluetooth-tethering. This means their car’s infotainment becomes “upgradable” and gets even better over time, with new features.

Opel will display the apps “The Weather Channel”, “TuneIn”, “NPR” (National Public Radio) and “MiRoamer” at the Frankfurt show.  The list will grow and evolve over time, as General Motors and Opel work with developers to create new apps.

The Opel AppShop will be available in 2014 on the new Insignia with its IntelliLink new-generation infotainment system, and subsequently rolled out to additional models in the Opel range.

Together with GM, Opel is reaching out to app developers so it can offer customers new apps in its cars that enhance the overall in-vehicle and ownership experience.

“There will be a category of apps that will be unique to our cars and very different from what people use today on their smartphones or tablets,” said GM Chief Infotainment Officer Phil Abram.  “It’s not just taking phone apps and making them function in a car, which most car companies do in some form now.  Instead, GM may approve applications that stem from vehicle ownership.”

Developers will create unique apps for the car that seamlessly integrate with the vehicle, allowing drivers to use them while keeping their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.

Opel and GM will approve all applications created for their vehicles to ensure they enhance the overall ownership experience, meet in-house criteria for in-vehicle integration and encourage safe, non-distracting driving habits.

GM started actively engaging with third party developers by launching developer.gm.com and releasing a GM software developer kit that allows registered uses access to its vehicle APIs to create applications.  About 2700 developers have now registered on the website.

The AppShop further demonstrates Opel’s commitment to embracing customers’ digital lives as part of the company’s “DRIVE! 2022” long-term strategy.

!NEW! Opel Insignia - Interactive Owner’s Manual

• New app myOpel expanded with electronic handbook myOpel Manual
• Smartphone scans vehicle details and connects to owner’s manual
• World premiere at Frankfurt International Motor Show

New Opel Insignia customers can look forward to using an all-new, clever and very user-friendly owner’s manual for Opel’s new flagship model, which makes its debut at the IAA before entering showrooms in late September. They will no longer have to search through hundreds of pages of text to find the function of a button or the meaning of a symbol because all they need to do is download myOpel from the app store. This free Opel app will be expanded with an extremely useful function – the myOpel Manual.

With myOpel Manual, everyone can use an interactive owner’s manual when they are underway. Once the app is installed, it is sufficient to simply scan any part of the car which needs explanation with the smartphone’s camera. The display screen will show a yellow circle around the switch or read-out in question, and the customer then just touches the symbol on the touchscreen to immediately get an explanation of the selected element – it doesn’t get any easier and faster than this.

Another example of myOpel Manual’s capabilities: the driver wants to check the oil level of the new Opel Insignia for the first time and is looking for the dipstick. After a quick scan of the engine compartment with a smartphone, myOpel Manual will show the containers and filler necks important for the driver on the display – and of course where the dipstick is located as well as the relevant section of text from the owner’s manual.

Smart helper: Opel app shows the relevant section of text from the owner’s manual

myOpel Manual is the latest proof of just how much value Opel places on the connectivity of its cars and the best-possible service for its customers. With its revolutionary infotainment system, the new Opel Insignia is the best example of this commitment. Whether the system’s intuitive operation takes place via voice command, over the touchpad controller, control buttons or the large touchscreen – depending on driver or front passenger’s preferences – the possibilities are many.

Based on augmented reality technology, the Insignia owner’s manual myOpel Manual is expected to become part of the recently introduced app myOpel from late fall. This Opel app enables dialog between customer, dealer and manufacturer. It also offers practical functions such as a parking space finder and an electronic accident report. myOpel Manual is initially available for the iOS operating system, with an Android-based version to follow shortly.

“Customers should be completely satisfied with every contact they have with the Opel brand, as well as with their daily use of and interaction with their car. Contact with the brand is now even closer through the free myOpel app, which enables dealers and owners to maintain an ongoing dialog. And the current highlight is the intuitive owner’s manual myOpel Manual that, for starters, will really please Insignia owners,” says Markus Sternberg, Executive Director Customer Experience Europe, describing interactive developments at Opel.

There is more to come, as Opel programmers are already working on further new service offers. An owner’s manual (digital and print) individually written for every Opel model and an Opel Owner’s Center – a social online channel for Opel customers – are at the top of their development list.

!NEW! First in class: Opel ADAM offers interactive voice control

• Now available: Revolutionary “Siri Eyes Free” iPhone integration
• The only small car: That answers the question “Are we nearly there yet?”
• Minimize distraction: Internet access via voice activation for more safety
• Siri for everybody: Free IntelliLink update in ADAM models manufactured before June 

Opel ADAM GLAM, SLAM, JAM

The Opel ADAM with the IntelliLink infotainment system is now also available with full integration for Siri Eyes Free, the unique intelligent assistant from Apple that helps you get things done whilst driving just by asking. Using a steering wheel-mounted button, customers with a compatible iPhone¹ running iOS 6 can direct Siri Eyes Free to perform a number of tasks while they safely keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel. This is more than traditional voice activation – you can speak to Siri Eyes Free in ADAM just as you would a person with a conversational tone.

To minimize distraction, Apple and Opel take hands-free functionality even further than before with the Siri Eyes Free mode which enables you to interact with your Apple device using nothing more than your voice. Users will notice that their device screen does not display the Siri text conversation whilst using the feature in ADAM. This is one of the important safety measures Apple took together with Opel during the integration development to ensure upmost focus on safety.

      Opel ADAM GLAM Purple interior with IntelliLink

This unique feature is available free of charge in all IntelliLink-equipped ADAMs which are ordered now on. Customers who already own an ADAM with IntellilLink can also benefit from Siri Eyes Free. As Opel is offering a software update free of charge which enables the Siri Eyes Free functionality to be added to IntelliLink. The innovative IntelliLink system can be continually updated throughout the customers’ ownership to ensure in-car infotainment is just as up to date as their mobile communication. Opel ADAM customers should visit their Opel dealer to get the update.

To start sessions with Siri in Eyes Free mode, ADAM owners simply connect their Apple iOS device with the IntelliLink infotainment system via Bluetooth, pair with the system, and use the steering wheel voice activation button. Siri Eyes Free can be activated while other apps such as BringGo continue running in the background. Music or nav directions are automatically muted during this time.

In the Opel ADAM equipped with the IntelliLink infotainment system, owners can use Siri Eyes Free to:

• Make voice-activated, hands-free calls to Contacts on their iPhone
• Play chosen songs in their iTunes libraries without having to spend time scrolling through menus – and therefore being distracted while driving
• Listen to, or compose and send an iMessage, text message or mail to a phone number or anyone in saved Contacts
• Access Calendar and add appointments, read incoming notifications as well as configuration for alarm and notification settings
• And, of course, Siri also answers simple questions such as game scores, weather or the dates of national holidays

Opel ADAM GLAM - FlexDock iPhone docking station on centre loudspeaker 

On top of that, customers with the FlexDock system can also benefit from full Siri Eyes Free integration with their smartphone device front and centre on the dashboard. Simply dock any Apple smartphone, including iPhone 5, in the cradle and Siri Eyes Free can support with voice activation on other Apple Apps including Apple Maps. With Apple Maps in use, you can even ask Siri Eyes Free ‘Are we nearly there yet?’.

Opel ADAM GLAM - FlexDock SmartPhone docking station on centre loudspeaker

A further advantage of using the Opel FlexDock: the iPhone is automatically charged without the need for an additional cable so a discharged battery can be avoided.

Many capabilities for ADAM’s IntelliLink infotainment system

Opel’s new IntelliLink infotainment system, which made its debut in ADAM, is compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, as well as Android devices. The full scope of options IntelliLink offers in Opel ADAM also includes TuneIn, a global radio access app, BringGo, a navigation app, and Stitcher, a global podcast internet radio app. IntelliLink brings the connectivity and functionality of smartphones safely inside the car via a seven-inch, high resolution, full color touch-screen display with Bluetooth or USB connections. IntelliLink, the ultra-modern infotainment system, can therefore be as personal to use as the content kept on an iPhone or Android device. At the same time, OpeI IntelliLink is an affordable system: it costs 300 euros in Germany.

Standard infotainment for ADAM JAM, ADAM GLAM and ADAM SLAM (in Germany) is a CD 3.0 BT system with radio and CD players, featuring Bluetooth to enable hands-free calling and USB connections. In common with with IntelliLink, the AM/FM double radio tuner can be combined with DAB digital radio. And the whole infotainment system can be further enhanced with an impressive Infinity Sound System including eight loudspeakers.

¹ Siri is available in Beta only on iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPad (3rd and 4th generations), iPad mini and iPod touch (4th generation), and requires Internet access. Siri may not be available in all languages or in all areas, and features may vary by area. Cellular data charges may apply.

!NEW! App for iPad featuring a Star called Opel ADAM

Opel ADAM&YOU: Fascinating app as 3D game with comic book-backed graphics

The Opel ADAM App simplifies the car configuration process through an engaging video game experience. Product customization is currently one of the hottest trends in the car industry. There are literally millions of configurations to choose from, with possibilities clearly exceeding the standard options typically presented in marketing campaigns. Choice gives customers freedom to express their preferences, but the customization process can also be long and frustrating. Faced with the challenge of representing the ADAM car as the most customizable model in its segment, Opel created a downloadable application that enables users to configure their dream car through a dynamic and fun app experience.

As a starting point, users are given 50 different and attractive cars pre-customized by Opel, which they get to ´test on the road´ in a virtual car drive scenario, similar to those typically found in video games. Once happy with a particular car, they take it to the online configurator to further adjust and finalize their dream car.

The App is not only useful – it is first and foremost engaging and fun. What users find particularly refreshing is that it bridges the gap between informative online car-configurator systems and a stimulating video gaming experience. The Opel ADAM App truly pushes the envelope in both of these spheres by combining high-end Unity 3D and 2D visualization with superb interior and exterior rendering, as well as aerial, night-mode, and 360° views of the car and its environment. During the video game segment, users maneuver the car by grabbing and moving both ends of their iPad, thus turning their tablet into a virtual driving wheel. The dynamic, hands-on realtime experience is enhanced by realistic detailing, which includes motion glare, front and rear lights in night mode, rim reflections and turbo-boost. For an even more sophisticated customer journey, the app comes with retina support and even a choice of soundtrack to remix and listen to during the drive. The app also facilitates sharing the chosen configuration on social media, so that users can discuss their choice online with friends.

The Opel Adam App has met with a tremendous response from users, who see it as the missing link between millions of options available and that one dream car. The successful launch of the app for the iPad through the Apple App Store in 30 markets globally has prompted Opel to also develop the app for the iPhone.