!NEW! GM, Honda to Collaborate on Next-Generation Fuel Cell Technologies

Goal is commercially feasible fuel cell and hydrogen storage in 2020 time frame

General Motors (GM) and Honda announced today a long-term, definitive master agreement to co-develop next-generation fuel cell system and hydrogen storage technologies, aiming for the 2020 time frame. The collaboration expects to succeed by sharing expertise, economies of scale and common sourcing strategies.

GM and Honda plan to work together with stakeholders to further advance refueling infrastructure, which is critical for the long-term viability and consumer acceptance of fuel cell vehicles.

GM and Honda are acknowledged leaders in fuel cell technology. According to the Clean Energy Patent Growth Index, GM and Honda rank No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in total fuel cell patents filed between 2002 and 2012, with more than 1,200 between them.

“This collaboration builds upon Honda and GM’s strengths as leaders in hydrogen fuel cell technology,” said Dan Akerson, GM chairman and CEO. “We are convinced this is the best way to develop this important technology, which has the potential to help reduce the dependence on petroleum and establish sustainable mobility.”

Takanobu Ito, president & CEO of Honda Motor Co. Ltd. said: “Among all zero CO₂ emission technologies, fuel cell electric vehicles have a definitive advantage with range and refueling time that is as good as conventional gasoline cars. Honda and GM are eager to accelerate the market penetration of this ultimate clean mobility technology, and I am excited to form this collaboration to fuse our leading fuel cell technologies and create an advanced system that will be both more capable and more affordable.”

GM’s Project Driveway program, launched in 2007, has accumulated nearly 3 million miles of real-world driving in a fleet of 119 hydrogen-powered vehicles, more than any other automaker.

Honda began leasing of the Honda FCX in 2002 and has deployed 85 units in the U.S. and Japan, including its successor, the FCX Clarity, which was named the 2009 World Green Car. Honda has delivered these vehicles to the hands of customers in the U.S. and collected valuable data concerning real-world use of fuel cell electric vehicles.

As already announced, Honda plans to launch the successor of FCX Clarity in Japan and the United States in 2015, and then in Europe. GM will announce its fuel cell production plans at a later date.

Fuel cell technology addresses many of the major challenges facing automobiles today – petroleum dependency, emissions, efficiency, range and refueling times. Fuel cell vehicles can operate on renewable hydrogen made from sources like wind and biomass. The only emission from fuel cell vehicles is water vapor. 

Additionally, fuel cell vehicles can have up to 400 miles driving range, can be refueled in as little as three minutes, and the propulsion technology can be used on small, medium, and large vehicles.

!NEW! The Infotainment systems of the new Opel Insignia

Clearly arranged cockpit with new Infotainment generation in the new Opel Insignia

The spotlight was on three criteria during the enhancement of the cockpit: clear, simple and thus intuitive operation, customization of the infotainment offer, and of course comfort and safety for driver and passengers, which is increased even more thanks to lowest-possible distraction from road traffic.

The center console has a completely new feeling of subtlety and refinement, and it harbors a host of state-of-the-art technologies and functions. The black piano lacquer and chrome control panel was drastically simplified. It now has just a few buttons so that operation of the infotainment system and e.g. air conditioning is fast and intuitive.

The new infotainment generation in the Insignia can be controlled over an 8-inch color display with touch operation. From the starting screen the driver can access all function and sub-menus such as radio stations, song titles, smartphone connection or 3D navigation map via button, touchscreen, voice control or the brand new touchpad. And the infotainment system can be individualized – up to 60 personal favorites (e.g. playlists, phone contacts, navigation addresses) can be stored.

The touchpad is ergonomically integrated in the center console and offers a completely new way of quickly and intuitively accessing the infotainment system. Its illuminated, touch-sensitive surface reacts immediately to finger movements including haptic feedback and makes operation of the new infotainment generation child’s play without distracting the driver from the traffic situation. Even individual letters – for instance when searching for a song title in the database or a city in the navigation system – can be entered by fingertip on the touchpad.

Additionally, the Insignia driver can control the newest generation infotainment system over newly designed, clearly laid-out steering wheel controls as well as voice commands. The advanced voice recognition function can be activated by the simple push of a button on the steering wheel controls and can also process more than one command at a time. The wide range of operating choices is the result of enhancements to the new infotainment generation.

Intensifying the Human-and-Machine-Interface (HMI) connection is the newly designed instrument panel with an up to 8-inch high-resolution color display. In addition to the classic readouts like speed, rpm and fuel tank level, further information on navigation, smartphone use and audio options are directly in the driver’s line of sight and can be adjusted.

!NEW! Generation Power 2013: Class Leading 1.6 Turbo for Opel Astra, Zafira Tourer and Cascada

• Powertrain offensive: Three new engine families and 13 new engines by 2016
• Phase one: Downsizing with 1.6-liter turbo petrol and diesel, improved transmission
• Best in class Torque: 1.6 turbo gasoline direct injection engine with 280 Nm
• Strong power: 100 kW/136 hp 1.6 CDTI with class leading  liter performance
• Efficiency Plus: Reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 15 percent
• Increased comfort: Five-and six-speed manual gearbox, the new generation

Opel Astra family, Zafira Tourer MPV and Cascada convertible

The Opel Astra family, the Zafira Tourer MPV and the midsize class convertible Cascada are the first models, the first ancestor with the new engines and transmissions of the great offensive drive from Opel. By 2016, the automaker replaced 80 percent of its total power portfolio. With three all-new engine family - consisting of 13 different units - and keep gearboxes many new cutting-edge technology and class-leading performance levels in a wide range of Opel models collection.

We start with the new 1.6-liter turbo engines, the first copies of a completely new generation of medium-sized petrol and diesel engines. The downsizing engines exactly fit the requirements of the customers: they are characterized by high performance and strong traction at reduced fuel consumption and low CO2 emissions. How to reach a power density as well as a level of comfort and balance that catapult them to the top of their class.

New petrol engine 1.6 SIDI Turbo ECOTEC in Opel Astra

The new 125 kW/170 hp 1.6 Turbo SIDI (SIDI = Spark Ignition Direct Injection) provides a torque of 280 Newton meters - twelve percent more than its nearest competitor. The turbo gasoline direct-injection engine is already available for Astra (GTC, five-door hatchback, saloon and Sports Tourer), Zafira Tourer and the new convertible Cascada. The new 1.6 CDTI, the first all-aluminum diesel engine from Opel, shines with unmatched in this displacement class output per liter of 85 hp. The 100 kW/136 hp engine starts in the current Zafira Tourer, successively followed by other Opel models. Both engines are combined with the next generation of manual gearbox that qualify in particular in terms of shift comfort ahead of the competition.

Top class: The all-new 1.6 SIDI Turbo petrol engine 

The all-new four-cylinder turbo petrol engine with direct injection starts first with an output of 125 kW/170 hp. It offers an exceptional torque of up to 280 Newton meters at low engine speed range from 1,650 min-1 and is designed to model elasticity and excellent driving comfort, particularly low fuel consumption and low CO2 emissions.

Compared to the same great predecessors fuel thirst and CO2 emissions in the combined cycle were reduced by up to 15 percent and torque are both increased by 22 percent. The Result: The engine puts power in the class of compact cars of 150 to 180 hp the bar higher: It provides twelve percent more torque than the nearest competitor - Models German premium manufacturer included.

Crucial for the impressive performance, the introduction of direct injection for improved combustion, spontaneously responding turbochargers for heavy pulling even at low engine speeds, as well as numerous sound-engineering measures that favor a particularly calm and balanced handling.

New Opel Astra 1.6 SIDI Turbo with 125 kW / 170 hp

The best example of the enormous torque of the new 1.6 SIDI Turbo Astra five-door hatchback and sedan sprint in just 8.8 seconds in fifth gear from 80 to 120 km / h - a whopping almost two seconds faster than the 1.6-liter predecessors. Equipped with Start / Stop and six-speed manual require both Astra variants in the combined cycle (according to Regulation [EC] No. 715/2007) only 5.9 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers, which corresponds to 139 grams of CO2 per kilometer - an improvement 14 percent. And the Astra GTC is rotating at a reduction of 15 per cent once more on the efficiency screw.

Top class: The all-new 1.6 CDTI turbo diesel

The first all-aluminum diesel engine of Opel Zafira Tourer celebrates premiere. By and by the new 1.6 CDTI engines then replaced with the current 1.7 liter engine capacity and weaker two-liter turbo diesel in most model ranges, as follows additional power levels. In his first version of the 100 kW/136 bhp engine offers powerful 320 Nm of torque - and an unmatched in this class, power of 85 hp per liter of displacement.

Opel Zafira Tourer MPV 1.6 CDTI

Compared to also available in the Opel Zafira Tourer two-liter turbo diesel with similar performance drop fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by ten percent lower. Thus, the new engine 1.6 CDTI in the combined cycle just 4.1 liters per 100 kilometers and emits 109 grams of CO2 per kilometer. Opel engineers assume that consumption levels of less than 4.0 l/100 km and CO2 emissions / km, and below are possible with this engine in smaller vehicles to 100 g. In terms of pollutant emissions, the new 1.6 CDTI (selective catalytic reduction) is as clean as a gasoline thanks to Blue Injection SCR system - it already meets the future Euro 6 emission standard, which comes into force in September 2015.

Opel Zafira Tourer MPV 1.6 CDTI - Fuel and AdBlue cap

Like its gasoline counterpart, the 1.6 CDTI also benefits from numerous sound-engineering measures to minimize noise, vibration and harshness. In the Zafira Tourer, the motor against other vehicles with a 1.6-liter turbo diesel to the slightest noise level in the interior.

New turbo diesel engine 1.6 CDTI in Opel Zafira Tourer MPV 

The high-pressure common-rail system, together with the closed-loop combustion control and the VTG turbocharger (Variable Turbine Geometry), which enables a strong response, the technical core components of the engine dar. These and many functions be demanding of the highest motor control of the new 1.6 CDTI regulated. The internally developed unit comes in all future four-cylinder diesel engines are used.

Best in Class Switching Comfort: The manual of the next generation

To optimize the current five-and six-speed gearbox Opel has invested more than 50 million euros into the European production. When it comes to fast, smooth gear changes, the gear play developed as compared to the competition in the top league.

Numerous changes to the gear shift components and mechanisms as well as the integration in the vehicle are designed to greatly reduce the switching paths and minimum force required for shifting. For the driver this means a decisive advantage to switching convenience and immediate feedback - the shift knob "snaps" into place easily, with a minimum of effort.

In addition, a particularly low-friction six-speed automatic is available. It has an Active Select function for manual gear selection and makes for a more direct feel.