!NEW! Ultra-economical: Opel Zafira Tourer MPV now with new 120 hp Whisper Diesel

• Great value: Opel Zafira Tourer with new 1.6 CDTI ecoFLEX on sale from 26,850 euros
• Frugal: Compact MPV consumes just 4.5 l/100 km and emits only 119 g/km CO₂
• Complete: 88 kW/120 hp version expands Zafira Tourer diesel portfolio

Opel Zafira Tourer MPV with new 1.6 CDTI ecoFLEX

Another economical choice for the Zafira Tourer: the versatile Opel seven-seater is now available in a second 1.6 CDTI ecoFLEX version with a power output of 88 kW/120 hp. This joins the 100 kW/136 hp turbo diesel which made its debut in the compact van last year. Both are members of Opel’s new diesel generation and distinguished by exceptionally economical fuel consumption with first-class running smoothness as well as minimal noise generation, which has prompted the motoring press to hail Opel’s 1.6 CDTI ecoFLEX engine as the “whisper diesel”. It is part of Opel’s large model and engine offensive, which will see 27 new models and 17 new engines introduced between 2014 and 2018. The new base version of the Zafira Tourer diesel is now on sale for a very attractive 26,850 euros (RRP incl. VAT in Germany).

A clear focus on minimizing engine noise, vibration and harshness characterized the engine’s entire concept, design and development process. This resulted in a very quiet and silky smooth engine operation. Advanced CAE (Computer Aided Engineering) simulation tools and several optimization loops were used to assess the noise character of each component and sub-system before the first prototype engine was even built. The success of this work is proven by the engine’s best-in-class performance for low noise and vibration.

Opel ECOTEC 1.6 CDTI : Opel’s new diesel generation is distinguished by exceptionally economical fuel consumption with first-class running smoothness as well as minimal noise generation.

The new engine generation is also first class in other areas: it has been further optimized in terms of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The Zafira Tourer with the 88 kW/120 hp 1.6 CDTI ecoFLEX comes with Start/Stop fitted as standard, and is also available with a low-friction six-speed manual transmission and a braking energy recuperation system. To ensure optimum electrical energy management, this system recovers a part of the kinetic energy via the generator in engine overrun mode, converting this to electrical energy and feeding it into the battery. This happens automatically whenever the driver takes his/her foot off the accelerator pedal or presses the brake pedal. When the battery is sufficiently charged, the generator output is greatly reduced and electrical components are powered in a fuel-saving manner by the buffered electrical energy. This means the engine is not required to drive the generator when accelerating, which helps reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. This cyclical process would overload a conventional battery when repeated over time, so a high-performance, Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) battery is fitted in the Zafira Tourer. It provides maximum reliability in the electrical system and ensures the engine will always start without delay at any time. The AGM battery’s glass mat fleece absorbs electrolyte liquid, giving a high density which reduces internal resistance, improves cold-start characteristics and increases the battery’s service life.

Opel Zafira Tourer 1.6 CDTI ecoFLEX: Compact MPV consumes just 4.5 l/100 km and emits only 119 g/km CO2

Thanks to these ultra-modern technologies, the new Zafira Tourer whisper diesel is not only extremely quiet and comfortable to drive. It also offers significantly reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, consuming just 4.5 l/100 km in the combined cycle with emissions of only 119 g/km CO2. This frugality has earned the seven-seat Zafira Tourer an ‘A’ energy efficiency label in Germany.

Opel’s new diesel generation: Powerful, economical, environmentally-friendly

Both output versions (120 and 136 hp) of the Zafira Tourer 1.6 CDTI comply with future Euro 6 emission standards. Engineers have achieved this by incorporating Opel’s BlueInjection selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system, which makes these diesels as clean as a gasoline engine in terms of emissions. In this environmentally-friendly, exhaust after-treatment process, a harmless fluid called AdBlue®, consisting of urea and water, is injected into the exhaust gas. The solution decomposes into ammonia, which is stored in a catalyst substrate. Nitrogen oxide (NOx) entering the catalyst in the exhaust gas is then selectively reduced to nitrogen and water. In this way, nitrogen oxides can be reduced by 60 to 80 percent.

The 1.6 CDTI engine’s cylinder block, crankshaft bedplate and cylinder head are all made from aluminum, saving more than 20 kilograms in weight. Fuel injector nozzle pressures of 2,000 bar, a 25 percent increase over previous engine generations, enable up to 10 injection pulses per cylinder cycle. This ensures high power, improved fuel atomization and efficient mixing with the air intake charge.

The two new generation ultra-efficient whisper-quiet 1.6 CDTI engines now complete a wide portfolio of diesel units for the Zafira Tourer. The spectrum of choice includes Opel’s familiar 2.0-liter diesel, with 81 kW/110 hp, 96 kW/130 hp or 121 kW/165 hp, as well as the top-of-the-range version which delivers143 kW/195 hp and 400 Nm maximum torque. The gasoline portfolio comprises an 85 kW/115 hp 1.8-liter engine and variants of a 1.4-liter Turbo with 88 kW/120 hp or 103 kW/140 hp, as well as a 125 kW/170 hp version of the 1.6 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo. The most powerful gasoline engine in the Zafira Tourer range is the 1.6 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo with 147 kW/200 hp – both versions of the direct-injection gasoline turbo unit are part of Opel’s all-new engine generation.

Customers who seek even more economical and environmentally-friendly driving can choose a 103 kW/140 hp, 1.4 LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) ecoFLEX model or the 1.6 CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) ecoFLEX variant with 110 kW/150 hp.

Opel Zafira Tourer 1.6 CNG Turbo (Compressed Natural Gas) ecoFLEX with 110 kW/150 hp.

!NEW! Oldtimer Grand Prix: Stars of 111 Years of Opel Motorsport

• Under the motto “Corsa, old and yellow“: Special display of Corsa competition cars
• Old models in top condition: Pre-World War I Grand Prix heroes
• In Opel yellow: Touring car stars from the 1960s and 1970s

Under the motto “Corsa, old and yellow: Opel Rekord C „Schwarze Witwe“ from 1968; Opel 10/12 PS Racecar from 1903 and the Opel Corsa D OPC, for the Race Camp in 2009 (from left to right)

Opel and the fabled Nürburgring are inseparable, sharing a long tradition. In 1969 Opel made its comeback to motorsport, following major pre-war racing successes. The Rüsselsheim automaker marked its return by staging its first brand cup at the Nürburgring, organized with the Automobilclub von Deutschland (AvD) during the German Grand Prix meeting. Numerous titles in international and national rallies and touring car championships were to follow.

Opel 10/12 hp: First racecar from 1903

This year Opel is bringing its legendary cars back to the Nürburgring for the 42nd Oldtimer Grand Prix, where the AvD is again the organizer. The Rüsselsheim brand will present 17 competition cars, drawn from over 100 years of motorsport. The oldest vehicle is a 1903 Opel Motorwagen 10/12 PS, and the youngest is a Corsa OPC from the current fourth generation. Classic circuit racing and rallye championship cars from the 1960s and 1970s, such as the Rekord C “Black Widow“, Rallye Kadett, Manta A Irmscher, Ascona B Group 2 and Kadett C GT/E, will also build a bridge between the past and present.

Yellow fleet: Touring cars gathering around the Rekord C „Black Widow“. In the circle from left to right: Opel Ascona A Rallye, 1974; Opel Ascona B i2000, 1979; Opel Kadett C GT/E2 Coupé Group 1, 1977; Opel Commodore B GS/E, 1973; Opel Kadett B, Group 1, 1971 (Anders Kulläng/Bruno Berglund); Opel Kadett C GT/E Coupé Group 4, 1976, Opel Manta A GT/E, Group 2, 1975.

Opel Corsa – Generation of motorsport thrills  

While the new fifth generation Corsa is on the starting blocks for its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show in early October, earlier sporty Corsa variants will be making their own splash at the Nürburgring. In line with this year´s motto “Corsa, old and yellow“, the Corsa A Spider, Corsa A Cup and Corsa A GSi, as well as younger models like the Corsa C Rallye, Corsa Race Camp and the current Corsa OPC, will all be on show.

Familiy reunion: Opel Corsa A 1.3 s for the Junior Cup, 1983; Opel Corsa D OPC, Race Camp, 2009; Opel Corsa A Spider Concept, 1982; Opel Corsa C Super 1600, 2002 (from left to right).

The front-wheel drive, 1982 Corsa A will be accompanied by a spectacular concept. Even before the new compact model was unveiled in the summer of 1982, the Corsa Spider ignited the spark for a sporty version of the model. The four-seat, open Corsa Spider can be transformed into a two-seater or even a monoposto with the help of glass-fiber reinforced plastic body parts. The Spider is equipped with a head restraint in the style of a racing car from the 1950s. However, with its prominent fenders, full-width lights behind a smoked glass panel and pearlescent-white paint finish, the Spider is a typical child of its times.

Opel Corsa A Spider Concept, 1982

The Corsa Cup model made its debut in 1983. The Kadett D and Corsa A actually competed against each other in the ONS Opel Junior Cup, the successor to the Kadett Cup introduced in 1979 for amateur and young racing talent. The Kadett 1.3 had 75 hp, while the Corsa Cup delivered 70 hp. The first races and rallye events were held in 1985, with prize monies totaling 100,000 German marks. The Junior Cup winner received a Corsa 1.3 S at the end of the year. In 1987, a new top-of-the-line Corsa model was introduced: the Corsa A GSi featured a 1.6 liter engine with 101 hp and had a top speed of 186 km/h. It remained in the Corsa line-up until 1992, when the Corsa B generation hit the market.

Opel Corsa A GSi, 1987: 1.6 liter engine with 101 hp and top speed 186 km/h

The Corsa C was introduced in 2000, and the Corsa Super 1600 variant made its debut at the Essen Motor Show the same year. This new rallye Corsa was powered by a 1.6 liter, 16V four-cylinder engine with 200 hp and, like its predecessors, was designed to provide affordable motorsport on asphalt and gravel tracks.

Opel Corsa C Super 1600: Small rallye car from 2002

The current fourth generation Corsa OPC has been available since 2007. With a turbocharged, 1.6 liter four-cylinder engine, the sportiest and most extreme Corsa D variant delivers 192 hp. At the Nürburgring in the Opel tent as Corsa OPC and OPC Race Camp versions, it also represents an affordable recipe for motorsport from Opel.

Opel Corsa D OPC: Racecamp 2009

Old – Generation of Opel Grand Prix cars from a bygone age

Three historic Opel racing cars are on display to commemorate the birth of motorsport in Rüsselsheim. The oldest is based on Opel’s first Motorwagen 10/12 PS produced in 1903. That same year, this type of car won the “Light” Class II category (for vehicles up to 10 hp) in an event at the Niederrad horse racing track in Frankfurt, Germany. It was driven by Fritz Opel, with famous Opel driver Carl Jörns, who went on to win 288 races, as his co-driver. The show version of the white 10/12 PS racer has been restored by Opel Classic and is a detailed representation of this historic vehicle from 1903.

The second vehicle is an original Grand Prix car from 1913. This forerunner of today´s Formula One racing cars was state-of-the-art for its period, featuring a 4.0-liter, four-cylinder engine with 16 valves (in an inverted V-shaped installation) and an overhead camshaft with vertical-shaft drive.

Just one year younger is the 12.3-liter racing and record-setting car, technically based on the 1913 Grand Prix racer, and also featuring advanced four-valve technology. With its huge engine, this unique 260 hp vehicle marked a pinnacle of development: no other car in Opel history would boast a bigger displacement than this giant racing car from 1914, which made its racing premiere only after World War I had ended. In 1926, Opel officially quit works-supported motorsport.

Yellow – Generation of rallye and circuit racing stars

Opel’s first steps back into motorsport took place clandestinely. On September 15, 1968, a 150 hp Opel Rekord appeared on the grid for a Group 5 touring car race in Zolder, Belgium. Nobody knew at the time that this special Rekord C had been built without the official knowledge of the Opel Management Board – although, unofficially, it had received the greatest possible support from within the company.

The idea of an Opel racing car had originated from the company’s new star designers, Charles “Chuck” Jordan and Anatole Lapine. Under Lapine’s leadership, the Rekord was built in the “Advanced Studio” at Opel’s Rüsselsheim styling center. The goal was to create attention and steer public interest towards new, sporty Opel cars, like the Rallye Kadett and Opel GT. The basis for the racer was a two-door Rekord C 1700 sedan, and its black paintwork and the yellow “Opel Eye” are reminiscent of Opel’s RAK 2 rocket-powered vehicle from the 1920s.

Despite some success, works-supported motorsport was coming to an end. General Motors had become aware of Opel’s clandestine activities and after the season finale, the project was stopped. However, one year later, Opel was allowed to conduct its first official brand cup race. 40 years later, reconstruction of the “Black Widow” was begun by Opel Classic in Rüsselsheim, using the original design specifications and drawings.

In the future, Opel motorsport cars wore yellow, the color of Opel tuners Steinmetz and Irmscher, instead of black. Rallye cars from Rüsselsheim started with yellow-black and yellow-white body colors in the European Championship and national championships on asphalt and gravel tracks. Seven cars exhibited by Opel Classic at the Nürburgring in the new paddock represent this era of Opel motorsport.

The starting point was marked by the Kadett B. In 1970/71, Steinmetz in Rüsselsheim began offering a competition package for the Kadett Rallye 1900. With chassis modifications, changes to interior equipment and the use of a 106 hp engine from the Opel Rekord C Sprint, the Rallye Kadett 1900 Sprint was born. The Swede Anders Kulläng was among the drivers who began their professional careers at the wheel of an Opel Kadett B as part of the Swedish Opel dealer team.

Opel RALLYE Kadett B SPRINT 

The Manta A, prepared by Irmscher, is another “generation yellow” member of the Opel Classic collection. Built to Group 2 racing regulations, the coupé on display is similar to the car driven by professional rallye stars Rauno Aaltonen and Walter Röhrl in 1975 at the Spa 24 hour race in Belgium.

Opel Ascona A Rallye: 1974 European Championship car from Walter Röhrl and Jochen Berger 

Also on show is the Ascona A. Technically related to the Manta, it is a legendary star of Opel motorsport. In 1974, Walter Röhrl and co-driver Jochen Berger won the European Rallye Championship in a 206 hp Ascona A entered by the Opel Euro dealer team. The following year, they made history again by winning the Acropolis Rallye in Greece, giving Opel its first victory in a World Championship event. The Ascona´s successor in rallye sport was the Kadett C GT/E which is also part of the Rüsselsheim collection. Its yellow-white sister model, the Kadett C GT/E coupé, had a career in the German Rallye Championship with Achim Warmbold and Willi-Peter Pitz competing in the close-to-production car in Group 1. In 1976, Kadett C GT/E successes in this category secured Opel the Number 2 spot in the Manufacturers World Rallye Championship.

Opel Kadett C GT/E Coupé: 1976 Group 4 car from Walter Röhrl und Jochen Berger

In 1979, the Kadett was replaced by the Ascona B and, for the second time after 1974, an Opel team won the European Rallye Championship. After 17 rounds, Jochi Kleint and his co-driver Gunter Wanger secured the overall title. Their winning car, a 175 hp Opel Ascona i 2000 built to special touring car regulations, was taken straight from the podium to Opel´s historic collection. Restored in the Opel Classic garage, it still bears its original ‘battle scars’ from hard-fought competition on asphalt and gravel while its technology has been carefully re-instated to its original condition.

Opel Ascona B i2000: From Jochi Kleint und Gunter Wanger, 1979

The historic display of Opel competition cars will be completed by a Commodore B GS/E coupé. In 1973, Walter Röhrl and his co-driver Jochen Berger made their debut at the Monte-Carlo Rallye in an identical car from the Irmscher racing team. 

!NEW! Vauxhall Heritage Centre Open Day celebrates a year of milestones

• Heritage Centre Open Day Sunday, 24th August 2014
• Free Entry
• Over 50 historic Vauxhalls on display, from 1903 to the present day
• A year of anniversaries including 10 years of VXR and 100 years of D-Type Staff Car

Cars outside the Vauxhall Heritage Centre

Vauxhall will be showcasing its private collection of historic cars to the public for one day only on Sunday, 24th August, 10:00am until 4:00pm.

Based at the Heritage Centre in Park Street, Luton, visitors will be able to view the company’s collection for free, including over 50 veteran, vintage and post-war Vauxhalls from 1903 to modern times, as well as a number of unique concept cars.

Vauxhall D-Type Staff Car 

This year, the Vauxhall Heritage Centre’s Open Day will highlight a multitude of milestones from the collection. The D-Type Staff Car, a true icon of the First World War, celebrates its centenary in 2014, while the Firenza ‘Droop Snoot’ marks 40 years since start of production, and the Calibra and Lotus Carlton each hit the quarter century.

Vauxhall Firenza HP 'Droopsnoot' 

Vauxhall Calibra

Lotus Carlton 

Back to the 21st Century, the all-new 576bhp VXR8 GTS will be on display, along with the very first VXR model – a VX220 – which launched the sporty brand 10 years ago.

Vauxhall VXR 220 

Vauxhall Monaro VXR500 

The open day will run from 10am to 4pm with food and refreshments on sale, as well as entertainment including pedal cars and face painting for children. The day is perfect for all ages of car enthusiasts, and a great way for all the family to celebrate a collection of anniversaries!