!NEW! Opel Mokka enters growing compact SUV segment in South Africa

·  Opel’s first-ever compact SUV to liven up local SUV B and C segments
·  Mokka part of Opel’s international resurgence; follows new ADAM and Corsa
·  Exceptional popularity in Europe sets positive tone for local sales

Opel Mokka Cosmo

The all-new Opel Mokka – Opel’s first-ever sub-compact SUV – makes its South African debut at the end of March. Mokka, which has received unprecedented international acclaim with orders in Europe in 2014 easily surpassing the 240 000 units mark, is the third of the ‘new Germans’ from Opel to be launched in South Africa in just three months.

“The all-new Opel Mokka is an exciting addition to the Opel portfolio and follows ADAM and Corsa as a truly adaptable lifestyle option,” comments Christopher Cradock, Opel Brand Manager at GMSA.

“The vehicle’s high levels of quality, driver aids and safety technology as well as versatility place Mokka firmly at the top of this segment. Mokka is aimed at consumers who have active lifestyles and a taste for adventure. In this regard it is perfectly matched to the aspirational lifestyles of the target groups, but more than that it offers a quality alternative to those customers who live urban lifestyles and fully appreciate the high seating position, extra space, versatility and go-anywhere nature of an SUV. The high level of specification in the new Opel Mokka is backed up by an efficient turbocharged petrol engine giving all models sporty driving dynamics.

The Opel Mokka is available as a four-model range with a choice of two trim levels and a choice of 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmissions with front wheel drive only. Opel’s proven 1.4 litre turbocharged ECOTEC petrol engine does duty in all four derivatives. The engine produces 103 kW between 4 900 and 6 000 rpm and a usable 200 Nm of torque between 1850 and 4 900 rpm.

Opel ECOTEC 1.4 Turbo

“As a compact luxury SUV the Opel Mokka straddles the popular and growing SUV B and C segments of the market in South Africa. With this vehicle we are bringing German engineering, state-of-the-art technology and safety features from larger and more expensive SUVs into a market space dominated by emerging products. Our trio of new Germans – the Opel ADAM, Corsa and Mokka – have democratised luxury technology and life-saving safety features by making them accessible to consumers in the A, B and C segments of our market at reasonable prices.”

Opel Mokka Cosmo 1.4 T automatic - Interior

Mokka’s compact proportions disguise its spacious interior which is characterised by high levels of standard specification, making Mokka a true all-round vehicle where a vast array of lifestyle applications can be easily adapted in a sleek, modern, new German package.

Opel Mokka Cosmo 1.4 T automatic - Rear View Camera

Available at GM dealers from the end of March, pricing will start at R288 500 for the Opel Mokka Enjoy 1.4T manual - R 298 500 for the Opel Mokka Enjoy 1.4 T automatic, R325 500 for the Opel Mokka Cosmo 1.4T manual, and R335 500 for the range-topping Mokka 1.4 T Cosmo automatic.

Opel Mokka Enjoy 1.4 T automatic

Opel Mokka Enjoy 1.4 T automatic - Interior

!NEW! Guiding Light: Eye-tracking Technology from Opel

• Trendsetting: Third generation adaptive lighting already in development
• Forward-looking: Eye movements control direction and intensity of headlamp beam
• Across all classes: Opel safety lighting system AFL+ from Astra to Insignia
• Coming soon: LED Matrix light makes glare-free high beams the standard

Lightning-fast reaction: The camera in Opel’s eye-tracking system scans the driver’s eyes more than 50 times per second to instantaneously adjust the headlamp beam.

Car headlamp beams that are directed by the driver’s eyes? What may still sound like science fiction fantasy in the United Nations’ International Year of Light is not all that far away from reality. Engineers at Opel are already busy developing automotive lighting for the day after tomorrow: with its eye-tracking technology, Opel presents the future of situation-appropriate lighting and once again takes on a pioneering role in lighting technology. This announces a third generation of automotive adaptive lighting, that will be introduced after the current, widely-praised and multi-award-winning AFL+ Bi-Xenon system featuring up to 10 lighting functions available in most Opel models, and Opel’s LED Matrix light that will soon go into series production.

Safety on board: The AFL+ system in the Opel Insignia ensures variable light distribution according to driving situation, road and weather conditions.

Glare-free: Opel’s LED Matrix light deactivates individual LEDs so that oncoming traffic is not dazzled. The rest of the road remains brightly illuminated.

“We’ve been pursuing this concept of controlling the direction and intensity of light based on where the driver is looking for around two years. The more we understand the benefits of this technology, the more intensively we push ahead with our joint project,” says Ingolf Schneider, Director Lighting Technology at Opel, describing the collaboration between Opel’s International Technical Development Center and the Technical University of Darmstadt.

In contrast to high-performance eye-tracking systems requiring five to 10 cameras, a simple webcam was at first used. Focused on the driver’s head, it scanned prominent points, such as the nose and eyes, to detect movement and thereby the driver’s line of sight.

The system then translated the information gathered into data commands for electronically-controlled actuators, which quickly aligned the vehicle’s headlamp projectors. While this technique came very close to achieving eye-control of the headlamps, calculation of data still took too long and the recording rate of the webcam was also too slow to meet the demanding requirements of road traffic conditions.

Fast reaction and intelligent delay

Optimization of the camera’s operating parameters and the adaptation of the eye-tracking algorithm brought the breakthrough. The camera is now equipped with peripheral infra-red sensors and central photo-diodes which together enable it to scan the driver’s eyes more than 50 times per second in dusk and night-time conditions. And with much faster data processing and transmission, the headlamp actuators react instantaneously to make both horizontal and vertical adjustments.

The future of situation-appropriate lighting: Opel engineers are already today working on eye-tracking technology, which will enable drivers to control the car headlamp beams with the direction of their gaze. 

Only one problem remained. In practice, a driver’s eyes very naturally and unconsciously jump from one focal point to another. So if the headlamps were allowed to follow this movement precisely, the vehicle’s light cone would jerk around erratically. “To overcome this problem, we have successfully developed a sophisticated delay algorithm which ensures a suitably flowing movement for the light cone,” says Schneider. “Another major benefit is that the eye-tracker doesn’t have to be individually calibrated for a particular driver. The system works perfectly with anyone behind the wheel, no matter what their size.” Even if the driver is momentarily distracted from looking at the road ahead, lighting is always provided in the direction of travel. That’s because the low beam of the headlamps is programmed to ensure sufficient illumination.

Modern safety lighting already widely accessible today: AFL+ from Opel

Even as Opel is developing eye-tracking as the lighting system of the future, it already provides advanced technologies which ensure optimal night vision and highest driving safety on roads today. Opel has brought a break-through in automotive lighting in offering the current generation of AFL+ in a wide range of models, from the Mokka, Cascada and Zafira Tourer to the Astra and Insignia families, thus once again delivering on the company’s ambition of making premium technologies available to a wider audience. In combination with the Opel Eye front camera, it features up to 10 lighting functions, using Bi-Xenon headlamp beams which automatically adapt to a diverse range of driving situations. For different road and weather conditions, variable light distribution is automatically provided as appropriate for pedestrian areas, city driving, country roads, highways and adverse weather. AFL+ also includes functions such as dynamic curve light, cornering light and the use of energy-saving LED daytime running lights. The direction and intensity of the light beam is adjusted according to both steering angle and vehicle speed. In addition, high beam light assistant switches the headlamps to low beam whenever the forward-facing Opel Eye camera, integrated in the interior mirror mounting, detects the proximity of headlamps or tail-lights of other vehicles. A Light and Visibility Pack also includes automatic low beam lighting, together with tunnel recognition. With this array of automatic lighting functions, AFL+ not only improves the visibility of one’s own vehicle but also reduces driver stress and night-time drowsiness.

Bright as day: The LED Matrix light system

Parallel to refining the proven AFL+ and conducting the development of the future eye-tracking lighting generation, engineers at Opel’s International Technical Development Center in Rüsselsheim are currently completing the final validation tests on their next-generation lighting system for upcoming Opel vehicles. LED Matrix light provides glare-free, high beam lighting, which is automatically and constantly adapted for varying traffic situations. In this way, the LED Matrix light functions with the Opel Eye front camera, but its accuracy and adaptive capacity go one step forward. When light sources are detected from oncoming or preceding traffic, individual LEDs in the relevant zone are deactivated, while the rest of the road remains brightly illuminated. This Opel automotive lighting system turns night into day for drivers without dazzling other road users. It will be introduced within the next 18 months.

!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.