!NEW! Opel Kadett B Celebrates 50th Birthday: “Opel Kadett. Das Auto“

Opel used this advertising slogan for its bestseller that sold over 2.6 million units

50 years of Opel compact class cars: The new Astra K descends directly from the 1965 Kadett B that was built 2.6 million times.

B follows A, and in 1965 the new series Kadett B replaced its successful predecessor, the Kadett A. The successor to the first post-war Kadett was 18 centimeters longer, exceeding four meters in length and was available in three body versions right from market launch: as a two or four-door sedan, of course again as a CarAvan station wagon and as a chic coupé. The coupé’s fashionable figure was clearly inspired by fastback models such as the Chevrolet Chevelle from the USA: a flat, sloping rear gave the coupé a dynamic form that promised speed. The three ventilation slots in the B-pillar have gone down in the annals of automotive history: today these models, known as “gills coupés”, are especially coveted and fetch top prices.

Opel Kadett B “gills-coupé“: The three vents in the c-pillar gave the classic car its name. 

Downsizing is tradition at Opel: In the beginning there was the one-liter engine

Matching the overall sportier design, power was also stepped up by 5 hp. The bore of the four-cylinder unit was enlarged by three millimeters and now the 1,078 cm3 unit developed 45 hp. Also available was a higher-compression 1.1 liter S engine with 55 hp. This was joined in 1966 by a twin-carburetor version of the short-stroke engine with 60 hp. The engine highlight was the 90 hp 1.9 liter four-cylinder engine – introduced in 1967 for the rallye version of the Kadett B – from the Rekord C.

 This unit was also featured in the Opel Olympia, already well-equipped in its premium variant, which also differentiated itself from the Kadett with visual elements such as grille molding wrapped around its front. In addition to the classic four-speed transmission, from 1968 the Kadett was also available with a three-speed automatic gearbox, which was still unusual in this class at the time. Initially the three-speed automatic was only available with the 1.7 and 1.9 liter engines; one year later, buyers of the 1.1 liter Kadett with 60 hp were also able to forego the manual transmission. Also unusual was the 12 volt on-board voltage in the compact model made in Bochum – the competitors from Cologne, Wolfsburg and Munich were still content with six volts.

Opel Kadett B hatchback: The three-door is almost as elegant as the coupé. 

Now, for the first time, a Kadett was officially approved as a five-seater. But this applied only to both sedan variants, the coupé models remained four-seaters. The increased length benefitted mainly the interior, whereby the luggage compartment also grew by 12 percent to a volume of 337 liters according to the VDA (German Association of the Automotive Industry) standard.

Opel Kadett B CarAvan: The combination between an elegant three-door and spacious station wagon.

Opel Kadett B was an instant success, with more than 105,000 units leaving the plant in the first year. While today over 60 percent of compact models are station wagon variants, back then the CarAvan share was just around 17 percent. And its success went beyond Germany’s borders, with around 50 percent of annual production being exported. The Kadett was at home on the roads in 120 countries and, without ever officially being called a global vehicle, really was an international car.

Opel goes for sport: Rallye Kadett becomes series winner

Opel Kadett B Rallye: Available from 1966 – the ancestor of all sporty compact class cars.

Long before VW entered the GTI class, the Rallye Kadett introduced in 1966 was the forerunner of all compact sports cars. The striking coupé with matte black hood and stripes was initially available with a 60 hp twin-carburetor version of the 1.1 liter engine, and from 1967, even with a 1.9-liter unit. By the way, the matte black hood was not a design whim, it served to keep the reflection of strong sun rays from blinding the driver – an issue first identified during rallying at the time. The 90 hp unit accelerated the coupé to 170 km/h, and a sporty chassis ensured additional safety reserves. With its sporty features and very good driving performance, the Rallye Kadett offered an excellent basis for amateur sports. It grabbed attention at home and abroad with victories on all types of tracks. The list of victories is endless: the reliable and affordable Rallye Kadett celebrated success at the Rallye Stuttgart-Lyon-Charbonnières, the Hessen Rallye, the Rallye Trifels and the Tour de Luxembourg. Opel tuner Günther Irmscher won the Tour d’ Europe in 1967. The same year the Kadett celebrated its greatest victory until then: the Lambart/Vogt team was class winner at the Rallye Monte Carlo. Just how popular and successful the Rallye Kadett was in motorsports at the time is shown in the statistics from 1968: in a total of 238 events, this model scooped up 222 class victories as well as 345 gold and 287 silver medals.

For Individualists: Opel Kadett’s elegant brother is called Olympia

Opel Kadett B hatchback: The five-door is similar to a business coupé as offered by present-day premium brands.

Opel was again a pioneer in niche vehicles with the Olympia A based on the Kadett B. “The Olympia is the consistent use of the successful Kadett concept on a higher level,” stated the Opel press information from that time. “With the same compact exterior dimensions, the Olympia convinces with high driving performance and exceptional equipment and driving comfort.” The Rüsselsheim automaker was proven right: more than 80,000 customers bought the Olympia A between 1967 and 1970. The luxurious coupé was available with 60, 75 and 90 hp, and its upgraded equipment included special tufted carpets and a padded instrument panel “with real wood character”. A modified radiator grille wrapped around the fender with chrome trim, rectangular headlamps and larger rear side windows made up the exterior visual upgrade.

Opel Olympia A: The Kadett B’s stylish brother with the legendary 90 hp 1.9 liter, four-cylinder engine under the hood.

The Kadett B’s career ended in July 1973 after 2.6 million models had been built. Its diverse range of variants and numerous styling possibilities were exemplary for the automotive industry. And with the Rallye Kadett, Opel established the compact sports car segment for the broad public.

!NEW! GMSA Increases Market Share For Five Consecutive Months

Total industry sales for new vehicles came in at 50 251 units for June down 4.8% compared to June last year.

General Motors South Africa (GMSA) sold a total of 5 024 units with a market share of 10%, an increase of 0.2% compared to the previous month.

Opel sales were 122% up on June 2014 with notable performances from the trio of new comers the ADAM, Corsa, and Mokka with 169, 277, 191 units respectively.

New Opel ADAM

“Our three new Germans continue to find favour with buyers. ADAM, Corsa and Mokka all delivered solid performances in June. We are very proud that Opel sales are up 90 percent against the same period last year,” said Brian Olson, GMSA vice President Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing.

New Opel Corsa

New Opel Mokka SUV

The Chevrolet Utility led the sales for the brand with 1468 units sold, Chevrolet spark was second with 499 units.

Isuzu KB sales were 1376 units last month. Isuzu and Chevrolet Utility have a combined 22.1% share, making June the second month of LCV sales this year.

!NEW! Rugged Pocket Rocket: Opel ADAM ROCKS S from 19.990 Euro

• Ready: Order books for the latest member of the Opel ADAM family now open
• Fast: From 0 to 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds, top speed of 210 km/h
• Dynamically robust: Masculine outdoor look with sporty feeling
• Immediate help: Personal connectivity and service assistant Opel OnStar available as an option for all ADAM models

Dynamic symbiosis: Opel ADAM ROCKS S combines the athleticism of the ADAM S with the rugged look of the ADAM ROCKS.

Anything but cute and anything but slow was the claim when the brand new Opel ADAM ROCKS S was presented to the public at the Amsterdam Motor Show this spring. Now the mini-crossover with racing flair is ready to sprint to the customers. Opel ADAM ROCKS S can be ordered for prices starting at euro 19.990 (RRP including VAT in Germany). For this price, buyers will receive the perfect symbiosis of adventurousness and athleticism. On the outside, the 3.75 meter long Opel ADAM ROCKS S shows its rugged, masculine charm; under its hood, it can look to a powerful 1.4 liter turbo with 110 kW/150 hp. On the inside, the newcomer does not just dazzle with the Opel ADAM-typical extensive choice of trim and individualization possibilities including IntelliLink infotainment technology – it can also look to the groundbreaking personal connectivity and service assistant Opel OnStar, thus guaranteeing outstanding entertainment and safety.

The best of both worlds: Opel ADAM ROCKS S for freedom-loving sporty drivers

Better an Opel ADAM ROCKS with rugged features, optional SwingTop canvas roof, underride protection look along with distinctive off-road front, side and rear claddings, or maybe the Opel ADAM S with specific roof spoiler, performance steering and chassis along with amble horsepower under the hood? The decision is easy now as the two possibilities can be combines. The sporty mini-crossover Opel ADAM ROCKS S offers the best of both worlds.

Opel ECOTEC 1.4 Turbo with 110 kW/150 hp and 220 Nm of torque

The 110 kW/150 hp ECOTEC engine impresses with 220 Nm of torque on tap and a top speed of 210 km/h. Opel ADAM ROCKS S accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in only 8.5 seconds. However, it also boasts great elasticity and makes the transition for 80 to 120 km/h in 5th gear in just 7.9 seconds. The power is transmitted via a short ratio 6-speed gearbox. Despite its sporting credentials the Opel ADAM ROCKS makes do with a mere 5.9 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers in the combined cycle (equivalent to 139 g/km of CO2).

New Opel ADAM ROCKS S feels especially at home on country roads that play to its strengths. The dynamic performance chassis, which has been lowered by 15 millimeters compared to the Opel ADAM ROCKS, and a direct and responsive steering create pure driving pleasure, especially on winding roads. The high-performance brakes and the ESP system that can be switched off offer drivers the possibility of safely pushing the rocking athlete to its limits on suitable roads.

Outstanding connectivity and safe: Opel OnStar for the successful lifestyle mini

Just like its ADAM siblings, the ADAM ROCKS S offers assistance systems and features that are unrivalled in this segment. For example, Side Blind Spot Alert is available as an option to increase safety. It uses the ultrasonic sensors to warn the driver of an imminent collision when changing lanes. If the electronic guardians pick up an object on collision course, a LED warning appears in the relevant exterior door mirror. Side Blind Spot Alert works in speeds ranging from 11 km/h to 140 km/h. Side Blind Spot Alert (SBSA) also comes as part of Advanced Park Assist (APA), available for euro 580, that automatically steers the Opel ADAM ROCKS S into a suitable space.

But that is not all. Apart from the award-winning IntelliLink infotainment system, the rugged athlete can also be ordered with Opel OnStar, just like all other Opel ADAM models. The groundbreaking personal connectivity and service assistant takes on-board connectivity to a new level. Opel OnStar turns the car into a powerful 4G/LTE mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot. Up to seven devices can be connected to it. Furthermore, the system offers a wide range of safety and comfort services ranging from 24-Hour Emergency Call Service to Roadside Assistance. The services offered by the personal guardian angel are available free of charge for the first 12 months after activation. The hardware for Opel OnStar comes as standard for the trim levels ADAM GLAM and ADAM SLAM. For the other family members it costs euro 490.