Opel invests 28.5 million euros in extension of Test Center

• Engineering vice president, Mike Ableson opens new high-speed circuit
• Investments secure Opel Test Center’s worldwide leadership

Dr. Matthias Schollmaier, head of Dudenhofen test center, Opel Vice President Engineering, Michael F. Ableson, Permanent Under Secretary of Economic Affairs, Steffen Saebisch and mayor of town of Rodgau, Jürgen Hoffmann.

Opel today opened the completely renewed high-speed circuit at its Dudenhofen Test Center. The modernization of the test track is part of an investment totaling 28.5 million euros. At ten million euros the renewal of the high-speed circuit, the centerpiece of the Opel Test Center, and the installation of world class test and sensor technologies, represent the single largest investment.

“The opening of the high-speed circuit is a milestone for our Test Center”, said Mike Ableson, Opel vice president of Engineering, during the opening ceremony. “This is a clear sign of our commitment to the long term future of our development facilities in Germany. The extensions are a significant contribution to further increasing the quality of our products, and bringing affordable innovations to our customers fast”.

2003 Opel Eco Speedster

In a symbolic lap of the high-speed circuit with Steffen Saebisch, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Economy, Transport and Development in the state of Hesse, Ableson handed over the operation of one of the most versatile and modern test tracks in the world to the engineers and technicians in Dudenhofen. The parade lap of the high-speed circuit was led by the world record breaking Eco Speedster, which set 17 international records at Dudenhofen in 2003, and an Opel Rekord from 1966, the year the test center was opened.

1966 Opel Rekord driven by the soccer coach legend Sepp Herberger and the Opel Panorama bus took part in the first lap on the track under sunny sky.

In his speech Secretary of State Saebisch stated: “It is up to the car companies themselves to secure the industry’s ability to innovate and compete. Opel and GM have accepted the challenge. With their investments in the extension of the Dudenhofen Test Center they have made a clear commitment to the future. It is the duty of politics to create the framework businesses need to overcome their challenges. This is why education, the reduction of bureaucracy, and the promotion of innovation are central themes for the Hesse government. Hesse needs a strong and dynamic industry to secure its prosperity, also in the future.”

The investments will enable the test center to replicate nearly every driving profile imaginable. Mike Ableson: “We are cementing Dudenhofen’s reputation as one of the leading proving grounds in the world, and we are extending its business opportunities for development, component testing and brand communication. Our numerous long-standing external clients, including many development partners, will also benefit.”

Opening lap of the new track: The record breaking Opel Eco Speedster and the original 1966 Opel Rekord that belonged to the soccer coach legend Sepp Herberger which was also the year the proving grounds first opened.

Vehicle testing at highest safety levels

The management of test programs at the Opel Test Center has always met the highest demands for quality, precision and safety. New sensors in the surface of the high-speed circuit, and the full electrification of the control and measurement technology will take these standards to an even higher level in future.

In the interest of customers, it is highly important that prototypes of future models are tested down to the last nut and bolt. That means driving the test cars at their limit under strictly controlled conditions. Thanks to the increase in the angle of the banking from 37.5 degrees to 40 degrees cars can now drive safely at  250 kilometers per hour on the high speed circuit, without lateral forces.

Work on the additional extensions has already begun. During the remainder of 2012 Opel will build new tracks for testing pass by noise and calibrating new engines.

Additional highlights include an all-new traffic control system for the whole proving ground; new tracks for testing transmissions and driving dynamics at Formula 1 levels; and the near identical copy of a public street, including a city driving route.

Opel Management Board presents strategy “Drive Opel 2022” to dealers

Applause for the ADAM and for the new model offensive of the company 

The new management board of the Adam Opel AG today hosted several hundred business partners from trade and finance at its Ruesselsheim headquarters. The aim of the event was to introduce the new management board members and to unveil the key points of the future program "Drive Opel 2022".

The chairman of the Opel supervisory board, Stephen Girsky, the Opel/Vauxhall deputy chairman, Dr. Thomas Sedran, and works council chairman Dr. Wolfgang Schaefer-Klug were also present. Girsky once again underscored GM’s support for Opel. “Opel is the third biggest brand in the global GM portfolio and the third largest brand in the European market. Each year Opel sells well over a million cars. We are confident that the new leadership team and our long-term strategy ‘Drive Opel 2022’ will return the company to its old strength. We’re working hard and every day we’re getting better.”

The Opel/Vauxhall Vice President Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, Alfred E. Rieck presented details of the revitalization plan of the 150 year-old traditional brand, including new soccer sponsoring activities. Then Opel/Vauxhall Vice President Engineering, Michael F. Ableson, discussed the product offensive of the company: “With cars like the Mokka and the ADAM we are entering new segments that promise growth. We are confident of the success of our product offensive with 23 new models and 13 new engines by 2016.”

The VIP gathering not only got an insight into future strategies: they also had the chance to catch a glimpse of upcoming models. There was much applause for the chic urban car, the ADAM, which makes its debut around the end of September at the Paris Motor Show.

"This is exactly the car we need," said Thomas Bieling, chairman of the association of German Opel dealers. "It represents the essence of the brand: creativity, great design and lots of innovation. And in addition top quality from our German Eisenach plant. With these vehicles the company will be on the track to success again.”

New Opel Mokka SUV boasts unique driving assistance systems

• Mokka brings Opel exclusive technologies to sub-compact SUV segment
• Systems include Opel Eye camera and Hill Start Assist for extra safety and comfort
• Opel once again demonstrates leadership in German engineered technology

With the all new Mokka SUV, Opel is for the first time bringing its wealth of unique, German engineered driving assistance systems to the sub-compact SUV segment. Technologies that enhance both safety and comfort and are exclusive to Opel are now being made available to a wider segment of customers. They include the award-winning and unique Opel Eye Front camera as well as the Mokka’s sophisticated Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control.

The Opel Eye front camera, located between the windshield and the rear view mirror, aids Mokka drivers in two different ways. 
As the camera is able to recognize road signs and lane markings it provides the basis for the Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR) function, Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Forward Collision Alert (FCA).  

Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR) reads speed limit, no-overtaking signs and many others and displays them on the instrument panel. Depending on light conditions, the current system (TSR II) begins to recognize and repeatedly read signs at 60 meters.

Lane Departure Warning (LDW) alerts drivers when they unintentionally stray out of their lane. This helps prevent a dangerous situation, such as a driver falling asleep at the wheel. Lane Departure Warning can be switched on or off via a button. When active, it warns the driver with an acoustic signal and a blinking icon on the instrument panel.  

Forward Collision Alert (FCA) warns the driver with a loud alarm as well as a visual warning on the instrument cluster if the vehicle gets into a critical situation where a collision with the preceding vehicle is imminent. The FCA gives the warning for moving and stationary objects. The driver can adjust the sensitivity of the FCA via a control on the steering wheel.

In addition, the Opel Mokka is one of the very few vehicles in its segment to offer Hills Start Assist (HSA) and Hill Descent Control (HDC) as standard as part of the ESP for both the all wheel and the front wheel drive variants. The HSA function boosts driving comfort by helping the driver when the vehicle needs to take off on a hill. The HSA stops the vehicle from rolling backwards even after the service brake has been released. The HDC appliance is very useful in the reverse scenario when the vehicle is descending down a steep hill. It can be activated at the touch of a button. Then the driver can determine and limit the speed at which the vehicle is supposed to descend. The automated speed control means that the driver does not need to apply the brakes to descend. This is particularly useful in low grip conditions such as icy surfaces or gravel roads where it is important to maintain a constant speed. The desired speed can be adjusted by the driver, either by accelerating to the desired speed or by braking – the assistance system will then maintain the speed.

Another key driver assistance system that is available in the Mokka is Opel’s award-winning, Bi-Xenon Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL+) which adapts its intensity and range to suit prevailing driving and road conditions using eleven different lighting functions. AFL+ functions include country light, motorway light, town light, pedestrian light, adverse weather light, increased high beam, static bending light, dynamic bending light, daytime running light with LED and High Beam Assist. The latter adjusts the high beams automatically so that following or oncoming traffic is not dazzled. Compared to conventional low beam headlamps, the LED daytime running light reduces fuel consumption because they require considerably less electrical power. LEDs offer an extraordinary service life that is up to 30 times longer than H7 halogen bulbs. 

The Mokka is the first of three models that open up new vehicle segments for the Opel brand. In the first half of 2013, the fashionable, small, urban car, the ADAM, and the new convertible Cascada will also have their market debut