!NEW! Opel Gains Multiple World Records After Astra-nomical Attempt

• FIA & MSA confirm that Opel/Vauxhall have set/broken 18 World and UK records
• Astra covered over 3,000 miles in 24 hours on tortuous banked circuit
• Exceptional reliability: Zero down-time for lead record car, despite 125+ mph average

Receiving the trophy and certificates for the 18 records: Volker Strycek, Head of OPC and Opel Motorsport, Alan Gow, Chairman of the MSA and Duncan Aldred, Vauxhall’s Chairman and Managing Director (from left).

Opel/Vauxhall flew into the record books today, after motorsport’s governing bodies confirmed that a recent attempt by two standard Astras to set and break 18 World and UK Speed Endurance Records had been successful. The lead Astra 2.0 CDTI 165 hp in the attempt covered a total of 3002.44 miles at an average 125.101 mph, only stopping for fuel and a single, cautionary change of its Michelin tires.

The two winning Astras make it over the finishing line

In partnership with sister company Vauxhall, Opel attempted two sets of speed endurance records at Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire, UK: 12 in the FIA’s* 1600-2000cc forced-induction diesel production car class, and a further six in the MSA’s* 1500-2000cc forced-induction diesel production car class. All 18 records (see table below) were achieved, with key records such as the World 1-, 6-, and 12-hour broken conclusively, and the long-standing UK 24-hour smashed by 25 mph.

Opel/Vauxhall invited a team of twelve drivers to complete the challenge, comprising nine motoring journalists and three Opel/Vauxhall staff. Each drove a total of four hours, split between the two cars.

Group photo of journalists and Opel team in front of record Astras

Despite circulating the two-mile banked circuit 1,500 times, both Astras proved hugely reliable and consistently quick, with the fastest two-mile lap achieved in 55.453 seconds at an average speed of 131.852 mph, just 2.148 mph below the car’s official top speed – no mean feat, given the steep banking on Millbrook High Speed Bowl’s fifth lane.

“We’re over the moon with today’s news,” said Volker Strycek, Opel Director Performance Cars & Motorsport and team captain of the world record drivers. “This was an important test for the Astra, and it proved that a car with the qualities that most motorists are after – exceptional reliability, a good performance/economy blend and long-distance comfort – can be found at their nearest Opel showroom.”

“But the attempt was also a success thanks to the stamina and skill of our driving team, who performed faultlessly through the attempt. The team’s ruthless adherence to FIA rules, Michelin’s great support and Millbrook’s efficiency and experience with speed attempts completed the picture and turned an audacious attempt into an unqualified success. Last but not least thanks to the whole Opel/Vauxhall team and especially our fantastic pit crew,”said Strycek.

A smiling team captain Volker Strycek meets his pit crew at the end of the race

A trophy presentation was made to Opel/Vauxhall by the MSA’s Chairman, Alan Gow, on the opening day of the Autosport International Racing Car Show yesterday at the NEC (http://www.autosportinternational.com/).

2013 FIA Land Speed Records

Category B Class 9 (over 1,600cc to 2,000cc): Diesel cycle engine with forced induction

Record	Date	Elapsed time hh:mm:ss.sss	Speed-MPH	Speed-KPH
10 Kilometers	Saturday 05 October, 2013	03:14.629	114,933	184,967
10 Miles	Saturday 05 October, 2013	05:02.551	118.988	191,492
100 Kilometers	Saturday 05 October, 2013	29:16.907	127,322	204,905
100 Miles	Saturday 05 October, 2013	47:00.753	127,625	205,392
500 Kilometers	Saturday 05 October, 2013	02:27:32.572	126,343	203,330
500 Miles	Saturday 05 October, 2013	03:58:41.296	125,686	202,272
1000 Kilometers	Saturday 05 October, 2013	04:55:04.596	126,347	202,337
1000 Miles	Sunday 06 October, 2013	07:58:36.097	125,365	201,755	Distance- Miles	Distance- Kilometers
1 Hour	Saturday 05 October, 2013		128,024	206,036	128,024	206,036
6 Hours	Saturday 05 October, 2013		125,418	201,842	752,514	1211,055
12 Hours	Sunday 06 October, 2013		125,103	201,335	1501,247	2416,023
24 Hours	Sunday 06 October, 2013		125,101	201,331	3002,440	4831,960

2013 British Land Speed Records

Class E (over 1,500cc to 2,000cc) – Group III: Diesel cycle engine with forced induction

Record	Date	Elapsed time hh:mm:ss.sss	Speed-MPH	Speed-KPH
100 Miles	Saturday 05 October, 2013	47:00.753	127,625	205,390
1000 Kilometers	Saturday 05 October, 2013	04:55:04.596	126,347	202,337
1000 Miles	Saturday 05 October, 2013	07:58:36.097	125,365	201,755	Distance - Miles-	Distance - Kilometers
1 Hour	Saturday 05 October, 2013		128,024	206,036	128,024	206,036
12 Hours	Saturday 05 October, 2013		125,103	201,335	1501,247	2416,023
24 Hours	Sunday 06 October, 2013		125,101	201,331	3002,774	4831,960

New FIA/MSA record holders:

The drivers listed below achieved all the above records collectively

Driver	Publication
Owen Mildenhall	Auto Express
Matthew Prior	Auto Car
Richard Aucock	Motoring Research
Alisdair Suttie	The Scottish Sun
David Finlay	Car Keys
Pere Prat	La Vanguardia
Alexander Lidl	Autozeitung
Carlos Hernandez	LUIKE Iberoamericana de Revistas ('Autofácil' and 'CAR&Tecno')
Franco Nugnes	Omnicorse
Volker Strycek	Opel
Peter Hass	Opel
Simon Hucknall	Vauxhall Motors

*FIA – Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile; MSA – Motor Sports Association

!NEW! Buick Sets Global Sales Record Topping 1 Million in 2013

1,032,056 deliveries is best in brand’s 110 year history

Buick Encore 

Buick delivered 1,032,056 vehicles in China, the United States, Canada and Mexico in 2013, the most Buicks sold in a single year in the brand’s 110-year history. The previous record was 1,003,345 sold in 1984.

Strong growth in both China and North America accounted for the record-breaking year, with global sales up 15.4 percent over 2012. China posted a 15.7 percent sales gain, while the U.S. delivered a 13.9 percent sales increase. Canada also saw strong sales growth, with a 9.5 increase over 2012. In the U.S., 42 percent of Buick buyers were new to the brand and to General Motors.

Buick experienced strong global growth in both crossovers and sedans from a product lineup that is among the freshest in the industry and the strongest the brand has ever featured.

Buick Verano 

The new Encore small crossover ended 2013 with 97,311 sales globally, while the eight-passenger Enclave saw sales grow 6.5 percent in North America. Enclave recorded its best year of U.S. sales in 2013.  Exclusive to China, the GL8 posted an annual sales gain of 9.7 percent.

Buick Excelle GT

In the sedan segment, the China-exclusive compact Excelle again dominated in the compact sedan segment, delivering 6.9 percent sales growth. The Excelle GT and Verano compact sedans combined globally to deliver a 16.3 percent gain, while sales of the Excelle XT hatchback, sold only in China, were up 17.5 percent.

Buick Excelle XT 

Country	2013 Volume	2012 Volume	Percent Change
China	809,918	700,007	15.7
United States	205,509	180,408	13.9
Canada	14,310	13,068	9.5
Mexico	2,319	1,122	106.6
Total	1,032,056	894,605	15.4

!NEW! Powerhouse: Opel Astra GTC Now With Mighty 200 hp

• Opel Astra GTC 1.6 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo with 200 hp from 25,250 euros
• New gasoline direct injection Turbo as sporty precursor to OPC Power Package
• Innovative IntelliLink system now brings high-tech into GTC onboard infotainment
• Opel Astra GTC with striking motorsports package radiates rallye charm

Opel Astra GTC 1.6 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo

The Opel Astra GTC is now available with the new-generation, 200 hp 1.6 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo engine. This powerhouse also drives the Opel Cascada and Zafira Tourer and now completes the gasoline engine portfolio. With its powerful performance, it underscores the compact coupé’s sporty character – only the OPC variant is stronger. The Astra GTC impresses with the high-tech under its hood and its unique, sophisticated high performance strut (HiPerStrut) front suspension layout. Modern infotainment technology is featured in all GTC models, with the Opel IntelliLink system offering simplified telephony and navigation while enabling the use of many smartphone functions in the car. Prices for the Astra GTC with the 147 kW/200 hp 1.6 liter Turbo start at 25,250 euros (RRP incl. VAT in Germany).

From zero to 100 in 7.9 seconds: The 1.6-liter Turbo with 200 hp makes it happen

Opel Astra GTC with the new 200 hp 1.6 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo engine -  top speed 230 km/h

The new Opel Astra GTC with the 200 hp 1.6 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo engine reaches a top speed of 230 km/h. It accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in just 7.9 seconds and sprints from 80 to 120 km/h in fifth gear also in only 7.9 seconds with impressive elasticity. The new-generation gasoline direct injection Turbo is a real powerhouse, with 300 Nm maximum torque (with overboost) enabling its superb sporty performance. Its power output per liter of 125 hp makes it the leader in its class. The power that the Astra GTC brings to the road with this top engine is tastefully visible on the outside. The coupé leaves other road users watching its taillights and admiring its two chrome exhaust tailpipes. There is only one area where the gasoline direct injection unit is miserly: with fuel consumption. In the combined cycle, it needs just 6.6 liters fuel per 100 kilometers and emits 154 gram CO2 per kilometer.

The 200 hp Turbo completes the series production Astra GTC’s engine portfolio. Its counterpart on the diesel side is the high-performance 2.0 BiTurbo CDTI with 143 kW/195 hp and 400 Nm torque. The only engine that surpasses these two top-of-the-line units is the 206 kW/280 hp OPC power plant – a very mighty trio!

Infotainment that is fun: Opel Astra GTC with IntelliLink system

Opel Astra GTC now comes with a high-tech IntelliLink system which integrates smartphone functions into the car via a seven inch high-resolution color monitor that guarantees simple operation and ease of reading.

But the Astra GTC doesn’t only boast a high-tech engine; the infotainment system in all Astra GTC models is also state-of-the-art. With Opel’s IntelliLink system, easy operation of the navigation system and all functions is guaranteed via a seven-inch, high-resolution color monitor that also displays images from the optional rearview camera. Voice control, Bluetooth phone connectivity and audio streaming are possible. 

The top-of-the-line Navi 950 IntelliLink contains maps of all of Europe. Map updates can be downloaded via USB. The driver can also have the system read out incoming text messages. In addition to voice control over IntelliLink, the new Opel system also supports and integrates smartphones’ own voice recognition functions.

Racy model: Opel Astra GTC in motorsport outfit available with all engines

In addition to the introduction of the 1.6 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo engine in its high performance version and the IntelliLink infotainment system in all GTC models, a new special GTC model will also be introduced in 2014. From the spring of 2014, Opel offers motorsports enthusiasts the Astra GTC with an especially attractive package modeled according to the vehicle that successfully participated in the VLN Endurance Championship on the Nürburgring. The characteristic yellow-black-grey striped motorsport stickers give the smart model the right flair. The black grille and logo bar stand in sharp contrast to the white body color, and the graphite black side mirror casings underline its bullish motorsports character. An additional eye-catcher is the Opel motorsport emblem in the form of a stylized racing driver against a yellow background on the B-pillars. This model is available with the entire spectrum of powertrains, ranging from 140 to 200 hp on the gasoline side and from 130 to 195 hp on the diesel side.

Opel Astra GTC in motorsport outfit

Opel Astra GTC is absolutely unique in its motorsports outfit, combining elements from various sports and OPC model versions. The striking front is from the BiTurbo, while the side skirt and rear design come from the OPC Line Package. When opening the door, one’s eye immediately goes to the black running boards. Inside the interior cabin there is also pure rallye and racing ambience. Opel Astra GTC features optional aluminum pedals as well as specially designed floor mats with yellow stitching, and Astra GTC drivers open and start their car with a special motorsport-style key.