!NEW! GM Invests 250 Million Euros in Modern Engine Production in Tychy

• Start of production of new midsize diesel engines is scheduled for 2017
• Plant is upgraded to highest technological standards

GM Poland plant in Tychy

General Motors today announced the allocation of the new generation midsize diesel engine family to the GM Manufacturing Poland plant in Tychy.

GM Poland plant Tychy - 1.7 CDTI Engine assembly

Start of production of the all-aluminum 1.6 liter four-cylinder turbo-diesel (CDTI) Euro 6 engines  that combine high performance with top refinement and high fuel efficiency is scheduled for 2017.

Total investment in the plant, which is located in the Katowice Special Economic Zone, will amount to 250 million euros. This is the biggest investment in the history of the Tychy plant and includes additional buildings and new manufacturing technology.  The maximum annual production capacity will be 200,000 units.

GM Poland plant Tychy - 1.7 CDTI Engine assembly

The investment will enable the extension and modernization of the plant’s infrastructure. The building’s surface area will increase by 30 percent with the addition of the storage area as well as high tech production and testing lines. This expansion takes the plant’s technological competence to the next level and transforms the assembly facility into a full production plant.  Construction and installation of the new production equipment will continue until 2016.

Opel’s new 1.6 CDTI is the quietest diesel in its class

“The new midsize diesel engine family is an important part of our engine offensive. We appreciate the good quality and high efficiency of our Polish location and look forward to implementing this exciting project,” says Peter Thom, Member of the Management Board, Adam Opel AG and Vice President Manufacturing Europe.

“The automotive industry is a very important branch of our market, therefore this new investment in the GMMP Tychy plant is very good news not only for the region, but also for the whole economy,” says Janusz Piechociński, Poland Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy.

“The new investment moves the GM Manufacturing Poland plant to the next development level and secures its future. With this comprehensive portfolio of modern engines and vehicles, we are committed to contributing to the Opel/Vauxhall product offensive. We would like to thank the Polish Ministry of Economy that supported the investment,” said Andrzej Korpak, Managing Director of the GM Manufacturing Poland plant.

The new engine family will meet Euro 6 emission standards while securing high power and torque density, low fuel consumption and reducing CO2 emissions. Engines will be installed in a wide range of Opel/Vauxhall models, setting the benchmark for noise, vibration and harshness.

The GM Manufacturing Poland plants in Gliwice and Tychy employ 3,500 people.  The current portfolio includes the Opel Astra, the Cascada convertible and the 1.7 liter turbo-diesel (CDTI) engine .  With today’s announcement, total GM investments in Poland will amount to over 1 billion euros.

!NEW! Opel ADAM: TV Ad Campaign for the Best Connected Small Car Starts

Spotlight is on IntelliLink infotainment system in new TV commercials

Colorful wedding party: The Opel ADAM with IntelliLink and Siri Eyes Free voice control makes getting married a breeze.

A different kind of wedding: in a new international TV advertising campaign for ADAM, Opel shows that the big day doesn’t necessarily have to take place in a civil registry office or church. The TV spot shows that the Opel ADAM is the best connected small car in its class thanks to its IntelliLink infotainment system and Siri Eyes Free voice control function, which also makes it the perfect wedding venue. With the motto “Connected for life”, Opel demonstrates the ADAM’s unique connectivity possibilities in a very special marriage ceremony.

Opel ADAM: Wedding campaign 

In the 30-second TV spot “Wedding”, a wedding party including the minister and witnesses is on the road in many colorful ADAMs. But instead of heading to the church in their lifestyle cars, the marriage ceremony is performed underway. Connected over the clever IntelliLink system with Siri Eyes Free, the bride and groom say “yes” during the ride and the minister – also digitally connected – pronounces them husband and wife.

“Connectivity of all kinds is the subject of our time,” says Tina Müller, Chief Marketing Officer at Opel. “With the ADAM we have brought a fully customizable and optimally connected car onto the road. But technology alone is cold. It only becomes emotional when it enriches our lives. This TV spot shows this a surprising and fun way.”

The European TV ad campaign, created by the German agency Scholz & Friends Hamburg, begins February, 10 on high-viewership TV stations.

!NEW! Premiere in Geneva: Opel Astra 1.6 CDTI Needs Just 3.7 Liters Diesel

• Newest generation turbo diesel now in Opel high-volume model range
• 1.6 CDTI with 100 kW/136 hp available for hatchback, notchback and Sports Tourer
• 81 kW/110 hp version of 1.6 CDTI with only 97 g/km CO₂ presented at Geneva Motor Show
• Enhanced, low-friction six-speed transmission increases driving comfort and efficiency 

Opel Astra 1.6 CDTI - five door hatchback

After debuting in the Opel Zafira Tourer, the all-new whisper diesel now also ensures powerful and clean drive in the heart of the Opel model portfolio. The 1.6 CDTI with 100 kW/136 hp and 320 Nm maximum torque is now also available in the high-volume Astra hatchback, Astra notchback and Astra Sports Tourer models. It boasts superb performance and minimum noise generation while consuming just 3.9 liters diesel per 100 km in the NEDC test procedure (New European Driving Cycle). The 81 kW/110 hp version of the whisper turbo diesel debuting at the Geneva Motor Show from March 6 – 16 is even cleaner and more economical. In the NEDC this engine needs just 3.7 liters diesel for 100 km and with CO₂ emissions of 97 g/km, undercutting the 100 gram mark.

Opel Astra 1.6 CDTI - four door notchback

“Our high-volume Astra and the new whisper diesel 1.6 CDTI are a perfect match. They are the ideal coupling for everyone who wants to combine high performance with top refinement and high fuel efficiency,” says Michael Ableson, Vice President GME Engineering. “The new 1.6 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo gasoline and 1.6 CDTI engines comprise the core of our engine offensive. They prove that Opel cars not only impress with design, but also offer top quality with ultra-modern technologies for an all-round, first-class driving experience.”

Opel Astra Sports Tourer 1.6 CDTI

Smooth whisper diesel: All-new 1.6 CDTI with 3.9 l/100 km and 320 Nm

Named the most reliable German compact car by the trade magazine auto motor und sport (Issue 12/2013), the Opel Astra now offers state-of-the-art on-board infotainment with the IntelliLink system. Its ultra-modern engine technology is just as advanced. The highlight in the diesel offer for the Astra hatchback, notchback and Sports Tourer is the completely new 1.6 CDTI with 100 kW/136 hp that is now available. The various performance levels of the newest generation all-aluminum turbo unit will successively replace the engines with 1.7-liter displacement, ushering in a new era in Opel’s diesel portfolio.

Opel ECOTEC 1.6 CDTI Euro 6 engine: 100 kW/136 hp and 320 Nm max. torque

Opel’s extremely efficient whisper diesel is the first unit in the Astra portfolio to already comply with the future Euro 6 emissions standard, making it the cleanest diesel Opel has ever built. The engine is best-in-class in noise and vibration generation thanks to its optimized component design, an especially efficient combustion process with multiple injection and additional acoustic measures. The result is totally convincing. Opel’s new 1.6 CDTI is the quietest diesel in its class, earning the name whisper diesel. Further contributors to its strong and clean performance are the high-pressure common rail system and lean NOx trap exhaust after-treatment (LNT). Together with the VTG turbocharger (Variable Turbine Geometry) that enables powerful response, they are the engine’s core technical elements.

The engine boasts powerful 320 Nm maximum torque – seven percent more than the 130 hp 1.7-liter predecessor. At the same time, fuel efficiency is improved and CO₂ emissions are reduced. This output variant makes do with an exemplary 3.9 liters diesel per 100 km in the NEDC test procedure and emits just 104 g/km CO₂ – up to eight percent less than the 1.7-liter engine. So it’s no surprise that in Germany, the Astra 1.6 CDTI has earned the best A+ energy efficiency label. This comes with top performance and superb low-speed torque: the turbo unit accelerates the Astra from zero to 100 km/h in 10.3 seconds (notchback: 10.1 seconds); from 80 to 120 km/h in fifth gear it needs just 9.2 seconds (notchback: 9.1 seconds, Sports Tourer: 9.9 seconds). Top speed is 200 km/h and the notchback even reaches 205 km/h.

The 100 kW/136 hp Astra hatchback 1.6 CDTI with Start/Stop and six-speed manual transmission is available from 22,200 euros, the notchback from 22,700 euros and prices for the Sports Tourer counterpart start at 23,300 euros (RRP incl. VAT in Germany).

Only 97 g/km CO₂: Premiere for Opel Astra 1.6 CDTI with 81 kW/110 hp in Geneva

With the new 1.6 CDTI, the Astra hatchback, notchback and Sports Tourer all tighten their fuel-saving belts. In Geneva the 81 kW/110 hp version of the newest generation turbo diesel makes its first appearance. Also featuring exemplary low-end torque, the engine has 300 Nm maximum torque (seven percent more than the 1.7 liter predecessor with the same hp), achieving fuel consumption in the NEDC combined cycle to 3.7 liters diesel per 100 km – and CO₂ emissions to below 100 grams: the compact class bestseller emits just 97 g/km.

New version of Opel ECOTEC 1.6 CDTI Euro 6 engine: 81 kW/110 hp and 300 Nm max. torque

With all these advantages, the 110 hp version of the ultra-modern whisper diesel that will soon be available is everything but a listless economy engine. Environmental friendliness, running refinement and low noise generation come with ample power development. With the new generation turbo diesel, the Astra hatchback, notchback and Sports Tourer accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 12.0 seconds, and top speed is 186 km/h.

Perfect fit: Improved six-speed manual gearbox increases comfort and efficiency

The new 1.6 CDTI engine in the Astra comes coupled with the further developed, improved six-speed manual transmission. This guarantees highest shifting comfort, as Opel invested over 50 million euros to optimize the five and six-speed gearboxes. A host of enhancements to the transmission components and shifting mechanisms, as well as to integration in the vehicle, led to noticeable improvements in comfort. Shifting requires minimal effort with the low-friction gearboxes, so that in the Astra 1.6 CDTI it is faster, more precise and above all silky smooth.