Saturday, 25 May 2019

Premiere of O-Team Zafira Life in Oschersleben

  • Spectacular appearance: cool looks, finely honed technology, high-class interior
  • Opel becomes O-Team: 1980s US TV series is source of inspiration
  • Imitating allowed: all modifications approved by TÜV

O-Team Zafira Life 

Tens of thousands of Opel fans will once again descend on Oschersleben this weekend to celebrate the iconic Rüsselsheim brand. In addition to beautiful vintage cars and the 120 Years special models, Opel will also present a very special vehicle: the Opel Zafira Life, the fourth generation of the flexible multi-purpose van, will make its German premiere in the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben. But that’s not all. Opel will also bring another version to the racetrack, which has even more to offer: the “O-Team Zafira Life” concept car. As the name suggests, the car is inspired by the van that transported the crew in the cult US TV action and adventure series of the 1980s.


“O-Team Zafira Life” – the “O”, of course, stands for Opel – rivals the TV-original in every way: it features big wheels, the front bars and the big aerofoil, while the special colour scheme is bright neon-yellow instead of red. “O-Team Zafira Life” also makes an acoustic statement: the roaring V8 sound leaves no doubt about this car’s confident attitude. The fans of the iconic brand are likely to be just as enthusiastic as the fans of the TV series.




Spectacular “action” in design, interior layout and technology

Team from Opel Special Vehicles, that usually builds promotional vehicles and show cars, selected the six-seat Zafira Life “medium” with long wheelbase and full equipment as the basis for the “O” version. Its powerful 2.0-litre diesel engine delivers 130 kW (177hp) and 400 Nm maximum torque (NEDC fuel consumption1: urban 6.5-6.2 l/100 km, extra-urban 5.4-5.0 l/100 km, combined 5.8-5.4 l/100 km, 151-143 g/km CO2; WLTP fuel consumption2: combined 8.1-7.0 l/100 km, 213-183 g/km CO2). The power is transmitted to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission, guaranteeing lots of driving fun! Exterior colour scheme of dark blue, white and neon-yellow (which also sets the tone for the interior) is derived from the much-acclaimed Opel GT X Experimental. Spectacular appearance is rounded off by the matching window decals, the unique, specially made roof spoiler, the front bars and the side-sill extensions.



Sound of the “O Team Zafira Life” is really spine-tingling, as the technical team has built in a sound module with the vocal chords of a V8 petrol engine. A tailpipe in OPC-design was also added underneath the vehicle. An additional amplifier and high-performance loudspeakers transform the interior into a concert hall with 800 watts of system power.

In the action sequences of the TV series, the tough team mastered even the most spectacular stunts and jumps with their vehicle. Of course, the chassis of the “O-Team Zafira Life” concept vehicle is also designed to handle difficult jobs with maximum precision and at top speed: lowered bodywork, air suspension (can be lowered to parking position via remote control), four-piston brakes with 380-millimetre discs in front and 20-inch light-alloy wheels from BBS plus Michelin Cup 2 tyres ensure that the crew has perfect control and optimum traction when on the road.




Thanks to the high-quality interior of Rüsselsheim’s “O-Team Zafira Life”, passengers are relaxed when they arrive at the scene of action: driver and co-driver enjoy the unmistakable performance sports seats from the Insignia GSi (NEDC fuel consumption Opel Insignia GSi 2.0 BiTurbo Diesel with 154 kW/210 hp and eight-speed automatic transmission1: urban 9.6 l/100 km, extra-urban 5.6 l/100 km, combined 7.1 l/100 km, 187-186 g/km CO2; WLTP fuel consumption2: combined 7.8-7.4 l/100 km, 204-193 g/km CO2), in both the second and third rows the crew members will find two rotating “Captain's Chairs”, all upholstered in fine leather and Alcantara.




As spectacular as the show talent of the “O-Team Zafira Life” is – it is not just a show car. All technical changes have been approved by TÜV – so it's quite possible that more “O-Team“ versions will soon be on Germany’s roads. What is certain is that at the sight of this modern version, the boss of the TV series team would light up a big cigar and say: “I love it when a plan comes together“.

Friday, 24 May 2019

All-New Sixth-Generation Opel Corsa Goes Electric

  • New Opel Corsa-e: offers electric driving range of 330 kilometres (WLTP)
  • Powerful: 100 kW (136 hp) in every Corsa-e
  • Active safety: systems include adaptive speed assistance
  • Bright idea: IntelliLux LED Matrix light for first time in small car segment


All-New Opel Corsa-e: offers electric driving range of 330 kilometres

Opel goes electric. With the all-new, sixth generation Corsa, the German carmaker is offering for the first time a battery-electric version with a range of 330 kilometres (WLTP, provisional figure). Opel has chosen the brand’s most popular model to finally bring electric mobility out of its niche-existence. Opel Corsa is an absolute bestseller. More than 13.6 million units have been produced since the world premiere in 1982. Opel Corsa has made millions of people mobile; now it is offering them access to emission-free driving. Order books for the sixth-generation Opel Corsa will open in a few weeks, beginning with the Opel Corsa-e, followed by the diesel and petrol versions.




Impressive data: 100kW (136hp) power output, 330 km range



Opel has been producing cars for 120 years and has always made technology available to a wide audience of car buyers. New Opel Corsa-e offers state-of-the-art electric mobility. With a range of 330 km according to WLTP, five-seat Opel Corsa-e is suitable for unconstrained every-day use. 50 kWh battery can be fast-charged to 80 per cent of its capacity in 30 minutes. Opel Corsa-e is prepared for all charging options – via cable, wallbox or high-speed charging – and the battery is covered by an eight-year warranty. State-of-charge can be checked with the “myOpel” app, so that charging times and costs can be optimized at all times.



Furthermore, the range can be adapted by the driver, who can choose from three driving modes – Normal, Eco and Sport. Sport increases responsiveness and driving dynamics, with a moderate loss of driving range. In Eco mode Opel Corsa-e becomes a long-distance runner, significantly increasing the range while hardly affecting comfort.



Opel Corsa-e’s propulsion system combines emission-free driving with a maximum “fun-to-drive” factor. Thanks to the 100 kW (136 hp) power output and a maximum 260 Nm of instantaneous torque, the highlights include responsiveness, agility and dynamic performance. Opel Corsa-e needs only 2.8 seconds to sprint from zero to 50 km/h, only 8.1 seconds from zero to 100 km/h – a match for sports cars.



Opel Corsa-e also looks dynamic thanks to its sporty design, while the compact exterior dimensions of previous generations are retained. With a length of 4.06 metres Opel Corsa remains an agile, practical and well-arranged five-seater. Roof line is coupé-like, 48 mm lower than its predecessor’s, without detriment to headroom. Driver sits 28mm lower. Handling and driving dynamics benefit from the lower centre of gravity. Handling is responsive and dynamic, for more fun behind the steering wheel. Modern interior with fully digitalised cockpit can even be upgraded with leather seats.

Safety first: IntelliLux LED Matrix light, side blind-spot assist, flank guard

All-New Opel Corsa-e: IntelliLux LED Matrix light

Technologies and assistance systems that are more often found in higher market segments make their debut in the Opel Corsa-e. The top features include the adaptive, glare-free IntelliLux LED Matrix light that Opel offers for the first time in the small car segment. Eight LED elements, controlled by a newest-generation high-resolution front camera, continuously adapt light beam to the prevailing traffic situation and the surroundings. Advanced driver assistance systems provide tangible additional safety. Thanks to the new front camera traffic sign recognition now detects additional information, such as LED signs. Speed limits saved in the system are also shown in the display.

All-New Opel Corsa-e: Full LED tail light


Radar supported adaptive speed control and sensor-based flank-guard celebrate their premiere in the new  Opel Corsa. Side blind-spot assist and a variety of parking assistants are also available.



Multimedia systems with Opel Connect telematics service



New infotainment systems keep the new Opel Corsa’s drivers and passenger fully connected. Multimedia Navi with 7.0 inch colour touchscreen, as well as the top-of-the-line Multimedia Navi Pro with 10.0 inch colour touchscreen, also offer the new “Opel Connect” telematics service. Helpful functions, such as Live Navigation with real-time traffic information, as well as direct connection with roadside assistance and emergency call, give additional peace of mind to drivers and passengers.




Tuesday, 21 May 2019

J.D. Power Award: Top Scores for Opel Flagship Insignia

  • Customer satisfaction: Opel Insignia leads in J.D. Power Award
  • Additional prize: Opel Insignia Grand Sport is “Auto Test Winner 2019”



Opel Insignia is the winner in the midsize segment of this year’s J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study. J.D. Power surveys customers’ satisfaction with their cars every year. Market research firm asks the owners about the quality and durability of their one to three-year-old cars.

Opel Insignia Grand Sport

In addition to customers, Opel flagship is also highly rated by experts. German specialist magazine, Auto Test named the Insignia Grand Sport as “Auto Test Winner 2019” with the best price-performance ratio in its market segment. Opel Insignia Grand Sport already won last year in the same category. Excellent result was completed by the Opel Insignia Sports Tourer, which took a strong second position in its class.

Opel Insignia Sports Tourer


At the joint prize giving in Frankfurt/Germany, Opel’s Director Quality, Arnold Paluch received the trophies for the winning car. “Auto Test Winners” are announced together with the results of the J.D. Power customer satisfaction study since 2008.

“Quality and durability are the key criteria of our cars”, said Arnold Paluch. “We set high standards here and we are pleased that this is recognised by the customers. We also make innovative technology accessible to a wide range of buyers. We are pleased to see how Opel Insignia Grand Sport won the price-performance award in the hard-fought midsize category.”

This year’s J.D. Power survey is based on 12,854 answers received online between November 2018 and January 2019. Questions in the survey are about quality/durability, appeal and running costs. All the ratings result in a ranking which is won by the brand or model with the lowest amount of errors.