Opel adds new engines and premium features to Insignia model year 2012

2012 Opel Insignia

• Best-in-class: New 1.4 turbo ecoFLEX thriftiest gasoline engine in mid-size class
• Powerful: New 2.0 turbo with 185 kW/250 hp delivers 400 Nm of torque
• Clever: Start/Stop system available for many engine variants
• Added value: Navigation system, front camera, high-class leather interior

RÜSSELSHEIM : August 10, 2011 - Since making its debut, the Opel Insignia has won more than 50 national and international awards, including the especially prestigious title “Car of the Year”. Customers have affirmed this critical success with great demand – over 400,000 units of the brand flagship have been sold to date. With new gasoline engines and state-of-the-art technologies, the Insignia is set to continue its successful run in model year 2012. Prices start at 23,330 euro (RRP incl. VAT).

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Vauxhall Astra GTC: Far more than just a 3-door Astra

2012 Vauxhall/Opel Astra GTC

MILLBROOK/LUTON : July 23, 2011 – Vauxhall’s mid-size coupe challenger caused a stir when it became available to order in June. With a starting price of just £18,495 and dramatic styling from a design team led by Brit, Mark Adams, the GTC is set to wow UK customers and rock the established front runners in its class – the Volkswagen Scirocco and the Renault Megane Coupe.

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Fresh new look for 2011 Corsa

2011 Opel Corsa

• Efficient: 70 kW/95 hp Corsa ecoFLEX with Start/Stop at 94 g/km CO₂
• Sporty Family Genes: New exterior puts Corsa in line with latest Opel models
• Vibrant: Fashionable color and decor choices inside and out
• Individual: Extended Color Line Series gives wider personalization choice

RÜSSELSHEIM. There’s always something happening in the Corsa: Everything changed under its skin in 2010 – its chassis, its steering system and engine line-up. As of January 2011, Opel’s successful small car now gets a new wardrobe. A redesigned face lends it a sportier, expressive look, making it firmly recognizable as a member of the latest Opel design family.

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World Premiere Geneva Motor Show 2010 The shape of things to come: Vauxhall Flextreme GT/E Concept

Opel/Vauxhaul Flextreme GT/E Concept

• Dramatic design meets environmental technology
• Alternative propulsion; shows versatility of Vauxhall’s E-REV technology

GENEVA/LUTON : February 18, 2010 – Vauxhall will unveil a dramatic concept car at this year’s Geneva Show that is set to boost its credentials as a leader in environmental vehicles. The Flextreme GT/E illustrates how extended-range electric vehicle (E-REV) technology can be plugged into large or mid-sized vehicles, as well as compact cars, like the upcoming Ampera.


Vauxhall calls the strategy underpinning Flextreme GT/E, ‘e-mobility unlimited’, which will effectively adapt the highly efficient E-REV drive system to vehicles across all market segments. In other words, the Flextreme GT/E concept shows that size really doesn’t matter when it comes to driving a car with zero C02 emissions.

Sleek and aerodynamic, the Flextreme GT/E achieves a projected drag co-efficient of just 0.22, allowing it to reach an estimated top speed of 125mph-plus while conserving energy and extending the driving range. Stand-out visual features include a low, wide stance, wing-shaped lights front and rear, a distinctive nose and grille, ‘floating’ C-pillars and muscular, sculptured bodywork.

Exterior design

The clean frontal styling features a low bonnet line and an extended nose section, which is clasped by wing-shaped, signature LED headlamps, which are in turn carved into the front wings and across the bonnet line. The new trapezoidal grille is slim but bold, with the prominent wing-shaped chrome bar carrying a large Vauxhall emblem, which doubles as a socket for charging the Flextreme GT/E’s battery pack.

The upper section of the grille is used to admit cooling air, the lower portion being covered by a translucent panel. The absence of additional air intakes allows a low frontal area for aerodynamic efficiency and also enables the Flextreme GT/E to meet future pedestrian protection requirements.

The sculpted bonnet, with a Vauxhall-signature central crease line, features narrow longitudinal vents on either side to draw air out of the engine compartment. The muscular wings and wheel-arches sweep back into the side-body.

In profile, the Flextreme GT/E is distinguished by innovative, stubbed C-pillars. This floating design allows the glasshouse to be extended rearwards under the arching roofline, emphasising the flowing lines of the side-body. Vauxhall’s signature blade motif is reinterpreted in a swooping swage line from the base of the C-pillar into the lower front wing.

Access to the cabin is enhanced by the adoption of rear-hinged rear doors, an evolution of the FlexDoors concept from the new generation Meriva. To preserve the clean exterior looks, all door handles are replaced by light sensors. These trigger the doors to open when covered by the driver’s or passenger’s hand. To reduce air turbulence, exterior front door mirrors are also absent, replaced by small camera pods in the base of the A-pillars.

At the rear, a strong shoulder line embraces sculpted wheel-arches that further emphasise the Flextreme GT/E’s wide, ground-hugging stance. The coupé look is completed by a steeply raked tailgate, carrying wing-shaped LED light units which echo the form of the front headlamps. And taking a leaf from the Insignia Sports Tourer’s book, the tailgate has a wraparound design for improved boot access, enhanced by a convex deep glass screen to improve airflow.

The transparency of the fixed glass panel in the centre of the roof is adaptive, allowing sunlight to warm the interior in the cold of winter, but darkening for coolness in summer. A duct at the rear edge of the roof is for additional cooling of the battery and electronic components.

Managing airflow and saving weight

Integral to the Flextreme GT/E’s dramatic looks is the efficiency of the design execution. The small frontal area, low roof height (1308 mm) and a flat, enclosed underbody all enable the car to cleave the air with a minimum of disturbance.

A series of measures optimise airflow management. The 21-inch alloy wheels are relatively narrow, to reduce wind resistance, and are fitted with 195/45, low rolling resistance tyres. Clear, flush-mounted trim inserts also minimise air turbulence.

The small front intake improves airflow around the nose of the car and the underbody sweeps up, venturi-like, at the rear to further reduce drag.

The Flextreme GT/E also explores the potential for active shape shifting. At speeds above 30mph, a vertical panel extends along the body from the air extraction slot behind each rear wheel-arch. These 350 mm-long side spoilers guide high-speed airflow around the rear corners of the car, further reducing the amount of turbulence.

Mass reduction measures for the body include the use of lightweight, carbon composite outer panels, polycarbonate window glazing and aluminum alloy structural components. Compared with conventional materials, these offer a 40 per cent weight saving which further contributes to reduced energy consumption and an increased driving range.

Powertrain

The Flextreme GT/E concept also includes the groundbreaking E-REV drive system, already developed for the Vauxhall Ampera. Despite its greater size and a maximum speed of more than 125mph, the Flextreme GT/E is estimated to offer performance similar to that of the Ampera: a battery-powered driving range of up to 40 miles – with zero CO2 tailpipe emissions – and a total range of over 300 miles. Average fuel consumption is estimated at 175mpg, with CO2 emissions of less than 40g/km.

Unlike a hybrid vehicle, the wheels of the Flextreme GT/E are powered at all times by electricity. For typical journeys up to 40 miles, energy is supplied by a T-shaped lithium-ion battery pack located under the floor and rear seat.

However, unlike a battery-only electric vehicle, the Flextreme GT/E eliminates any possibility of range anxiety through fear of being stranded without power. The small petrol engine/generator is seamlessly engaged to provide electricity whenever the battery’s supply becomes depleted. In this mode, the driving range is extended to more than 300 miles, until the plug-in battery pack can be recharged or the car is refueled.

The motor in the electric drive unit delivers a substantial 370Nm of instant torque, giving lively performance and projected zero to 62mph acceleration in less than nine seconds.

The Flextreme GT/E concept is a logical next step towards Vauxhall’s emerging strategy for the electrification of the car, which will in time include products using battery, extended-range, hybrid and fuel cell technologies.

Vauxhall Flextreme GT/E concept Technical Data

Body style
Type	5-door coupé, 4-seat upper mid-size concept vehicle
Co-efficient of drag	0.22

Exterior dimensions
Overall length (mm)	4762
Height (mm)	1308
Width (mm)	1871
Wheelbase (mm)	2900
Front track (mm)	1600
Rear track (mm)	1600

Wheels/Tyres
Wheel size	21 inch
Tyres	195/45 R 21; extra low-rolling resistance

Powertrain
Type	Electric drive, front-wheel drive
Battery system:
Type	Advanced lithium-ion (manganese spinel)
Energy	16 kWh
Nominal voltage	350 volts
On-board charger	3.3 kW
100% recharge time (230V outlet)	< 3.0 hours
Electric drive unit:
Max. power	120 kW
Torque	370 Nm
Generator:
Power	53 kW peak output
Engine type	4-cyl. 1.4l gasoline-fueled combustion engine

Performance
Pure electric mode range	60 km
Full range, range extender engaged	> 500 km
CO2 emissions, combined cycle (est.)	< 40 g/km
0 – 100 km/h acceleration	< 9.0 seconds
Maximum speed	> 200 km/h

Images : Vauxhaul Flextreme GT/E Concept

[Source : GM via NEWSPRESS]

Opel intends to close Antwerp facility

Opel Antwerp Plant - Photo : REUTERS

BRUSSELS/RÜSSELSHEIM : January 21, 2010 - As Opel moves quickly on its way towards a viable future, the company announced today the intent to wind down its manufacturing plant in Antwerp, Belgium in the course of 2010.


Opel will continue to engage in the official information and consultation process with employee representatives regarding the envisaged restructuring.

“We fully understand the effect this announcement has on the Antwerp employees and their families and we sympathize with them,” said Opel CEO Nick Reilly. “Many have been dedicated to the plant over generations and have done an excellent job producing great quality cars. The decision to announce this today, was not taken lightly; instead, it is the unfortunate result of the current business reality. We must make this announcement now so that we can secure a viable future for the entire Opel and Vauxhall operations.”

The global economic crisis has led to a major downturn in the automotive industry. The Western European car market in 2010 is expected to be 1.5 million vehicles below 2009 levels and almost 4 million below its peak in 2007. It is not expected to return anytime soon – if ever – to these peak levels, resulting in significant overcapacity in general and at Opel in particular. To ensure long-term sustainability for the company, Opel needs to reduce capacity by approximately 20 percent.

In view of current capacity utilization at all European Opel and Vauxhall plants, planned future product portfolio, timing requirements and financial impact, winding down the Antwerp plant would be the most logical approach for the company. If confirmed, production would conclude in the next few months.

It is expected that the full restructuring plan, when completed, will affect all Opel and Vauxhall production sites and entities through such measures as capacity reductions, job redundancies and labor cost reductions. More details will be announced in due time.

[Source : GM-Opel]

New Opel Meriva : The flexibility Champion

2010 Opel Meriva

• Cool and functional: A new door system FlexDoors facilitates the entry and exit
• Improved FlexSpace System: From Five-seater without the removal of the seats
• Variable interior design: Interchangeable modules in the new FlexRail System

RÜSSELSHEIM : January 5, 2010 - Innovative, variable and elegant: the second generation of the Opel Meriva celebrated on 4 March 2010 on the 80th International Motor Show in Geneva its world premiere. With many creative solutions, the new Meriva is a milestone on flexible interior use.

Since the introduction of the seven-seat compact MPV 1999 Opel Zafira is a pioneer in interior flexibility. Created with the first-generation Meriva 2003, a new market segment of small, affordable monocabs. The revolutionary FlexSpace interior design makes the Meriva to this day a huge flexibility with compact dimensions. Thanks to this successful formula, it is the best-selling model in the segment of small monocab. So far, decided over one million customers in Europe for the Meriva.

The expressive exterior styling, which continues the sculptured and award-winning new design language for Opel, is also reflected in the interior. Compared to its predecessor, the monocab silhouette elegant and dynamic looks. The side diagram shows the area of the rear doors, a characteristic wave of the shoulder line. To improve the view from the rear to the outside world, benefiting especially children. It is also marked by the line's new FlexDoorsApproach emphasizes ease in which the rear doors Rear-hinged rear entry and exit.

New benchmark in terms of interior flexibility

This increased level of flexibility is reflected in all areas of the new Meriva: The Opel engineers have the innovative interior design FlexSpaceThat was introduced with the first-generation Meriva, logical way: It is now even easier and more intuitive to use, and there are fewer manipulations required to change the seat position or flipped the rear seat.

The entire interior is now more storage space available. There are numerous, easily accessible storage options for all the things that are often kept from Opel's market research in the car. The totally new and unique FlexRailSystem for the center console consists of interchangeable modules that can be moved on aluminum rails between the front seats. Each user can thus create additional storage space for their own ideas. Opel's innovation, the integrated rear bicycle carrier FlexFix, is also available for the new Meriva.

The generous Premium Seats Driver and passenger correspond to those in the Insignia and bear the seal of "Healthy Back Campaign" (AGR). They offer the largest Einstellwege its class - 240 mm in the longitudinal direction and 65 millimeters in height. This allows people of all sizes and ages to find the optimum seating position and also travel long distances very comfortable and back friendly too.

Doors start of a new era

A completely new dimension of the rear entry opened the Meriva with the approach and swing. Its Rear-hinged rear doors and full be opened independently of the front doors. For reliable locking is thus no overlap through the front doors is required. This is enabled by a traditional B-pillar, at the same time, the body rigidity and side impact increases.

The FlexDoor approach facilitates the entry and exit of rear passengers clearly. This is also assisted in the interior of the B-pillar mounted grab handles. The rear-hinged doors also provide for the legs greater freedom of movement along the B-pillar. Driver and front passenger also benefit from FlexDoor concept: You have an ergonomic and faster access to the rear to give an example where a jacket, a briefcase or an umbrella. All four doors can open up to an angle of 84 degrees, while in conventional doors from 68 to 70 degrees are standard.

At the same time and swing concept provides for greater safety, especially for young families. Parents have easier access to rear seats, if, for example, their children's seat belt, or in and out to help. Are the front and rear doors open, together, create a security zone, get off at the child and parent can not be separated by a door. This minimizes the risk that a child runs into the flow of traffic. The security of the system, and swing is guaranteed by a number of patented closing and locking systems.

With all functionality of FlexDoor makes users even a leading role: Instead of turning the body or slide sideways, increasing the rear passengers on very natural way in and out, the movement is fluid and elegant. Opel's market research has been conducting trials with 2006 customers the innovative door concept.

Monocab with new Opel design language

Like the Insignia and the new Astra also embodies the Meriva inside and outside the new Opel design language: the combination of high quality skulpturhaftem design with German engineering skills. The designers realized one monocab body, which also is dynamic and elegant. The lowered roof and rear swing together with highlights of the characteristic sickle-shaped bead in the side graphic and the independent rear window wave line and striking the fresh appearance of the new Meriva.

The doors and swing-open access to a feel-good interior, with flowing lines and pleasant surfaces. The door panels up to the circumferential, wing-shaped instrument panel enhances the feeling of spaciousness and freedom of movement. For the design of the Opel Meriva's interior offers an unprecedented variety of colors and designs. Its high-quality fabrics and surface materials are typical features higher category vehicles.

Half a class higher

With a longer wheelbase over its predecessor and a significantly wider track front and rear of the new Meriva is not only the handling characteristics and ride comfort improved. In conjunction with its high quality design so he moves in the van segment on a visibly higher level.

"With Flex7 the Zafira and Meriva FlexSpace the interior, we have invented new flexibility," says Alain Visser, Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Aftersales Opel / Vauxhall. "The new Meriva comes on with the claim to be the new eventing champion of the automotive industry. No other car offers so many practical ideas that make life easier with the car in everyday life really is. In addition, the price based on the current model, excellent condition for a market success. "

The driving range includes efficient engines with a power of 75 to 140 hp. In addition, there will be an especially economical and environmentally friendly ecoFLEX version. The new Meriva was the ITDC, developed the International Technical Development Center of Opel in Rüsselsheim and Spanish plant in Zaragoza will run from the tape. The launch is planned for early summer.

Images : 2010 Opel Meriva

[Source : GM-Opel]

World Record in Nardo : Insignia Sports Tourer OPC by STEINMETZ

Steinmetz Insignia Sports Tourer OPC at Nardo

For the tuning elite, the dates of 18/19 October 2009 represented a very special time in the calendar : the High Performance Event by Continental and Auto Bild SportsCars in Nardo.

Nardo – an oval over 12 km, on which speeds far above 250 km/h can be - and are - achieved! For Steinmetz Opel-Tuning and Klasen Motors, the ideal place for breaking the existing speed world record for a road-legal Opel... and for setting a new record of 287.4 km/h.

This puts the Insignia Sports Tourer OPC by Steinmetz / Klasen right at the top of the Opel best ever list. For everyone who wants to share in the flair, the following parts are available for the Opel Insignia:

The current Steinmetz product range for both vehicles includes:

• Alloy wheels ST7 20", in white & polished black 5-door, Sports Tourer and OPC
• Lowering 5-door, Sports Tourer and OPC
• Front grille 5-door and Sports TourerFront spoiler, pedestrian-friendly 5-door and Sports Tourer
• Roof spoiler Sports Tourer only
• Foot mats 5-door and Sports TourerDoor
• handle trims, chromed stainless steel 5-door and Sports Tourer

The latest Klasen Motors product range for the performance upgrade:

A modified intercooler, larger turbo with 3" exhaust system including rear silencer, modified fuel injection system and reprogrammed engine electronics are the components responsible for the incredible performance upgrade.Developing 400 HP at 5250 rpm and 550 Nm, there is plenty of power available in every situation to satisfy even the keenest and most enthusiastic driver.

Images : Steinmetz Insignia Sports Tourer OPC at Nardo

[Source : STEINMETZ]