Opel cars

2011 Opel Meriva

The German car builder Opel will unveil their second generation Meriva compact hatch in March at the Geneva Motor Show. The all new Meriva features the same design language as the larger and very successful Opel Insignia. However unlike any production Opel that came before, the new Merivia retains the trick suicide style FlexDoors that were showcased on the Meriva Concept back in 2008. Like the Lincoln Continental, the unique opening arrangement provided by the FlexDoors makes the Merivia a much more functional vehicle by making it much easier to get in and out of the rear seat with the back door opening up a full 84 degrees.

As opposed to conventional doors that only open 68 to 70 degrees, the FlexDoors are more ergonomic in the event that a front seat passenger can easily place items in the rear compartment like a jacket, briefcase or even an umbrella behind them. The 2011 Meriva will be offered with a wide range of power train options with outputs ranging from a very economical 75 HP up to 140 HP, with an ecoFLEX version to be offered as well. The Meriva’s engine will be mated to a choice of five and six speed manual transmissions as well as a smooth shifting six speed automatic. Offering a dash of fun into the compact people mover category.

UPDATE 06/29/2010: Check out the new 3D commercial for the Opel Meriva after the jump.

Press release after the jump.

2010 Opel Astra by Irmscher

Irmscher has come with a new styling package for the 2010 Opel Astra. On the exterior the tuner added Front lower spoiler, radiator grille insert with carbon-effect upper or with aluminium-effect upper, side sills, roof spoiler hatchback and chromed number plate holder.

On the interior Irmscher added a leather package for the seats, door panels and central armrests, matte aluminium door-locking pins and sport pedals.

The car sits on 18-inch alloy wheels.

2010 Opel Corsa Color Edition

The German GM builder Opel presented the all new special edition Corsa Color Edition, a greener compact with a sporty appearance and a more colorful personality. The Opel Corsa Color Edition is only available in the Corsa’s three door hatchback body and is available in a few attractive colors with equally as enticing names like: Black Sapphire, Casablanca White, Sunny Melon and Magma Red. What is even more appealing is that Opel is also offering the Black Sapphire roof to offset any of the other moro brilliant shades of the rainbow.

The Opel Corsa Color Edition is also a well equipped little package for the European market with standard features like aluminum pedals, sport bucket seats, leather wrapped multifunction steering wheel with integrated CD and MP3 player controls for the radio, air conditioning and an airbag equipped safety package. On the outside the Corsa Color Edition is distinguishing by its black grill, blacked out headlight and taillight housings, chrome exhaust tip. However we feel that the 16 inch ten spokers that go the furthest towards transforming the Opel Corsa Color Edition from a sporty grocery getter into a truly hot hatch.

Steinmetz Insignia Sports Tourer becomes the fastest street legal Opel ever

As surprising as it may sound, the German car builder Opel has been setting speed records since the 1920s, one such occurrence featured Fritz Von Opel piloting his rocket powered RAK 2 to an estimated 149 MPH at Berlin’s Avus racetrack. Not ones to leave history alone, the Opel tuners at Steinmetz brought a modified Insignia Sports Tourer OPC to the Nardo Ring the other day where it hit a record speed of 178.5 MPH to become the fastest street legal Opel ever. Steinmetz started off by upgrading the OPC’s cooling system with a modified intercooler before installing a larger turbo complete with a full 3 inch exhaust to let the engine breathe easier, reduce back pressure and eliminate turbo lag. In order to account for the added boost, Steinmetz has installed a set of high flow fuel injectors and then reprogrammed the engine’s electronics so that everything stays in working order. The end result is an Insignia wagon that makes 400 HP and 405 lb-ft of torque that has just become the fastest Opel of all time.

RAK 2 video and press release after the jump.

2010 Opel Corsa

Next January Opel will come out with new version of their successful Corsa hatchback. Changes for 2010 will include: a new array of engines, improvements to the chassis and recalibration to the steering. As usual, Opel will be offering the new Corsa in two versions: the first is a sporty coupe like three door and the other a family friendly five door model.

The new range of power plants will include two gasoline engines: a 1.2 Liter and 1.4 Liter Twinport variants as well as two different diesel options: a 1.7 CDTI and 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX with fuel consumption ranging between 5.0 and 5.5 liter/100 km, about 50 MPG, with a maximum CO2 emissions of only 129 g/km, a number that is very low.

Press release after the jump.

2010 Opel Astra

After teasing their fans, the German Automaker Opel has just revealed official details about the new Astra, a vehicle that will make its world debut at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show. The car’s exterior is easily identifiable as an Opel, while the interior features the latest in technology.

The new Astra line-up will be full of options. There will be 8 different engine choices, all of which are shifted by six speed transmissions. The diesel options range from 1.3 to 2.0 Liters making anywhere from 95 HP up to 160 HP. While gas burners will displace from 1.4 to 1.6 Liters pumping out from 100 HP to 180 HP.

The new generation Astra is built on a whole new platform, featuring a longer wheelbase, wider track and a reengineered rear axle. Like the Insignia it comes with the fuel saving Opel FlexRide electronic aide that offers the driver the option to drive in Standard, Sport and Touring mode.

Press release after the jump.

Future Opel Calibra rendered

This may not be the first time that you hear about a rebirth of the very successful Opel Calibra. The future European General Motors model is set to be revealed sometime in 2011, the new Calibra will compete with stylish and sporty vehicles like the Volkswagen Scirocco and will be placed in Opel’s lineup ahead of the upcoming more economical three door Astra hatchback.

The future Calibra’s design is inspired by the GTC Concept that was unveiled back at the 2007 Detroit Motor Show, with headlights heavily inspired by the new Astra. The new Calibra will be built on the automaker’s current front wheel drive Delta platform and will feature a wider track and increased wheelbase compared to the new Astra.

Under the hood, Opel will use the same set of engines as in the new Astra. Starting off with a 157 HP 2.0 Liter diesel and a 177 HP 1.6 turbo motor. Opel will also offer the range topping 2.0 Liter turbocharged power plant from the upcoming Astra VXR that will crank out over 250 HP.

Opel prepares Astra Sport Hatch

According to the English automotive journal, AutoCar, the German GM car builder is preparing a sport hatch version of the popular Opel Astra, a sort of VXR version. No matter what badge it wears, the hot hatch should make an auto show debut sometime in 2011. The vehicle’s head designer, Malcolm Ward said that the factory hot rod “will be a very dramatic execution and very, very close to the sketch. Think about the current three door then think about where the new car will go."

The designer’s hope is to take advantage of improving the car’s aerodynamics and take full advantage of the added benefits. A lower coefficient of drag means that the VXR can use the power it is already creating to the fullest. With less resistance pushing the Opel through the air at high speeds, this VXR will accelerate faster and get better gas mileage than a brick shaped version.

The new model will feature a chopped roofline and have a much lower Cd. than any previous VXR. The front bumper has been angled to push air past the turbulent wheels and down the sides of the car. The design team included some very attractive sculpted areas surrounding the rear lights. The modeling is supposed to reduce the high pressure area that gathers behind the hatchback, cutting drag. The aerodynamicists should know, the design was perfected over 600 hours of wind tunnel testing. This kind of 21st century thinking is already transforming the shape of cars, at least Opel want to do it with some style.

Video: Opel Insignia OPC promo

Opel has just released a new promotional video that shows off both Opel Insignia OPC and Sports Tourer versions of their factory tuned OPC models.

Both versions re powered by a 2.6 Liter V6 engine that puts out 325 HP. The OPC treatment consists of a redesigned front bumper and aggressive body kit while rolling around on a set of 19 inch or optional lightweight 20 inch wheels.

2010 Opel Insignia OPC

We were already envious of the European countries that got the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia, now with the OPC makeover, we’re down right jealous as the sleek sedan gets go-fast looks and a new turbocharger. For those not familiar: BMW has M and Mercedes has AMG, so Opel has OPC (Opel Performance Center).

The heart of the Insigina OPC takes the 2.6-liter V6 engine already used in the sedan, and then adds a turbo and a new exhaust system. This jumps the output from 260 hp to 325 hp. The sedan now has a 0 to 60 mph time of about six seconds, and top speed is limited (at least in Germany) to 155 mph.

What is seen on the OPC package is the new front bumper and body kit, as well as 19-inch or optional lightweight 20- inch wheels. Working behind the scenes on this Insignia is the Adaptive 4x4 system, electronic rear limited slip differential (eLSD), new front axle, and Brembo brakes. The suspension is adjustable for three modes: Normal, Sport and OPC.

Press release after the jump