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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The German variant of General Motors, Opel, has already released a green version of their popular four door Insignia model wearing the ecoFLEX badge, but that was it. Well now there is good news for fans of environmentally friendly wagons and estates, because Opel has just announced that their ecoFLEX Insignia will soon be available as a Sports Tourer.
The green five door is powered by a 2.0 Liter CDTI engine with the Clean Tech System producing 160 HP and an impressive 280 lb-ft of torque. The fuel efficient diesel burning drive train is complimented by a six speed manual transmission, complete with a higher final drive to allow highway cruising at lower engine speeds. The result is a Sports Tourer that can go from 0 to 60 MPH in 9.9 seconds and hit a top speed of 133.5 MPH, if those numbers don’t seem too impressive, than consider the vehicle’s fuel mileage of 44 MPG.
If only drivers here in the U.S. could learn to appreciate different things like sports wagons and diesel burning power plants. If we hadn’t attached such a lasting stigma to either of those two items then maybe we could enjoy a spirited ride in an ecoFLEX Insignia Sports Tourer, try getting that kind of performance and economy from a gasoline powered vehicle.
The only thing that makes sense for any automaker to do when they have a best selling vehicle on their hands, is to come up with a fun to drive variant of that very vehicle. So after the German arm of General Motors, Opel, revealed the first details on the 2010 Opel Astra hatchback version; it only made sense that the automaker announced plans for a drop-top two-seater version of the best sold Opel ever.
The new Astra Roadster will replace the current TwinTop and will compete with other lightweight open air sports cars like future Scirocco CC, Audi TT Roadster and Mercedes SLK.
The top of the line version of the new Astra Roadster will get a turbocharged 2.0 Liter engine that will deliver 270 HP and make this particular Astra able to sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in just 6 seconds before reaching a top speed of 150 MPH. Opel is also planning on releasing another version will get a downsized and turbocharged 1.4 Liter petrol burning unit for economy making 150 HP as well as an alternatively fueled 170bhp 2.0 Liter CDTI turbodiesel engine.
Opel revealed today a new set of images and new details on the 2010 Opel Astra that will make its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
Ford the interior the designers dynamic shapes and refined materialls. Everything drivers and passengers touch has been given a refined, high quality feel. In addition, Opel has created two new progressive interior color and trim combination – Spice Red and Ocean Blue – especially for the Astra.
The interior also continues Opel’s recurring wing and blade motifs. In this execution, the blade theme is expressed in details like the shape of the door grab handles and the trim for gearshift molding and steering wheel. The wing design cue is immediately evident in the warm, inviting wraparound instrument panel that embraces front seat occupants. It arcs across the cabin into the top of the door moldings.
As a boy, GM’s former global purchasing czar, Bo Andersson, snatched his neighbor’s cat and sold it for $5 in order to satisfy his sweet tooth. Now Russian carmaker GAZ has snatched Andersson from GM as it moves fast to take full advantage of its planned acquisition of Opel with partners Magna and Russia’s largest lender Sberbank.
GAZ announced on Monday that it has invited Andersson to head its board of directors. "The ex-vice president of GM, Bo Andersson, has expressed his agreement to take the post of the chairman of the board of directors of GAZ," the company said in a statement.
Andersson spent more than two decades at GM after earlier posts at Saab. Most recently, Andersson had been GM’s group vice president for purchasing and supply chain. Andersson’s resignation from GM was a surprise to many. Upon leaving GM, Andersson said in a brief e-mail to a new organization, "I have a new better job where I will work as CEO." At the time Andersson had declined to say exactly where he was headed.
Andersson was an aggressive cost cutter for GM and his knowledge of the GM system will help GAZ get up to speed quickly. GM has since announced that Bob Socia, currently executive vice president of Shanghai General Motors, will be appointed GM vice president, Global Purchasing and Supply Chain.
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