RÜSSELSHEIM – June 18, 2008: Opel introduces a first: A camera that aids drivers in two different ways. The Traffic Sign Recognition function reads speed limit and no-passing signs and displays them on the instrument panel. The Lane Departure Warning alerts drivers when they unintentionally veer out of their lane. Together, these two systems improve driving safety, reduce stress and can even prevent costly speeding tickets.
Rüsselsheim. Twelve months ago, the eight OPC Race Camp finalists were simply engineers, students, sales representatives or dentists. Following their baptism of fire in this year’s 24-hour Nürburgring race, they are now also true racing drivers. They can look back on an exciting year of castings, racing driver trainings and increasingly challenging motorsport races. Professional racing car driver Manuel Reuter, who developed the project with Opel, trained the team from the very first day.
A fresh, bold car requires an equally striking emblem. So when the Insignia debuts in July at the London Motor Show it will sport a refined logo that heralds a new era for Opel in innovation, technology and design.
In 2009, Opel will introduce one new 1.6-liter turbo CNG engine (Compressed Natural Gas) with around 110 kW/150 hp and 210 Nm of torque. Developed by GM Powertrain in Turin, the new unit joins Opel’s current aspirated CNG engine, which has the same displacement and an output of 69 kW/94 hp.
The 10 millionth Opel Astra rolled off the assembly line today in Bochum, Germany – a Silver Lightning Astra Station Wagon 1.7 CDTI equipped with special features to celebrate this extraordinary production milestone.
With more than 500,000 models sold last year in Europe alone, Astra is the absolute best-selling car in the Opel palette and follows in the footsteps of Opel’s Kadett and the brand’s tradition of building quality compact cars.
Here’s the latest version of Opel’s Corsa - spotted on a Spanish transporter this week. The baby 4×4 looks production ready, but buyers can expect the showroom-ready model to wear unique alloy wheels, under-floor protection and ‘body armour’ - including new rugged bumpers.
Here’s the hatchback version of Opel’s new Insignia during final testing. It’s expected to make its debut at this summer’s London Motor Show, followed by an estate model in 2009.
Tuner Steinmetz has been tweaking the Opel Corsa, offering modifications on every area of the car including body add-ons, a new exhaust, lowered suspension and a choice of wheels up to 19″. Full details below.
Following on from the Opel Insignia press release, GM Europe has unleashed this lovely promo video. The Insignia notch- and hatchback will debut July 22, 2008 at the London Motor Show.
A new name, a new car, a new ambition. With its groundbreaking design and sophisticated technology, the Insignia makes a quantum leap toward rejuvenating the brand and providing the perfect opportunity to discover Opel. The styling of the new 4.83 meter five-seater clearly expresses Opel’s strategy to make advanced technology and attractive design affordable.
Bedfordshire, UK. Camouflage and disguise are crucial when new model prototypes first leave the well-protected confines of the design studio or workshop and head out onto the test track or open road. Although a great deal of today’s vehicle proving can be conducted in advance by computer simulation or on the test bench, there inevitably comes the day when all test results have to be validated, and the car must be released into its natural habitat – the road.
The Opel Meriva Concept, due to be unveiled next week at the 78th International Motor Show in Geneva (March 6 – 16, 2008), illustrates how the new Opel design language can be adapted to create bold, fresh design solutions for this segment.
