The Opel day

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

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.

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.

2010 Opel Corsa Color Race

The German automaker Opel has released a competition inspired special edition Corsa Color Race for the European market. Built as an homage to the Rallye Kadett B Sprint from the early 1970s, the three door Corsa is covered in Sunny Melon Yellow paint that is offset by a standard black hood and tailgate with the checkered flag motif on either body panel as a color matching accent. If the classic shade of sunshine isn’t quite our cup of tea Opel is going to offer the Corsa Color Race in Casablanca White and Magma Red as well. The factory prepped hot hatch sits on a set of 17 inch alloy wheels to complete the exterior styling while on the inside the special edition Opel gets a panoramic sunroof, leather wrapped steering wheel and color matching accent stitching for the seats as well as the A/C vent bezels. The Corsa Color Race will be made with a variety of fuel efficient power plants including a 1.4 Liter gas burning engine of either the 87 HP or 100 HP variety as well as the diesel burning top of the line 1.7 Liter four cylinder CDTI making a total of 130 HP.

2010 Opel Flextreme GT/E

The German automaker Opel will unveil a new electric concept car this March at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. According to the company’s first details, the Flextreme GT/E concept which will preview much of the company’s future thinking ideas in terms of design and engineering. Using green innovation and alternative propulsion, the concept is proof that size and comfort do not need to be sacrificed for a vehicle to be environmentally efficient.

Updated 18/02/2010: Opel revealed today the official details on the Flextreme GT/E concept. The concept will use the same electric drive system as the Ampera and Volt and previews a future top model for Opel, but also "the shape of things to come from Opel."

The Flextreme GT/E a low hood line and an extended nose section, a new trapezoidal grille and LED headlamps are deeply carved into the front fenders and across the hood line. The profile is defined by innovative, stubbed C-pillars and new rear-hinged rear doors.

The E-REV drive system combines a small gasoline engine/generator used to provide electricity with a T-shaped lithium-ion battery pack located under the floor and rear seat. The electric drive unit delivers a total of 370 Nm and sprints the car from 0 to 60 mph in under 9 seconds.

2011 Opel Ampera Prototype

After we have seen the Opel Ampera concept version in 2009 at the Geneva Motor Show, this year Opel is taking a step forward with the unveiling of the first prototype of the production Ampera.

The first prototype has received its first charge of electricity and will be put of test on a long-distance drive from Rüsselsheim to Geneva. The Ampera extended-range electric vehicle will use the energy stored in its 16 kWh lithium-ion battery to drive the first stage of the 600 kilometers journey from Rüsselsheim, Germany, to the Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland, without emitting CO2.

2010 Opel Corsa Football Championship Edition

Just to clarify, we’re talking soccer here people. Just in time for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Opel brings a sporty Corsa special model for fans on the road: The Corsa "Football Championship Edition" dedicated to the National German soccer team. A strange choice solely because we doubt many players can fit in Opel’s minicar, but anyways.... On June 13, Germany will play its first game at the World Championships in Group D.

This special edition is distinguished by its white paint job and black-red-gold flag inspired by the German soccer team’s colors. The supermini rolls through the soccer field on high-gloss black-edition 17-inch wheels and illuminates the late night games with dark tinted headlights and tail lights.

The interior gets sport seats, aluminum sports pedals, leather steering wheel, center console in piano black, and white framed fan nozzles. The standard equipment list includes: air conditioning, stereo CD radio with steering wheel controls, electric front windows and central locking with radio remote control.

2011 Opel Astra Sports Tourer

Opel has officially unveiled the new Astra Sports Tourer even though the public debut has been set the Paris Auto Show in September. The new model shares the same design DNA and Sports Tourer name as its larger counterpart the Insignia.

The new Astra Sports Tourer will be offered with a choice of eight gasoline and diesel engines, with power ranging from 95 hp to 180 hp. The engines can be combined with a six-speed manual gearbox or an automatic six-speed transmission. All variants will also be equipped with a manual transmission including a shift-up indicator that helps in improving the fuel economy.

The exterior design of the new Astra Sports Tourer brings a touch of athleticism and undeniable class to compact wagon looks. The tapered profile and the prominent side blade-shaped sculpted into the flanks of the body combine to give the Sports Tourer a powerful sense of forward movement. A muscular shoulder line leads gracefully into eye-catching, sculpted rear light units.

After its debut at the Paris Motor Show, the Opel Astra Sports Tourer will also be available with a Start/Stop function on the ecoFLEX 1.3 CDTI engine that develops 70 kW/95 hp.

The Opel Astra Sports Tourer will go on sale in November, but prices for this model have not yet been released. The Tourer will be released in direct competition with the Renault Clio Grand Tour and the Audi A3 Sportsback.

2011 Opel GTC Paris

Opel has released today the first details on the GTC Paris, a concept car that previews the future Astra GTC - Opel’s competitor for models like Volkswagen Scirocco or the future Hyundai Veloster.

The 4.46 meters concept was inspired by the Richard Bach’s famous novel, Jonathan Livingston Seagull "…and the speed was pure beauty." It’s design was inspired by the Insignia sedan and is defined by "maximizing tension by limiting the amount of lines:" intense, very slim eagle-eye shaped headlamps, a chrome emblem bar, a dramatic low trapezoidal grill. Of course elements like LED running lights / tail lights and rides on 21-inch rims won’t make it to production, but the concept its just pure beauty.

Under the hood Opel placed a four-cylinder, 2.0 liter Turbo with direct injection fitted with Start/Stop technology and a six-speed manual gearbox.

Opel’s Vice President of Design Mark Adams said: "We wanted to express the most emotional side of the Opel brand and we believe this vehicle creates an appropriate visual impact to reinforce our dynamic sporty character."

Updated 09/24/2010: Opel has unveiled today new images and two video of the GTC Paris, but also the concept’s specifications. The GTC Paris features a twin-scroll turbo-charged four-cylinder engine with direct injection - a range-topping 2.0-liter Turbo equipped with a six-speed manual transmission. The engine delivers a total of 290 HP.