Angela Merkel replied, "We have done everything we could in order to have Opel a fair chance, nothing more and nothing less. I am certain that you and the employees will use it." The chancellor added that the remaining open points will be solved in 'European fairness.'

Shown from left: Opel Works Council Chair Klaus Franz, Frankfurt‘s Mayor Petra Roth, Hessen Premier Roland Koch, Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel, Opel head Hans Demant, Opel Supervisory Board Chair Carl-Peter Forster and German Association of Automotive Industry President Matthias Wissmann.

More Photos

• Autonis award from Germany’s auto motor und sport for best design 2009
• Opel top model wagon beats out even competitors from premium segment

Rüsselsheim.  The Opel Insignia Sports Tourer has won the Autonis Award 2009 for the best design of the year in the mid-size class category. The winner of the prize, organized by auto motor und sport, one of Germany’s more important car magazines, was chosen by 10,429 readers from an array of 89 new models in eight categories. Opel’s stylish station wagon received 42.4 percent of the vote, positioning the Insignia Sports Tourer clearly ahead of its competitors – even from those in the premium segment.

“Sculptural elegance paired with German precision” is the description of Opel’s new design language first seen on the Insignia sedan. For the Sport Tourer’s design, Opel kept the elegant yet sporty line of the Insignia, yet allowed it to have its own profile without loosing any practicality. The Sports Tourer exudes a muscular, powerful refinement. The rear keeps a self-confident line that swings from the rear to the flank. Completely integrated taillights add a distinctive accent.

“We are extremely happy that the readers of auto motor und sport have chosen the Insignia Sports Tourer as the most beautiful new entry in the mid-class segment,” says Carl-Peter Forster, head of the Opel Supervisory Board. “We at Opel are very proud to receive yet another award for the Insignia. It proves once again that we are on the right track with the quality of design and technology in the car.”

This is the 25th international prize which the Insignia has won in the year since it was launched. To date, some 150,000 orders have been received throughout Europe.


Contact:

Jean-Philippe Kempf
Manager
+49 (0) 6142-7-66651 – office
+49 (0)160 906 08956 – mobile
Jean-philippe.kempf@de.opel.com

Frankfurt /Rüsselsheim.  At the Frankfurt Motor Show, Opel premieres the new generation Astra, allows a peek at the revolutionary electric Ampera and flexes its ecological muscles with fuel efficient new powertrain entries.

“We have a lot of good reasons to be confident here at the motor show in Frankfurt, our home territory. We can launch a new chapter of Opel history with the premiere of the tenth generation compact class car, the Astra hatchback,” says Carl-Peter Forster, Head of the Supervisory Board at Opel. “The variety of projects we’re showing gives us the opportunity to demonstrate how passionate we are about the automobile.” The zeal for what the brand does now is evident with a new, fresh logo and slogan, “Wir leben Autos.”

New generation Astra is the first class compact car

The new five-door Astra hatchback comes with a sporty yet elegant styling that is derived from the same design language as its sibling, the Insignia, yet the interpretation is different. The new generation Astra debuts with an eight engine powertrain line-up that boasts an average fuel consumption that has improved by more than 12 percent over the current generation.

The new Astra brings to the compact class many comfort and safety features that were first introduced by the Insignia in the midsize segment. Exceptional technologies like an all-new mechatronic chassis, the most advanced lighting system, a front camera that recognizes traffic signs and seat technology with the best ergonomics will be available on the new Astra at attractive prices.

Opel Ampera electric car seats four, offers ample cargo space but no range anxiety

The five-door, four-seat electric Opel Ampera is also on view at the Opel Stand in Hall 8. This family car carries the same design DNA as the Astra and the Insignia, Europe’s Car of the Year 2009, yet it uses a ground-breaking electric propulsion technology called Voltec. Unlike other conventional electric propulsion systems, Voltec uses electricity as its primary power source and gasoline as a means to generate electricity. This helps the Ampera overcome all issues related to the usual limited range of pure electric cars.

Opel has begun testing two development cars on its Dudenhofen proving ground of the Ampera extended-range electric vehicle (E-REV), keeping the revolutionary four-seater on schedule for a late 2011 production date.
Corsa at 98 g CO2 and Astra with 109 g are next additions to ecoFLEX range

In January 2010, Opel will introduce a new ecoFLEX variant of the popular Corsa which will emit just 98 grams of CO2, making it the first Opel to break the 100 g/km CO2 barrier.
The next step in the ecoFLEX range is an Astra with 109 grams next spring.
 
At the IAA, Opel introduces a new, 95 kW/130 hp version to its Insignia ecoFLEX line-up that makes it possible to enjoy a very low 5.2 l/100 km fuel consumption as well as excellent performance (up to 320 Nm torque) at a very attractive price. Available with a sedan or Sports Tourer body style, this new version of the Insignia ecoFLEX joins the initial 160 hp model and is especially appealing to fleet clients and private customers, particularly in those European countries with specific eco taxes.

Start/Stop technology to be introduced across entire Opel carline
Starting later in 2010, Opel will begin introducing Start/Stop technology across the entire carline and be completed within  24 months. It is just one of many measures – from the revolutionary extended-range electric vehicle Ampera to the complete palette of ecoFLEX models – that show that Opel is committed to making the latest environmentally friendly technologies accessible to everyone.

Start/Stop technology conserves energy by shutting off the engine when the vehicle is at rest, such as at a traffic light. The engine automatically re-starts when the driver steps on the clutch.

Opel Insignia OPC marks 10 years of Opel Performance Cars

Finally, 2009 represents not just a new start for Opel and its five-seat Astra. To prove its passion and dedication to the automobile, the brand also is launching its most powerful production car ever, the Insignia OPC. Its 2.8 V6 Turbo powertrain delivers 239 kW/325 hp and a massive 435 Nm of torque. The Insignia OPC is packed full with high tech features like adaptive all-wheel drive and an electronic limited slip rear differential combined with Opel’s FlexRide electronic damping system.

For ten years, Opel Performance Center cars have demonstrated just how much sporty potential and technological expertise are packed into the brand’s top line vehicles. The latest additions to the portfolio, the Opel Insignia OPC sedans and Sports Tourer, bring this philosophy to the next level, offering mature power and refined efficiency.

OPC cars are distinct, an expression of pure passion for driving, for automobiles, for the love of motor sport. They evoke emotion and demonstrate Opel’s expertise in driving dynamics and high performance.

Contact:

Jean-Philippe Kempf
+49 6142 7 66651
jean-philippe.kempf@de.gm.com

Frankfurt/Rüsselsheim.  Designed for sporty good-looks, engineered with innovative technology and equipped with a full clean powertrain line-up, the all-new Opel Astra, debuting as a five-door hatchback, is set to re-energize Europe’s compact car segment.

Grounded in the compact class tradition Opel initiated in 1936 with the first Kadett, the Astra has consistently made the top three list of Europe’s best-selling compacts – a segment which accounts for 27 percent of the total car market. Astra sales make up a third of all Opel/Vauxhall purchases, for an average volume of nearly 500,000 units per year.

The new Astra brings many comfort and safety features to the compact class that the Insignia first introduced to mid-sized cars. Exceptional technologies like an all-new mechatronic chassis, the most advanced lighting system, a front camera that recognizes traffic signs and seat technology with the best ergonomics will be available.

“The new Astra raises the bar in its class with exciting design, dynamic driving and great practical features,” says Alain Visser, Vice President Sales, Marketing & Aftersales Opel/Vauxhall.
 
Opel’s new design language reinterpreted for the compact class

The new Opel Astra brings into the compact class its own interpretation of the brand’s award-winning design language of combining sculptural artistry with German precision first seen in the Insignia. Its strong coupé-like silhouette and stylish details add to a new handsome look. Elegant proportions give it a strong, cab-forward silhouette, with a steeply-raked windshield and falling rear roofline, adding visual excitement to the traditional hatchback format.

Also new to the Astra are double wing-shapes in each of the rear lights and a dynamic inverted blade on the flank that visually connects to the powerful movement of the rear window and C-pillar.

“The design cues introduced in the Insignia, like the wing and the blade, have been given a fresh interpretation in the Astra, because it’s important that each Opel model has its own personality,” says Mark Adams, Vice President of Design, General Motors Europe.

The interior echoes the flowing forms of the bodywork: sweeping lines, curvaceous shapes and the quality of the execution are all part of Opel’s design language. A signature design cue is the wraparound wing shape of the instrument panel that arcs into the top of the door moldings. The effect is a warm embrace of the occupants, providing a welcoming ambience.

New mechatronic chassis system: Watt’s link in rear axle

The Opel Astra’s chassis has been developed as a mechatronic system that fully integrates mechanical functions and electronic controls. The new Astra retains the fun-to-drive character of the previous model, with significant improvements in steering response and ride comfort. While the chassis has the proven McPherson strut layout at the front, Opel engineers in Rüsselsheim are the first in the world to combine a compound crank rear axle with a Watts link.

The Astra benefits from an all new rear axle. Keeping the advantages of size, weight and overall efficiency of the compound crank rear axle layout design. Opel engineers added a cleverly positioned Watts link. This supports lateral forces on the suspension while cornering. It also makes the car dynamic and agile without compromising on stability and comfort.

 FlexRide adaptive suspension offers the additional option of driver-selective ride control and personalization. Like the Insignia, it can be ordered with the clever Opel FlexRide electronic driving system, a rarity in this class, which offers the driver three settings – standard, Sport and Tour – while continuously adapting to changes in driving style and cornering speed.

Driving dynamics are improved by wider front and rear tracks, increased by 56 mm and 70 mm respectively. While the wheelbase is 71 mm longer, the proportionately greater increases in track give the car a wider footprint, which contributes to more stable handling and an inherently better road-holding capability.

A core body structure stiffer than that of its predecessor provides a firm base for optimizing the new Astra’s handling and ride capabilities. In addition, this helps reduce noise and vibration inside the cabin.

Clean engine line-up reduces emissions by 12 percent

The new Astra will launch with a complete line-up of eight engines ranging from 70 kW/95 hp to 132 kW/180 hp, perfectly illustrating Opel’s philosophy of providing drivers with affordable, real-life efficiency.

The Astra’s line-up of powertrains with manual transmission provides impressive performance and overall cuts CO2 emissions by more than 12 percent compared with the current generation. The average fuel consumption of the diesel engines is 4.6 l/100 km and only 6.1 l/100 km for the gasoline line-up.

The four diesel engines, which are expected to represent almost half of the new Astra cars sold in Europe at launch, deliver 95 to 160 hp. They all consume under 5.0 l/100 km and do not emit more than 129 g/km CO2 when equipped with the manual transmission.

The gasoline range comprises naturally-aspirated and turbocharged 1.4 and 1.6-liter engines, giving a power bandwidth from 74 kW/100 hp to 132 kW/180 hp. The entry level version in the gasoline line-up emits only 129 g/km CO2.

Innovative technologies brought to the compact segment

“Opel’s mission to make high tech innovations accessible has proven to be successful in the Insignia. We’ve set ourselves an even more ambitious goal in bringing most of these features to the compact segment with the new Astra,” says Hans Demant, Managing Director of Opel.

Other innovative technical features introduced to the compact class in the new Astra:

• A new generation of bi-xenon Advanced Forward Lighting (AFL+) that changes its intensity and reach to suit prevailing driving and road conditions using nine different lighting functions.
• The Opel Eye front camera system, which recognizes road signs and warns the driver when the car inadvertently departs from its lane.
• Ergonomic Sport Seats can extend 280 millimeters in length to accommodate long legs. They offer cushion extension, cushion tilt function, 4-way lumbar support and a body-supporting seat contour using high-density foam. It is the only seat in the compact class to receive the much coveted seal of approval from Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V. (Action for Healthy Backs, known as AGR), an independent panel of ergonomics experts and doctors in Germany.
• FlexFloor, which enables easy stowage of a wide variety of cargo. The trunk floor is moveable and can be positioned at three levels by engaging ergonomically-designed fixtures near each corner of the trunk.
• FlexFix, Opel’s innovative bike-carrier, is integrated behind the rear bumper and offered as an option on the new Astra hatchback. It makes transporting bikes easy and convenient because it slides out of the rear bumper like a drawer when a release lever near the lip of the trunk is pulled.

Opel Astra: Technical Data Overview

* with overboost


Opel Astra hatchback - Performance Data

*preliminary figures

All data refer to the European base model with standard equipment. The consumption data according to 1999/100/EC takes into consideration the vehicle’s curb weight as stipulated by this regulation. Additional equipment can lead to slightly higher fuel consumption and therefore CO2 exhaust emissions than the declared values. In addition, they can raise the vehicle’s curb weight and in some cases also increase the gross vehicle weight, the maximum allowable axle loads and respectively reduce the permitted trailer load. Therefore the maximum speed may be decreased while acceleration time can be increased. The published performance figures are possible with the vehicle’s curb weight.


Opel Astra : Dimensions & Weights

Contact:

Nathalie Van Impe
 + 49 6142 766166 (office)
+ 49 151 174 73959 (mobile)
nathalie.van.impe@gm.com

Frankfurt/Rüsselsheim. Visitors to the Frankfurt Motor Show will have a chance to view the Opel Ampera, a game-changing electric family car that is practical for everyday use without range-anxiety.

Only weeks before the IAA, Opel has begun testing two development cars of the Ampera extended-range electric vehicle (E-REV) on its Dudenhofen proving ground, keeping the revolutionary four-seater on schedule for a late 2011 production date.

Engineers have installed the Ampera’s revolutionary Voltec electric propulsion system – including the battery, motor, engine and electric-generator – inside the body of an existing production car. They call this kind of a development car a mule because, like their name-sake animals, the mules are a mixture of two species. Mule cars help engineers test technology at an early stage of vehicle development.

Specifically, engineers in Rüsselsheim are testing the Voltec system’s performance and the overall driving impression. In addition, engineers in Mainz-Kastel have developed and are further testing the lithium-ion battery. 

“The Ampera development cars show that a practical, electric four-seater with cargo space and the capability to be the first automobile in the household, is not just theory, but a car that will be reality by 2011,” says Frank Weber, Vehicle Line Executive for Ampera development.

Development evolves through three stages

The Ampera testing is being developed in three distinct phases. The first stage involves engineering development vehicles, which are used to analyze the behaviour of specific subsystems and get them to work together. These are not complete vehicle tests but work to prove individual subsystems.

In the next phase, integration cars are built with all of the systems coming together. They contain a lot of hand-built parts, but are "design intent." In the final stage cars look and operate almost exactly the same as the production cars. This phase brings everything together. All the final aero- and wind tunnel work is done during this stage, which is the last phase before production.

Opel Ampera – electric drive for use any day of the week

The five-door, four-seat Opel Ampera uses the ground-breaking electric propulsion technology called Voltec which operates differently from other advanced propulsion systems, like a hybrid. The Voltec electric propulsion system uses electricity as its primary power source. A gasoline engine-generator as a secondary power source generates electricity when the battery is depleted to ensure a seamless and continuous drive.

The Ampera’s wheels are turned electrically at all times and speeds. For journeys up to 60 km (MVEG), the Ampera runs on electricity stored in the 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery, and emits neither greenhouse gases nor other harmful emissions. The Ampera will be well-suited to the daily driving habits of European customers. For example, approximately 80 percent of German drivers travel less than 50 km a day.

Ampera gives driver confidence and peace of mind

Unlike a conventional battery-electric vehicle, the Ampera eliminates “range anxiety,” giving the confidence and peace of mind that a depleted battery will not strand the driver.

When the battery’s energy is low, electricity from an on-board engine-generator extends the Ampera’s range to more than 500 km. A gasoline/E85-fueled engine-generator seamlessly provides electricity to power the electric drive unit while simultaneously sustaining the charge of the battery. This mode of operation extends the range to 500 kilometers until the battery can be re-charged by plugging the vehicle's on-board charge system into a standard household 230v outlet.

"An advanced lithium-ion battery system is the key to getting the Ampera into the hands of consumers”, said Hans Demant, GME’s Vice President of Engineering. “The engineers at our research and development center in Mainz-Kastel, Germany are testing the battery around the clock, 365 days a year to ensure that it meets the expectations of our customers.”

More than 220 lithium-ion cells in the T-shaped pack provide ample power. The nearly silent electric drive unit delivers 370 Nm of instant torque, the equivalent of 150 hp, zero to 100 km/h acceleration in around nine seconds, and a top speed of 161 km/h.

Opel estimates that an electrically driven kilometer in the Ampera will cost about one-fifth compared to a conventional gasoline vehicle at current fuel prices.

The Ampera can be plugged into any household 230v outlet and re-charged in about three hours. Opel is analyzing the requirements for standardization and a recharging infrastructure for plug-in electric cars with energy companies, including Iberdrola of Spain.


Contact:

Andrew Marshall
+49 6142 7 73815 (office)
+49 171 221 3605 (mobile)
andrew.marshall@gm.com

Jean-Philippe Kempf
+49 6142 7 66651
jean-philippe.kempf@de.gm.com

Contact:

Dietmar Thate
Manager, Product Media
Tel +49 ( 0) 6142-7-68725
Mobile: +49 (0)170 917 4012
Dietmar.thate@de.opel.com

Frankfurt/Rüsselsheim. At the Frankfurt Motor Show, Opel underlines its commitment to cleaner mobility by introducing Start/Stop technology throughout its entire carline starting in 2010. The move is just one of many ways Opel is working to introduce technologies that preserve the environment and make them accessible to everyone.

Opel is constantly improving its family of ecoFLEX cars, the brand’s most fuel-efficient models. Later this year, the Insignia ecoFLEX adds a new 130 hp variant to its line-up. In January 2010, the brand will introduce a Corsa ecoFLEX that emits only 98 grams, the first vehicle by Opel to break the 100 g CO2 barrier.

Next up is a new Astra ecoFLEX with only 109 grams. In fact, the new Astra that debuts in Frankfurt features eight efficient engines which have improved overall fuel consumption by around 12 percent over the current generation.

Finally, the brand’s efforts continue with the extended-range electric vehicle Ampera which, when it is launched in 2011, will make it possible for families to drive an electric car anytime, anywhere.

 “We are doing everything we can to make our carbon footprint as small as possible,” says Carl-Peter Forster, Head of the Supervisory Board of Opel GmbH. “Starting with ecoFLEX featuring conventional technologies and up to the revolutionary Ampera extended-range electric car, we are working on a range of projects that are taking us several steps closer to making individual mobility sustainable.”

Start/Stop technology to be introduced across entire Opel car line 

The next major step for Opel is the introduction of the Start/Stop technology beginning next year.  Within the next 24 months, all major Opel lines will feature this technology.  Especially relevant in urban traffic, Start/Stop conserves energy by shutting off the engine when the vehicle is at rest, such as at a traffic light. The engine automatically re-starts when the driver steps on the clutch. 

Opel ecoFLEX line-up among industry lowest in CO2 emissions

The Start/Stop will complement Opel’s already existing technologies used in the ecoFLEX model range, which stars the lowest-emission, most fuel-efficient vehicles in the line-up. The ecoFLEX vehicles economize on fuel without skimping on driving fun or safety.  They are powered with diesel, but also offer gasoline, Liquefied Petroleum Gas and Compressed Natural Gas variants.

The range has been extended this year with two new models that combine very low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions with uncompromised performance at an accessible price.

The Insignia ecoFLEX, with a sleek body that boasts a Cd value of 0.26, is now available as a Sports Tourer wagon, in 160 hp and 130 hp variants. The sedan requires 5.2 liter diesel per 100 km and emits only 136 g/km CO2. The wagon needs just 5.3 liters to travel 100 km. A new 150 hp version of the Zafira CNG is now boosted by a turbocharger which makes it possible for a family of seven to drive a compact van that only releases 139 g/km CO2.

In January 2010, a new Corsa ecoFLEX 1.3 l CDTI emitting only 98 grams will be launched.  It will be followed by the new Astra ecoFLEX in spring 2010 that consumes only 4.2 l/100 km of diesel and discharges no more than 109 g/km CO2, making it one of the most fuel efficient compact cars packed with affordable, conventional technologies on the market.

“For years, we have been committed to providing accessible technical innovations and protecting our environment at all levels. This is what we do with our ecoFLEX models,” says Alain Visser, Vice President Opel. “This is not only our social responsibility; it is what our customers expect from us.”

Opel customers are particularly eco-conscious: Since January, nearly 40 percent of all Opel cars sold in Germany were ecoFLEX models.

Opel electric vehicle Ampera changes the game by extending the range

In the medium term, the Opel Ampera is key to sustainable mobility. Unlike conventional electric cars, this extended-range electric vehicle sports five doors and seats four people comfortably. Moreover, it is practical for driving any distance, any time. 

No longer just a dream, the Ampera took a big step towards production reality in August when engineers began testing development cars, called mules, at the Opel Dudenhofen Proving Ground. Engineers placed the Ampera’s revolutionary Voltec electric propulsion system inside the vehicle body of an existing production car.

The Ampera’s wheels are turned electrically at all times and speeds. For journeys up to 60 km, it runs on electricity stored in the 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery, and emits neither harmful greenhouse gases nor any other chemicals into the air. And, because most drivers travel less than 50 km per day, it meets all the needs of the average driver in its purely electric mode.

When a longer trip is required, electricity from an engine-generator extends the Ampera’s range to more than 500 km. The Ampera can be plugged into any household 230v outlet and is fully charged in about three hours. The engine-generator can be re-fueled at any gas station.

Contact:

Jean-Philippe Kempf
Manager
+49 (0) 6142-7-66651 – office
+49 (0)160 906 08956 – mobile
Jean-philippe.kempf@de.opel.com

Frankfurt/Rüsselsheim.  Opel introduces a new, 95 kW/130 hp ecoFLEX engine to its Insignia ecoFLEX line-up at an attractive price, making it particularly alluring for fleet clients and private customers in several European countries with specific eco taxes.

This new entry level offering makes ecological mobility even more accessible with prices starting at 26,400 euros in Germany. It joins a 160 hp ecoFLEX version already in the Insignia line-up. Both are currently available on the Insignia ecoFLEX notchback and hatchback variants. Later this year these engines will also be available on the Sports Tourer body style.

Insignia ecoFLEX models combine the best of both worlds: They offer low emissions and fuel consumption without compromising on performance or driving dynamics. Both consume only 5.2 liters of diesel per 100 km – equivalent to 136 g/km of CO2 emissions – yet they deliver generous torque values ranging from 320 up to 380 Nm. That is thanks to a powerful, new-generation turbo diesel 2-liter common rail engine refined specifically for the ecoFLEX range. Like the engines across the entire Insignia range, the ecoFLEX models meet tough Euro 5 standards.

Due to an exceptionally low level of CO2 emissions in its category, well below 140 g/km, the new 130 hp version an benefit from substantial tax advantages in several European countries.

When equipped with the 160 hp engine, the Insignia ecoFLEX sedan accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 221 km/h. The 130 hp Insignia ecoFLEX reaches the 100 km/h mark in 11.1 second and is capable of 207 km/h.

Both Insignia ecoFLEX engine variants are also available as a Sports Tourer. The station wagon variant of the “2009 Car of the Year” only needs 5,3 l/100 km in the combined cycle which corresponds to 139 g/km in CO2 emissions.

“When defining the Insignia ecoFLEX, we decided to offer more than just a green car: It needed to deliver a high level of performance and as many innovative technologies as the rest of the Insignia range. At this price, it simply has no true competitor,” says Hans Demant, Managing Director Adam Opel GmbH.

CD value places ecoFLEX among the top streamlined sedans in the world

The Insignia ecoFLEX reaches a remarkable CD value of 0.26, placing it among the top streamlined sedans in the world – in the same company of more expensive cars from premium brands.

Compared to a standard 2.0 CDTI Insignia, the air drag value of the ecoFLEX models has been reduced by no less than 20 points. Five major modifications contribute to this result: Tank covers were added in front of the rear axle; the upper cooling grille was closed; the center cut-out of the front spoiler was closed; the standing height was lowered and the lower side of the radiator was sealed. 

In addition, the Insignia ecoFLEX are equipped with specifically designed, low resistance 225/55 R 17 tires developed by Michelin.

CleanTech technology optimizes efficiency

The heart of the ecoFLEX model is the 118 kW/160 hp or 96 kW/130 hp versions of the new generation 4-cylinder 2.0 CDTI launched on the Insignia last winter. It comes exclusively with a 6-speed manual gearbox, whose final gear ratio has been lengthened to reduce engine speed and fuel consumption. In addition, a gear shift indicator signals to the driver when the powertrain management system considers shifting up a gear would be optimal to saving fuel. Moreover, shorter gear ratios have been selected for the first and second gears to avoid any deterioration of the Insignia ecoFLEX acceleration capabilities.

A specific, innovative technology premieres in the engine of the Insignia ecoFLEX: the CleanTech Combustion Process. It ensures the lowest possible fuel consumption and level of emissions via an electronic closed-loop system. The key enablers of that fuel economy technology are the new piezo-resistive sensors which measure the pressure in each of the four combustion chambers.


Contact:

Jean-Philippe Kempf
Manager
+49 (0) 6142-7-66651 – office
+49 (0)160 906 08956 – mobile
jean-philippe.kempf@de.opel.com

FrankfurtRüsselsheim.  Dynamic and passionate driving has a new name at Opel: Insignia OPC. Its 2.8 V6 Turbo powerhouse with 239 kW/325 hp and a massive 435 Nm of torque makes it Opel’s most powerful production car of all time. The high performance Insignia sedans reach a top speed of 250 km/h (restricted) and race from zero to 100 km/h in a mere six seconds. The OPC variant of Europe’s Car of the Year 2009 is available in all three body styles – notchback, hatchback and Sports Tourer.

To mark the tenth anniversary of its successful OPC range, Opel has packed the Insignia with extra high tech features. It is the first OPC variant to offer adaptive all-wheel drive and an electronic rear limited slip differential as standard. Its FlexRide damping system is specially tuned to give OPC drivers a more active driving experience. And, the Recaro front seats with four-way lumbar support and cushion extension are the first high performance seats in the industry to receive the most coveted seal of excellence from the independent orthopedic experts from Aktion Gesunder Rücken (Action for Healthy Backs).

The car looks as hot as it performs, with tiger tooth-shaped air intakes in the front bumper, rocker panels, an integrated rear spoiler and specially designed 19” OPC wheels. Satin chrome finishes and expressive dual exhaust pipes integrated into the rear bumper add to the appeal.

Inside, designers created a sporty dressing, with a dark headliner, a special shifter and a flat-bottomed, performance steering wheel. The instrument panel illuminates red when drivers press the OPC button on their FlexRide system, putting the car in its feistiest mood.

“While the ecoFLEX version shows our commitment to outstanding environmentally friendly cars, the OPC instills some hot chili flavor into the Insignia family. It spices up the driving experience,” says Hans Demant, Managing Director, Adam Opel GmbH. “It opens a new generation of OPC cars, offering mature power, refined efficiency and a lot of fun.”

Chassis: Sporty and safe driving, yet comfortable, too

For the first time, an OPC model is equipped with an adaptive 4x4 system and an electronic rear limited slip differential (eLSD). The four-wheel drive management unit has been recalibrated to adapt torque distribution to the sporty philosophy of the OPC.

The Insignia OPC comes with the FlexRide electronic system which adapts damping and other driving functions to drivers’ preferences. OPC drivers choose between a standard mode, for all-round performance ideal for everyday driving or a special Sport mode, in which the chassis suspension stiffens and reduces body roll for more agility. When selecting the OPC button, the drive goes into the third dimension: Steering gets more direct, the throttle is more responsive and the chassis settings go into high performance mode.

The High Performance Strut (HiPerStrut) front suspension architecture is designed especially for the Insignia OPC. With a reduced kingpin inclination and a shorter spindle length, it significantly evolves the McPherson strut from the standard Insignia. HiPerStrut reduces torque steering reactions, improves grip and increases cornering power, offering Insignia OPC drivers the crisp feel they expect, with enhanced precision and feedback.

The Insignia OPC is equipped with 18” Brembo front brakes with large, 355 x 32 mm, cross-drilled discs, four-piston, high-strength aluminum calipers and high performance brake pads. Specially developed Co-Cast floating discs consist of a cast iron brake rotor and an aluminum disc bell.

After intensive testing on public roads and at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, engineers from the Opel Performance Center in Rüsselsheim selected Pirelli P Zero 245/40 tires, which are fitted with flow-formed 19” wheels. An optional upgrade with 255/35 units is available on forged 20” wheels.

The most powerful production engine in Opel history ever

The Insignia OPC reaches a restricted top speed of 250 km/h and sprints to 100 km/h in six seconds. Elasticity, too, is remarkable: In only 7.1 seconds, it accelerates from 80 to 120 km/h in fifth gear.

The 239 kW/325 hp OPC version of the 2.8 V6 Turbo benefits from a specific calibration of the engine management unit, an increased turbo boost pressure to 0.9 bar and a reworked exhaust system with a significantly reduced counter pressure. Developed by the specialist Remus, this stainless steel exhaust line is 20 percent lighter than the standard one. Because sound is so important in the appreciation of an engine, Opel acoustic engineers developed new center and rear mufflers.

The high-tech 2.8 V6 Turbo engine comes with a 6-speed manual gearbox. To offer optimal performance, the final drive ratio was slightly shortened from 3.76 to 3.90:1 compared with the standard V6 Turbo Sport and Cosmo versions.


Contact:

David Hamprecht
OPC Communications
Mobil: +49 151 121 83176
david.hamprecht@de.opel.com

• 2009: Market launch of Insignia OPC sedans and Sports Tourer model (2.8-liter V6 Turbo, 239 kW/325 hp)
• 2009: Astra OPC Race Camp Edition hits the market
• 2008: IDSPlus2 chassis system is added as standard feature for Astra OPC
• 2008: Special limited-edition “Nürburgring Edition” Astra OPC model is launched
• 2007: Corsa OPC sets record at the Nordschleife with a time of 8:47:99
• 2007: Optional six-speed automatic transmission is added for Vectra OPC and Vectra station wagon OPC
• 2007: Market launch of Corsa OPC (1.6-liter Turbo, 141 kW/192 hp)
• 2006: Zafira OPC sets Nürburgring Nordschleife record as fastest van with a time of 8:54:38
• 2006: 2.8-liter V6 Turbo, 206 kW/280 hp offered on Vectra OPC and Vectra station wagon OPC
• 2006: Market launch of Meriva OPC (1.6-liter Turbo, 132 kW/180 hp)
• 2005: Astra OPC sets a record for compact class with a 8:35:94 time on the Nordschleife
• 2005: Market launch of Vectra OPC and Vectra station wagon OPC (2.8-liter V6 Turbo, 188 kW/255 hp)
• 2005: Market launch of second-generation Zafira OPC (2.0-liter Turbo, 177 kW/240 hp)
• 2005: Market launch of current Astra OPC (2.0-liter Turbo, 177 kW/240 hp)
• 2005: In just five years, some 20,000 OPC cars have been sold across Europe
• 2004: Launch of the OPC Line packages
• 2002: Market launch of second-generation Astra OPC (2.0-liter Turbo, 147 kW/200 hp) in three-door and station wagon variants
• 2001: Market launch of Zafira OPC (2.0-liter Turbo, 141 kW/192 hp)
• 1999: Market launch of Astra OPC (2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine, 118 kW/160 hp); all 3,000 limited edition units sell out within four months
• 1997: Opel establishes Opel Performance Center GmbH (OPC)

Contact:

David Hamprecht
OPC Communications
Mobil: +49 151 121 83176
david.hamprecht@de.opel.com