GM’s European subsidiary, Opel, has unveiled its GT Concept ahead of its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

The GT Concept is being described as “purebred, pared down, yet unashamedly avant-garde”, the turbocharged, front mid-engined, rear-wheel drive sports concept is even devoid of door handles and door mirrors.

Its name mirrors that of the 1964 GT Concept (above) produced by GM’s British arm, Vauxhall.

‘We created the GT Concept to capture the bold, emotional spirit of both the Vauxhall and Opel brands,’ said Mark Adams, Vice President, Design Europe.

‘It is dramatic, sculptural and full of innovations, which is our great tradition that we intend to continue. In the mid-Sixties, Vauxhall and Opel created their own interpretations of a light-weight sports car – the XVR and the Experimental GT – both of which were thoroughly modern with dynamic sculptural forms. It’s certainly difficult to reinvent iconic concepts like these, but just as each was avant-garde back then, so too is this GT Concept today – absolutely pure, minimalistic, yet bold and uncompromising. This coupe impressively demonstrates the continuous development of our design philosophy.’

A key innovation of the GT Concept is its large doors with integrated side windows that show a seamless transition from glass to painted surfaces. Both driver and front passenger gain access to the spacious interior after pressing a touchpad for the electric doors that is integrated in the red signature line of the roof. The doors cleverly open into the front arches, using a space-saving and patented mounting that allows a large opening angle for tight parking spaces in urban areas. Two cameras mounted behind the wheel arches offer enhanced visibility, especially in city driving. They transmit their images to two monitors on the left- and right-hand side of the cabin, rendering external mirrors obsolete. The windscreen flows into a glass panorama roof, affording occupants a similar experience to that of a targa-topped car.

The GT Concept’s front-mid engine configuration keeps the car’s centre of gravity low and central for excellent dynamics. Beneath its stretched bonnet is a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged engine, based on the all-aluminium unit used in the ADAM, Corsa and Astra. Developing 107kW (145PS) and maximum torque of 205Nm, the engine delivers drive to the rear wheels, via a six-speed sequential transmission operated by steering-wheel mounted paddle shift. Weighing under 1,000kg, the GT Concept is claimed to accelerate from 0-62mph (0-100km/h) in less than eight seconds and on to a maximum speed of 134mph (216km/h).

Another unique feature of the GT Concept is its integrated headlamp/indicator units. Using ultra-modern projection technology, the lights have a three-dimensional beam which allows glare-free high-beam driving. Based on Vauxhall/Opel’s award-winning IntelliLux LED matrix lighting, first seen in the recently launched Astra, the GT Concept sees the intelligent lighting system’s next stage of development. The design of the lights is completed by the three-dimensional design of the tail lamps.

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Following Volkswagen unveiling of the Golf R for the Touring Car Racing series earlier this month, Opel has also jumped on the bandwagon by introducing the Astra built to TCR regulations.

Set to premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, the Opel Astra TCR will feature a full race body kit complete with wider wheel fenders, front splitter, rear diffuser and rear wing. It will compete in the 2016 TCR series which consists of national and continental championships as well as the global TCR International Series.

Under the bonnet is a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder direct-injection engine from the standard Astra OPC, tuned to produce 246kW and 410Nm.

“The touring car racing has always been an important element of Opel. The philosophy of the new TCR racing series coincides with our aim of offering customers and private teams a platform for thrilling motorsport at a reasonable cost, ” says Opel’s chief marketing officer Tina Müller.

The Opel Astra TCR’s detailed technical specifications will be announced at a later date, with first test drive for potential motorsport teams to begin in October this year.

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Further to yesterday’s leaked photos, Opel has officially unveiled its 2016 Astra K ahead of its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

Headlining the new model is a weight reduction of up to 200kg, depending on model and trim. The car’s bodyshell itself is 20% lighter than outgoing model while use of high-strength and ultra-high-strength steels, more compact subframes and lighter front and rear axles contributes to a further 50kg reduction.

Thanks to the weight reduction, Opel promises the Astra to be more agile and more comfortable than before.

Under the car’s bonnet is a range of petrol and diesel engines. The highlight of the engine range is the all-new 107kW/250Nm 1.4-litre ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo, a four-cylinder unit from the same family as the 1-litre, three-cylinder engine found in the Corsa, Adam and Viva.

In keeping with the weight reduction philosophy, the aluminium block of the engine weighs 10kg less than the forged steel block of the current 1.4-litre turbo.

There’s also an entry-level 77kW1.0-litre ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo and a 1.6-litre CDTi ‘Whisper Diesel’ range with outputs starting from 81kW up to 118kW.

Said to be inspired by the Monza concept from the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, the new Astra sports a more chiseled look with tighter lines.

Despite some 5cm shorter overall than its predecessor and sitting on a 2cm shorter wheelbase, Opel claims the Astra is more spacious. Rear passengers enjoys 35mm more legroom thanks to improved packaging and newly-designed seats.

Inside, a large colour touchscreen is linked to a new-generation IntelliLink infotainment system that supports both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Also making its debut in the Astra in Europe is 4G LTE WiFi hotspot.

In terms of safety, the new Astra will be available with Forward Collision Alert with Collision Imminent Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Traffic Sign Assist, Advanced Park Assist and Side Blind Sport Alert.

Matrix LED headlights are available as an option. It uses 16 LEDS and works with the Opel Eye front camera to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic on high beam.

The 2016 Opel Astra will arrive in Australia next year wearing a Holden badge.

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The first official photos of the all-new 2016 Opel Astra have found their way onto the web, thanks to an Italian website. The fifth-generation Astra is likely to arrive in Australia wearing a Holden badge next year.

Based on General Motor’s new Delta platform, which also underpins the next-generation Cruze, the new model is more compact and is approximately 100kg lighter than the outgoing model.

The new car, while completely new, shares familiar styling cues with its predecessor, especially in the daytime running light signature and silhouette. One notable highlight of the car’s design is its “floating” C-pillar that gives the hatch a fast sloping roof effect.

Inside, the interior has been revamped with the previous model’s button infested dashboard replaced with a contemporary, streamlined dash featuring a large touchscreen infotainment system compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

There’s also a generous digital display in the instrument cluster, along with a new three-spoke steering wheel.

In terms of the Astra’s engine lineup, the new car will be available with a range of petrol and diesel engines similar to today’s model.

The 2016 Opel Astra will make its official debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

Source: CarPassion

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General Motors’ European subsidiary Opel has taken the wraps off the Corsa OPC, the performance flagship for the fifth-generation Corsa city hatchback.

Developed in part by Holden at its engineering and design centre in Melbourne, the Opel Corsa OPC, also called the Vauxhall Corsa VXR in the UK, is set to make its global debut at next month’s Geneva motor show before hitting showrooms in Europe in mid 2015.

Featured in the flash blue paintwork that is exclusive to the OPC variant, the hot-hatch’s performance pedigree is conveyed through a pumped up exterior makeover that includes enlarged air intakes in the front bumper, rear roof spoiler, side skirts and 17-inch alloy wheels shod in Michelin 215/45R17 tyres all-round.

Under the bonnet is a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder ECOTEC engine developing 152kW and 280Nm, channeled to the front axle through a six-speed manual gearbox. No automatic option is available.

Exhaling through a Remus sports exhaust with twin pipe, the Corsa OPC launches from rest to 100km/h in 6.5 seconds, before maxing out at 230km/h. It remains relatively frugal despite the stomping performance, averaging 7.5L/100km in the combined cycle.

For the real enthusiast, an optional Performance Package can be specified, bringing a mechanical front differential lock, 18-inch wheels and Brembo brakes up the front with 330mm discs.

Holden’s involvement in the Corsa OPC development includes powertrain calibration and suspension tuning, with tests conducted at the company’s Lang Lang proving ground in Victoria.

The previous generation Corsa OPC was sold in Australia in 2013 under the Opel badge for a short while before the brand calling it quits. The new model is expected to make a return Down Under, this time badged as a Holden.

The Corsa OPC will descend into a highly competitive segment, facing off established nameplates such as the Volkswagen Polo GTI, Peugeot 208 GTI, Ford Fiesta ST, Renault Clio RS and Alfa Romeo MiTo QV.

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Opel has unleashed its Astra OPC EXTREME ahead of its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show. Honed on the challenging Nürburgring Nordschleife, the fastest-ever Astra is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged direct-injected petrol engine developing over 300hp (224kW).

The all-aluminium engine is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox transferring power through a limited-slip differential. The car itself is derived from the Opel Astra OPC Cup racing peer and is 100kg lighter than a conventional Astra OPC, thanks to carbon fibre components.

The lightweight material can be found on the aerodynamically-optimised rear wing, the diffuser, front spoiler, bonnet, suspension cross-bracing, engine cover, complete wheels, rear wheelhouse ventilation and roof. The carbon wheels alone are 20kg lighter than their aluminium counterparts, contributing to the overall reduced unsprung mass.

The in-house manufactured carbon fibre roof weighs a mere 2.6kg, compared to the steel roof’s 9.3kg and noticeably lowers the Astra EXTREME’s centre of gravity. The front guards are made of aluminium and weigh only 800g, 1,4kg lighter than those made of steel.

As a result, the street-legal EXTREME sweeps through fast curves as quickly as its racing brother in the Nürburgring Endurance Championship (VLN). Opel has not release performance figures but given more power and less weight, the car will unquestionably be faster than the regular Astra OPC which requires 6.0 seconds to hit triple digits.

The super hot hatch’s braking power comes courtesy of a Brembo six-piston brake system, including 370mm discs up front. It rolls on ultra high-performance 245/35 R19 Hankook tyres specially developed for the EXTREME. Additionally, the spring and dampers are adjustable like the race car.

Inside, the back seats are replaced with a safety roll bar while the driver and co-driver are cacooned in specially-designed Recaro bucket seats, complete with six-point safety belts from Schroth. The driver also has the tactile pleasure of gripping a superb, carbon-fibre-reinforced, suede-covered steering wheel with yellow decorative stitching.

Opel plans to put the Astra OPC EXTREME into low-volume production if public reaction is positive.

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GM’s German arm, Opel will be unveiling “super sports car” at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The study follows the tradition of the Astra OPC X-treme Concept shown in 2002 (red car pictured).

Based on the Astra OPC Cup racecar from the Nürburgring Endurance Championship (VLN), the concept will eventually have a limited production run and gets the title of being the quickest road-legal Astra ever.

The regular Astra OPC tips the scales at 1,373kg, expect the concept and its production derivative to be even lighter, thanks to carbon fibre components to reduce weight. Its 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine producing 206kW and 400Nm is also expected to be wound up. A figure of around 220kW is being thrown around.

A more aggressive body kit, with quad exhaust and a prominent fixed rear wing at the back, will match the extra horsepower.

The Geneva Motor Show runs from 6-16 March.

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The Opel Monza Concept has been unveiled ahead of its debut at the 2013 IAA Frankfurt Motor Show next month. Designed as a study, the concept shows what people can expect from Opel in the future, both in terms of design language and technology.

“The Monza Concept represents the Opel car of tomorrow”, says Opel CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann. “On one hand, it embodies everything that already characterizes Opel – German precision combined with innovative technologies wrapped in captivating design. In addition, it addresses the themes that will be the development-focus of the next generation of Opel cars: maximum connectivity and optimum efficiency.”

The Monza Concept is powered by an electric drivetrain with a CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) three-cylinder 1.0-litre turbo engine providing extended range when required.

The four seat coupe features a unique design with expansive “gull wing” doors that enables easy entry and egress for front and rear-seat passengers, thanks to the absence of a B-pillar.

The interior of the Monza Concept highlights the first use of LED projection technology in the compartment of a passenger car. Drivers no longer find the conventional individual, separate monitors that display different information; instead, they face a wide, sculpted dashboard that sweeps from door to door, and is used as a single projection surface. Information and decorative elements are displayed on the surface, which the driver can customize according to his needs, taste or mood. A total of 18 LED projectors create a continuous, adaptable multi-functional display.

The Opel Monza Concept also aims to showcase a new kind of in-car smartphone connectivity. With three worlds of connectivity – called ME, US and ALL – drivers can focus solely on their driving experience, or get in touch with friends and family or even connect to the whole internet community.

With ME the infotainment system virtually disconnects the drivers’ smartphone and prioritizes the information relevant for the driving experience. US enables the passengers of the Monza Concept to connect with a group of selected people such as friends and family members: these can log-in to the car’s infotainment system with their own communication device and exchange information, music and images, chat and make appointments, etc. ALL goes beyond US. It allows the driver and virtually the whole outside world to connect. Drivers can for example spontaneously share their planned route online over a tablet or smartphone so that people can catch a ride with them along the way – enabling a new kind of instant car-sharing.

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Today’s estates, tourers, wagons or whatever you like to call them, are more than just luggage carriers. Looking good is now an important selling point as crucial as space. And at first glance, the 2013 Opel Insignia Tourer looks to have both covered. But still, it faces a pool of competent rivals – the Volkswagen Passat Estate, Ford Mondeo Estate and Mazda6 Wagon, just to name a few.

There are two engines offered – a 2.0-litre VVT turbo petrol or a 2.0-litre CDTi turbo diesel. Both engines are available either in the base Sports Tourer or the upper spec Select Sports Tourer. In this review, we drove the upper specced diesel model.

Design and Comfort

The Opel Insignia is a replacement for the old Holden Vectra, which was essentially a rebadged Opel Vectra for the Australian market. While the old Vectra was only as interesting to look at as a pencil case box, the new Insignia, much like the rest of the current Opel range, actually looks pretty sleek and sporty.

The car is well proportioned with a low slung roof, crisp lines down the sides and a sloping tailgate. And with those massive 19-inch wheels that come standard in the Select Sports model, it does look quite menacing.

On the inside, the cabin feels upmarket with a modern dashboard, lots of soft-touch materials and premium looking leather-trimmed sports seats.

But there are a few problems. The front seat backs feel uneven between the shoulder and lower back sections, which can be uncomfortable at times. Then there is the over cluttered centre console and an infotainment system that is far from intuitive. Despite its length, rear leg room is also less generous than some other competitors.

Score: 8.0/10

Performance and Handling

The Insignia’s stylish design flatters to deceive once you start up the 2.0 CDTi diesel engine. While producing a reasonable 118kW of power and 350Nm of torque, the turbo diesel is coarse and noisy, even in diesel engine standard. And, with the petrol rated at 162kW with the same amount of torque, the diesel is also less powerful. Both engines are paired with a six-speed automatic gearbox, which feels sluggish and unrefined.

Where the Insignia lacks in refinement, it makes up for it in handling. For a heavy and large estate car, It’s surprisingly composed around the bends with well controlled body roll and good grip from the tyres. The steering is nicely weighted but feels artificial with poor feedback.

Around town and on the freeway, the ride is supple but on coarser bitumen the cabin suffers from quite a lot of road noise from those thin rubbers. There is also the unpleasant diesel clatter when you work the engine.

Score: 7.0/10

Quality

The Insignia’s overall interior fit and finish is good. Panel gaps are minuscule and well aligned with no noticeable rattles or squeaks around the cabin. The vehicle also feels solidly built and the doors shut with a reassuring thud.

Although no major reliability issues have been reported so far, the sat nav in our test car was a bit clunky, occasionally refused to work.

Score: 7.5/10

Economy

Our week spent with the Insignia diesel returned an average of 7.2L/100km with about 60% of its time spent on urban traffic. On the freeway, the Insignia consumes as little as 4.0L/100km. Not bad for a large estate.

However, an Opel badge on the nose means the Insignia won’t hold its value very well come resale time.

Score: 7.5/10

Features

Equipment levels are reasonably generous. Our top spec Insignia Select Sports Tourer comes standard with cruise control, dusk sensing headlamps, auto wipers, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity, and a 7-speaker CD/MP3/Radio audio system. On top of those, you also get leather wrap steering wheel, leather appointed sports seats with heating and cooling, and dual climate control.

There is 540 litres of boot space, which is one of the bests in class. However, with the rear seats folded down, the Insignia’s 1,530 litres of cargo space is dwarfed by the Ford Mondeo Estate’s 1,733 litres and the Skoda Superb Estate’s massive 1,865 litres.

Score: 7.5/10

Verdict

The 2013 Opel Insignia Select Sports Tourer is a case of style over substance really. It’s likable for its attractive design, good built quality and well sorted handling, but it’s a shame the sluggish gearbox and coarse engine can’t quite match up.

Note: At the time of writing this review, Opel has, unfortunately, announced it is closing operations in Australia. (Press Release)

Competitors: Ford Mondeo Estate, Skoda Superb Estate, Mazda6 Wagon, Volkswagen Passat Estate

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After only one year, Opel is exiting the Australian market.

Launched in August 2012 with three cars – the Corsa, Astra and Insignia, General Motor’s European division sold just 541 vehicles last year, with a further 989 sold this year to June.

In its press statement, Opel Australia said:

“In order to be competitive, Opel Australia would need to follow recent competitor price reductions, and significantly reposition the price of its core volume models.

These changes, combined with the continued investment required to ensure brand awareness, result in a business which is not financially viable for any of the parties involved.   

Opel will now begin analysis together with Holden regarding the potential for future Holden-badged niche product, in order to ascertain if opportunities for individual carlines exist.”

The company is working closely with dealers and suppliers to conduct this closure process in an orderly manner. Opel will also remain in close contact with them to ensure all on-going obligations to these customers are met.

Opel has begun winding down its network immediately. The brand has 20 dedicated Opel dealerships and a Head Office team of 15.

Customers with any concerns or questions are encouraged to contact the Opel Customer Assistance Centre on 1800 993 677.

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