The 2010 Opel Corsa, Flextreme GT/E electric concept, final version Opel Ampera and the new Opel Meriva all appeared at the Opel stand at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. While the Opel Ampera with its range extending technology is now ready for its 2011 roll-out, the Flextreme GT/E represents another new electric-based model for Opel. It also uses the EREV architecture with range extending principles, using an electric motor with 163 hp, 16 Kw lithium batteries and a 1.4-litre engine with 72 hp. It has a total range of 500 km and an average fuel consumption of 1.6 l/100 km, with CO2 emissions of 40 g/km.

The new Opel Meriva with its Flexdoors is also on show at Geneva, displaying a vehicle that is taking on more ‘people mover’ features on a model that while larger, is still classed as a compact MPV. Also on display is the new 2010 Opel Corsa which, with its new makeover, should only continue the success of one of Europe’s most popular cars.

Opel stand live pics Geneva

Continue reading: Live at Geneva: new Opel Meriva, Corsa, Opel Ampera and Flextreme GT/E concept

0 comments

The Opel Ampera’s first image has been released, although the presentation as such is actually a trip from Rüsselsheim to Geneva, where it will likely appear at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. The Opel Ampera is the European sister to General Motors’ other electric car, the Chevrolet Volt. After the initial Ampera concept was presented at last year’s Geneva show, it’s going into production as a “range extending” vehicle, and not a hybrid car.

The Ampera front has undergone some slight changes, and front indicators are now included in the boomerang-shaped headlight set-up. The rear vision mirrors also include indicators but the overall profile and side design are so similar that this version looks pratically identical. The Ampera has a Voltec platform with a 1.4-litre aspirated engine with 100 hp and range extender. The battery/fuel combination gives the Ampera a 60 km zero-emission range, and a 500 km extended range. The fuel motor acts as a generator to the batteries, which can also be recharged via a 230V socket. For more details on how it works, see the Ampera website.

0 comments

Here are the official pics of the new Opel Corsa for 2010, giving the popular small car a complete makeover and some added driving fun. The 2010 Corsa has a full engine range starting with the enty level one-litre, three cylinder option with 65 hp, and topping off the fuel models with the 1.6-litre Corsa OPC with 192 hp. Diesel options available include the 1.3 and 1.7-litre CDTI engines with outputs from 75 hp to 130 hp. There is also an ecoFLEX 1.3 CDTI with low CO2 emissions of 98 g/km for the three-door version, or 99 g/km for the five-door.

The fuel engines, including the popular 1.4-litre option, come with either manual or Easytronic automatic transmission. The 1.4 engine comes in two power variants of 87 or 100 hp, while the top diesel version is the 1.7-litre CDTI with 130 hp and an impressive 300 Nm of torque. The 2010 Corsa continues the tradition of the three-door or five-door option, with the former taking on an attractive coupé look.

Optional extras include halogen Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL), heated steering wheel (I like this one!), Hill Start Assist, Panorama sun roof, FlexFix bicycle carrier and Start&Stop system (by end of year). The Opel Corsa accounts for about 30 percent of Europe-wide Opel/Vauxhall sales and this new version looks like an exciting update for the model. The Opel Corsa 2010 is already available on the market with the following price list:

Continue reading: 2010 Opel Corsa pics and info

0 comments

As you may well imagine, Volkswagen did very nicely in the European market for 2009, as did Opel and Ford (and there’s no prizes for guessing for which models). There are a couple of surprises though, with Fiat doing very well, but not with the Fiat 500, which makes a nice change, and Peugeot and Renault put in appearances as well. Check out Europe’s top ten cars for 2009 after the jump.

Continue reading: Europe's top ten cars for 2009

0 comments

From the Citroen DS3 anti-retro, we’re back to the 60’s with this Opel Corsa “Color Race” version from General Motors. The model is based on the Kadett B Rallye 1900 which was produced from 1969. The modifications are purely aesthetic, and include the very bright colours of Sunny Melon yellow, Casablanca white and Magma red.

The Color Race Corsa also has 17-inch alloy wheels in bronze effect, panoramic roof and leather steering wheel. The engine range is the same with the 1.4-litre petrol with 80 or 100 hp, and the 1.7 CDTI with 130 hp and a fuel consumption of just 4.5 litres per 100 km. The Opel Corsa Color Race will be available only in Germany at a cost of about 15,560 euros. The Corsa Color Race video is after the jump.

Opel Corsa Color Race version

Continue reading: Opel Corsa Color Race back to the 60's

0 comments

The new Opel Meriva has debuted, with these first official Meriva pics showing the compact people mover in its production version. It is based on the Meriva concept car from the 2008 Geneva motor show, and will be available on the European market in summer.

The 2010 Meriva will be slightly larger in dimension than the model it’s replacing, particular in terms of interior space. The famous FlexDoors are the biggest novelty on the new model, for excellent access in and out of the car, while the rear doors can still function independently.

The interior also features a “FlexSpace” function for rapid changing of the distribution of the interior, and a rear “FlexFix” system, previously seen on the Opel Corsa and Antara, enables for easy carriage of bicycles. It will also appear on the new Opel Astra.

Opel Meriva 2010

Continue reading: Opel Meriva official pics

0 comments

Opel experienced positive sales in 2009, reaching second place in its in local German market ahead of Mercedes and BMW. The results come despite the uncertainty over its possible sale and then reverse decision by General Motors to keep the precious European brand. While helped on the way by the German government, Opel still managed a sales increase of 31 percent.

Which begs the question of why GM was so bent on selling the brand in the first place. While we ponder that, 2010 is looking like a positive year with the new Opel Astra heading for success and new business plans on the table that should hopefully prove sensible.

Moving ahead, 2011 will see just one Opel sports model available in the range, in the form of the Opel Astra coupe. The coupe will be a true sports model, and not just a reinterpretation of the five-door version, and we could even see a possible re-birth of the Opel Calindra. Currently, the Opel Tigra and Opel GT are on stand by with no promises that they will appear on the product list next year.

Source | Auto Motor und Sport

0 comments

Here’s a rendering of the Opel Astra Sports Tourer, with the Astra station wagon expected to be one of the most important Opel models to appear in 2010. After the Insignia adopted the “sports tourer” name, the Astra will also take it up, while the car itself is expected to be assembled at the Vauxhall facilities of Ellesmere Port in England.

The Astra Sports Tourer should see Opel increase sales on the back of the successful new Astra, which has already achieved more than 45,000 orders. The Opel Astra range will extend from the standard hatchback model, to the station wagon and also an Astra coupé, which could appear under the historic “Calibra” name.

Source | Autoweek.nl

0 comments

The new Opel Meriva has been revealed in these leaked pics that seem to be official. The new Meriva look is similar to that of the Meriva Concept Car presented at the 2008 Geneva motor show, with book-opening doors and a glass roof. The engine line-up will range from 75 to 140 hp, with both turbo petrol and turbo diesel models. An efficient EcoFlex version will be available, and production of the new Meriva will kick off in March, after its official presentation at the 2010 Geneva motor show.

Source | AutoWeek.nl

0 comments

The new Opel Astra now has a new bodykit from Irmscher, which was originally presented at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. The German tuning company has always specialised in Opel models, and has changed the look of the new Astra, without modifying the technical or mechanical aspects.

The Irmscher Astra kit includes 20-inch wheels, or an 18-inch option is available if you want something smaller. The front of the Astra takes on a different grille design, and new look spoiler and side skirts. The rear now includes a spoiler on the roof, and a redesigned rear bumper to accommodate the diffuser and the two or four exhaust outlet. The Irmscher kit lowers the Astra by 30 mm, and on the insider we get leather seats, door panels and central arm rest, with the final touch of aluminium pedals.

0 comments