Opel Astra EcoFLEX

By Alison

The new Opel Astra EcoFLEX has reduced CO2 emissions at just 99 g/km. The new EcoFLEX model replaces the previous four-cylinder, 1.3-litre diesel with 95 hp, and has managed 17 percent reduced fuel consumption despite an increase to 130 hp and 300 Nm of torque. The new 1.7 CDTI registers an average fuel use of 3.7 l/100 km thanks to brake energy regeneration, start&stop fuel saving, and tweaks to the six-speed manual transmission.

The Astra ecoFLEX also has a few aerodynamic upgrades and low-resistance ContiEcoContact 5 tyres. The suspension has also been lowered by 12mm. The 1.7 CDTI has a new electronics and injection system, with reduced compression ratios and a new variable turbocompressor. Overall, further changes to temperature and valve management make this a far more efficient engine, without compromising performance.

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Opel Insignia 1.4 Turbo EcoFlex

By Alison

A new Opel Insignia ecoFLEX option is available on the European market. The sedan now comes equipped with a 1.4 turbo petrol ecoFLEX engine with 140 hp, which has already debuted on the Astra and Meriva. The new powertrain will substitute the Insignia’s previous 16 valve 1.8 aspirated unit and should provide a more ecological option for the sedan.

The new engine has the same power as the old one, but has a higher torque level of 200 Nm at 1,850 rpm compared to the previous 175 Nm at 3,800 rpm. The Insignia gets standard Start&Stop system with CO2 emissions of 136 g/km (compared to 179 for the 1.8 engine being replaced). The station wagon gets 139 g/km of CO2 emissions. The model should be offered at the same price.

Opel Insignia 1.4 Turbo EcoFlex

Continue reading: Opel Insignia 1.4 Turbo EcoFlex

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Opel GTC Paris Concept, Astra Sports Tourer and ecoFlex models pics and details

By Alison

The Opel GTC Paris Concept shown at the 2010 Paris Motor Show is just the first in a couple of big models from Opel that went on display at the event. The GTC Concept, as already discussed at length, is the precursor to what we’ll see when the new Astra GTC sports model is revealed. The concept is perhaps more interesting from a design point of view than anything else, but it currently has a 2.0 turbo engine with 290 hp, direct injection, start&stop system and a six-speed manual gearbox.

It appeared alongside the new Astra Sports Tourer, which should prove to continue the success of this model for the company. Unlike the Volkswagen Passat, which comes across as anonymous and perhaps on the verge of falling behind the times, the Sports Tourer has managed to keep the pace with updated design. Opel likes to focus on the fancy FlexFold seats as a key feature, but really this is one overall practical model with a boot that ranges from 500 to 1,550 litres of capacity and the FlexRide adaptative chassis system.

The Astra Sports Tourer will be available from 2011 with start&stop system and the 1.3-litre CDTI ecoFlex engine option (more on that after the jump) will also appear in the future. The engine range otherwise includes the 1.4 turbo with 120 hp and 140 hp and a number of diesel options from the 1.3 CDTI, to the 1.7 CDTI with 110 or 125 hp and the 2.0 CDTI with 160 hp. The more powerful petrol and diesel engines are available with automatic transmission.