One millionth Opel Meriva rolls off assembly line

The one millionth Opel Meriva has rolled off the production line in Zaragoza, Spain!!

Since production began in 2003, the Opel Meriva has become a best-seller in western and central Europe, having been sold in more than 25 countries in Europe with Germany, UK, Italy and Spain as its main markets. In addition, the innovative van is offered around the world in places like Hong Kong, South Africa and Singapore. Opel credits the Meriva's success to the innovative FlexSpace seating system.

The FlexSpace system allows optimum freedom for reconfiguring the interior easily and quickly without requiring removal of the seats. With this concept, the five-seat Meriva can be quickly and effortlessly transformed into a spacious four, three, two or one-seater with generous luggage compartment volume.

"(The) Meriva has been beloved by customers - from singles to families to seniors - not only for its practicality, versatility and great looks, but also its reliability. German independent consultants TÜV recognized the Meriva with a ‘Best Quality’.", according to Opel's Vice President, Alain Visser,

Due to the great success of the Opel Meriva, Opel plans to expand Meriva`s innovative and versatile technology on the next generation Meriva next year. The 2010 Meriva will feature a unique rear-hinged FlexDoor system which will allow for improved access to the cabin. This innovation makes access to the car interior much easier and also offers a range of safety benefits over conventional car doors.

Spy shots: 2010 Opel Meriva MPV

The 2010 Opel Meriva MPV has been spotted undergoing testing on Germany's famous Nurburgring. Though fully covered, the spy photos also revealed a streamlined body bearing styling elements shared with its Insignia and Astra stablemates.

Engine options will likely mirror that of those offered on the new Astra. This means we can expect the Meriva will feature a naturally aspirated 1.4-liter engine as well as a turbocharged 1.4-liter with 140PS. On the diesel side, the Mervia will likely offer up to four different Euro5 compliant engines with outputs ranging from 95PS to 160PS.

Based on the Meriva concept revealed at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, the production version of the 2010 Opel Meriva looks as though it will share the unique kink featured in the rear passenger window of the concept. The front door’s handle and the general construction of the doors and rubber strips indicate the rear-opening rear doors of the concept are gone. The suicide door configuration makes for better display in a car show booth, but is both inconvenient and hard to get past the legal department in the real world.

The simple and attractive front fascia, minimalist outlines, and overall configuration remain very close to the concept’s design, however. Small detail differences include the addition of a tailpipe (hidden on the concept) and the removal of the rear roof spoiler and addition of an antenna in its place.

The treatment of the rear windows and rear hatch area seem to indicate both the angular upsweep before the C-pillar and the hourglass-shaped rear hatch will carry over into production. The tail lights, though heavily camouflaged, carry a hint of the outline of the concept’s large and stylistic units as well.

The 2010 Opel Meriva will be officially unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. And sales are set to begin in European markets before the end of the year.

2010 Opel Astra interior details reveal

We have reported the 2010 Opel Astra before, which will make its official world debut at this September’s Frankfurt Motor Show. Now the company revealed the car’s stylish new interior for the first time.

2010 Opel Astra will begin selling at UK dealers later in the year. This is the sixth generation of the Astra, which comes almost 30 years after the launch of the original, and its styling was led by Mark Adams, the British designer responsible for Opel’s award-winning Insignia.

Echoing the flowing forms of its bodywork, the new Astra’s interior marks a major shift towards premium design and quality in the compact sector. The Astra’s interior employs the recurring wing and blade motifs that were first introduced in the Insignia, and also includes a wraparound instrument panel, which embraces both front seat occupants.

Ambient lighting enhances the quality feel of the cabin, with lighting points framing the gearbox surround, and providing illumination from above the center console and within the door handle recesses, depending on trim level.

Beneath the car’s pretty sheet metal is a 4.4 metre-length body and an updated GM Delta platform with a 71 millimetre-longer wheelbase. Wider tracks front and rear feature, as does a new rear axle design, which not only improves stability and agility but improves ride and comfort as well.

For the driver's comfort, an addition of Opel’s FlexRide adjustable damper settings is offered, which allows drivers to select between standard, sport and tour suspension modes. The Astra's speedometer and tachometer pods angled towards the driver. The seats can be raised by up to 65mm in height, while their fore and aft range goes up to 280mm. Another special feature is adaptive bi-xenon headlights.

The highlight of the new Astra’s powertrain line-up is the introduction of an all-new, 138hp (103kW) turbocharged 1.4L petrol unit, which builds on Opel’s commitment to engine downsizing and reduced emissions and fuel consumption. This engine joins three further petrol engines, which range from 98hp (74kW) to 178hp (132kW), and four diesel engines ranging from 94hp (70kW) to 158hp (118kW). All engines are Euro 5 compliant.

Opel did a survey among customers to find out how they utilise their interior spaces. The result showed that people generally store twenty common items (not all at once) in their cars, items like cellular phones, CDs, magazines, paper tissues, cups, bottles and even gloves. So they came up with what they call simple, but effective storage solutions. They include the centre console which can take up to nine CD cases while swallowing up two cups at the same time.

Opel Insignia OPC Sports Tourer breaks cover

Following last month’s reveal of the 325hp (242kW) Opel Insignia OPC comes the wagon or ‘Opel Insignia OPC Sports Tourer’, which is set to go on sale in Opel and Vauxhall showrooms in UK this coming autumn. The price is not yet announced. In some market, the OPC Sports Tourer is also known as Insignia VXR Sports Tourer.

OPC, which stands for Opel Performance Center, is the name given to models developed by GM’s official in-house tuner in Europe, and in the past has been used for cars like the Astra and compact Corsa hatchbacks. OPC models are rebadged as VXRs when sold under the UK’s Vauxhall brand.

Like its sedan counterpart, the OPC Sports Tourer comes packing the same twin-turbocharged powerplant, sophisticated AWD chassis and a sub-six second 0-60mph time. The only discernable difference between the sedan and Sports Tourer is the extra storage space of the wagon body, which offers 540L of load space with the 40:60 split rear seats up and 1,530L when folded down.

The Insignia OPC is the first model from the performance division to be offered with AWD and is available in sedan, hatch and Sports Tourer wagon bodystyles. Highlights are a ‘HiPerStrut’ (High Performance Strut) front suspension system, an adaptable AWD system with an electronic Limited Slip Differential and a 10mm reduction in ride height over the standard Insignia.

The HiPerStrut system is unique to the OPC model and serves two primary functions: firstly, to reduce torque-steer, but also to maintain negative camber during cornering, thereby improving ultimate grip levels in wet or dry conditions. Drive comes from a 2.8L V6 turbocharged engine rated at 325hp (242kW), which is enough to send the car from 0-60mph in 5.8 seconds and an electronically controlled top speed of 155mph.

Complementing these features are standard 19in alloy wheels (20in lightweight forged alloys are available at an extra cost), revised bushing and damper settings on both axles, and Brembo brakes with color-keyed calipers and vented and cross-drilled discs.

People have six option of exterior colours, any of which should sit quite well with the deep bumpers, the front mesh grille and the dual matt chrome exhausts. Inside there are Recaro front seats, a new steering wheel, gearknob and unique moldings, as well as different instrument graphics and sill plates.

The carmaker is confident that people who had previously only bought cars like the Audi S4 Avant and the BMW 335i M Sport Touring would seriously start considering getting into the Opel Insignia OPC Sports Tourer.

2010 Opel Astra Revealed: Debut at this September’s Frankfurt Motor Show, Sales Start this Fall

Opel has reveal the 2010 Opel (Vauxhall) Astra with high-res photos and a few key details. The car will make its official world debut at this September’s Frankfurt Motor Show, before arriving in European showrooms by the end of the year.

The new Astra is crucial for Opel as it will need to recover market share lost by the current model to Ford’s strong-selling Focus hatch as well as fend off the Fiesta compact. Depending on the market, the new Astra will go on sale in Europe this fall. And whether the Astra will make it across the Atlantic and arrive in one form or another in U.S. showrooms due to the instability in GM's current situation and of course, the pending sale of the American automaker's stake in the Opel / Vauxhall brands.

This is the sixth generation of the Astra, which comes almost 30 years after the launch of the original, and its styling was led by Mark Adams, the British designer responsible for Opel’s award-winning Insignia. Clearly influenced by the Insignia, the new Astra has spent over 600 hours in the wind tunnel, benefiting performance, economy and overall refinement.

Beneath the car’s pretty sheet metal is a 4.4 metre-length body and an updated GM Delta platform with a 71 millimetre-longer wheelbase. Wider tracks front and rear feature, as does a new rear axle design, which not only improves stability and agility but improves ride and comfort as well. Enhancing ride quality further is the addition of Opel’s FlexRide adjustable damper settings, which allows drivers to select between standard, sport and tour suspension modes. Another special feature is adaptive bi-xenon headlights.

The highlight of the new Astra’s powertrain line-up is the introduction of an all-new, 138hp (103kW) turbocharged 1.4L petrol unit, which builds on Opel’s commitment to engine downsizing and reduced emissions and fuel consumption. This engine joins three further petrol engines, which range from 98hp (74kW) to 178hp (132kW), and four diesel engines ranging from 94hp (70kW) to 158hp (118kW). All engines are Euro 5 compliant.

Opel is also expected to launch a new two-mode hybrid version although it won’t arrive until the end of 2010. Opel's own brand difficulties, including a partial sell-off of GM's interest, could slow development down, however.

The Astra is based around the latest version of GM’s Delta FWD compact platform and will once again be available in coupe, three and five-door hatchbacks and wagon, as well as a sedan in select markets. Since the Delta platform is shared with the Chevrolet Cruze, which will be built at GM’s Lordstown Ohio plant, there’s the possibility that an Astra under one of GM's other brand banners, such as Buick - could also be manufactured in North America to keep costs low. There’s yet to be any official confirmation, however.

Preview: Opel Insignia 'GTC' Coupe

GTC is the name of the sport versions for Opel. We’ve already seen Opel expand its Insignia lineup with the Hatchback and Sports Tourer, as well as the more recent OPC performance variant, but there’s one more model in the works that’s destined to be the most exciting and extreme. The model in question is a new coupe variant based on 2007’s stunning Gran Turismo Coupe (GTC) concept car, naming Opel Insignia 'GTC' Coupe.

This computer generated rendering gives us a good indication as to what the new model will likely look like, suggesting the dramatic styling of the original GTC concept will be toned down significantly. Don’t despair, as some of the concept’s aggression will be reserved for a high-performance OPC version of the Insignia Coupe packing the same 325hp (242kW) turbocharged 2.8L V6 engine as the Sedan.

Another cool feature will be Opel’s new ‘HiPerStrut’ (High Performance Strut) front suspension system, as well as an electronic limited slip differential. The HiPerStrut system will be unique to the OPC model and serves two primary functions: firstly, to reduce torque-steer, but also to maintain negative camber during cornering, thereby improving grip levels in wet or dry conditions.

Lesser models will borrow other powerplants from the Insignia range, including four-cylinder and V6 options. Diesel engines may also be offered, as well as an EcoFLEX version, though this latter option is unlikely to make production due to low demand.

Given its current ‘sale’ status, Opel’s priorities right now lie in finding a suitable buyer for the brand but once the dust settles work on the new Insignia Coupe will continue. Expect its launch to fall late in 2011 or early 2012.

May 11, 2009 by German Car Magazine

Opel planning electric city car based on 2004 Trixx concept

GM first unveiled the Trixx concept in 2004 as a city-micro car similar, for example, to the Toyota iQ. Now, Despite its financial woes on the back of General Motors’ money troubles, Opel is still working on developing its own new models and technologies, including what could prove to be the European division’s first all-electric vehicle. While it’s long been anticipated that Opel would follow sister brand Chevrolet's footsteps in terms of how it will launch its new electric range, this is only partly true.

While Chevrolet's Volt will be coming to Europe under the guise of the Ampera plug-in hybrid, Opel is reportedly working on a new car that would do away with the range-extending petrol engine - making it purely electric.

As a city car, it would be significantly smaller than the Volt, however, reports surrounding it suggest that there will still be enough room for four people and their luggage. According to AutoExpress, the new electric city car will be based on 2004’s Opel Trixx Concept and borrow battery technology from its Ampera big brother.

Without the petrol range-extender, the Trixx is likely to have a driving range of only around 90 miles, but as it would be billed as a city car this isn't likely to present too much of a problem. What will prove to be a problem, however, is the price of the battery packs. At current prices, putting a cell in the Trixx would cost around $12,000 alone - making the car a relatively expensive proposition as a city car.

Opel is yet to confirm its production but if given the green light we should see the compact electric car on the market by 2012.

Opel launches 2010 Insignia OPC

Opel’s new Insignia OPC will make its world debut at the Barcelona Motor Show with the first deliveries to begin this fall, ten years after the launch of the first OPC model.

Packing 325hp (242kW), a sophisticated AWD chassis and a sub-six second 0-60mph time, it is set to take the midsize performance saloon market by storm. OPC, which stands for ‘Opel Performance Center,’ is the name given to models developed by GM’s official in-house tuner in Europe, and in the past has been used for cars like the Astra and compact Corsa hatchbacks.
OPC cars typically feature minor engine and handling mods as well as styling and performance upgrades such as bigger wheels and sporty bodykits. In the UK, the car will be known as the Vauxhall Insignia VXR.

The new Insignia OPC is the first model from the performance division to be offered with AWD and is available in hatch, saloon, and wagon bodystyles. Highlights are a ‘HiPerStrut’ (High Performance Strut) front suspension system, an adaptable AWD system with an electronic Limited Slip Differential and a 10mm reduction in ride height over the standard Insignia.

The HiPerStrut system is unique to the OPC model and serves two primary functions: firstly, to reduce torque-steer, but also to maintain negative camber during cornering, thereby improving ultimate grip levels in wet or dry conditions.

Complementing these features are standard 19in alloy wheels (20in lightweight forged alloys are optional), revised bushing and damper settings on both axles, and Brembo brakes with color-keyed calipers and vented and cross-drilled discs.

Drive comes from a 2.8L V6 turbocharged engine rated at 325hp (242kW), which is enough to send the car from 0-60mph in 5.8 seconds and an electronically controlled top speed of 155mph.

The sporting theme continues inside with Recaro front seats, a new steering wheel, gearknob and unique moldings, as well as different instrument graphics and sill plates.