Hang on a minute – that’s a Chevrolet Orlando, isn’t it? Well, not quite – under the body of this test mule, captured by our European spies CarPix, lurks something rather different.

We know GM is working on the next-gen Chevrolet Captiva for 2015, and that it’s said to sit on a versatile new platform called D2XX, which will also underpin the next Chevrolet Cruze.

A quick look under the car reveals a 4WD system – which the Orlando doesn’t have – and twin tailpipes. The mule also reportedly has a slightly shorter wheelbase than the Orlando, and a front end that’s been modified to make room for the new engine and cooling.

And while we’re at it, those aren’t Orlando headlamps, are they? Reports say the new Chevrolet Captiva might borrow some of the Opel Mokka‘s looks, but as always, we’ll have to wait and see.

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This is the Opel Adam Rocks Concept` from Geneva 2013, an open-air, crossover-styled version of Opel/Vauxhall’s bid to fight in the trendy city car segment. The Adam, with interesting trim level names like JAM, SLAM and GLAM, was first unveiled last July – click here for post and pics.

The Adam Rocks was inspired by parkour athletes, the urban jumpers and rollers who also inspired the Pininfarina Parcour Concept. Its new crossover body style is supported by a chassis that is raised by 15 mm with a 40 mm wider stance.

The look is emphasised by “elbow and knee pads” or protective cladding around the side sills, as well as a centrally-located exhaust tailpipe, OPC style. Adam Rocks also adds on boomerang shaped turn indicators enclosing the fog lamps.

The car rides on large 18-inch wheels in Twister design featuring visible Brembo disc brakes. These wheels, which are fitted with exchangeable wheel clips, are already available in Adam’s production programme.

The Fiat 500C-style opening roof folds back via remote control in front of the C-pillars and does not protrude into the tailgate. Opel has a special weather app that knows when bad weather is imminent and automatically initiates closing of the roof.

This Adam, does he rock or not?

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Following on the Adam Cup that marked its return to racing, Opel will be presenting a new Rallye Cup variant of its Adam city car in Geneva. The Opel Adam Rallye R2 is built based on FIA R2 regulations and will be available for international rally racing use once it’s homologated, and it’s eligible for every national championship in Europe.

The Adam Rallye R2 is powered by a 1.6 litre Ecotec 16V engine with variable camshaft phasing, good for 185 hp and 190 Nm in its competitive configuration. Kit includes a braking system with a hydraulic ‘fly-off’ handbrake, Brembo 4-piston front brake calipers and braking pressure regulation for the rear axle.

Elsewhere, special body components from the company’s OPC product line get strapped on, as well as quick-release catches on the hood/tailgate and under-ride guards on the front and rear.

The Adam Rallye R2’s cabin, meanwhile, features all the attributes of a professional competition vehicle. Equipment includes an integrated safety structure, HANS-compatible Sparco Competition racing seats, a LCD gear indicator, control light and MONIT trip computer, a central control panel, a map reading light and an electric fire extinguisher.

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Opel’s Adam city car is set to go the crossover route in Geneva, with a bit of open-air capability thrown in. The design of the three-door, 3.67 metre-long urban mini-crossover study derives its inspiration from parkour athletes, so it goes.

The Adam Rocks features a higher and wider stance than the standard Adam. Also on, a prominent grille structure and LED headlamps, boomerang-shaped turn indicators and over-the-top bling 18-inch wheels, as suggested by the sketches.

The car gets its cabrio looks with a fabric roof that extends across the entire width of the roof, right back to the C-pillars. There’s even ‘rain-sensing’ operation – a special weather app, displayed on the car’s IntelliLink driver-information-center touchscreen, automatically initiates closing of the roof if inclement weather is expected.

With the proposed Adam EV electric version having been canned, one wonders whether the crossover study will go places, or beyond the concept stage.

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Opel has dismissed a French newspaper report that quoted government officials as saying PSA Peugeot Citroën may buy the General Motors subsidiary, says Automotive News Europe.

The report, which was published on the website of the Le Monde daily, added that the Opel-PSA alliance would be capable of challenging Volkswagen’s market dominance in Europe, citing French finance ministry officials and those within President Francois Hollande’s inner circle.

An Opel spokesman told Automotive News Europe that the report was nothing but “pure speculation.”

In February 2012, PSA and Opel’s parent company GM formed an alliance that aimed to yield annual cost savings of US$2 billion (RM6.04 billion) within five years, equally split between them. This saw GM pay, says Automotive News Europe, €320 million (RM1.28 billion) for a 7% stake in PSA.

Under the deal, PSA and GM agreed to share vehicle platforms, components and modules, create a global purchasing joint venture and work together to develop vehicles.

Automotive News Europe reports, citing figures from industry organisation ACEA, that PSA’s market share in the EU and EFTA nations dropped from 12.5% to 11.7% from January to November last year. In the same period, Opel’s share fell from 7.3% to 6.7%. Volkswagen’s, however, rose from 23.3% to 24.9%.

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Automotive News Europe reports that Opel and Vauxhall have stopped development of an electric-powered version of the Adam city car. The Adam EV was supposed to inherit its powertrain from the upcoming Chevrolet Spark EV, but Opel could not get the price low enough to shift the volume required to sustain the development.

“It was a business decision. We could not charge the customer the price needed to make it work on the cost side,” said Opel Adam chief engineer Dieter Metz.

Moreover, according to Opel’s sales and marketing head Alfred Rieck, customers are currently not willing to fork out the extra for EV technology, and only increased sales would drive the prices down.

“If you look at the technology that’s available on the market today, it’s very expensive. You end up with a certain price of the car and consumers are not interested in it.”

Sales of the Opel Adam are set to start in January with a base price of €11,500 (RM45k) in Germany. Chevrolet plans to launch its Spark EV in the US and other global markets beginning next year.

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Back in March, PSA Peugeot Citroën and General Motors formed an alliance that saw the US carmaker buy a 7% stake in PSA for over $400 million. Now it has been announced that the companies will co-develop four vehicle projects as part of their alliance.

The projects will include a joint program for a compact MPV for Opel/Vauxhall and a compact SUV/crossover for the Peugeot brand, a small car to be shared between Opel/Vauxhall and Citroen, an upgraded low CO2 small car segment platform for next-gen Opel/Vauxhall and PSA cars and a joint program for mid-size cars to be used by both parties.

The automakers said they aim to launch the first vehicles on these common programs by the end of 2016.

“All four projects will be developed combining the best platform architectures and technologies from the alliance partners,” GM and PSA said. “Beyond this, PSA and GM are currently sounding out whether to extend the cooperation potentially to other fields,” GM added in a statement.

Besides the joint programs, PSA and GM’s Europe division will continue to develop a joint purchasing organisation aimed at achieving $2 billion annual savings within five years. Click here to read our previous post on this marriage.

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Cruising along with the sun softly warming your skin, feeling the air thickening in your open hand as speed increases, tipping back your head and finding no limit to your view, just diving into the deep blue sky – these are typical Cascada moments, as Opel/Vauxhall puts it.

Owners of the previously teased new convertible would try to do all that early next year, when the Cascada is launched in Europe. The four-seat cabrio’s name is derived from the Spanish word meaning waterfall, and it’s to convey a rhythmic, dynamic and flowing nature. This mid-size soft top from the Astra family looks sleek enough, more elegant than previous generations of Kadett and Astra cabriolets.

“Most convertibles look good with the top down, but many seem clumsy with their roof up. Thanks to its high-quality, aerodynamically clean soft top with a perfect, seamless profile, the Opel Cascada also cuts a fine figure when closed,” says Malcolm Ward, director of exterior design. We agree.

Inside, the dull Astra dashboard is enhanced by real stitching, while the AGR certified ergonomic seats are wrapped in Nappa leather and benefit from heating and ventilation systems. Electric seat belt extenders that use a telescoping arm is a nice touch, while the electric Easy Entry system makes access to the rear seat well, easy.

Boot volume with the roof stowed is 280 litres, stretching up to 350 litres with the soft top up. Speaking of that, the fabric roof can be opened in 17 seconds while driving at speeds of up to 50 km/h.

The Cascada can be had with a 1.4 turbo petrol combined with a six-speed manual transmission. There are two output versions of 120 hp and 140 hp, both delivering up to 220 Nm thanks to an overboost function.

On the diesel side, the 2.0 CDTI with 165 hp/380 Nm comes with either a manual or six-speed auto. There’s also a new engine, the 1.6 SIDI Turbo Ecotec gasoline. It delivers 170 hp (between 1,650 and 3,200 rpm) and 280 Nm max torque on overboost.

It shouldn’t be too shabby to drive with Opel’s HiPerStrut (High Performance Strut) suspension, which separates the functions of damping and steering, as well as reduce torque steer. FlexRide, Opel’s adaptive chassis control system, is also available. The Cascada can be equipped with 17- to 20-inch wheels. Brake discs have sizes of up to 326 mm in front and 325 mm in rear.

Bundled tech include AFL+ Adaptive Forward Lighting (up to 11 automatic functions), the second gen “Opel Eye” front camera with new functions (enhanced Traffic Sign Recognition and Lane Departure Warning, new Following Distance Indication and Forward Collision Alert), a rear-view camera, Advanced Park Assist and an ultrasonic based Side Blind Spot Alert, among other kit.

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Opel/Vauxhall has certainly been busy this year – after the Mokka SUV and upcoming Adam city car, which is set for a Paris debut, comes the announcement of a third model name into the fold.

It’s called the Cascada, and it’s a four-seater mid-size convertible set to make its market debut in early 2013 – unlike the Adam and the Holden and Chevrolet Trax, it’s not going to be a Paris debutant. The photos are pretty much teasers too, offering only a view of the top half of the car.

The name of the 4.70-metre long offering is derived from the Spanish word meaning waterfall, all to convey a rhythmic, dynamic and flowing nature. That the tones are usually associated with open-air driving also helps, one supposes.

No tech details as yet on the soft-top, aside from the point that the car’s fabric roof is operable while the car is moving, at speeds of up to 50 km/h. More when it flows in, later in the year.

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Isuzu Motors has denied a report by Nikkei that the company plans to exit a diesel engine manufacturing joint venture with GM’s Opel subsidiary and cut European workforce by 10%.

The report also said that the Japanese company intended to halt development of a next-generation engine for Opel. Neither Isuzu nor GM commented on this issue.

Isuzu, which has a 40% stake in the joint venture with GM, has been producing diesel engines for Opel’s Astra, Corsa and Meriva in Poland for 13 years.

Recently GM revealed that its Europe unit suffered a $361 million operating loss in the second quarter from a $102 million profit a year earlier. That loss was actually smaller than anticipated.

At one point, GM owned as much as 49% of Isuzu before selling its stake. Isuzu said in May that it was not planning to form an equity alliance with GM.

The post Isuzu denies quitting GM diesel engine joint venture appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News.

GM Europe has revealed the Adam city car, which will wear Opel and Vauxhall badges, and debut in Paris this September. The Adam is an A-segment three-door hatchback aimed at the style conscious, think Fiat 500 and MINI. But unlike those two, Opel has no heritage to play with, so they’ve chosen modern design with lots of customisation.

Your Adam can be had as a JAM (unconventional, fashionable and colorful), GLAM (a more elegant, refined and sophisticated setting) and SLAM (for energetic and sporty types). These three “mood worlds” set the stage for a “virtually unlimited potential for personalisation” with a choice of exterior colorus, three roof colours, various interior colours, decors and headliners, including an LED lit “starlight” roof trim. Adam Lambert would make a good ambassador!

“No other car in this segment can be personalized as much as the Opel Adam because we are offering virtually unlimited exterior/interior colour, fabric, decor and kit combination possibilities. It’s unlikely our customers will see another car like theirs,” says Mark Adams, Opel VP of Design.

The Adam measures almost 3.70 meters in length and 1.72 meters wide excluding mirrors (2,311 mm wheelbase), a size which is closer to the MINI than the Fiat. Seating is for four. Design highlights include a “floating” roof, badging on the sides (base of rear pillars), the blade shape in the lower door and the characteristic “shock wave” around the door handles from the Astra GTC. The latter two are Opel signatures.

The headlamps feature wing-shaped daytime running lights (DRL) typical of Opel. For the first time in the A-segment, both the headlamps and the taillights are available with energy-saving LED technology.

Inside, Opel points us to the new infotainment system that offers smartphone connectivity for Apple iOS and Android. The system makes selected smartphone content including Internet based apps such as GPS navigation available in the cabin. It collects the content and displays it on the seven-inch colour touch screen.

Noteworthy features include Advanced Park Assist (APA II). Drivers engage the system with a button on the dash and it tells them when they pass a parallel parking space large enough for Adam. APA II then automatically steers Adam into the parking space, with the driver just controlling the brake, clutch and gears.

The ultrasonic sensors are shared with Side Blind Spot Alert, which should work like Volvo’s BLIS. Another first in the A-segment is the heated steering wheel, which is very valuable in winter.

Wheel sizes range from 15 to 18-inch, and cars that are specified with 17 or 18-inch rims come standard with a Sports chassis. Adam’s Electric Power Steering (EPS) includes a CITY mode which increases power assistance at lower speeds. ESP with Hill Start Assist is standard across the range, as are two sets of ISOFIX points plus top tethers.

The Adam will initially be offered with three petrol engines (1.2L 70 hp, 1.4L 87 hp and 1.4L 100 hp) with a five-speed manual. All are available with an ecoFLEX tech pack including Start/Stop. A new small petrol engine with direct injection turbocharging and a six-speed manual will be offered later.

The Opel/Vauxhall Adam will hit European showrooms in January 2013. A cool Opel, it’s been awhile since we had such a thing!

The post Opel Adam city car revealed ahead of Paris debut appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News.

Opel has added a fourth variant to its Astra family after the five-door hatch, Sports Tourer (wagon) and GTC Coupe – the sedan. It will make its motor show debut at the 2012 Moscow Auto Salon late August.

This one is pitched slightly differently, though. Instead of just the usual developing markets like Russia and Turkey, Opel also sees significant conquest potential in Western Europe, which is of course a continent of hatchbacks, especially in the C-segment where the Astra plays.

They’re marketing it as an affordable alternative for customers who would usually opt for this kind of car in the mid-size segment – a cheaper (and smaller) alternative to the Insignia/Mondeo, in other words.

Customers can choose between seven engines: four gasoline units (100 hp to 180 hp), of which three can be combined with a six-speed automatic and three diesel engines (95 hp to 130 hp).

The two 1.7 CDTI ecoFLEX models with Start/Stop and further efficiency enhancing tech combine outputs of 110 or 130 hp with diesel consumption figures as low as 3.7 litres per 100 km. They emit only 99 g/km CO2. In addition, early next year will see the introduction of Opel’s new SIDI ECOTEC 1.6 four-cylinder petrol engine with turbo and direct injection.

The Astra sedan measures 4,658/1,814/1,476 mm (L/W/H) and has a wheel base of 2,685 mm, which is good in this class. The boot offers 460 litres of volume – 90 litres more than the five-door hatch. By folding the 60:40 split rear bench flat, luggage volume can be increased up to a maximum of 1,010 liters.

“The Astra model family implements our design language with sculptural artistry meeting German precision in a very dynamic fashion. We believe that the Astra four-door sedan we’re now launching is the best proportioned and most stylish notchback currently available in the compact segment,” said Vice President of Design, Mark Adams. Looking quite sleek, the Astra sedan is easily recognisable as a modern GM Europe product.

The post Opel Astra Sedan – a notchback for Europe to bite appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News.

These are first official pictures of the next generation Opel Combo, which rivals the Renault Kangoo and Peugeot Partner, among other compact vans. It will replace the current Combo, which has served since 2001. The new Combo is no longer based on the Corsa supermini, but is a rebadged Fiat Doblo, saving costs for both brands.

The panel van version now offers a choice of two wheelbases – 2,755 mm or 3,105 mm – giving an overall vehicle length of 4.39 and 4.74 metres respectively, as well as two roof heights, 1.85 m or 2.10 m. The Combo is also available as a car-van, with five or seven seats and a paneled or glazed body.

Click to enlarge

Van variants can be ordered with one or two optional sliding doors, while the “car” version has both sliding doors as standard and comes with a top-hinged tailgate. An asymmetrical double wing door is also available. An additional rear roof hatch can be installed to transport ladders, for example. With up to 3,800 litres of space in SWB form and 4,600 litres with the LWB, the Combo offers the largest load volume in both classes.

The new Opel Combo is available with six engines: four diesels, one 95 hp 1.4 petrol and a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) unit. The diesel range comprises 1.3 and 1.6 CDTI motors, each with 90 hp, as well as a 1.6 CDTI with 105 hp. The top performer is the 135 hp 2.0 CDTI. The CDTI engines only need to be serviced every 35,000 km or once a year.

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Now, GM’s CEO Daniel Akerson has assured the head of Opel that the American automaker was not in talks to sell the European arm to a rival, according to reports. German newspaper Handelsblatt had originally reported that Akerson spoke with Opel CEO Karl-Friedrich Stracke on the telephone.

The media has been speculating that GM is considering putting Opel and its UK sister brand Vauxhall up for sale – with Volkswagen and BAIC named as possible buyers – because Akerson is impatient with the slow pace of restructuring at the money-losing division, which lost US$1.6 bil last year. .

GM has so far not commented on the reports, despite calls to do so, but people familiar with the matter have revealed that GM was reviewing options for the European automaker, the reports add. Going with the above, it would seem VW won’t be in the picture should GM decide to sell Opel.

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Opel/Vauxhall has released details on the Astra GTC ahead of the model’s world debut at the Frankfurt show in September. The GTC is a three-door variant of the C-segment Astra, but isn’t the same car with two doors lopped off – the only bits carried over from the five-door hatch are the door handles, wing mirror housing and roof aerial. This approach is also used by VW for the Scirocco and the Renault for the Megane Coupe – cars the GTC will rival.

The Astra GTC started life as the GTC Paris Concept from Paris 2010, and retains much of the showcar’s looks. However, it must be said that the showcar appeared incredibly realistic from the start, and its production future was never in doubt.

Prominent design cues include the Opel signature blade (started with the Insignia) and another line that sprouts from the door handles. The front and rear lights have “wing shaped” elements. All of these were also on the Paris Concept.

Opel is keen to highlight the GTC’s front High Performance Strut (HiPerStrut) suspension, similar to than on the Insignia OPC. Compared to the standard Astra’s McPherson strut, HiPerStrut reduces kingpin inclination and offset and has a shorter spindle length. This improves grip and reduces torque steer, offering GTC drivers the “sporty, crisp feel they expect, with enhanced precision and feedback.” In addition, HiPerStut reduces tyre flops, which allows the car to accommodate bigger wheels.

The rear suspension combines a torsion beam with a Watt’s link, something unique to Opel. Compared to the five-door, ride height is lowered by 15 mm. The GTC also has wider tracks, +40 mm in front and +30 mm in the rear. Opel’s adaptive FlexRide chassis control system with Standard, Tour and Sport modes is also available.

At launch, the Poland built Astra GTC can be had with a choice of four powertrains – one diesel and three petrol. The upgraded 2.0 CDTI has 165 hp/380 Nm and does 0-100 km/h in 8.9 seconds. Top speed is 210 km/h. Paired with a six-speed manual and start/stop, combined fuel consumption “does not exceed” 4.9 litres per 100 km.

Two of the petrols are 1.4 turbos with 120 hp and 140 hp. Both have 200 Nm of torque. There’s also a 180 hp 1.6 turbo that can reach 220 km/h. Not enough? There will be a high-performance OPC variant in 2012.

Gallery after the jump.

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The post Opel Astra GTC revealed ahead of Frankfurt premiere appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News.

Opel has released the first images of its Astra GTC, which is based on the GTC Paris Concept unveiled at the Paris Motor Show last October. The Astra GTC has been given the nod for series production, and the company is set to give the car its world debut in Frankfurt in September.

Full details of the production version will be announced in June, which will give European customers the chance to specify their ideal model and place an order early for the vehicle, which will appear in showrooms relatively soon after the Frankfurt debut.

Click to enlarge

The production Opel/Vauxhall Astra GTC will be a three-door body hatch with dramatic proportions, much like the rakish concept that previewed it. The Paris car wore a turbocharged, direct-injection four-cylinder mill offering an estimated 290 hp – we’ll have to wait and see what the final form wears.

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Opel will be premiering its Zafira Tourer Concept at the Geneva Motor Show, and the vehicle is expected to provide the basis for the production third-generation version of the compact MPV, which will arrive in Opel and Vauxhall forms sometime early next year.

The concept is powered by a new version of the downsized, fuel-efficient 1.4 Turbo pot featuring Start/Stop technology, while among the items found in the vehicle’s underpinnings is a FlexRide adaptive damping system.

Externally, things start with a colour scheme called Frost Liquid Metal, a special metallic silver-grey, and the Zafira Tourer Concept features, among other things, dark metallic grey 20-inch twin-spoke alloy wheels with 245/40 R20 tyres and wing-shaped LED daytime running lights, bi-xenon AFL and fog lamps – all contained behind a single Plexiglass cover – at the front.

Of course, it’s in the interior where all the action is – the concept features a cabin with generous space for rear-seat passengers and a light, airy outlook, provided by a panoramic windscreen that flows into a generous glass roof extending to the rear of the car.

A second pane of high-tech composite material is edge-lit by LEDs. Tiny metallic particles are embedded in the cabin’s upper sections to reflect the light and give off a warm glow that can be varied in different shades of yellow.

The seating configuration is versatile enough, so to speak. With two rows in place, providing five-seat capacity, the Zafira concept can be transformed at the push of a button into a four-seater with limousine levels of space. A folding mechanism allows the centre section of the second row to fold down, revealing two armrests for occupants in the outer seats. These seats can then slide back and towards each other.

The concept’s tiltable three-piece headrests are electrically powered, though the driver’s remains in a vertical position when the car is in motion. In the ‘lounge’ setting, each swivels 90 degrees to the horizontal position while the outer elements curve slightly forward.

Up front, a large touchscreen display dominates the centre console, above which a covered storage compartment can hold a tablet PC like an iPad. With pivot-mounted tablet PCs on the front seat backs, passengers in the second row can comfortably surf the internet or control multimedia apps.

The interior is finished in high-quality caramel leather for the seats, with colour-matched quilted seams and stitching contrasting with cocoa dark brown door trim, soft deep-pile carpet and a host of premium materials.

Gallery after the jump.

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Opel has facelifted its Corsa supermini (Vauxhall Corsa in the UK), which first came on the scene in 2006. GM’s 2011 model year B-segment contender to the Polo, Clio and Fiesta gets a “sportier, expressive look” to cloak the internal updates for 2010 cars, which got new engines, upgraded suspension and retuned steering.

The facelift re-proportions the upper and lower grilles. The lower one is wider and taller to visually widen the car. In addition, a mesh grille design replaces the current horizontal bars while the chrome “wings” of the Opel logo is bigger. The German brand has also added “eagle eye” headlamps along with signature wing-shaped daylight lamps that made their debut in the Insignia. Six new alloy designs and a larger Opel Blitz logo at the rear are included as well.

There are also new fog lamp units with “integrated chrome blades” that really reminds me of the Mazda2; the green colour on the Corsa helps the visual link to its Japanese classmate too. What do you think? See the familiar smiley face?

All variants have been updated with new trim or fabrics. The new Touch & Connect navigation system has a five-inch touch screen that displays both 2D and 3D bird view maps from SD navigation cards. Features include an option to choose the most ecological route and the proposal of alternative routes when faced with traffic, even when navigation is not active. It’s Bluetooth, iPod and USB compatible, too.

Gallery after the jump.

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The post Facelifted Opel/Vauxhall Corsa is a big fan of the Mazda2! appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News.

This is the Opel GTC Paris concept car, described as a showcase of how Opel can “dial up” the brand’s design language via a “sporty and emotional interpretation”. This concept previews the upcoming three-door hatchback version of the current Opel/Vauxhall Astra.

Following the likes of Renault with its Megane, the GTC is more than just a five-door Astra with two doors lopped off. Like the Megane Coupe, it’s a compact, rakish and highly stylised three-door. The brand’s recent signature blade sweeps back from the front, like in the Insignia and unlike the five-door Astra. Another design line starts from the door handle flowing back to join the rear lights. Opel says the car has a “bulldog stance”. Short and fat?

The interior has some interesting ideas. The driver’s seat is in red while the passenger’s is in black. They even have calligraphy laser etched on them. The script reads “and the speed was pure beauty”, a quote from Richard Bach’s novel, Jonathan Livingstone Seagull.

Speed wouldn’t be a problem. The GTC has a twin-scroll turbo 2.0-litre with direct injection. This 290 hp motor with double camshaft phasing and twin balance shafts is paired with a six-speed manual transmission. Start/stop is standard, as is a Limited Slip Differential for extra traction. The GTC Paris also features FlexRide adaptive suspension that continuously adapts to changes in driving style and cornering speed.

Nice ingredients for a hot VXR variant. Official pics are here while live images come after the jump.

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Opel has released more information and pictures of the GTC Concept ahead of the Paris Motor Show. The German-based company, who sell their cars in the UK under the Vauxhall brand, has revealed details about the car’s power figures. The GTC Concept’s turbocharged 2.0-litre four-pot engine is able to generate 290hp. This is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission that complements its power with a limited slip differential.

Help keeping the car stable is Opel’s FlexRide suspension and a crank rear axle with a Watt’s link. The GTC show car for Paris sits on 21-inch wheels, optimized with carbon-fiber inserts which enclose the center caps. This is finished off in a liquid metal red exterior colour scheme.

A picture gallery with interior images is available after the jump.

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This is the Opel GTC Paris Concept that will be unwrapped at the Paris Motor Show next month. Much more than just a show car, it previews the three-door hatchback version and the VXR performance flagship of the current Opel/Vauxhall Astra, which made its debut last year as a five-door hatch. A wagon version called Sport Tourer surfaced in June.

This rakish three-door measures 4.46 metres long (slightly longer than the five-door) and the lines on its body is “similar to tendons in a sprinter”. We can see the “Opel signature blade”, a fine crease along the rocker panel, in the same direction as on the Insignia, where this cue first appeared. The five-door hatch and Sport Tourer have theirs in a different direction – back to front.

There’s also another prominent line that shoots from the door handles to the rear of the car; this gives the GTC broad shoulders and wider impression. Opel says that the brushed aluminium upper outline of the glasshouse guides eyes to the integrated spoiler. Of course they had to include LED running lights, and those on the GTC have “wing” motifs.

The concept is realistically powered by a four-cylinder, 2.0-litre turbo engine with direct injection. As with most new cars in Europe, there’s start/stop tech and a six-speed manual gearbox. Autocar UK says that the production car will debut late next year alongside a VXR range topper, which could have up to 300 bhp and an electronic limited-slip differential – the latter already on the GTC concept.

The GTC and the three-door Renault Megane are examples of carmakers putting in a lot of effort on differentiating their three-door “Sport” models from the regular five-door hatch, instead of just chopping off two doors. More pics after the jump.

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Opel, who are under GM’s European division, have announced plans of selling the brands in China. This will eventually open up to countries in the Asia Pacific region, Australia and South America. Current GM brands in China, include Buick, Cadillac and Chevrolet.

“We will market Opel as a European designed car in the premium segment. There are a growing number of Chinese who like European cars and have the money to afford them,” said company spokesman Andreas Kroemer talking to a German publication.

They have yet to set a date for sales to begin, but the company has previously sold around 4000 cars in the country as a testing phase. Currently the only other way you could get an Opel car in China was through Buick, which included the Opel Insignia-based Buick Regal in its product portfolio.

This will soon change and analysts predict that Opel will initially export cars to China until it has established a market position in the country. It will then assemble cars locally to avoid import taxes, which usually increases the price of the car by 20 percent.

Due to it being marketed as a premium brand, Opel will be competing against the likes of BMW, Daimler and Volkswagen who have been in China for sometime now. It seems that if ever the German-made brand make a return to Malaysia, it will be priced to compete at the premium level, and not the affordable category it’s priced at in Europe.

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GM’s loss making Opel/Vauxhall arm was left disappointed after the German government rejected its request for 1.1 billion euros in loan guarantees, leaving Opel to hope on German states where its factories are located to provide financial assistance. But life goes on, and GM Europe has released official images and info on the Opel Astra Sports Tourer, which will make its public debut at the Paris Motor Show and go on sale in November.

The Sports Tourer is the wagon version of the popular C-segment Astra hatchback, which has collected over 160,000 orders in six months. It’s an important car for Opel, as wagons traditionally account for about 25% of Astra sales in Europe, higher than the segment average of 17%.

Load volume can be easily adjusted between 500 and 1,550 litres via the FlexFold Rear Seat system, which allows each section of the 60/40 split-fold rear seatbacks to be lowered at the press of a button located in the side walls of the cargo area. A spring is electrically released, activating quick, remote seat folding. With the seatbacks down, the cargo load length is increased to 1,835 mm, 28 mm more than the current Astra wagon. Besides that, occupants enjoy 25 litres of extra storage space inside the cabin.

Opel says that this wagon offers the same level of comfort and agility as the hatchback. First, its footprint and 2,685 mm wheelbase is unchanged while the rear compound crank/Watt’s link suspension has been modified for higher load capabilities and better support during cornering. In addition, FlexRide adaptive suspension provides a choice between standard, sports and touring modes and Trailer Stability Assist counteracts the tail wind produced when lugging a caravan trailer.

Engine options include eight petrol and diesel units. New to the range are two 1.4-litre turbocharged petrols; a 120 bhp six-speed manual and a 140 bhp six-speed auto. Sure to be more popular that those is the 2.0 CDTi with 180 bhp and 380 Nm of torque. This diesel option comes with an overboost button and sips only 5.1 litres of fuel for every 100 km (19.6 km/l). All manual transmission cars have a gear shift indicator coaxing you to drive economically.

More pictures after the jump.

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Opel has rolled out the first pre-production Ampera hybrid at General Motors’ Warren plant in Michigan on April 23rd. The pre-production Ampera will not be sold but it will be used for further testing before the final production version is revealed sometime next year. General Motors also said that it will produce more pre-production Amperas.

The Ampera is heavily based on the Chevrolet Volt which means it utilizes an electric motor which draws out energy from batteries. The system also has a small displacement internal combustion engine that is used as an energy generator to help recharge the batteries when required. There is also a plug-in recharging system as well as brake energy regeneration.

It can deliver 60 kilometers of range with electric power alone and with the range extender total range is figured at about 500 kilometers. Andrew Farah, Vehicle Chief Engineer for the vehicle said, “We’re right on target for producing the Ampera for European markets later next year. There’s still work to be done, but being able to drive an Opel Ampera off our pre-production line is a great accomplishment for the teams here and in Europe.”

Continue reading to view 3 high-res images of the pre-production Ampera.

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This is the Flextreme GT/E concept car that will be Opel’s showstar at the Geneva show next month. Using the Chevrolet Volt’s extended range electric vehicle (E-REV) technology, the 4.7-metre Flextreme is the first big bodied housing for the E-REV drivetrain.

As a recap, the wheels of E-REV cars are powered by electricity at all times (unlike hybrids). For journeys up to 60 km, energy is supplied by a lithium-ion battery pack. However, unlike regular EVs, E-REV will continue running when the battery is depleted, as a small gasoline engine then acts as a generator to provide current. GM says that this arrangement “eliminates any possibility of range anxiety through fear of being stranded without power”. Charging the Flextreme via a 230V outlet takes less than three hours.

The Flextreme GT/E has a drag co-efficient of just 0.22, which helps it reach a 200 km/h-plus top speed. Weight reduction measures include the use of carbon composite panels, polycarbonate window glazing and aluminum alloy structural components. 370 Nm of torque comes in at 0 rpm to propel the Flextreme to 100 km/h below nine seconds.

More pictures after the jump.

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GM’s European unit have unveiled the interior for its new Vauxhall/Opel Meriva compact MPV! The Meriva is an MPV in the B-segment, built on GM’s Gamma/SCCS platform so I don’t think its a Zafira replacement, which is a C-segment vehicle.

A key feature of the Meriva being touted extensively in press releases (and probably soon ad campaigns) are the vehicle’s FlexDoors, which are basically rear-hinged suicide doors for the rear doors. GM says this provides easier access into the interior, and it’s probably one of the very few examples of suicide doors on a concept car making it to production. But since the B-pillar remains, I don’t see how it being rear-hinged changes anything.

The Meriva will also have a ‘FlexRail’ system which is basically a storage zone for random items like handbags, books, iPods, sunglasses, etc. FlexRail’s floor module comprises two cup holders, Aux-in/USB connections and a 12-volt socket.

Above this area, there are two polished aluminum rails, and on the top of the line SE model, there is a flip-top armrest module attached with a smaller cupholder tray below it. Both can be shifted into a variety of fixed positions along the rails, while rear seat passengers benefit from the option of a rear armrest module, which can be fitted to the centre seat back section when it’s folded down between them.

And finally the final ‘Flex’ feature is FlexSpace, which allows various cabin configs without having to remove any seats. Both outer rear seats can be moved fore and aft individually, and can also slide inwards o provide more shoulder width and leg room in a spacious four-seat layout. Additionally, rear seat backs can be fully lowered without having to remove their head restraints. The Meriva’s boot capacity grows from 400 litres up to 920 litres with the seatbacks folded. If you use all the space up to the roof, 1500 litres of capacity is available.

The Meriva strikes an uncanny resemblance to the Suzuki MPV concept shown in India this month but that could be due to the fact that GM used to have some kind of stake in Suzuki. But Suzuki is in bed with Volkswagen now.

Look after the jump for hi-res images of the new Meriva.

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The post Vauxhall/Opel Meriva interior unveiled! appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News.

These are leaked official images of the new Meriva MPV, badged here as a UK-spec Vauxhall (Opel in Europe). It appears to have survived the transition from concept to production pretty well, retaining much of the 2008 Geneva show’s Meriva Concept styling cues.

The design headline here is the suicide doors. Called FlexDoors, they can be opened to an angle of almost 90 degrees (only when the vehicle is stationary, of course!). The Meriva’s FlexSpace system has been updated to improve space usage. There is also an innovation called FlexRail – a rail above the centre console where storage bins can slide the length of the cabin.

As with the Astra and Insignia, a signature “blade” runs on the flanks of this MPV. The stepped windowline not only adds distinctiveness to the design, it gives the rear section more glass area for the kids to have a better view out. There’s also a full length panaromic roof. It’s more spacious than before too – wheelbase is longer and tracks are wider. A five-star EuroNCAP crash rating is almost a given.

The Meriva is set for its formal debut at this year’s Geneva show, and should hit the market by mid year. More pictures after the jump!

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Chinese market tastes have become increasingly sophisticated over the past few years, and any first time visitor to Shanghai or Beijing would be surprised by the automobiles that ply their bumpy roads – turn up expecting little Cherys and Geelys and you’ll instead find large saloons from Buick, VW and Audi dominating the streets. In fact, GM’s Buick marque is one of the top-10 brands there, and is seen by the Chinese as a prestigious status symbol.

And that’s the reason why the even the Chevrolet Optra sells well in China, after being rebranded as a Buick Excelle. But as the Opel Insignia based Regal showed, Chinese Buicks now have real substance under the skin, and the new Excelle unveiled at the Guangzhou Motor Show is based on the sixth-gen Opel Astra, itself fresh in the market in Europe.

Three petrol engines are available, but of interest is the turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder that powers the range topping model. It comes with 183bhp and 235Nm of torque available from 1,980rpm to 5,400rpm, and there’s a ‘Superboost’ function that raises max torque to 266Nm, promising serious performance that should match VW’s Twincharger powered cars. Power goes to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic. It’s not announced, but we won’t be surprised if the suspension (front MacPherson struts, rear torsion beam with Watt’s linkage) is tuned softer for Chinese preference.

The Astra is the largest car in the Golf/Focus class with the longest wheelbase (2614mm) and its cabin features GM’s new design languange with the ‘dual-cockpit’ style, also seen in the Insignia and Chevrolet Cruze. Speaking of the Chevy Cruze, it was meant to be launched back in August, but we haven’t heard any news from Hicom-Chevrolet so far.

The post Opel Astra launched in China as the Buick Excelle appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News.

GM must have caught the flip flop disease from somewhere as it has at the last minute turned back on its decision to sell Opel to a Russian-backed group led by auto parts supplier Magna International, which took months and months of negotiation so far.

The deal was looking to be pretty much set in stone and Magna’s existing clientele had expressed unhappiness over a supplier suddenly becoming a competitor as well. Magna’s client list includes Volkswagen, GM, Ford, Chrysler, Daimler and BMW amongst others. Volkswagen had threatened to pull the plug on Magna’s VW group supply contracts if the Opel deal went through but it looks like now there would not be such a conflict.

Now because of “an improving business environment and the importance of its GM Europe divisions to its global strategy”, it has decided to turn back on its offer to sell. It would instead restructure its Opel division on its own, at a cost of 3 billion Euros. Where this money will come from is a big question now, as it most likely will not be able to rely on promises of financing that European governments had promised earlier.

European governments had granted financing from state banks in view that Opel would be in Magna’s ‘safer’ hands, and are now pretty pissed off that GM had pulled the old classic bait and switch tactic on them. Obviously the financing were granted assuming Opel would be in Magna’s hands soon. Germany’s government said it wanted GM to repay 1.5 billion Euro in bridge financing by the end of this month. Germany had offered a total of 4.5 billion euros in financial aid for the Magna deal. Opel workers are also pissed off as in their view now their jobs are less secure and held a protest, carrying black coffins with GM and Opel logos on them.

GM Europe president and ex-BMW man Carl-Peter Forster immediately left the company Friday last week after the announcement of the sale flip-flop. “A sudden shift like this is scarcely comprehensible. I do not find the process in any way okay. I would have wished for a completely different result,” said Forster. He clearly did not want to be any part of an Opel that remained under GM rule, and apparently he has already been offered a job with Tata-owned Jaguar Land Rover.

Magna had nothing else to say but this – “We will continue to support Opel and GM in the challenges ahead and wish to thank everyone who supported the Opel restructuring process for their tireless efforts and dedication over the past several months.”

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German-based and General Motors-owned auto maker Opel, has released interior shots of its 2010 Astra, ahead of its official launch at this year’s auto show in Frankfurt. The sixth generation Opel Astra, which will also be sold under the Vauxhall brand name features a fresh interior that not only looks good, but one that is functional as well.

Design wise, the interior is treated to, among others, red ambient lighting (from above the centre console and within the door handle recesses), a four-gauge instrument panel with chrome outline on each gauge plus an LCD trip display and soft-touch surfaces. The auto maker assured that the interior offers a high-quality ‘feel’ with the materials used, as well as with tactility offered by the buttons and switches.

With the lack of storage areas in the previous model acknowledged as a problem, the new one comes with various storage solutions, including a sun glass case inserted above the door opening on the driver’s side, pen holders, a two-part glove box, under-seat drawer (for passenger seat), centre console with a 9-CD holding capacity and more.

Featuring a platform that is also used in the Chevrolet Cruze, the new Astra is expected to be offered with a number of engine options including a base 1.4 litre normally aspirated petrol, a 120HP – 140HP with 175Nm – 200Nm of torque 1.4 litre Turbo as well as a 180HP 1.6 litre Turbo that is carried over from the Insignia. There will also be a few turbo diesel engines including a 1.3 litre, a 1.7 litre as well as a 2.0 litre version. Continue reading to view an image gallery.

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