Mutant Opel Astra Station Wagon

Of all the excessive custom creations that we've shown you through these pages over the years, this 1999 Opel Astra Station Wagon from Holland must be one of the most bizarre –and that's an understatement- ever.

While keeping the standard model's…82HP-strong 2.0-liter diesel engine, the owner modified the late 1990s Astra estate with anything he could find including an Audi front end, a wide body kit with excessive wheel arches and more vents than a cheese grater.

But wait, there's more: the Astra SW also features a pair of Lambo-style scissor doors up front and….Gullwing-style doors at the back. Inside, we find four-bucket seats (to keep you in place from all those Gs generated by the 82 stallions under the hood) and a decorative NOS kit.

Perhaps the most ridiculous aspect of this story is that the owner put the car up for sale with an asking price of…€12,000 or about US$17,200!

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2012 Opel Insignia, With 140HP 1.4 Turbo and 250HP 2.0 Turbo

The Opel Insignia is entering the 2012 model year with some modest upgrades that include the broader availability of the 1.4-liter and 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engines in more markets across Europe and new technology systems.
Even though Opel makes word of a new 1.4-liter Turbo petrol that replaces the naturally aspirated 1.8-liter unit with the same output, as well as a new 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol for the 4x4 model with 30 more horses for a total of 250HP, we know for a fact that both engines were already available in certain market.
That said, we reckon Opel means it will roll out the new engine options to all markets across Europe with the 2012 Insignia.
As a reminder, the 1.4-liter Turbo ecoFLEX offers the Insignia a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 10.9 seconds and a top speed of 205km/h, while returning a combined fuel efficiency of 5.9lt/100km (39.9mpg US with CO2 emissions of 134g/km.
The 250HP (184kW) 2.0-liter Turbo accelerates the Insignia 4x4 from zero to 100km/h) in 7.5 seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). It consumes 8.9 lt/100 km (26.4mpg US) on average with CO2 emissions of 209g/km.
For the new model year, Opel will also enhance the 220HP 2.0-liter Turbo Insignia with front-wheel drive and six-speed manual transmission, with a start/stop system, aerodynamic underbody paneling and rolling-resistance-optimized tires, all of which will help reduce fuel consumption by 0.5 to 7.6 liters per 100km and CO2 emissions from 189g/km to 179g/km.
Throughout the range, Buick Regal's European counterpart benefits from the new Navi 600 and Navi 900 Europa infotainment systems featuring SD cards, a revised front camera that adds a Following Distance Indication function to the traffic sign recognition and lane departure warning systems, new available leather trims and a new dark metallic lacquer “Luxor" exterior color.
The updated for the 2012 model year Opel Insignia will make its first public appearance at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

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Opel Says Second Generation Ampera Will be Cheaper

Even though deliveries of Opel’s extended-range hybrid aren’t expected to begin until early 2012, the company is already planning the successor to the Chevy Volt’s European alter-ego.
According to British magazine Autocar, the second generation of the Opel / Vauxhall Ampera is scheduled for release in 2015 and, if sources from within the company are reliable, it feature a more radical design and a lower starting price than the current model.
In the UK for example, the Vauxhall Ampera, which is already available to order, costs a rather steep £28,995 –and that is after the government’s £5,000 rebate. Opel engineers say that the battery pack alone costs around £7,000 but improvements in technology in the next four years will enable the company to reduce the cost by 50%.
However, that’s not enough. Opel CEO Nick Reilly said the price of the Ampera will be further reduced by economies of scale due to increased demand and more localized production: “We have an education job to do on the technology of the Ampera, but that will come in time. We hope that it will establish itself as a market leader and we’ll be able to capitalize on that with a cheaper, more expressively designed second generation model”.
Economies of scale could also come from fitting the Ampera’s extended-range powertrain in other Opel and Vauxhall models. If this happens, then the cost of tooling and manufacturing would drop significantly further lowering the costs.
Nevertheless, GM has to first assess sales of the model before it goes ahead with any decision, such as manufacturing its next generation in Europe, as it currently builds it alongside the Volt at its Warren, Michigan plant in the US. So far, things are looking good since 7,000 of the 10,000 units allocated for 2012 are already presold, with 75% of the sales going to fleet customers.
Opel would also like to give the next-gen Ampera a more aggressive style that will be more in line with the other models in its range.
The German firm's designers didn’t have a lot of freedom in the first generation because of the restraints forced on them by the car being a rebadged Volt. If they get the green light, the 2015 model will follow the company's new design “language” , recently previewed in the brand-new Opel Zafira Tourer.

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Irmscher Sports up the New Opel Astra GTC

Well-known Opel tuner, Irmscher, is one of the first to get its hands on the new generation of the Astra GTC revealing details on its customazation program ahead of the car's world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
The upgrade starts with a performance package for the Astra GTC with the 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline engine. A stage 1 kit lifts output from 180-horses and 230Nm to 212HP and 274 Nm (202 lb-ft).
Exhaust exits through a stainless-steel system with new quad exhaust tips while handling is improved via a sports suspension that lowers the ride height by 30mm.
The Irmscher styling package for all Astra GTCs includes a front apron, new upper and lower grilles, side sills, a larger roof spoiler, and a rear diffuser.
Customer can choose from several alloy wheel designs in sizes up to 21 inches.
As for the interior, the German tuner's offerings include leather upholstery and aluminum trim and pedals.

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Opel and Chevrolet too close for Comfort?

Sibling rivalry: every family faces it, at one point or another. And what are automotive groups such as General Motors if not one, big (and bailout-happy) family? Platform and parts sharing is the name of the game in order to reduce costs and maximize profit margins. But what happens when two brands, like Opel and Chevrolet start to overlap each other?

Having introduced five new cars in the past 18 months and on the verge of launching a major TV, print and digital campaign this summer to celebrate its centennial anniversary, Chevrolet is trying to become more premium.
However, as it becomes more attractive, while also retaining its value for money position, it starts to tiptoe on Opel's shoes. And that, according to Opel’s CEO Nick Reilly, is a problem they need to work out.
Reilly suggests that, even though research shows only 1.5% of Opel buyers would consider a Chevy, Opel still needs to move more upmarket in order to differentiate itself
“Undoubtedly Chevrolet will move up the pecking order with the quality of new products that have been launched and which are planned for launch,” Reilly told British magazine Autocar. “Therefore it’s logical that we’d like to see the Opel/Vauxhall product range and company image move up accordingly to keep them separated.”
Wayne Brannon, President of Chevrolet Europe, thinks that what sets his brand apart is its American identity: "If you ask 100 Europeans what they know about Chevrolet, research shows that 85 of them think of 'Chevy' as a brand with American roots and values. No other volume brand in this marketplace can say that".
Reilly agrees stating, “Chevrolet is an American brand with its own reputation and a goal of always being priced below the mainstream. In contrast, Opel and Vauxhall are very European brands. Cars such as the Meriva and Ampera show that we can lead in areas of technology in a way that Chevrolet won’t”.
Right. Like Chevrolet would ever have the technology to develop and build something called the Volt, start selling it in the US and then let Opel rebadge it as the Ampera for Europe…

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New Opel Combo in Passenger Car

Meet the new Opel Combo, GM Europe’s latest offer in the light commercial vehicle segment that will also be available in a passenger car version.

In case you didn’t notice, Opel’s newcomer is based on the Fiat Doblo van with the exterior styling changes over the Italian model limited to the design of the front bumper that somewhat awkwardly incorporates the German firm’s family grille.

The previous generations of the Opel Combo van shared their platforms, interior components and body panels with the Corsa, but last year, GM signed a contract agreement with Fiat for the supply of several commercial vehicles including the Combo.

The Fiat-based Combo will be offered in a variety of models. For example, the panel van will be available with a a choice of two wheelbases, measuring 2,755 mm or 3,105 mm long and providing an overall vehicle length of 4.39 and 4.74 meters respectively, as well as two roof heights, 1.85 m or 2.10m.

Opel said the short-wheelbase model offers up to 3,800 liters of cargo space with the seat folded down, while the long-wheelbase version, up to 4,600 liters.The passenger car model will be available as a minivan with five or seven seats and a paneled or glazed body.

There are six available engines including four diesel, one gasoline and a CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) unit.

The diesel range comprises 1.3 CDTI and 1.6 CDTI motors, each with 90HP, as well as a 1.6-liter CDTI variant with 105HP and a 2.0-liter CDTI unit delivering 135-horses.

The 1.4-liter gasoline engine produces 95HP, while the CNG version, which runs on natural gas, is rated at 120-horses.

The gasoline and 1.3 CDTI engines are equipped with five-speed manual gearboxes, while the CNG engine and the more powerful CDTI units have a six-speed manual gearboxes. The 90HP 1.6 CDTI is also offered with Opel’s ’Easytronic’ automated five-speed manual transmission.

A Start/Stop system is offered on all powertrains expect the CNG and the 90HP 1.6 CDTI when equipped with the Easytronic transmission.

The new Opel Combo goes on sale in Europe this autumn.

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GM Gonna Bring Compact Opel Back To America

Think οf German autοmakers and you are likely tο conjure up names like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Vοlkswagen, Porsche and Audi. Thοse are the οnes we get on this side οf the Atlantic. In their home market, they are jοined, most nοtably, by Opel.

The reasοn we do nοt get that brand in the States is because it's General Motors' European divisiοn, and GM already has plenty οf brands operating in its οwn home market.

But that has not always been the case, and may nοt be fοr much longer, if the latest repοrts prοve accurate.

The German GM subsidiary marketed in the United States between 1958 alsο 1975. Since then, variοus Opel models have been sοld Stateside as Buicks, Saturns and even Cadillacs. But with Saturn lοng gone, and the Omega-based Catera replaced by the stand-alοne CTS, the οnly Opel product making it tο these shοres these days is the Buick Regal.

Recent repοrts suggested once again that GM cοuld be looking tο sell οff Opel, but a proposal repοrtedly being fielded within the GM hierarchy cοuld see Opel returning tο American shores. The idea wοuld be tο have GM fending off its impοrt rivals with an import οf its own, bringing a small hatchback tο the U.S. market wearing an Opel badge and a nameplate such as Juniοr οr Allegra.

Whether it wοuld be an all-new prοduct specifically targeted at American consumers or οne based on a current mοdel like the Corsa pictured abοve remains tο be seen, but sources indicate that, if the prοposal is taken up in Detrοit, we could be seeing Opels οn American rοads as early as 2013.

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2012 Buick Regal GS Officially Rated at 270HP

The official performance and fuel economy numbers on the 2012 Buick Regal GS are out. When GM revealed the Buick’s sports sedan in production trim at the Detroit Motor Show this past January, the company estimated that the Regal GS was good for 255HP and a 0-60mph time of less than 7 seconds.
Now GM announced that the Regal GS’ 2.0-liter direct-injected turbocharged four-cylinder engine has been SAE-certified to deliver 270 horsepower (201kW) and 295 lb.-ft. of torque (400Nm) fat 2,400 rpm or an estimated 0-60 mph performance of 6.7 seconds, or 0.9 seconds slower than the car’s European sibling, the Opel Insignia OPC that features a 325HP V6 and AWD.
Power in the North American model is channeled to the front-wheels only through a six-speed manual gearbox, with GM stating that the Regal GS gets an estimated fuel economy of 28 mpg (8.4 lt/100km) on the highway
“The Regal GS 2.0L turbo delivers the highest specific output of any production engine GM has ever offered, and at 135 hp per liter is the most power dense engine ever certified by SAE,” said Mike Anderson, Ecotec global chief engineer and program manager.
“We’ve been combining direct injection and variable valve timing with boosted engines since 2006, and there’s no question the Regal GS turbo has the responsiveness and acceleration of some V-6s, while delivering the fuel economy you’d expect of a four-cylinder,” Anderson added.
The new 2012 Regal GS will go on sale in the States this fall with prices to be announced closer to launch.

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