Opel

Opel

Tags: Steinmetz tuning Opel Astra It's a pleasure to devote yourself to something. The result can be addiction. And it can happen fast with the Steinmetz Astra Twin Top. Exciting design with additional aerodynamic components, accessories in the interior and the wheel and tyre combinations up to 19“ rims, will have both owners and observers in raptures again. Sporting and elegant, and ready for any weather, it's always at its best.

Engine:At present the Opel engine range contains four petrol variants and one diesel. Extra power is available from Steinmetz Opel-Tuning for the 1.9 CDTI diesel engine. With a control unit, the Steinmetz Astra Twin Top with 150 HP as standard then develops 175 HP. The development objective was perceptibly higher torque over a wide rev range, while still maintaining Euro 4 emission standards.For the turbo engine developing 200 HP as standard, Steinmetz Opel-Tuning also has an option for faster acceleration. Here the standard control unit is reprogrammed. Then the driver of the Steinmetz Astra Twin Top has 230 HP at his disposal.Engine 1.9 CDTI Power kW/HP: Steinmetz 129/175 – Standard 110/150Top speed: Steinmetz 212 – Standard 208Max. torque (Nm): Steinmetz 380 – Standard 315at speed (rpm): Steinmetz 2.000 – Standard 2.000Engine 2.0 turbo Power kW/HP: Steinmetz 169/230 – Standard 147/200Top speed: Steinmetz 238 – Standard 230Max. torque (Nm): Steinmetz 302 – Standard 262at speed (rpm): Steinmetz 4.400 – Standard 4.200 Exhaust:THE Steinmetz trademark is the high gloss polished, trapezoid twin pipe rear silencer. Design and sound are persuasive purchase arguments for every Opel fan. On the Steinmetz Astra Twin Top, the silencer can be fitted with or without Steinmetz rear skirt.Lowering / suspension:Connoisseurs will appreciate the set-up of the suspension lowered by 30 mm. Driving comfort and safety reserves for fast cornering were the focal points in the development. Combined with a Steinmetz wheelset, driving around the Nürburgring or cruising through the city becomes a true experience.Wheel/tyre combination:Wheel and tyre combinations from Steinmetz are available for the Astra Twin Top from 16" to 19". The latest highlights are the new ST4 and ST5 rims. The ST4 is available in size 8.0J x 18“ and the ST5 in 7.5J x 17“. Both wheels are bicolor designs which fascinate the observer with their black/silver appearance. The brilliant look is achieved with the surface finish. The resulting light reflections are the desired effect which make both wheels into true eyecatchers.Bodywork / Aerodynamics: Chief designer Michele Viandante has transformed the Astra Twin Top into a true Steinmetz Astra Twin Top. Starting with the front grille in honeycomb design, through to the two-piece rear spoiler. But one thing at a time. One striking outer symbol of Steinmetz is the honeycomb front grille with the Steinmetz logo which gives the Opel front a sporting emphasis. The front is completed by the front spoiler which fits perfectly into the standard skirt.Continuing the styling lines towards the rear are the side skirts which visually give the Astra a even lower appearance. Rearward vision is provided by the electrically adjustable, heated Steinmetz sports mirrors which are adapted to the form of the Astra.A two-piece rear spoiler provides even more downforce on the rear axle, and generates the Ooh effect for anyone viewing the Astr

a Twin Top from behind. Finally, on the same visual line as the side skirts and front skirt, Steinmetz developed the rear skirt which offers the Astra driver the option of a choice of rear silencers. Further body accessories include the designer stripes in silver or anthracite, and the aluminium filler cap cover.Interior trim:Steinmetz Opel-Tuning has developed a new aluminium gear knob for the Astra Twin Top.This fits snugly into the hand on every gear change. The interior is further enhanced by the aluminium handbrake handle, the 3-piece aluminium pedal set, and the aluminium foot rest. The Steinmetz interior is completed by the 4-piece foot mats with Steinmetz logo in stainless steel and the sill trim strips.

-*-*-*-*-

Tags: Opel Corsa autoshow Geneva Motor Show 2007 new models Opel has shifted into top gear with the new Corsa. Following the successful market launch of the bestseller’s fourth generation .
Opel now sends the sporty top version on to the road. The OPC model is the quintessential expression of the Corsa’s dynamic character, with top-level agility and vehicle control promising pure driving fun. Its 1.6-liter turbo engine with 141 kW/192 hp accelerates the compact three-door from zero to 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds and enables a top speed of 225 km/h. The maximum torque of 230 Nm, which can be temporarily increased to over 260 Nm via an 'overboost' function, is delivered to the front wheels by the standard six-speed transmission. This level of performance provides the newest member of the sporty OPC family with superb propulsion power in all driving situations. For instance, accelerating from 80 to 120 km/h takes just 6.7 seconds in fifth gear. The Corsa OPC requires 7.9 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers, a moderate figure in this performance class.It makes its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in early March, shortly before its market launch.

The top-of-the-line Corsa’s look also reflects pure sportiness. The roof spoiler, as well as the powerful front and rear aprons with distinctive gill-like air intakes and outlets make the OPC a real eye-catcher. Elements such as the darkly contrasting diffuser with integrated, centrally located triangular tailpipe and specially designed exterior mirrors are just a few examples of how much attention to detail was put into further developing the Corsa’s bold, sporty character. The Corsa OPC’s chassis has a unique, even sportier character thanks to extensive modifications. Through intensive tuning drives on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, engineers were able to achieve a sophisticated balance of agile handling and pronounced vehicle control. Key modifications include a stronger rear axle profile and adjusted torsion beam rear axle weld-in angle, new spring/dampener tuning, lowering of the chassis by 10 mm and a larger stabilizer. The standard ESP system, which can be deactivated, has also been tuned to the car’s sporty character. The new Corsa OPC comes with 17-inch alloy wheels with 215/45 R17 tires ex works, while 18-inch rims and size 225 tires are available as an option. The large 16-inch brake system with blue painted brake calipers ensures powerful deceleration: the Corsa OPC boasts internally ventilated, 308 mm front disk brakes and 264 mm disk brakes at the rear.Sportiness also dominates the Corsa OPC’s cockpit.

In addition to the typical OPC door sills, chrome-ringed instruments with red pointers and blue-ringed air vents (also available in silver), the flat-bottomed leather sports steering wheel is especially eye-catching. Also reminiscent of motor sport vehicles, the steering wheel features a blue (or optionally silver) ring at its crown, while the center console in piano lacquer finish and aluminum pedals underline the sporty, high quality ambience.Particularly striking are the newly developed Recaro sports seats with integrated head restraints. The race-car-like seats protect both the driver and front passenger with integrated side airbags − a world premiere for this type of seat.The introduction of the Corsa expands Opel’s OPC program to five model lines. The top-of-the-line Vectra OPC with 206 kW/280 hp is available as a sedan or station wagon. The Zafira OPC − the fastest production van in the world with a top speed of 231 km/h − and the Astra OPC both have a 177 kW/240 hp, two-liter turbo engine. The Meriva OPC is powered by an engine similar to that of the Corsa OPC: with 132 kW/180 hp and a top speed of over 220 km/h, the versatile five-seater is unique in the minivan segment.

“The OPC models embody pure sportiness, infusing the brand with emotion and passion. That is why the OPC version fits brilliantly to the new Corsa, which is positioned as a young car offering plenty of fun,” says Alain Visser, Executive Director, European Opel Marketing.

-*-*-*-*-

Tags: Opel concept cars 78th International Geneva Motor Show

World premiere: FlexDoors make monocabs more comfortable, versatile and saferDesign: Dynamic lines with no concessions in practicalityLifestyle: Exit the rear of the car in styleWith the dynamically styled Meriva Concept, Opel/Vauxhall presents the next level of monocab flexibility at the International Motor Show in Geneva (March 6 – 16, 2008). The concept car features rear-hinged rear doors on both sides of the car called FlexDoors. While the front doors are conventionally designed with front hinges, the rear doors swing open towards the back of the car. Another feature of the family-oriented Meriva Concept is that the front and rear doors can open independently of each other. Rear-hinged rear doors already on the market can only be opened after the front door has been opened, which severely limits their practicality.GM’s patented FlexDoors innovation offers a wide range of benefits:Greater functionality: entering and exiting the vehicle is more convenient as the rear doors open to a 90-degree angle, creating a much wider aperture than standard car doors. Thanks to the high roofline, rear passengers also have more headroom when getting in and out of the car.The interior is much more accessible, so stowing a briefcase behind the front seat, for instance, is considerably easier.Higher level of safety: securing children in the back seats is much easier. The rear-hinged rear doors also improve control over children exiting the car, as they can be better seen from the different seating positions. The “safety zone” created between both doors also makes it much more difficult for them to step out into traffic than with conventional doors.More style: entering and exiting the rear of the vehicle not only looks cool and elegant, but also feels much more natural.FlexDoors’ smooth operation is backed up by an array of patented innovations developed by GM engineers.A safety system ensures the doors can only be opened from the inside or outside when there is no risk to the passengers. The Meriva Concept also features an automatic electronic child lock, which supplements the conventional mechanical system. The concept car also has B-pillars not only for independent opening but also for side-impact safety reasons.The Meriva Concept’s design is distinguished by its attractive combination of practicality and spaciousness with very dynamic and cool styling. The concept car’s distinctive window line, arched roof, wide track and impressively sculpted body give a good indication of what is to be expected from future Opel/Vauxhall production monocabs.“The Meriva Concept clearly illustrates how our new Opel/Vauxhall design language can be adapted to create bold, fresh design solutions for the monocab segment,” says Mark Adams, Vice President of Design, General Motors Europe. Especially eye-catching is the dynamic ‘wave’ of the window line just behind the B-pillars, which provides an excellent all-round view for rear passengers. This also enabled designers to create a dynamic and unique silhouette and still provide good visibility for children in the rear. The body also boasts the distinctive “blade” bodyside form, which was a design element of the GTC Coupé and Flextreme. Another feature is the U-shaped windshield, which stretches up and back over the rear passengers’ heads. Rear section elements – in particular the rear lights – echo the Insignia, Opel/Vauxhall’s new upper mid-size class car due to be unveiled in the summer. The monocab’s roof slopes gently downward towards the rear, underlining its dynamic character.“The FlexDoors concept is a logical enhancement of our monocabs’ flexibility,” explains Alain Visser, Chief Marketing Officer, General Motors Europe. “With the Zafira’s Flex7® seating system and the Meriva’s FlexSpace concept, we took on a similar pioneering role in interior flexibility.”Opel/Vauxhall is enjoying great success with its monocab designs: in 2007, almost 335,000 Zafira and Meriva models were sold. And with the new Agila, monocab experts Opel/Vauxhall now also offer an entry-level monocab in the mini-car segment. Every fifth Opel/Vauxhall model sold today is a monocab, while in the total market it is just every eighth car.