2011 Opel Astra Sports Tourer Photos

2011 Opel Astra Sports Tourer Front Action View

2011 Opel Astra Sports Tourer Family Car

2011 Opel Astra Sports Tourer Side View

2011 Opel Astra Sports Tourer Car Picture

2011 Opel Astra Sports Tourer Rear Action View

2011 Opel Astra Sports Tourer Cargo Room

2011 Opel Astra Sports Tourer Photos

2011 New Opel Astra GSI Concept Cars Third Millennium

The new Opel Astra GSi will be unveiled in October at the Paris Auto Show and will go on sale later this year or early in 2011. The 2011 Opel Astra GSi will feature various new design elements, including a re-styled front bumper, new wheel arches, a small rear diffuser and double exhaust pipes.

2011 New Opel Astra GSI Concept Cars Third Millennium

Opel fans al already asking when will the new Astra GSI will make its debut. Today we have the answer for them: the new 2011 Opel Astra GSI will make its debut this autumn at the Paris Motor Show, according to the latest reports from Auto Motor und Sport.

The new Opel Astra GSi 5-door layout back to talk about himself, with eloquent spy photos. The famous symbol will return to sport compact Russelsheim later this year. In fact, the Astra GSi will officially introduce yourself to October at the Paris Motor Show and will be sharing the catwalk in Paris with the new Sports Cars Tourer estate.

The new vehicle will carry, as expected, a 2.0-liter Turbo engine which will deliver around 190 hp… we do hope that this will get at least 200 hp in order to take on the Vw Golf GTI. Regarding the OPC version this will carry over 240 hp. The new Astra GSI will also come with a new body kit which will include wider wheel arches, a new front and rear bumper, new side sills, dual exhaust pipes and a dual-tone interior with Recaro sport buckets. Most sources say the 2011 Opel Astra GSi will only be available in the 5 door body style. The 3 door will be sold only as a OPC / GTC.

The new Opel Astra GSi be the top version of the variant 5-door, while the symbol OPC will be given only to the three-door GTC. The 2011 New Opel Astra GSi third millennium will be equipped with the 2.0 Turbo petrol engine, whose maximum should be around 190-200 horses. The Astra OPC boasts a 2.0-litre turbocharged motor with 177kW. The GSI should feature about 140kW or so.

The sports chassis will be recognizable to the wider wheel arches and front bumper changed. At the rear, as well as the letters GSi, Opel Astra in this version will be distinguished for the double exhaust. Even in the cockpit there are specific characterizations, such as two-tone sport seats.

The Astra GSi price will be announced at a later date.

The 2010 Buick Regal - Opel Derived and Inspired

The 2010 Buick Regal - Opel Derived and Inspired

The news is just coming out that Buick's Regal will be making a return to the brand's line up. Produced by GM from 1973 to 2004, the Regal was at one time one of the best selling Buicks, offered in two and/or four door body formats. The most well known iteration of the Regal was the Grand National, a stock car that won several titles in the 1980s.

GM has been considering reviving the Regal name for some time. The company is turning to its European division, Opel, to produce the Regal, a model currently sold in China. Right now the Opel Insignia is sold across much of western Europe, thus GM is expected to offer a Buick version of that car by swapping out its grill and replacing Opel badging with Buick.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matthew_Keegan

Opel Agila

Opel Agila 2008

5 doors and 5 seats, the new Opel Agila is not only as practical as its predecessor, which sold over 440,000 units, but is now also much more dynamically designed. The small, versatile Opel was unveiled to the public at the 2007 IAA in Frankfurt (September 13 - 23, 2007) and made its market premiere in spring 2008. It boasts balanced proportions, soft curves and a distinctive side graphic. Its passengers still sit high and upright, but the roofline has been dynamically lowered and now blends into a smooth arc toward the rear. This helps create the Opel Agila's aerodynamic drag coefficient of 0.35 - a relatively low figure for a vehicle of this size. The urban car is now 20 centimeters longer, six centimeters wider, but seven centimeters lower than its predecessor.

The front boasts typical Opel styling. With its round headlamps integrated into almond-shaped lamp units that echo the new Corsa, the Opel Agila sees the world through wide eyes. The tapering of the front and rear bumpers are also typical Opel elements, just like the crease in the hood. The rear also features several rounded details. The positioning of the narrow light units, which are accented by the spherically styled rear lights, allowed designers to create a large, easy load-through tailgate.

The same is true for the interior: the boring days are over. A wide selection of fresh colors and modern styles create an ambience that's enhanced even more by the spacious headroom. The versatile five-seater's high seating position ensures good visibility, while the high placed gear stick and height-adjustable steering wheel with radio remote controls ensure easy operation. The rev counter is housed separately on the instrument panel. All other information readouts are given on large, distinctive, round instruments.
As an urban car it also offers plenty of compartments and boxes for storing all passengers' belongings. But it's not just car essentials that the new Opel Agila stows away easily. Despite its compact exterior dimensions, the new Opel urban car boasts a surprisingly large compartment. Its standard capacity up to the compartment cover is 225 liters, large enough for a stroller, for example. One turn of a handle drops the rear bench seat back, increasing the load volume to an impressive 1050 liters - a top value in this segment. The rear bench seat and back also splits 60:40 for even greater versatility.

All Opel Agila models have a wide range of standard equipment, including safety features such as ABS, front and side airbags for driver and front passenger, front passenger airbag deactivation and mountings for the ISOFIX child seat system. And thanks to the five doors as standard, small children can be secured into a child seat quickly and safely. Standard comfort features in the entry-level version include speed-dependent power steering, height-adjustable driver and front passenger seats, washer with interval selection and power tailgate with touchpad. The Enjoy model boasts an even greater range of standard features.

2 gasoline engines make their world premiere in the new Opel Agila. Supplied by cooperation partner Suzuki, they share the same aluminum cylinder block and head, as well as two overhead camshafts.
The entry-level unit is the almost one-liter, three-cylinder gasoline engine. The four-valve unit produces 65 hp (48 kW) and has a top speed of 160 km/h. The 1.2-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine produces 86 hp (63 kW), accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in less than 12 seconds and has a top speed of 174 km/h (values for five-speed manual version). This engine is now optionally available with a four-speed automatic transmission - an especially attractive alternative for city driving.

The fuel-saving master among the Opel Agila engines is the 1.3-liter common-rail turbo-diesel. Developed by GM Powertrain, the diesel engine is a true multi-talent and also offers an especially efficient alternative in the Corsa and Astra model lines. In the new Opel Agila it produces 75 hp (55 kW), has a top speed of 162 km/h and a zero to 100 km/h sprint of 13.5 seconds. The powerful diesel unit with a maximum torque of 190 Nm is very economical: on average it consumes less than five liters per 100 km, which represents a CO2 per kilometer value of under 130 g.
Make the Opel Agila even more agile - that was the aim during chassis development. The new dynamic look is also reflected in the car's responsiveness. The Opel Agila's chassis, which features A-arms and McPherson struts in front and a torsion beam axle in the rear, is tuned for driving fun. Depending on the market and equipment variant, the Opel Agila also features an Electronic Stability Program (ESP).

Opel GTC Concept

Opel GTC Concept Heralds New Design Era for the Brand

The GTC Concept embodies the confident, emotional direction we're taking with Opel. Its exciting lines combined with its high driving dynamics and interior flexibility reflect what the Opel brand trademark characteristics will be in the future.

The four-seat coupé is powered by a 220 kW/300 hp, 2.8-liter V6 turbo gasoline engine and features an intelligent, electronically-controlled four-wheel drive system, which provides optimum traction and stability as well as excellent agility in all driving conditions.
Brand-typical on-board flexibility is ensured by the thoughtful "Flex4" system (patent application submitted). The backs of both rear seats can be docked separately to the front seats by remote control, creating a spacious three or two-seater with flat load floor and up to 1020 liters of luggage compartment capacity. As is typical of Opel cars, the seats do not have to be removed or installed.


Dynamic design: Visually communicating the Opel brand promise
The GTC Concept reveals the next-generation of Opel styling. Much like the Opel Speedster did in 1999, or the GTC Genève Concept did in 2003 this car marks a break in the evolution of Opel's design language and signals that the next chapter is about to be written.

Key elements of the silk grey-lacquered Coupé concept car finished with a matte grey paint (length/width/height: 4830/1867/1432 millimeters, wheelbase: 2737 mm) begin with an aggressive front end performance face emphasized by large aluminum vertical intakes that intersect the headlamps. These vertical elements are mimicked in the rear exhaust elements, proposing an unmistakable down-the-road signature performance graphic, coming or going.

The proud front is highlighted by a prominent, trapezoidal grille with signature Opel bar and Blitz, executed in polished aluminum, and gracefully finished with a bolder Opel Blitz emblem concept. The centerline crease coupled with the distinctive aluminum vertical intakes and outboard LED vertical driving lamps choreograph in harmony to visually communicate power and strength. The distinctive design continues with LED technology, enabling creative headlamp inner shapes that propose a night time signature illumination graphic in the front and rear lamps.

Another significant design cue of the two-door sport-coupé with its sleek silhouette is the sophisticated bodyside shapes and surfacing. The sheetmetal surfaces suggest athleticism coupled with elegance to provide tasteful distinction in a visually loud marketplace. The car features sculpted side lines that further progress the Opel profile shown on the Antara and Opel GT production vehicles.
In addition, large flares hug the aggressive wheel and tire package, visually suggesting road confidence to the customer. Thanks to the wide track (front/rear: 1627/1629 mm), the Opel GTC Concept provides a commanding stance, planted by 20-inch rims with 245/40 R20 "red line" styled rubber. The wheels reference the motor sport aesthetic of black rims - however, elegantly finished with high- gloss black spokes contrasted with machine polished edges, alluding a signature performance wheel look.

The GTC Concept's rear visual solutions strategically echo the design language of the nose with an integrated rear bar and blitz emblem resting on the distinctive Opel rear center crease. Sophisticated surface development sculpturally integrates the rear spoiler into the sheetmetal to visually communicate performance. The rear appearance features Opel signature shaped rear lamps, uniquely displaying a LED night lighting graphic showcasing the exterior brand identity. The smart exterior shape and aerodynamic characteristics are rewarded by the cD value of 0.25.

The Interior design: Warmer and more inviting
Opel's interior designs have progressed to become warmer and more inviting in products like the new Corsa, Antara and Opel GT. However, the Opel GTC Concept significantly represents the next chapter of Opel's interior brand identity. Echoing the exterior, the interior shapes and surfaces are sculpturally-crafted to visually articulate a dynamic driving experience. The dashboard's top-pad wraps around from the instrument panel to the door, embracing the occupants. The sweeping décor dynamically stretches one's eye from the surfaces of the door and instrument panel, creating a memorable environment. The horizontal theme is secured with a large integrated centerstack design floating above the décor surface, an appearance reminiscent of premium audio equipment.

Complementing the exterior material theme, matte ebony surfaces are contrasted with rich high-gloss piano black décor finishes and structurally elegant aluminum accents, revealing a new standard of Opel aesthetics. The U-shaped aluminum graphic on the steering wheel is reflected again on the center console and the gear shifter, visually connecting the driving interfaces to emphasize Opel's driving dynamics. The rotating navigation control is ergonomically positioned, allowing it to easily be located and controlled by the driver, without having to remove his/her eyes from the road. The four, sporty, round instruments encircled by translucent rings are backlit in dynamic red, replacing Opel's traditional amber tones. These interior appearance solutions intentionally reinforce the dynamic ownership experience Opel provides.


As a final identity concept, the refined "redline" graphic of the tire pattern is vertically woven into the contoured sport seat surfaces and the centerline of the steering wheel, proposing that a visual performance identity can be distinctive without compromising taste.
Intelligent packaging: Compact exterior with spacious, flexible interior
With the lower seating position and vertical hip point ? known as the H-point? , both front occupants sit perfectly integrated in the car. Thanks to the lower-set instrument panel, outward visibility remains excellent. This also provides a generous sense of space, an effect strengthened by its color: the instrument panel's upper section is dark, while the lower section is light.
The intelligent packaging is further highlighted by plenty of space in the rear of the Opel Concept car, despite its flat roof line: rear headroom is 920 millimeters. The rear seats are set low, but the four-seat, two-door car still offers Opel's brand-typical flexibility thanks to a novelty developed by Opel engineers: the "Flex4" interior concept (patent application submitted).
"Flex4" enables the backs of both the rear seats in the Coupé concept car to be moved forward separately at the touch of a button via sensor-control and docked to the front seats. The luggage compartment cover is thereby automatically pulled over the remaining seat surfaces in the floor. This creates a three or two-seater with a flat load floor up to 1.80 meters long. Luggage compartment capacity increases from 500 liters to 755 liters (three-seater) or up to 1020 liters (maximum capacity: up to waistline).

Powerful engine and intelligent four-wheel drive system
The Opel GTC concept car is powered by a turbocharged, 220 kW/300 hp, 2.8-liter V6 gasoline engine with two variable camshafts, which is combined with a six-speed manual transmission. Maximum torque of 400 Nm is available from 1850 up to 4500 rpm, and accelerating from zero to 100 km/h is calculated to take around six seconds. Top speed is limited to 250 km/h.

The power from the high-tech turbo engine is channeled via an advanced, electronically-controlled four-wheel drive system, which is fully integrated into the car's adaptive IDSPlus chassis management system. An electronically-regulated torque transfer device seamlessly distributes power between the front and rear axles for optimum traction and driving performance. The high-speed control allows more power to be provided to the rear axle before any traction loss can occur, for example during quick acceleration. This creates a driving feel similar to a sporty rear-wheel drive car. An electronically-controlled limited slip differential at the rear axle provides additional stability and traction thanks to torque distribution between the rear wheels.

Major benefits of the Opel GTC Concept's intelligent four-wheel drive system are: optimum traction and stability in all driving conditions as well as excellent agility and an active driving feel.

2011 Opel Vauxhall Ampera Plug-in Hybrid

The most enlightening spy photos of the production version of the 2011 Opel Ampera plopped in our inbox today. At first we thought it was just the concept model out testing, but a closer look at the completely undisguised Ampera with the German license plates revealed that this is the actual production model that's due to go on sale in Europe and the UK (as a Vauxhall) in late 2011.

2011 Opel Vauxhall Ampera Plug-in Hybrid

Vauxhall Ampera will be unveiled along with Vauxhall Meriva compact MPV at the Geneva Motor Show 2010. Vauxhall Ampera, schedule for production late next year, is a five-door four-seater with same design DNA as Astra and the Car of the year-winning Insignia. Ampera uses extended-range electric vehicle (E-REV) technology. E-REV uses electricity as its primary power source, supplemented by a small engine to generate electricity for its motors when electric power runs low. This helps the Ampera overcome the ‘range anxiety’ issues associated with pure electric cars.

2011 Opel Vauxhall Ampera Plug-in Hybrid

Unlike other conventional propulsion systems, E-REV uses electricity as its primary power source, supplemented by a small engine to generate electricity for its motors when electric power runs low. This helps the Ampera overcome the ‘range anxiety’ issues associated with pure electric cars. Vauxhall will unveil not one, but two cars at this year’s Geneva Motor Show on March 2, with world premieres of the all-new Meriva compact MPV and a futuristic concept car, which is set to boost the company’s credentials as a leader in environmental vehicles.

2011 Opel Vauxhall Ampera Plug-in Hybrid

A quick recap of the details we already know, the Ampera will use the same plug-in hybrid gasoline-electric drivetrain as the Volt. It mates a powerful electric motor and a 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery pack to a 75HP 1.4-liter gasoline engine. But unlike conventional hybrids that use gasoline engines to power the wheels when the battery is depleted, the Ampera uses the petrol unit to generate electricity for the electric motor that always drives the (front) wheels. Owners will be able to charge the battery pack with a home outlet and drive for about 64km or 40 miles before the gasoline engine-generator kicks in to extend the Ampera's range to more than to more than 300 miles or 480 kilometers.

2011 Opel Vauxhall Ampera Plug-in Hybrid

Bolstering this message still further at the show will be the groundbreaking Ampera extended-range electric vehicle and Vauxhall’s most economical production car to date, the latest Corsa ecoFLEX.

2011 Opel Vauxhall Ampera Plug-in Hybrid

‘Vauxhall is covering all bases at Geneva,’ said Duncan Aldred, Vauxhall’s Managing Director. ‘With the Meriva, we have a unique and innovative take on family motoring, but the concept car and Ampera prove that we are truly at the forefront of environmental technology. These vehicles also show that their versatility and efficiency doesn’t come at the expense of stunning design.’

2011 Opel Vauxhall Ampera Plug-in Hybrid

The most enlightening spy photos of the production version of the 2011 Opel Ampera plopped in our inbox today. At first we thought it was just the concept model out testing, but a closer look at the completely undisguised Ampera with the German license plates revealed that this is the actual production model that's due to go on sale in Europe and the UK (as a Vauxhall) in late 2011.

2011 Opel Vauxhall Ampera Plug-in Hybrid

Vauxhall Ampera will be unveiled along with Vauxhall Meriva compact MPV at the Geneva Motor Show 2010. Vauxhall Ampera, schedule for production late next year, is a five-door four-seater with same design DNA as Astra and the Car of the year-winning Insignia. Ampera uses extended-range electric vehicle (E-REV) technology. E-REV uses electricity as its primary power source, supplemented by a small engine to generate electricity for its motors when electric power runs low. This helps the Ampera overcome the ‘range anxiety’ issues associated with pure electric cars.

2011 Opel Vauxhall Ampera Plug-in Hybrid

Unlike other conventional propulsion systems, E-REV uses electricity as its primary power source, supplemented by a small engine to generate electricity for its motors when electric power runs low. This helps the Ampera overcome the ‘range anxiety’ issues associated with pure electric cars. Vauxhall will unveil not one, but two cars at this year’s Geneva Motor Show on March 2, with world premieres of the all-new Meriva compact MPV and a futuristic concept car, which is set to boost the company’s credentials as a leader in environmental vehicles.

2011 Opel Vauxhall Ampera Plug-in Hybrid

A quick recap of the details we already know, the Ampera will use the same plug-in hybrid gasoline-electric drivetrain as the Volt. It mates a powerful electric motor and a 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery pack to a 75HP 1.4-liter gasoline engine. But unlike conventional hybrids that use gasoline engines to power the wheels when the battery is depleted, the Ampera uses the petrol unit to generate electricity for the electric motor that always drives the (front) wheels. Owners will be able to charge the battery pack with a home outlet and drive for about 64km or 40 miles before the gasoline engine-generator kicks in to extend the Ampera's range to more than to more than 300 miles or 480 kilometers.

2011 Opel Vauxhall Ampera Plug-in Hybrid

Bolstering this message still further at the show will be the groundbreaking Ampera extended-range electric vehicle and Vauxhall’s most economical production car to date, the latest Corsa ecoFLEX.

2011 Opel Vauxhall Ampera Plug-in Hybrid

‘Vauxhall is covering all bases at Geneva,’ said Duncan Aldred, Vauxhall’s Managing Director. ‘With the Meriva, we have a unique and innovative take on family motoring, but the concept car and Ampera prove that we are truly at the forefront of environmental technology. These vehicles also show that their versatility and efficiency doesn’t come at the expense of stunning design.’