Opel Meriva Concept

Opel Meriva Concept

The Opel Meriva Concept takes flexibility to new heights with its innovative FlexDoors system, which consists of rear-hinged rear doors that swing open toward the back of the car. As the B-pillars have been purposely retained for passive security reasons, the Meriva Concept's front and rear doors can also be opened independently of each other. Other rear-hinged rear doors already on the market can only be opened after the front door has been opened.

The FlexDoors system enhances comfort and functionality, as the highest point of the roof - just behind the B-pillars - is exactly where the passengers enter and exit the vehicle. This architecture enabled designers to create a very dynamic and unique silhouette, with the arched roof line sloping down to the C-pillars.

Especially eye-catching is the dynamic "wave" in the window line just behind the B-pillars, which provides an excellent all-round view for rear passengers, particularly for children. The body 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 - echoing the Astra GTC's panorama windshield. The slim A-pillars and windshield pulled far down ensure plenty of light and a spacious interior atmosphere. Both elements contribute to the outstanding all-round visibility for the occupants.

Opel Corsa GSi

Opel Corsa GSi, 2008

The new Opel Corsa GSi is 'more substance than show'. In contrast to the Opel Corsa OPC, the new GSi radiates subtle sportiness rather than uncompromising high-performance. Powerful 1.6 ECOTEC turbo engine produces 110 kW/150 hp at 5000 rpm, positioning the new sporty model between the Corsa Sport 1.7 CDTI (125 hp) and the high-performance Corsa OPC (192 hp).

Opel fans know just what the three letters GSi stand for:
plenty of fun, good value for money and no compromises in everyday use or driving conditions. The Corsa GSi combines the virtues of its compact dimensions with impressive performance over the entire rpm range, which actually positions the model in the next higher car class." The addition of the GSi to the Corsa model line expands the range to five gasoline and three diesel variants with a performance spectrum of 60 to 192 hp. Over 320.000 new Corsas have been sold across Europe since the fourth-generation's launch in October 2006.

Corsa GSi customers have the choice of a three or five-door variant. Powered by the 1.6-liter turbo gasoline engine, the new Corsa has a top speed of 210 km/h and accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 8.1 seconds. The Electric Power Steering (EPS) with variable progressive feedback curve and lowered sport chassis (front: 18 mm, rear: 15 mm) with ESP as standard ensure agile handling.

The Opel Corsa GSi's styling is also subtly sporty, with exterior modifications such as a front spoiler lip, rear apron lip and spoiler, color-keyed side sills, chrome sport tailpipe and 17-inch alloy wheels. The interior's dynamic ambience is emphasized by the comfortable, charcoal/red upholstered sport seats with high side support, a leather steering wheel with red inserts, red safety belts and aluminum-style pedals.

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.

Opel Astra

Opel Astra

The new Opel Astra brings into the compact class its own interpretation of the brand's award-winning design language of combining sculptural artistry with German precision first seen in the Opel Insignia. Its strong sporty lines and elegant details add to a new handsome look.

The high quality materials and a total re-think of the design add to the excitement of driving a compact car. Moreover, Opel has added innovative extras - higher quality materials, more storage, improved seats and safer bumpers - to give the Opel Astra comfort, health and safety features not usually seen in the compact class.

The exterior design gives Opel philosophy a new twist
Designers have given Opel's new philosophy an interpretation fitting for the compact class using the same wing and blade styling cues first introduced on the mid-sized Insignia. Sculpted into the side panels of the new generation Opel Astra, the blade sweeps rear ward and upward, connecting with the side window line, giving the car balance and harmony. Eagle eye-shaped headlamps that encompass the prominent signature wing daytime running lights give the Opel Astra face a low, sporty character.

A graceful flowing silhouette connects the muscular shoulder lines with an expressive rear to make it sporty yet elegant. On the front fascia, the next generation Opel Astra re-interprets the new Opel face by using the small upper grille to frame the new Opel logo, while emphasizing the bigger, bolder lower opening so as to create a sportier look.

The inside, design cues used to create driver-focused styling
Echoing the flowing forms of the bodywork, the hallmarks of the interior are sweeping lines and shapes that are executed with care. Interior designers achieve that, for instance, by creating bold, dynamic shapes that use materials intelligently. Everything drivers and passengers touch has been given a refined, high quality feel. In addition, Opel has created two new progressive interior color and trim combination - Spice Red and Ocean Blue - especially for the Opel Astra.

The interior also continues Opel's recurring wing and blade motifs. In this execution, the blade theme is expressed in details like the shape of the door grab handles and the trim for gearshift molding and steering wheel. The wing design cue is immediately evident in the warm, inviting wraparound instrument panel that embraces front seat occupants. It arcs across the cabin into the top of the door moldings.

Health, safety and comfort added via storage, seats and bumper improvements
The Opel Astra has added practicality through greatly increased storage and clever solutions for a compact class car that include a mini glove box on the driver's side and a drawer under the front passenger seat.
The high quality seat technology brings added comfort and help to backs. In addition, safety was a major consideration in design. A new, intelligent bumper is intended to minimize damage in front and rear collisions, reducing injury to pedestrians and passengers and saving money in repairs and insurance.

The execution matched by great components and perceptual quality
Opel designers and engineers believe quality execution also must be matched by what the customer sees and feels. Such perceptual quality is particularly important in the interior, where the appearance and tactile properties of all materials must be on a par with their high standard of fit and finish.

The quality of the materials used in the new Astra is evident in such things as the grained, soft-touch surfaces, the textured panels, the quality of the décor, the chrome trim elements, and the feel of operating buttons and switches.