GM Says Opel Astra Convertible's Replacement to be a Standalone Model Like the VW Eos

Earlier this year, General Motors European arm laid out its plans for the replacement of the Opel / Vauxhall Astra Convertible with a new model that will enter production in 2013 at the Gliwice plant in Poland alongside the new Astra models.

And while we know that the open-top model will be based on the new generation of the Astra compact, what the General didn't say is whether or not it will carry the Astra nameplate.

Up until now, that is, because in an interview with Car Magazine, the European design chief at GM, Mark Adams, said the new convertible will be a separate, standalone model in the likes of the Volkswagen Eos hardtop cabrio.

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Posted on 11.17 / 0 comments / Read More

Massive Sports Car Crash on the Nordschleife, BMW's M3 'Ring Taxi Involved

A fun track day at the notorious Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit turned into a nightmare for eight drivers this past Sunday.

The vehicles involved in the crash included a BMW E30 3-Series, a BMW E36 3-Series, a BMW E92 M3, a Chevrolet Corvette Z06, a pair of Vauxhall VX220 / Opel Speedster roadsters, a Porsche 911 (964 series) and the official BMW M3 'Ring Taxi.

According to a police report, the drivers came from several European countries, while the accident apparently took place in two phases.

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Posted on 14.13 / 0 comments / Read More

SCOOP: Opel's New Junior Mini Spotted Out in the Wild a Year Before Launch

It has been known for a while now that General Motor's European subsidiary Opel, is preparing to enter the increasingly popular mini car category with a new model currently codenamed Junior.

Taken during testing on public roads in Germany, these are some of the best spy shots we have of the upcoming Opel / Vauxhall Junior that will launch as a three-door hatchback.

The baby Opel model will slot beneath the Corsa supermini and is expected to measure around 3,700mm, meaning that it will be slightly longer than the Fiat 500 (3,546mm) which is believed to be one of its closest rivals.

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Posted on 12.47 / 0 comments / Read More

Report: New Opel Astra GTC May Make it to the States as a Buick

The sporty-looking Opel Astra GTC was only just introduced in Frankfurt last week, but there are already reports suggesting that it could be one of the compact cars General Motors said it would build at an unspecified plant in the U.S. under the details released Tuesday of its tentative pact with the United Auto Workers (UAW).

According to Auto Observer, in a meeting with journalists and analysts at Opel’s Rüsselsheim headquarters in Germany, the firm's CEO, Karl-Friedrich Stracke, said "I could easily see it as a Buick" referring to the Astra GTC.

It would make sense from a marketing standpoint since Buick would automatically gain a new contender in the small sports car segment against the likes of the Hyundai Veloster, while also widening the reach of the brand to a younger audience.

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Posted on 07.07 / 0 comments / Read More

IAA 2011: Opel Envisions an Affordable Urban Commuter with the RAK e Concept

Not to be outdone by its German counterparts, Opel displayed its vision for a low-cost urban commuter with the two-seater RAK e concept car. According to GM's German subsidiary, the study has "production potential".

The battery-operated vehicle with the exposed wheels is based on a steel space-frame structure beneath a skin of conventional synthetic material.

The reason why Opel avoided the use of exotic materials is to keep the RAK e as affordable as possible. Nevertheless, Opel managed to keep the weight down to just 380kg (837 lbs) or about 80kg (176 lbs) less than VW's NILS concept.

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Posted on 07.22 / 0 comments / Read More

IAA 2011: New Opel Astra GTC Takes the Stage in Frankfurt

We've already given you the full scoop on the all-new Astra GTC, but in Frankfurt, Opel held the world premiere of its latest C-segment model that blurs the line between three-door hatchbacks and coupes.

Based on the five-door Astra, the low-slung GTC sports a unique body shell as well as different platform dimensions as it has a 10mm longer wheelbase and wider tracks (+40mm up front and +30mm at the rear).

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Posted on 12.47 / 0 comments / Read More

Chrysler to Sell Fiat Doblo in the U.S. and Canada under the Ram Brand

In a move that perhaps shows more than anything else how intertwined the automotive industry is today, the Fiat and Chrysler Alliance announced today plans to sell the Fiat Doblo van in the U.S. and Canadian markets under the Ram brand.

You may recall that GM's European division Opel, will debut its own rebadged version of the Fiat Doblo called the Combo at next week's Frankfurt Motor Show .

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Posted on 10.08 / 0 comments / Read More

IAA 2011: Radical New Opel Concept "Has Production Potential"

The wait for the Opel's Frankfurt Motor Show surprise concept is almost over as General Motors' European subsidiary has just published the first photos of the as-of-yet-unnamed study.

The ultra-compact model from GM's Opel and Vauxhall divisions is very similar in philosophy to Audi's duo of Urban Concept cars that will also have their world premiere in Germany next week.

The rakish study seats two people in a tandem layout with power being provided by an electric motor and a battery that offer a driving range of around 60 miles (96 kilometers) and a top speed of 75mph (120km/h).

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Posted on 15.31 / 0 comments / Read More

Opel Teases Frankfurt-Bound Concept Model through Invitation

An electronic invitation to the press conference that Opel and sister company Vauxhall will hold at the 64th Frankfurt International Motor Show on September 13 gives us our first sneak peek at the firm's upcoming concept model. Read more »

Posted on 04.29 / 0 comments / Read More

Dutch Facepalm: 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.

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Posted on 12.23 / 0 comments / Read More

Opel Working on Several New Models Including Calibra Coupe and Small SUV

General Motors Europe president Nick Reilly has confirmed several new models for the group's joint Opel and Vauxhall division, including a new small city car. Reilly recently told Autonews that the so-called "Junior" Opel will be positioned as a premium model targeting “people who care about the status of their car, what it can do, what features and telematics it has”.

Reilly says his previous experience as the CEO of GM Daewoo in Korea has been helpful in developing the small Opel: “We learned quite a lot in Korea, where they actually make money in small cars”. His intention is to make the “Junior” a profitable project for Opel.

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Posted on 12.39 / 0 comments / Read More

Opel Promises to Wow Frankfurt Crowds with a Mystery Sports Concept

General Motor's Opel / Vauxhall division revealed today that it will pull the wraps off a brand new concept study at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.

The European automaker did not disclose any specific details simply stating the experimental car will explore "a new interpretation of ‘driving fun’" and "emphasise the company’s passion for driver-focused vehicles", adding that it will "wow the press and public with its level of innovation."

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Posted on 06.36 / 0 comments / Read More

Opel Introduces 2012 Insignia, Expands Availability of 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.

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Posted on 15.58 / 0 comments / Read More

Opel Says Second Generation Ampera Will be Cheaper, More Stylish

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.

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Posted on 10.11 / 0 comments / Read More

Frankfurt Preview: 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).

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Posted on 07.41 / 0 comments / Read More

Opel and Chevrolet too close for Comfort? GM Thinks So

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.

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Posted on 09.56 / 0 comments / Read More

VW Reportedly Put a Price on the Table for GM’s Opel after Hearing Rumors about Hyundai’s Interest

German monthly publication ‘Manager Magazin’ reported in its latest issue that the Volkswagen Group has a far deeper interest in Opel than originally thought.

Citing unnamed sources close to the automaker, the financial magazine said that Volkswagen gave General Motors a rough estimate of what it is willing to pay for Opel after the German company heard rumors about Hyundai’s alleged interest in the European brand.

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Posted on 09.50 / 0 comments / Read More

Congratulations, it’s a Doblo: New Opel Combo in Passenger Car and Panel Van Trims Breaks Cover

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.

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Posted on 08.12 / 0 comments / Read More

Opel Increases Market Share in Europe, GM Still not Happy

Opel has increased its share in Europe this year, with sales rising 6% up to May, giving the brand a market share of 7.4%, compared to 7% in 2010. So mother company GM must be satisfied, right?

Well, not entirely, according to Automotive News. And that’s because Opel’s cars are technologically advanced and due to high German working rates, are quite expensive to manufacture. However, they cannot be sold in prices similar to direct competitors such as Volkswagen because they lack their rivals’ image.

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Posted on 05.39 / 0 comments / Read More

2013 Opel Astra Convertible Spy Photos and Video Outline New Softop Model

Our spies have photographed and filmed the new Opel (Vauxhall in Britain) Astra Convertible on test in Germany. The vehicles caught testing here are early prototype models as the front doors appear to be carried over complete with their frames from the hatchback model.

Nevertheless, we are offered out first look at the open-top version of the new Astra series, which is planned to go on sale by early 2013. The most important change over the previous Astra TwinTop is the replacement of the more complicated, heavier and costly retractable metal roof with a traditional fabric hood.

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Posted on 18.03 / 0 comments / Read More