2011 New Opel Astra GTC will be available

The three-door Astra GTC will be available with a similar engine lineup to the five-door model, offering buyers a variety of turbocharged gasoline and diesel units. A hotted up OPC model with more than 250 ponies and a specially tuned chassis is expected in the near future.

New Opel Vauxhall Ampera:show with models

the Opel Ampera is nothing more than a Chevrolet Volt with some extremely mild cosmetic changes, but doppelgangers have always had a very special place in the wonderful world of General Motors. If Bloomberg’s inside sources are right, GM is currently looking into the development of a Buick-badged version of the plug-in hybrid Opel Ampera. According to people familiar with the project, the Buick model could go on sale in 2013, if the plans goes ahead.

the Opel Ampera in Europe around

A key aspect to General Motor's survival is what is now being called its Voltec platform - cars which are built on the same platform underpinning the Chevrolet Volt, an electric car scheduled to be introduced before the end of 2010. Besides the Chevrolet Volt, GM has been showcasing the Cadillac Converj concept, a luxury coupe version of the Volt as well as the Opel Ampera, a European counterpart to the Volt. Together, these three cars will play a prime role in distinguishing the direction General Motors will be going for the next decade or longer.

Each of the three models will be "powered" by an electric lithium-ion battery, a rechargeable powerplant with an all-electric range of forty miles. Beyond that, a small gas engine will kick in and, in the case of the Chevrolet Volt, that engine will be the same 1.4L I4 motor as the one that will move the upcoming Chevrolet Cruze, a gasoline model. GM hasn't said which engines will be in the Ampera or the Converj, but the 1.4L may provide just enough power to move those two models as well.

OK - so you heard all the up sides to plug-in hybrids but what are the downsides (apart from mainly not being available yet)? Well here are some that I see:

* They have a lot of unproven technology as they have never really been tried in mass production yet so it could take a while to iron out the kinks.
* Some people could have a problem trying to find a place to charge them - which could mean they take the "lazy" option of mostly using the engine all the time.
* Obviously another one is the price! - at the moment they look a lot more expensive than even the usual hybrids which are already more expensive than a regular car. The Prius had a problem with price for a long time.
* And finally Are they too little, too late - to save the environment, because that's what they're all about aren't they?

So in summary: It looks like out of all the options for Electric Cars for me - the Plug-in Hybrid seems like the best one - especially compared with the All-Electric Cars around at the moment. But we'll also have to wait a year or two first. Right now though I have to get my hands on some of those electric scooters and electric bicycles around at the moment!

astra new

In 2010, the market itself, but in 2011, showing the new Opel Astra from a bit of talk about .Independent of the articles on the site, looks like a post off-topic, but it is not. Because the new Astra a full wonder of design and technology Astra sharp lines draws attention to the design previously encountered Insignia. Always in my dreams adorning the front view, but still sevemediğim (though the price of both) is reminiscent of Mercedes C series. Of course, the difference is noticeably different and have a nice .Inside the vehicle while providing a complete environment of comfort and control. The pictures looked pretty wide, because I said the picture, but the eye to see when the test is really broad farkediyorsunuz. The center console has been so stylish that you feel yourself in a different environment. Of course, this situation, including the lighting when the new Astra ‘not satisfaction of the taste. Sports seats, depending on the car you make.

Opel Astra

The new Astra, the most sophisticated and high-level sporty style, fun and young designs, even up to a very wide range of hardware options Opel Astra, the product of the latest technology, offering sophisticated technological feature options. FlexRide and class-leading features such as the AFL + Get more info about. The new Opel Astra is one of the most prestigious awards in the automotive sector “Goldenes Lenkrad 2009″ Award The new Opel Astra, with all the features of a star: a gorgeous appearance, athletic body and great performance . a revolutionary technological innovation and reflect the view of Opel new design language of the award-winning, new Astra compact class is getting ready to mobilize again. Possibility of value-added personal touch .17 “light alloy wheels, sunroof and Enjoy Plus Pack model is among the features offered as an option

Opel Kadett GTE

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Opel Kadett GTE

2012 Opel Astra 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX reduce

With an average fuel consumption of 4.1 lt/100 km (57.4 US mpg) and CO2 emissions of 109 g/km, the diesel-powered Opel Astra 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX hatchback was already a frugal and eco-friendly proposal. However, GM's European division decided to do further improve the Astra's green-credentials by adding a rather effective Start and Stop system.

The new start and stop technology helps the hatchback version of the Astra ecoFLEX reduce its CO2 emissions from 109 to just 104 g/km and its combined fuel consumption from 4.1 liters to 3.9 liters per 100 km, which is equal to 60.3 mpg. The Sport Tourer estate version of the Astra ecoFLEX consumes on average 4.1 lt/100 km and emits 109 g/km of CO2.

2012 Opel Astra 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX reduce

The Programme Will Include Incentives for New and Existing Customers of Opel – The US Carmaker’s European Brand

GM drive to restore Opel’s image

General Motors will next month launch a campaign to try to restore confidence in its European Opel brand, which was damaged during the lengthy talks with governments and workers about restructuring and state aid.

The programme will include incentives for new and existing customers of Opel – the US carmaker’s European brand that trades in the UK as Vauxhall – and focus on Germany, where it has its headquarters and where the brand’s image has suffered the most.

Nick Reilly, president of GM Europe, told the Financial Times on Friday: “We have to get more people putting Opel on their consideration list, particularly in Germany, but everywhere.”

He said that GM was planning a “confidence campaign” aimed at bringing buyers back to the brand from next month, but declined to give details as he did not want to make them known to competitors.

A person briefed on GM’s plans, who asked not to be named, said the measures would include a “loyalty bonus” for customers who traded in their old Opel for a new one. The incentive for some models could be as high as Germany’s former state-sponsored scrappage incentive, which awarded drivers €2,500 ($3,092).

A second person familiar with GM’s campaign said that, in addition to the loyalty incentive, it would include concessions on pricing and servicing of cars aimed at bringing customers back into showrooms.

GM this week said it was withdrawing applications to several European governments for up to €1.8bn of loans or guarantees for its €3.3bn plan to restructure Opel.

The move came amid an improvement in GM’s financial health and followed a year-and-a-half of tortuous deliberations that generated negative publicity for the carmaker – especially in Germany, where anxiety was highest about Opel’s job cuts and ability to remain solvent.

Jaap Timmer, president of Euroda, Opel’s European dealership association,, said: “Some customers were still in doubt if Opel would survive.” He declined to comment on GM’s upcoming campaign. “It is very important to regain the confidence of customers now.”

Mr Reilly said that GM’s market research showed that the difficulties Opel had gone through was “top of mind” in Germany, but less so in other European countries.

The controversy has had very little impact on Vauxhall’s image in the UK, for example.

Opel and Vauxhall controlled a 6.9 per cent share of the European car market in May, down from 7.8 per cent a year ago, according to the carmakers’ association Acea.

Analysts said GM faced a tough market this year because of its heavy reliance on Germany and the UK, which together account for about a half of its sales. In both countries, scrappage programmes that last year boosted sales of Opel’s small cars have ended.

GM also faces intense competition in Europe from other mass-market carmakers, including Ford Motor, Hyundai, Toyota, and PSA Peugeot-Citroën. Unlike them, Opel has no significant presence in faster-growing emerging markets such as China and Brazil.

“There has been increased competition in the group that we call non-premiums, especially from the Japanese and the Koreans,” said Jonathon Poskitt, a forecaster with JD Power, the consultancy. “That has hit Opel’s market share in the region.”

In Opel’s favour, it is hitting a stronger period in its model cycle with the launch of models like its new Astra, which accounts for about a third of its sales.

Opel aims to claw back business with an ambitious model ramp-up that will see 80 per cent of its fleet replaced by 2012 and €11bn invested by 2014.

“It will take some time, but I am very confident that we can regain market share,” said Mr Timmer.

Opel’s dealers are placing hope on a new small car due out next year.

Imelda Labbé, Opel’s new German head of sales, presented the first pictures of the minicar at a dealers’ meeting this week, a person who attended it told the FT.

The model, with the working title Opel City, will be a small car targeting younger people and meant to rival Fiat’s 500 and BMW’s Mini small cars.

Dealers expect the car to reach showrooms by the end of 2011.

Analysts said that one of Opel’s biggest challenges would be to catch up with rivals in small-car technology, especially in the small diesel and three-cylinder engines popular in Europe.

“Volkswagen with its model line-up and Fiat with its engine technology performed magically in recent years,” said Christoph Strümer, analyst at IHS Global Insight. “It will take a lot of effort for Opel to make up ground.”

Mr Reilly said that Opel’s forthcoming campaign would include information on its new technology, including electric vehicles.

He said that in addition to the brand’s Ampera battery-powered model due out next year, it planned to launch another two or three electric cars in coming years.

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Nova Opel Meriva agora em vídeo

Mais fotos da nova Opel Meriva

A Opel divulgou divulgou mais fotos da segunda geração da minivan Meriva.

A nova Mariva terá seis opções de motores para os europeus. Com potências entre 75 cv e 140 cv com transmissões manual de 5 ou 6 marchas ou automática de 6 velocidades.

2012 Opel Ampera pictuers

2012 Opel Ampera

2012 Opel Ampera interior

2012 Opel Ampera performance

2010 Opel Insigna OPC car pictures

2010 Opel Insigna OPC car pictures

2010 Opel Insigna OPC car pictures

2010 Opel Insigna OPC car pictures

Opel revela interior do novo Astra

Com lançamento previsto para o final do ano o novo Astra Europeu fará a sua primeira aparição em Setembro, no Salão de Frankfurt.

O painel do novo Astra foi inspirado no sedan Insígnia.

O novo Astra vai contar com uma ampla gama de motorizações, incluindo um 1.4 Turbo a gasolina e o conhecido 1.3 CDTi, agora com 95 cavalos de potência. A gama será complementada com um bloco diesel de 2,0 litros, com diversas variantes de potência e quatro unidades a gasolina de 1,4 e 1,6 litros.