Opel Reveals Face of Monza Coupe Concept Ahead of Frankfurt Debut [w/Video]

Opel and sister company Vauxhall have slowly moved away from the conservative image they used to have in the days of the last-gen Vectra, a car which pretty much summed up their range some 10 years ago, as it was not particularly good to look at, drive or own, being engineered to be just competent enough to sell and not break down. Besides, it also built on a renowned Opel quality: cheap spare parts and simple cars that are relatively easy to work on and mend. Read more »

Opel Reportedly Bringing RWD Monza Coupe Concept to Frankfurt, May Preview Buick Model

Close to two decades after the demise of the Calibra, Opel (and consequently its British Vauxhall arm) will test the public’s reaction at the Frankfurt motor show in September with the Monza study, a coupe that may preview a future Audi A5 and BMW 4-Series rival.

According to a report from Auto Bild, the Opel Monza study will feature a sharp design and, surprisingly, a rear-wheel drive setup. The name Monza was also used by a RWD Opel coupe in the 1970s and 1980s.

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Opel and Vauxhall Launch "A New Kind of Insignia," the Country Tourer

If you're not a fan of estate cars with SUV-like body cladding, jacked up suspension and all-wheel drive, then you may want to skip this post,  though, there's a lot to like about these types of vehicles as they try to be a little bit of everything. By everything, I also mean get decent fuel efficiency figures. Just have a look at Opel/Vauxhall’s new Insignia Country Tourer. Read more »

Report Suggests Peugeot Family May Grant Complete Control Over to GM

PSA Peugeot Citroen is the modern development of the coffee mill company founded by the Peugeot family in 1810. In fact, the same family still holds a 24.4 percent stake in the company as well as 38.1 percent of the voting rights – they still kind of run the automaker.

However, that may soon change, as according to a Reuter's report, unnamed internal sources apparently suggested, “the Peugeot family has now accepted that they’ll lose control, so this is no longer an issue.”

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GM Boss Wants the Opel Cascada and Adam in the U.S. as Buicks

Only days ago we reported that Dan Akerson, General Motors’ CEO, wants Opel/Vauxhall and Buick to be even more closely bound, even though they already share three models – Opel Insignia/Buick Regal, Opel Astra Sedan/Buick Verano and Opel Mokka/Buick Encore.

According to a new report from Automotive News, Akerson would like to bring more Opel/Vauxhall models to the U.S., with the Adam city car and the Cascada four-seat convertible being the most likely candidates.

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Opel-Buick Integration to Grow Stronger, Says GM CEO

A look at the current Buick range reveals that the U.S. brand sells three rebadged Opel/Vauxhall models. We’re talking about the Regal (Opel Insignia), Verano (Opel Astra Sedan) and Encore (Opel Mokka). This trend will continue, GM CEO Dan Akerson has revealed, as the largest U.S. carmaker wants the Buick and Opel brands to integrate even more in the future in order to save development costs. Read more »

Opel and Vauxhall Reveal Refreshed 2014 Insignia Sedan and Sports Tourer

The Opel/Vauxhall Insignia was such a massive step forward from the dreadful Vectra that it appeared as if the GM-controlled automaker had started completely from scratch and made something worthy of praise.

The Insignia has proved to be a strong buy, and now it is getting updated to stay strong in the face of perpetually-improving rivals, which are now not only limited to its specific class, as it most definitely reels in a few Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class buyers with an option-less premium car, or a fully-kitted out Insignia with leather, and all of the goodies buyers like to have.

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GM Considering Moving "Large Share" of Opel Mokka Production from Korea to Spain

Another day, another report about GM’s plans to move production from its South Korean plants to Europe, China and the U.S.

Following the official announcement that it will shift production of the next-generation Cruze from South Korea to Europe and a report that it is considering the manufacturing of the next-generation Aveo in China and the U.S. instead of South Korea, GM is now purportedly considering a similar move with the Opel Mokka.

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Opel Astra GTC Gets New 1.6 SIDI Turbo Engine, Delivers 6.1 L/100 Km

Following the introduction of Opel’s (Vauxhall in the UK) new 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline engine on the Astra five-door and wagon models, it is time now for the Astra GTC to get the new unit.

Replacing the 1.6 Turbo, the all-new 1.6 SIDI Turbo (Spark Ignition Direct Injection) engine develops 170 PS (168 hp) and 260 Nm (192 lb-ft) of torque, available between 1,650 and 3,200 rpm. An overboost function lifts torque to 280 Nm (206 lb-ft), which temporarily gives the vehicle an extra burst that is useful when overtaking for example.

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Driver Slams Into a Pole, Quickly Jumps Out to Visit Outdoor Bathroom

I guess if you have to go, you have to go. As scary as this accident may look, the way it turned out can only cause laughter. Allow us to explain.

The driver of the vehicle with the dash-cam noticed an Opel Corsa from the opposite lane veering off the road before crashing into a light pole. Instead of driving away, he did the right thing and turned around to provide help, but what he saw upon arriving at the scene was not what he expected…

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A Crosswalk Is A Crosswalk: Russian Pedestrian Walks Over Hood to Prove Point

If we are to judge by the sheer number of accident videos involving Russian pedestrians who were hit while crossing the street legally, as well as the personal experience of acquaintances who have visited the country, I’d say it’s a dangerous place to walk. The locals are so fed up with some drivers that they will do anything to not be stomped on by vehicles. Read more »

Spy Shots: Opel and Vauxhall to Add Insignia Cross Four to Range

After the North American premiere of the modestly updated Buick Regal sedan in March this year, it's almost time for the debut of the car's European twin, the Opel- and Vauxhall-branded Insignia, which will likely take place at the Frankfurt Motor Show in early September.

Besides the four-door sedan, five-door liftback and Sports Tourer (station wagon), Opel is also working on a new Cross Four variant of the Insignia, which adds SUV-styling traits to the all-wheel drive version of the estate model for a somewhat tougher appearance.

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OPC Boss Volker Strycek Drives and Talks About the Astra OPC

Launched in 2012, the latest Opel Astra OPC (Vauxhall Astra VXR in the UK) is one of the most powerful hot-hatches on sale today – currently, it's topped by the premium models from Audi, BMW and Mercedes. Powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that develops 276 hp (280PS) and 400Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque, the Astra OPC is able to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6 seconds and reach a top speed of 250km/h (155mph). Read more »

Opel Plays Sweet Prank to VW Fans at the GTI Meet in Worthersee

As you very well know, the annual GTI Meeting in Worthersee, Austria, is a VW Group-exclusive tuning event where the VW, Audi, Seat and Skoda brands come to show wild concept cars and their customizing options. The event has many followers, especially among young people, which is normal given that it’s a tuning show. Read more »

Opel’s New 168HP 1.6-liter SIDI Turbo Petrol Engine Debuts on the Astra

The new 170PS 1.6-liter SIDI (Spark Ignition Direct Injection) Turbo gasoline engine from Opel has made its debut on the Astra five-door hatchback, four-door sedan and Sports Tourer models.

Replacing the previous 1.6 Turbo as the top gasoline engine in the Astra family, the new-generation unit develops 170 PS (168 horsepower) and 280 Nm (206.5 lb-ft) of torque, 50 Nm (37 lb-ft) more than its predecessor. Peak torque is available from just 1,650 rpm, as opposed to 2,200 rpm in the previous engine.

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Opel / Vauxhall Cascada Convertible Video Reviewed, Gets Thumbs Up for Its Price

The world of cabriolets that can seat four passengers comfortably has a new member, the Opel/Vauxhall Cascada, a car which aims to be a lower-priced alternative to premium vehicles like the Audi A5 drop top. While the Opel is nowhere near as expensive as the premium cars in this category, according to this review by MotorTorque UK, buyers won’t feel short changed one bit. Read more »

Opel Looking to Reduce CO2 Emissions by 27 Percent by 2020

Opel, GM’s main European branch, has announced that it plans to reduce its carbon emissions footprint by 27 percent with the introduction of a multitude of new powertrains, which will help them comply with the increasingly-stringent EU laws.

The idea is to launch a total of 13 new engines, and achieve an 80 percent renewed powertrain range by 2016. With a planned investment of €4 ($5.24) billion, GM wants to release a total of 23 new models by the same 2016 deadline.

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Opel Mokka Racks Up 100,000 Orders, 1.4-liter Turbo Petrol Now Available with FWD

Seven months after the Mokka arrived at dealerships in Europe, Opel has received 100,000 orders for its new sub-compact crossover. Many of these orders came from Germany, Russia, UK, Italy and France.

“To keep it headed to the top, we’re making the Mokka even more attractive with new powertrains and high-end infotainment units – and thereby appealing to additional customers,” said Duncan Aldred, Acting Vice President Sales, Marketing & Aftersales at Opel/Vauxhall.

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Scoop: GM Begins Testing Mule for New Opel Antara and Chevrolet Captiva SUVs

As modern as it may still look on the outside, after seven years in the market, the five-seater Opel / Vauxhall Antara compact SUV (sold as the Saturn Vue Mk2 before GM shut down the brand in 2010) is showing its age and is in need for a replacement.

The same applies to its more conservatively styled seven-seater Chevrolet sibling, the Captiva, and of course, Holden Australia's versions of the two models, the Captiva 5 (Antara) and 7.

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GM Reaffirms Commitment to Opel, will Invest €4 Billion, Present 23 New Cars Through 2016

GM has announced a massive investment program for its ailing European subsidiary Opel over the next four years, worth €4 billion ($5.23 billion). The GM Board of Directors announced the decision today at a meeting in Rüsselsheim, Germany, the home of Opel.

A large part of the announced investments will go into new Opel/Vauxhall models, as GM’s European arm wants to introduce 23 new models including the upcoming Cascada cabriolet and 13 new powertrains through 2016.

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