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 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 »

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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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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See How the Vauxhall VXR8 Tourer Stacks Up Against the Audi RS4 Avant

If you live in the UK, you are very fortunate to be able to buy the Vauxhall VXR8 Tourer, which is basically a rebadged version of the HSV-prepped Holden Commodore SS SportWagon. This means it gets a 6.2-liter V8 engine with 408 hp, rear-wheel drive and a manual six-speed gearbox, all with plenty of boot space to carry as many of your possessions as you can throw in. Read more »

Vauxhall Launches New VXR8 GTS with 576BHP Supercharged V8 in the UK, Eyes BMW M5

Vauxhall has announced that the new VXR8 GTS model, based on Holden’s new GEN-F GTS, is available for order in the UK beginning from today.

Fitted with a 6.2-liter V8 engine that drives the rear wheels producing 576bhp – a whopping 150bhp more than the outgoing model, the new Vauxhall VXR8 GTS will be an interesting alternative to more expensive cars like the BMW M5 or the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG.

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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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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 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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This Is Probably the Second-Worst Attempt at Parallel Parking Ever Recorded

Let’s face it, most of us have had trouble learning how to parallel park when we first got our driver's license. However, practice makes perfect, so as time passes, most people get used to this maneuver and gradually turn it into a chore (others even into a craft). However, there are some drivers who seem to have a particularly hard time when it comes to parallel parking. Read more »

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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425HP Vauxhall VXR8 Tourer Is the Brand’s Most Powerful Estate Ever

Vauxhall has introduced the estate version of its VXR8 performance sedan to the UK market. With 431 PS (425 HP) from a 6.2 liter V8 engine, the VXR8 Tourer is the most powerful estate car in Vauxhall’s 110-year history.

The V8 engine is the same used by the VXR8 saloon and Maloo ute, with all three models being based on the soon-to-be replaced Holden Commodore. The eight-cylinder is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic transmission. In either case, there’s a mechanical limited slip differential offered as standard, as this is a rear-wheel drive car.

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Pink Corsa T-Bones £100,000 Aston Martin at Gas Station

A young lady from Swindon, UK, who had previously made local news for dying her cat…pink, is now making national headlines for crashing into a £100,000 Aston Martin DBS with her – you guessed it, pink colored Vauxhall (called Opel in the rest of Europe) Corsa supermini. Read more »

Vauxhall/Opel Ampera Begins Trials as Northern Ireland Squad Car

In an effort to popularize its range-extender hybrid technology, Vauxhall has given the Police Service of Northern Ireland one example of their Ampera extended range EV. Another one is already used as an ambulance, in Yorkshire. Read more »

Opel / Vauxhall Cascada Takes Off its Top for the Geneva Motor Show Audience

The Cascada, which Opel/Vauxhall is very keen to point out is longer than an Audi A5 Cabriolet and around €9,200 (£8,000) cheaper, has just made its official debut at the Geneva International Motor Show. The 4.7 meter-long soft-top convertible positions Opel in a market sector, which they have not occupied since the 1930s. Read more »

Opel Brings Adam Rocks and R2 Rallye Concepts to the Geneva Motor Show

As it turns out, ItalDesign's pair of Parcour concepts aren't the only studies making their debut at the Geneva Motor Show that are inspired by parkour athletes, as Opel claims the same about its new Adam Rocks, though, we'll take the former any time of the day and night if anybody is offering keys, thank you very much. Read more »

Vauxhall Ampera Tries its Luck as an Ambulance Apprentice

It's nowhere near as fast as a motorcycle ambulance or as spacious as a regular emergency van, so what exactly has the Chevrolet Volt's British cousin, the Vauxhall Ampera, to offer to an ambulance service? Read more »

Spied: 2014 Opel Insignia Sports Tourer Facelift

While most regular drivers try to avoid the snow (the Bostonian owner of this Alfa 8C Competizione is an exception), automotive engineers actively seek areas covered in nature's icy dandruff, and for good reason, as new vehicles must be tried and tested under all weather conditions to ensure their safety and reliability.

Spotted testing in the snow alongside the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze is another future GM model, one that will come to the light far earlier; the mildly refreshed 2014 Opel (Vauxhall in Britain) Insignia Sports Tourer.

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Opel and Vauxhall to Debut New 1.6-liter Turbo Diesel on Zafira Tourer at Geneva Show

The Zafira Tourer will be the first vehicle in Opel's (Vauxhall in Britain) range to feature the GM Europe's all-new generation diesel, the 1.6 CDTI ECOTEC, which will gradually replace the existing 1.7-liter engines and certain lower powered versions of the 2.0-liter diesel range. Read more »

New Opel Adam Rocks is a Faux-Crossover Flavored Concept with a Retractable Roof

GM's European division Opel, and subsequently its Vauxhall counterpart in Britain, will try to kill two birds with one stone at next month's 83rd Geneva Auto Show, where they will present the new Adam Rocks Concept.

The study is based on the production Adam, which has been given a crossover-style makeover while also gaining a sardine can-like retractable fabric roof, similar to that found on the Fiat 500C and Citroen DS3 Cabrio, though, in Opel's case, the rear windshield appears to remain intact.

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