GM adopts downsizing
By Yoann Besnard on 16 May 2008 | 
(0) Comments | Permalink
GM has unveiled two new petrol engines destined for Europe and other regions, a 1.4-litre unit and a 1.6-litre engine.
See also : Opel/Vauxhall
10 millionth Opel Astra built
By Yoann Besnard on 16 May 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
The 10 millionth Opel Astra rolled off the assembly line in Bochum, Germany seventeen years after its launch.
See also : Opel/Vauxhall
Opel to build two new electric vehicles in Germany
By Yoann Besnard on 8 May 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
GM CEO, Rick Wagoner has announced that Vauxhall/Opel will build two new electric models in the coming years. the first model will be a production version of the Flextreme concept-car and the second a MPV based on the Delta platform.
See also : Opel/Vauxhall
Vauxhall unveils the Astra VXR Nürburgring Edition
By Yoann Besnard on 21 April 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
There are plenty of hot hatches on the market, but they’re sometimes too common. So, Vauxhall has had the idea to launch a limited edition of the Astra VXR to celebrate the famous race track.
See also : Opel/Vauxhall
First pictures of the Opel Insignia
By Yoann Besnard on 17 April 2008 | (4) Comments | Permalink
Leaked images of the future Insignia have emerged on the Internet.
See also : Opel/Vauxhall
New Griffin logo to debut on Vauxhall Insignia
By Yoann Besnard on 9 April 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Due to be unveiled at the next British International Motor Show in July, the eagerly-awaited Vectra-replacement model, the Insignia, will feature a new Vauxhall logo.
See also : Opel/Vauxhall
Vauxhall fights against papparazi
By Yoann Besnard on 18 March 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Vauxhall has released some official spyshots of the future Insignia under the form of an unexpected press release called ‘Camouflage and disguise: fight against prototype paparazzi’.
See also : Opel/Vauxhall
Opel releases a new teaser of the future Insignia
By Yoann Besnard on 13 March 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Opel has released a new teaser under the form of the front fascia. Indeed, the Insignia will feature an all-new intelligent lighting system.
See also : Opel/Vauxhall
Geneva: Opel Meriva Concept
By Yoann Besnard on 7 March 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Opel has unveiled the Meriva Concept that previews the next-generation Meriva due to appear next year. The Meriva concept features rear-hinged doors called Flexdoor.
See also : Opel/Vauxhall
Official pictures of the Meriva Concept unveiled
By Yoann Besnard on 27 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Here are the first official pictures of the Meriva Concept that Opel will unveil at Geneva next week. The Concept car previews the next-generation successful Meriva model and comes with rear-hinged doors called Flexdoor.
See also : Opel/Vauxhall
Opel Meriva Concept: clearer picture
By Yoann Besnard on 19 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Last week Opel revealed a sketch of the upcoming Meriva concept car that the company will reveal at Geneva. Our friends of Motorpasion have released a picture of the small MPV.
See also : Opel/Vauxhall
Vauxhall unveils the facelifted Zafira
By Yoann Besnard on 18 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Vauxhall has unveiled the revamped Zafira that will be introduced with the new 08-plate.
See also : Opel/Vauxhall
Opel to show the Meriva Concept at Geneva
By Yoann Besnard on 8 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Opel has announced it will unveil the Meriva Concept at the Geneva Motor Show in early March and released a sketch that previews the next-generation Meriva.
See also : Opel/Vauxhall
Opel Corsa reached the 500,000 milestone
By Yoann Besnard on 19 December 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Compared to the former generation, it was very easy to do better in term of sales and the Corsa fourth generation reached the 500,000 milestone 14 months after hitting the showrooms. The former Corsa took 24 months to achieve the same performance.
See also : Opel/Vauxhall
Opel considers building the Astra in the US
By Yoann Besnard on 14 December 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Due to go on sale from next January, the new Saturn Astra, a re-badged Opel compact car, has been well acclaimed by the American press and Opel is seriously considering producing the model in the US.
See also : Opel/Vauxhall
Next Vauxhall Vectra VXR will be AWD
By Yoann Besnard on 27 November 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Opel/Vauxhall has decided to go upmarket with the next generation Vectra and will feature an all-wheel drive system on the topping version, the VXR version according to Auto Express and will get two powerful V6 engines.
See also : Opel/Vauxhall
Calibra to be reborn?
By Yoann Besnard on 13 July 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
When Opel unveiled the GTC concept coupe at the last Geneva motor show, everybody thought that it was a preview of a future coupé. Opel denied considering to build one derived from the next Vectra/Insignia Saloon due to belaunched next year. But the GTC was so acclaimed that Opel has altered its position. The German carmaker is now looking at a possible production version.
See also : Opel/Vauxhall
Shake off an M5 with your Vectra
By Stéphane Schlesinger on 7 September 2005 | (0) Comments | Permalink
This is possible with the new Vauxhall Vectra VXR for contrary to the BMW M5, its top speed is not governed. Indeed, its turbocharged 2.8-litre V6 developping 255ps allows it to reach 161mph vs 155 for hot BMW! Anyway, you'll have to catch the driver of te M5 by surprise after a long acceleration on a deserted autobahn because with only a slight pressure on the throttle, he can remind you of his 507bhp...
Anyway, at £23,995 (£24,995 for the estate), this sporty Vauxhall remains somewhat affordable, a price that includes a sophisticated dual-processor electronically controlled damper system. It's even £1205 cheaper than a Ford Mondeo ST220. For an extra £500, you can get 19'' alloys while Vauxhall’s Advanced Forward Lighting ( a nice name for sophisticated headlamps) costs £850 more.
See also : Opel/Vauxhall
Facelift for Vectra and Signum
By Stéphane Schlesinger on 16 June 2005 | (0) Comments | Permalink
The Vauxhall Vectra and Signum get facelifted so as to face such new ambitious rivals as the new VW Passat and Fiat Croma. The Vectra receives a re-styled front end, with a stretched bonnet, new grille and headlamps, and bumpers recalling those of the Astra. On the whole, the new Vectra looks more dynamic. It also receives a new CDTI 1.9 litre engine delivering 100bhp, which is provided by Fiat. We also note a new tuning of the front and rear suspension. More interesting is the IDSPlus chassis fitted with a Continuous Damping Control (CDC), i.e. electronically adaptive shock absorbers.
Inside, the top sections of the facia and doors receive a new trim while the instrument panel and air vents get rounded corners.
Vauxhall/Opel has sold more than 600,000 Vectras since 2002 and hopes to invert declining sales. As for the Signum, even though it’s more of a commercial failure than a success, it is not left aside. It receives new headlamps, stretched upwards, and a new supercharged 2.8 V6 engine delivering 230bhp, with a maximum torque of 330Nm at 1500rpm only. This unit allows the Signum to reach 155mph and accelerate from 0 to 62mph in 7.7 seconds. The evolution of its cabin is very similar to that of the Vectra.
The new Signum and Vectra sales will start next September.
See also : Opel/Vauxhall
New Corsa in 2006
By Stéphane Schlesinger on 11 June 2005 | (0) Comments | Permalink
The new Vauxhall/Opel Corsa should debut in 2006, half a year after its cousin Fiat Punto. Indeed, they will share the same platform, called Gamma, which explains certain similarities, such as the A-pillar. Nevertheless, the raised rear lamps should remain particular to the Fiat.
Another common element will be the 1.3 diesel engine, designed by Fiat. However, GM has kept the right to use Fiat’s diesel technology, so they might elaborate and build a version of their own of this excellent unit. Besides, the new Corsa should be noticeably more stately than its predecessor.
As for petrol engines, they should go on with the "Twin Port" technology, and a sporty turbocharged Corsa OPC developing around 170bhp is expected.
See also : Opel/Vauxhall
