Adam S is Opel/Vauxhall’s New 148HP Turbocharged Pocket Rocket

Opel (and Vauxhall) seriously dented the appeal of the Adam city car by launching it with the most uninspiring of engine ranges, squarely aiming it at people who put style above substance and who favor gadgets over going fast. Now, finally, they are stepping things up with the new Adam S, which features a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine, as well as several modifications/improvements over lesser versions.

The Ecotec unit found under the bonnet makes 150 PS or 148 hp, as well as plenty of torque: 220 Nm or 162 lb-ft. An integral part of the package are OPC (or VXR) performance brakes (16-inch disks up front and 15-inchers at the back (gone are the drums you find on every other Adam), sport-tuned chassis, various weight-saving measures and a sharper steering rack.

Outside styling differences are limited to the special 18-inch rims that are required to fit the huge brakes in, unique rear wing and grille bar, as well as sporty carbon-look mirror caps and a subtle front lip spoiler. The interior features a leather pack which covers the Recaro sports seats, steering wheel, gear lever and knob, as well as the handbrake, all of which come with contrasting red stitching; unique plastic trim pieces are also fitted.

The manufacturer is keen to point out that while this is a close-to-production model, it is subject to some change before it reaches the showroom.

All I wanted to know was how fast it reached 100 km/h or 62 mph, but they seem to have missed mentioning it – should be in the seven to eight second range; they did specify the top speed, though, and it’s a claimed 220 km/h or 138 mph.

The Adam S will debut at the Geneva motor show, alongside a less powerful turbocharged version and a “crossover.”

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Opel Says it will Build New +300HP Astra OPC Extreme If You're Interested

Following the teaser photos released yesterday, Opel (and Vauxhall) lifted the virtual curtain off the Astra OPC Extreme (Vauxhall Astra VXR in the UK) concept, which previews a low-volume production model – provided that “public reaction is as positive as expected.” `

Set to debut at the Geneva Motor Show, the hardcore study is 100 kg (220lbs) lighter than the production Astra OPC and is powered by an uprated version of the 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol engine producing over 300-horses. The all-aluminum engine is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox that works together with a limited-slip differential.

Developed on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, the Astra OPC Extreme is derived directly from theAstra OPC Cup racecar. This explains why it has a roll bar, carbon fiber hood and other carbon components such as the rear wing, diffuser, front spoiler, hood, suspension cross-bracing, the engine cover, complete wheels, rear wheelhouse ventilation and roof. The carbon wheels alone are 20 kg (44lbs) lighter than their aluminum counterparts, while the carbon fiber roof weighs just 2.6 kg (5.7lbs). The fenders are made of aluminum and weigh only 0.8 kg (1.7lbs) a piece instead of 2.2 kg (4.8lbs) in steel.

Opel didn’t provide performance figures, but said the OPC Extreme is equally quick as its racing brother. Stopping power is supplied by the Brembo six-piston brake system including 370 mm (14.5in) diameter discs up front. The car rides on 245/35, 19-inch tires, specially developed for the Extreme. In addition, the spring and dampers are adjustable, just like in a touring car racer.

The interior has no room for rear passengers, as the rear seats are replaced by a roll bar. In the front, the Astra OPC Extreme features specially-designed Recaro bucket seats fitted with six-point safety belts from Schroth. The carbon-fiber-reinforced steering wheel is covered in suede with yellow decorative stitching, while Opel Motorsport’s core color also found in the exclusively designed logo and lacquer on the side sills and front spoiler lip.

We can only hope public reaction to this model will satisfy Opel’s management because this car needs to be built.

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Renault and Opel/Vauxhall Preview their Upcoming Trafic and Vivaro Vans

As you may probably know, the current Renault Trafic, Opel / Vauxhall Vivaro and Nissan Primastar vans, are built since 2001 as part of a collaboration between Opel/Vauxhall and Renault-Nissan. The partnership looks set to continue for the next-generation models as well, with bothRenault and Opel/Vauxhall releasing teaser sketches of their third-generation vans.The carmakers promise new design, new engines and new technologies inside and out when the new models launch this summer. Renault says the new engines “benefit from Renault’s expertise in the world of Formula 1 racing.” We’re very curious to see what that is all about.
As for the van’s looks, here’s what Kihyun Jung, the designer of the Renault Trafic, has to say: “Its lines embody Renault’s new brand identity. My aim was to achieve a dynamic, assertive stance without sacrificing either the robustness or user-friendliness customers expect of their van.”
As for the Opel/Vauxhall version, it also gets a more modern look featuring a prominent front grille and wing-shaped graphics, also integrating the design language of Opel/Vauxhall passenger cars.
Further information on the new vans will follow soon.
If you allow me a personal opinion, I think the Renault Trafic looks better than the Vivaro – at least in these sketches. Feel free to disagree though.

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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.

With the new engine, that is already utilized in other models including the Cascada, Astra five-door hatchback, Astra Sports Tourer and Zafira Tourer, the Astra GTC averages 6.1 liters/100 km (38.55 mpg), while CO2 emissions are rated at 143 g/km – values for the model with six-speed manual transmission and Start/Stop technology. Compared to the 1.6-liter Turbo predecessor, the new engine boasts a 15 percent reduction in fuel consumption.

The Astra GTC 1.6 SIDI Turbo accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 8.6 seconds and sprints from 80 to 120 km/h in 9.3 seconds in fifth gear, with top speed rated at 219 km/h (136 mph).

The new Astra GTC 1.6 SIDI is available with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission that features an Active Select function to allow manual shifting. Prices start from €23,850 ($31,210) in Germany.

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Opel Adds 118hp 1.4-liter Turbo with Start and Stop to Corsa's Lineup

Opel is expanding its European market Corsa's range with a 118hp (120PS) 1.4-liter turbocharged ecoFLEX gasoline engine equipped with a Start/Stop system and two new special editions named 'All Black' and 'All White'.

Available across the range, the four-cylinder ecoFLEX engine delivers an output of 118hp (120PS) and a peak torque of 175Nm (129 lb-ft).

It drives the front wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox and enables both the three- and five-door versions of the supermini to reach a top speed of 195 km/h (121mph) and accelerate from standstill to 100 km/h (62mph) in 10.3 seconds.

Thanks in part to the fuel-saving start/stop tech, the Corsa 1.4L Turbo returns a combined fuel consumption of 5.5 lt/100 km (42.8mpg US or 51.4mpg UK) with CO2 emissions of 129 g/km.

Moving on to the special edition variants, the All Black model is finished in a Carbon Flash shade and the All White in a Casablanca White paint. In addition, the logo bar across the front grille and the 17-inch alloy wheels are finished in the same color as the exterior, while there's also a chrome effect exhaust tail pipe.

Inside, there are white air vent rings for the All White Edition and matt chrome rings for its All Black counterpart. Both models get unique seat fabrics with silver colored seams as standard along with sport pedals, a multi-function leather steering wheel, and dark tinted windows.

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