Opel
2010 Opel Astra
Written by admin on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 | No Comments
Categories: Opel Tags: 2010 Opel, 2010 Opel Astra, 2010 Opel Cars, Opel Astra, Opel Cars
The new Astra brings many comfort and safety features to the compact class that the Insignia first introduced to mid-sized cars. Exceptional technologies like an all-new mechatronic chassis, the most advanced lighting system, a front camera that recognizes traffic signs and seat technology with the best ergonomics will be available. ‘The new Astra raises the bar in its class with exciting design, dynamic driving and great practical features,’ says Alain Visser, Vice President Sales, Marketing & Aftersales Opel/Vauxhall.
Design
The new Opel Astra brings into the compact class its own interpretation of the brand’s award-winning design language of combining sculptural artistry with German precision first seen in the Insignia. Its strong coupé-like silhouette and stylish details add to a new handsome look. Elegant proportions give it a strong, cab-forward silhouette, with a steeply-raked windshield and falling rear roofline, adding visual excitement to the traditional hatchback format.
Also new to the Astra are double wing-shapes in each of the rear lights and a dynamic inverted blade on the flank that visually connects to the powerful movement of the rear window and C-pillar. ‘The design cues introduced in the Insignia, like the wing and the blade, have been given a fresh interpretation in the Astra, because it’s important that each Opel model has its own personality,’ says Mark Adams, Vice President of Design, General Motors Europe.
The interior echoes the flowing forms of the bodywork: sweeping lines, curvaceous shapes and the quality of the execution are all part of Opel’s design language. A signature design cue is the wraparound wing shape of the instrument panel that arcs into the top of the door moldings. The effect is a warm embrace of the occupants, providing a welcoming ambience.
Chassis
The Opel Astra’s chassis has been developed as a mechatronic system that fully integrates mechanical functions and electronic controls. The new Astra retains the fun-to-drive character of the previous model, with significant improvements in §teering response and ride comfort. While the chassis has the proven McPherson strut layout at the front, Opel engineers in Rüsselsheim are the first in the world to combine a compound crank rear axle with a Watts link.
The Astra benefits from an all new rear axle. Keeping the advantages of size, weight and overall efficiency of the compound crank rear axle layout design. Opel engineers added a cleverly positioned Watts link. This supports lateral forces on the suspension while cornering. It also makes the car dynamic and agile without compromising on stability and comfort.
FlexRide adaptive suspension offers the additional option of driver-selective ride control and personalization. Like the Insignia, it can be ordered with the clever Opel FlexRide electronic driving system, a rarity in this class, which offers the driver three settings – standard, Sport and Tour – while continuously adapting to changes in driving style and cornering speed.
Driving dynamics are improved by wider front and rear tracks, increased by 56 mm and 70 mm respectively. While the wheelbase is 71 mm longer, the proportionately greater increases in track give the car a wider footprint, which contributes to more stable handling and an inherently better road-holding capability. A core body structure stiffer than that of its predecessor provides a firm base for optimizing the new Astra’s handling and ride capabilities. In addition, this helps reduce noise and vibration inside the cabin.
Interior
Echoing the flowing forms of the bodywork, the hallmarks of the interior are sweeping lines and shapes that are executed with care. Interior designers achieve that, for instance, by creating bold, dynamic shapes that use materials intelligently. Everything drivers and passengers touch has been given a refined, high quality feel. In addition, Opel has created two new progressive interior color and trim combination – Spice Red and Ocean Blue – especially for the Opel Astra.
The interior also continues Opel’s recurring wing and blade motifs. In this execution, the blade theme is expressed in details like the shape of the door grab handles and the trim for gearshift molding and §teering wheel. The wing design cue is immediately evident in the warm, inviting wraparound instrument panel that embraces front seat occupants. It arcs across the cabin into the top of the door moldings.
Exterior
Designers have given Opel’s new philosophy an interpretation fitting for the compact class using the same wing and blade styling cues first introduced on the mid-sized Insignia. Sculpted into the side panels of the new generation Opel Astra, the blade sweeps rear ward and upward, connecting with the side window line, giving the car balance and harmony. Eagle eye-shaped headlamps that encompass the prominent signature wing daytime running lights give the Opel Astra face a low, sporty character.
A graceful flowing silhouette connects the muscular shoulder lines with an
expressive rear to make it sporty yet elegant. On the front fascia, the next generation Opel Astra re-interprets the new Opel face by using the small upper grille to frame the new Opel logo, while emphasizing the bigger, bolder lower opening so as to create a sportier look.
Engine
The new Astra will launch with a complete line-up of eight engines ranging from 70 kW/95 hp to 132 kW/180 hp, perfectly illustrating Opel’s philosophy of providing drivers with affordable, real-life efficiency.
The Astra’s line-up of powertrains with manual transmission provides impressive performance and overall cuts CO2 emissions by more than 12 percent compared with the current generation. The average fuel consumption of the diesel engines is 4.6 l/100 km and only 6.1 l/100 km for the gasoline line-up.
The four diesel engines, which are expected to represent almost half of the new Astra cars sold in Europe at launch, deliver 95 to 160 hp. They all consume under 5.0 l/100 km and do not emit more than 129 g/km CO2 when equipped with the manual transmission.
The gasoline range comprises naturally-aspirated and turbocharged 1.4 and 1.6-liter engines, giving a power bandwidth from 74 kW/100 hp to 132 kW/180 hp. The entry level version in the gasoline line-up emits only 129 g/km CO2.
2009 Opel Agila
Written by admin on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 | No Comments
Categories: Opel Tags: 2009 Opel Agila, 2009 Opel Agila News, 2009 Opel Agila Pictures, 2009 Opel Agila Specification, Opel Agila
The new Opel Agila is not only as practical as its predecessor, which sold over 440,000 units, but now also boasts a much more agile and dynamic design. The new Opel mini-monocab makes its market premiere in spring 2008, with prices starting from 9,990 euros (Germany). It boasts balanced proportions, soft curves and a distinctive side graphic. Its passengers still sit high and upright, but the roofline has been dynamically lowered and now blends into a smooth arc toward the rear. This helps create the Agila’s aerodynamic drag coefficient of 0.32 – a relatively low figure for a vehicle of this size. The car is now twenty centimeters longer, six centimeters wider, but seven centimeters lower than its predecessor.
Design
The Agila has always been practical. But the objective for the second-generation Agila was even greater: ‘We wanted to give our smallest car considerably more charm without compromising its functionality,’ says Chief Designer Úwe Müller, describing the new Agila’s concept phase. ‘With its rather cheeky look, the new Agila fits perfectly into the current Opel model portfolio.’
The front boasts typical Opel styling. With its round headlamps integrated into almond-shaped lamp units that echo the Corsa, the Agila sees the world through wide eyes. Other Opel design elements include the tapering of the front and rear bumpers, as well as the typical crease in the hood. The rear also boasts several rounded elements. The positioning of the narrow vertical light units allowed designers to create a large, easy load-through tailgate. The rear look is further accented by the spherically styled rear lights.
The Agila boasts a wide selection of fresh colors and modern styles. This creates an interior ambience, which is further enhanced by the spacious headroom. The versatile five-seater’s high seating position ensures good visibility, while the ergonomically positioned gear stick and tiltable §teering wheel with radio remote controls ensure easy operation. The rev counter is housed separately on the instrument panel. All other information readouts are given on large, distinctive, round instruments.
Body
With five fully fledged seats, five three-point seatbelts and five doors as standard, the Agila offers plenty of space for family and friends. It is also an exception in a §egmènt crowded with four-seaters and three-door models. There is no small-car feeling for Agila occupants, thanks in part to the extensive noise reduction measures on board. The comfortable, slightly elevated and upright seating position enables excellent visibility, while the higher roof also plays an important part in the pleasant feeling of spaciousness on board. Even adults seated in the rear do not feel cramped.
The Agila’s standard capacity up to the luggage compartment cover is 225 liters, large enough for a stroller, for example. One turn of a handle drops the rear bench seat back, increasing the load volume to an impressive 1050 liters – a top value in this §egmènt. The rear bench seat and back split 60:40 in the Enjoy version. Folding down one section of the seat back also lowers the corresponding seat cushion to create a completely flat luggage compartment floor. As an urban companion it also offers plenty of compartments and boxes.
Engine
Two gasoline engines make their world premiere in the new Agila. They share the same basic design: aluminum cylinder block and head and two overhead camshafts. The entry-level unit is the one-liter, three-cylinder gasoline engine. The four-valve unit produces 48 kW/65 hp and takes the Agila to a top speed of 160 km/h. The Agila 1.0 adheres to the 120 g CO2/km emissions limit, which translates into special tax advantages in several European countries.
The 1.2-liter Agila has a four-cylinder gasoline engine that produces 63 kW/86 hp and accelerates it from zero to 100 km/h in 12.3 seconds. The Agila 1.2 has a top speed of 175 km/h (values for five-speed manual version). The Agila 1.2 also boasts economy and low emissions: an average consumption of 5.5 liters per 100 km corresponds to 131 g/CO2 per kilometer. This engine will also soon be available with an optional four-speed automatic transmission – an especially attractive alternative for city driving.
The fuel-saving master among the Agila engines is the 1.3-liter common-rail turbo-diesel. Developed by GM Powertrain, the diesel engine is a true multi-talent and also offers an interesting alternative in the Corsa and Astra model lines. With this unit, the new Agila produces 55 kW/75 hp, has a top speed of 165 km/h and accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 13.9 seconds. The efficient diesel Agila (maximum torque of 190 Nm) is also very economical, requiring an average of just 4.5 liters per 100 km. This corresponds to 120 g CO2/km.
Chassis
‘Make the Agila even more agile – that was the clear aim during chassis development, to translate the new dynamic look into corresponding agility,’ says Agila Engineering Manager Marcus Lott. The Agila’s chassis, which features A-arms and McPherson struts in front and semi-independent rear suspension, is tuned for driving fun. ABS is fitted as standard. Depending on the market and equipment variant, the Agila also features Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and head curtain airbags.
Equipment
All Agilas come with extensive equipment ex works. Safety features such as ABS, front and side airbags for driver and front passenger, airbag deactivation for the front passenger seat and mountings for the ISOFIX child seat fixture system are also fitted as standard. The Enjoy version boasts even more standard features than the Essentia variant, including air conditioning, remote control central locking and power windows in front.
Transmission
The Agila Automatic has smooth shifting capability thanks to the hydro-dynamic torque converter – a feature that benefits acceleration as well. Opel offers the automatic transmission in its 1.2 liter engine with 86 hp (63 kW), a comfort option not often seen in its class. The Agila 1.2 liter automatic can reach a top speed of 170 kilometers per hour and consumes just 5.9 liters per 100 kilometers, emitting only 142 grams CO2.
Opel’s ecoFLEX version of the Agila has a 1.0 liter engine with 65 ph (48 kW) for only 9,990 euros. The wide palette of features offered in the Edition version (which includes an on-board computer, tachometer, air conditioning, electric windows and an MP3-capabile stereo-CD-radio) starts at 13,120 euros.
The Opel Agila Edition 1.2 liter sells for 14,020 euros; with four-speed automatic transmission it costs 14,970 euros. Also in the Agila range, the 1.3 liter CDTI diesel ecoFLEX Edition with 75 horsepower (55 kW) sells for 16,330 euros.
