Vauxhall Introduces New Fiat-based Combo Van in Britain

Pricing for the Opel Combo's British twin that will be sold under the Vauxhall brand will start from £14,703.33 on the road (excluding VAT) for the L1H1 2000 1.3CDTI 16v (90PS) model when the new panel van goes on sale in February of 2012.
The Opel/Vauxhall Combo is the result of a partnership between GM Europe and the Fiat Group for the supply of several commercial vehicles including the Combo that is based on the Fiat Doblo. The Chrysler Group will also sell a rebadged commercial version of the Doblo in the U.S. and Canada under the Ram brand.
The Vauxhall panel van is available in two lengths (4.39m and 4.74m), two heights (1.85m and 2.10m), two gross vehicle weights (2,000kg / 4,410 lbs and 2,300kg / 5,070 lbs), two trim levels and with four diesel engine choices.
The engine range includes a 1.3-liter CDTi and a 1.6-liter CDTi, each with 90-horses as well as a 1.6 CDTi variant with 105PS and a more powerful 2.0 CDTi delivering 135PS.
The 1.3 CDTi engines are offered with a five-speed manual gearbox, while the 1.6 CDTi and 2.0 CDTi come with a six-speed manual transmission. As an option, the 1.6 CDTi is also offered with Vauxhall’s ’Tecshift’ automated five-speed manual transmission.
Aside from the models equipped with the Tecshift transmission, all the other powertrains are offered with an available Start/Stop system that lowers fuel consumption and emissions.
Standard features across the range include remote central door locking, full-steel bulkhead, trip computer, electric power steering, driver’s airbag, ABS with EBD, CD/radio and a 12 volt power outlet in the dashboard.
The newly introduce Sportive trim level adds air conditioning, metallic paint, body-colour bumpers and door mirrors, nearside sliding door, driver seat with height adjustment, armrest and lumbar support and full wheel covers.

Read More

Saturn Sky Customized by Bulgarian Design House Vilner

The closest you'll get to the Saturn Sky in Europe is its sister GM model, the Opel SpeedsterGT, yet Bulgarian design house Vilner managed to get its hand on an example of the American roadster model.

The Sky was brought in by a customer who wanted to change the looks of his two-seater sports model.



Vilner started off with the exterior covering the Saturn roadster's body in a blue pearl vinyl wrap that's combined with matte black accents for the grille, mirror caps, rear diffuser and the alloy wheels, and a gold matte hue for the wheel bolts, and the headlamp, taillight and front bumper trims. The LED units up front are also part of the package.






The Sofia-based tuner continued with the interior that has been completely revamped with custom-made leather hides in red and black Alcantara that cover most surfaces along with carbon-fibre trim accents. Vilner also made some styling changes the Sky's instrument panel.

Read More

GM Says Opel Astra Convertible's Replacement to be a Standalone Model Like the VW Eos

Earlier this year, General Motors European arm laid out its plans for the replacement of the Opel / Vauxhall Astra Convertible with a new model that will enter production in 2013 at the Gliwice plant in Poland alongside the new Astra models.
And while we know that the open-top model will be based on the new generation of the Astra compact, what the General didn't say is whether or not it will carry the Astra nameplate.
Up until now, that is, because in an interview with Car Magazine, the European design chief at GM, Mark Adams, said the new convertible will be a separate, standalone model in the likes of the Volkswagen Eos hardtop cabrio.





"This car demands a new name - it will look nothing like an Astra," Adams told the British magazine.
The company has issued a teaser sketch of the car that will continue to offer seating for four, but will do away with the older Astra Convertible's folding hardtop. The engine range is believed to be similar to that of the GTC/hatchback models.
Adams added that 2012 will be a busy year for Opel with plenty of new presentations.
'Next up in 2012 are a string of much fancier cars, new launches will change the perception people have of Vauxhall and Opel,' Adams told Car.
Aside from the Convertible, Opel's plans also include a premium mini and a small Nissan Juke-like crossover.

Read More

Report: New Opel Astra GTC May Make it to the States as a Buick

The sporty-looking Opel Astra GTC was only just introduced in Frankfurt last week, but there are already reports suggesting that it could be one of the compact cars General Motors said it would build at an unspecified plant in the U.S. under the details released Tuesday of its tentative pact with the United Auto Workers (UAW).

According to Auto Observer, in a meeting with journalists and analysts at Opel’s Rüsselsheim headquarters in Germany, the firm's CEO, Karl-Friedrich Stracke, said "I could easily see it as a Buick" referring to the Astra GTC.
It would make sense from a marketing standpoint since Buick would automatically gain a new contender in the small sports car segment against the likes of the Hyundai Veloster, while also widening the reach of the brand to a younger audience.





Furthermore, the fact that the soon-to-be launched in the States new Buick Verano is essentially the sedan version of the Opel Astra series, means that the production costs can be minimized as the two cars will share many common components.
In the European market, the three-door Astra GTC will launch with a choice of five engines delivering between 100HP and 180HP, including a 1.7-liter CDTI exoFLEX diesel available with 110HP and 130HP, both fitted with a fuel-saving Start/Stop system.





But the icing in the cake will be the Astra GTC OPC (VXR in the UK), which is rumored to carry a turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine pushing close to 300-horsepower, and is expected to be introduced in the second half of 2012.
If GM makes the move to sell the Astra GTC as a Buick in North America, then it is almost certain that it will offer the OPC as its flagship GS model.
Story sources: Auto Observer

Read More

Opel Ampera EV Police cruiser

Opel Ampera EV Police cruiser - When it comes to pitching up the sales, getting the government as one of your clients does help significantly. Same is the case for the Opel Ampera EV Police cruiser, with a slightly high price tag it will need all the help possible to increase the sales.

This car has been rated as one of the most perfect cars for policing use, be in urban cities or the countryside. The built of this GM’ Opel division car is such that it can really withstand rough usage.

The Opel Ampera EV Police cruiser is a analogous vehicle for the Chevrolet Volt and being the same in features as well is something that makes these two cars seem similar.

This car will be released in European markets by the end of this year and speculations are that it can be a perfect car for patrolling purposes.

Features for the Opel Ampera EV Police cruiser are impressive as without outstanding performance catching criminals is tougher than usual,

• Tough body with solid make and properly shaped.
• The engine runs on pure electric mode for 40-80km before the petrol engine kicks in.
• The car has high acceleration reaching 0-160km/h in just 9 seconds.
• Radio enhancement features make this car a delight for policing purposes.
• The packages for this car can be easily modified for robust usage hence it can be a preference again.

Read More