Opel Shows Super Efficient New Astra and Zero Emission Ampera

RÜSSELHEIM, GERMANY - August 25, 2009: With the debut of the new Opel Astra at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show (September 17 – 27), the German brand will offer a super efficient palette of engines with remarkably low fuel consumption in the compact class. Together with the Opel Ampera, also starring at the show, the company reaffirms its strong commitment to clean mobility.

To mark ten generations of Opel compact cars, the new Astra will launch later this year with a complete line-up of eight engines ranging from 70 kW/95 hp to 132 kW/180 hp, perfectly illustrating the brand’s philosophy of providing drivers with affordable, real-life efficiency still preserving the fun-to-drive experience. The new Astra has grown slightly to provide a roomier interior and, at the same time, it has benefited from engineering enhancements that allow it to improve fuel efficiency and performance.

The Astra’s line up of powertrains with manual transmission provides impressive performance and cuts fuel consumption and CO2 emissions overall by more than 12 percent compared with the current generation. The average fuel consumption of the four diesel engines ranging from 70 kW/95 hp to 118 kW/160 hp, which are expected to represent almost half of the new Astra cars sold in Europe at launch, is only 4.6 l/100 km.

The average fuel consumption of the gasoline line-up is only 6.1 l/100 km. Continuing Opel’s strategy of downsizing, a new 103 kW/140hp 1.4 Turbo gasoline engine replaces the current 1.8 liter variant, improving fuel efficiency by nearly 18 percent.

“Our strategy is to offer a complete Astra range with fuel efficient engines at an accessible price, rather than focusing all attention on one single, spectacular, yet expensive, low CO2 version. With this we are continuing to provide real-life fuel consumption reduction while preserving a great fun-to-drive experience” says Carl-Peter Forster, Chairman of Opel’s Supervisory Board.

Opel optimizes power and efficiency

The powertrain line-up features engines with high specific power outputs, low fuel consumption and reduced CO2 emissions. All engines meet the Euro 5 emission norms. Most come standard with six-speed manual transmissions, although five speeds are standard on the naturally-aspirated 1.4 and 1.6-liter gasoline and the 1.3 turbo diesel. A six-speed automatic transmission is available as an option with the 1.6, 1.4 Turbo and 1.6 Turbo gasoline engines and with the 2.0 turbo diesel motor.

“Constant enhancement of the existing engine line-up and downsizing are essential parts of our effort to improve our ecological footprint. We are very proud of the achievements reached by our engineering staff while developing the new Opel Astra, making it an outstanding entry in the very competitive compact segment” says Hans Demant, Opel Managing Director.

160 hp diesel needs less than five liters for 100 km

The CDTI turbo diesel line-up includes 1.3-, 1.7- and 2.0-liter units, all common-rail with multiple fuel injection ranging in power from 70 kW/95 hp to 118 kW/160 hp. All engines are equipped with a particulate filter as standard. Even the 2.0 CDTI with 118 kW/160 hp only requires 4.9 l/100 km on average and emits no more than 129 g/km CO2.

A first ecoFLEX generation with CO2 emissions of only 109 g/km and an average fuel consumption of only 4.2 l/100 km will be added to the range in spring 2010.

Newly developed 1.4 liter turbo gasoline comes with high torque

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 74kW/100hp entry level version in the gasoline line-up emits only consumes 5.5 l/100 km and does not emit more than129 g/km CO2. This makes it the most fuel efficient gasoline compact on the market.

Highlighting Opel’s continued strategy of reducing CO2 emissions through engine capacity downsizing, an all-new 1.4-liter Turbo engine will join the line-up, producing a generous 103 kW/140 hp and some 200 Nm of torque available between 1,850 and 4,900 rpm. This engine replaces the naturally aspirated 1.8-liter unit (140 hp/175 Nm) from the current range with similar output yet featuring 15 percent more torque with an impressively low fuel consumption of 5.9 l/100km, for nearly 18 percent improvement.

Opel Ampera: Potentially zero CO2 emission-car uses Voltec technology

Demonstrating Opel’s leadership in the electrification of the automobile, the revolutionary Opel Ampera, a true four-seater family car, will bring emission-free electric mobility without the limitations of conventional electric cars. It is an automobile suitable for driving any distance anytime.

The five-door, four-seat Opel Ampera uses the ground-breaking electric propulsion technology called Voltec which operates differently from other advanced propulsion system. This extended-range electric vehicle (E-REV) uses electricity as its primary power source and gasoline as a secondary power source to generate electricity.

The Ampera’s wheels are turned electrically at all times and speeds. For journeys up to 60 km (MVEG), it runs exclusively on electricity stored in the 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery, and emits zero CO2. When the battery’s energy is low, electricity from an engine-generator extends the Ampera’s range to more than 500 km. The Ampera can also be plugged into any household 230v outlet for charging.

Opel’s extended range electric vehicle is announced to go into production in late 2011.