New Opel Insignia OPC Unlimited Edition Ditches Speed Limiter topping out at 270km/h

More and more carmakers are quietly abandoning their gentleman’s agreement of limiting top speed of their production models to 250 km/h (155 mph), despite the fact that the only place in Europe to legally drive that fast is on certain sections of the German autobahn. The latest company to do so is Opel which has released a new version of its high-performance Insignia OPC called ‘Unlimited’ without an electronically-restricted top speed.

“We are responding to frequently expressed customer wishes,” says Alain Visser, Vice President Sales, Marketing and Aftersales at Adam Opel AG. “Insignia OPC buyers are generally experienced and responsible drivers who want to enjoy the full technical possibilities of their car.”

Read more »

This is what Happens when you Enter a Highway the Wrong Way… [Video]

The following accident took place on a Scottish motorway near Aberdeen and was captured by a “black box” GPS/video system mounted on a semi-trailer truck. From what we can tell, the Vauxhall Corsa entered the highway on the wrong side and drove towards oncoming traffic like a kamikaze, taking a truck driver completely by surprise.

Read more »

Opel Launches Meriva Color Edition Special in Germany

One year and some 120,000 European sales after the introduction of the second generation Meriva onto the market, Opel is enhancing the small MPV’s range with the presentation of a new special edition model. Read more »

SCOOP: Production Version of Opel Zafira Tourer Concept getting Ready for Frankfurt Show Debut

At this month’s Geneva Motor Show, Opel previewed the next generation of its 7-seater MPV model through the Zafira Tourer Concept. Now, our spies have snagged some new photos of the production version rolling around in Germany as Opel puts the final touches on the compact minivan before its world premiere at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show this fall.

Being that that Geneva show Zafira was more of a pre-production model than a pure concept, few things appear to have changed on the outside. These include the smaller size and less snazzy alloy wheels, the larger but obviously more practical for everyday use exterior mirrors, the redesigned tail lamps and the more mundane tail pipe designs.

Read more »

New Opel Astra Sports Tourer gets the Steinmetz Treatment

Opel tuning specialist Steinmentz has revealed a bevy of parts for the new Astra Sports Tourer. The German firm’s offerings include aerodynamic components, a lowering kit, alloy wheels and styling elements.

Read more »

VIDEO: Opel Touts Zafira Tourer Concept's "Lounge Ambience"

These are the first videos of Opel's new Zafira Tourer Concept, which will receive its grand premiere at next week's 2011 Geneva Salon. The first clip focuses on the relaxing "lounge atmosphere" found within the interior of the minivan, something that Opel highlighted more than anything else in the car's press release, while the second video showcases the new Flex7 seating concept. Hit the break to watch both clips for yourself.

Read more »

EDS Creates a 360HP Monster out of the Opel Astra Turbo

With the OPC version of the new Astra still in the works, German tuners are doing their best to offer Opel buyers several alternatives to quench their thirst for power. EDS, a relatively unknown tuner from Marl, Germany, has launched an impressive package for the most powerful version of the Astra with the 180HP 1.6-liter turbocharged engine.

The comprehensive engine tune includes a variety of modifications such as a new Garret GT28 turbocharger, ECU optimization, sports exhaust system, a new manifold, and other goodies that double the 1.6-liter unit's output to a whopping 360-horses and 480 Nm or 354 lb-ft of peak torque.

Read more »

Opel Reveals Sleek Zafira Tourer Concept Prior to Geneva Motor Show Debut

After we got a first glimpse of the Zafira study by means of an iPad hologram, Opel released the full details of the concept which previews the next-generation Zafira MPV. Described by Opel as a “lounge on wheels”, the design study uses the same style language as seen on the Insignia and Astra models.

The front is the most eye-catching part of the Zafira's sleek bodywork, with the headlights, LED running lights and the fog lights being united in a boomerang-shaped structure, inspired by the Ampera EV's fascia. Unlike the Meriva, the Zafira sports conventional doors and has a dynamic look due to the ascendent midline and the 20-inch rims.

Read more »

Vauxhall Builds the World's first Fashion Catwalk out of Cars

Vauxhall celebrates the tenth season of its Fashion Scout with the first ever car-walk. Made out of three new Corsas and hovering 1.5 meters above the ground, the unique installation featured a three hour show as part of London`s Fashion Week. The models, who normally floated on the polished stages in front of Anna Wintour and Co., spent a week tackling the high-rise podium before showing off the carefully choreographed moment.

The Vauxhall Fashion Scout is a common presence at London Fashion Week and its main purpose is to give lesser known designers the opportunity to have their own catwalk show, presentation or exhibition during Fashion Week.

Read more »

Opel Releases More Info and Photos of 2011 Antara Facelift

We've already laid eyes on Opel's and sister company Vauxhall's rehashed Antara, but the automaker just came out with a fresh batch of photos as well as some additional information on the compact SUV, including performance and fuel economy stats for the revamped engine lineup.

The cosmetic changes are pretty much limited to the front fascia and rear lights on the outside and a revised center console plus new graphics for the instruments, and updated trim and upholstery, options inside.

For 2011, the Antara's engine line-up consists of two new 2.2-liter CDTI diesels with 163HP and 184HP, and a new 2.4-liter ECOTEC gasoline variant with 167HP.

Read more »

New Opel Zafira Tourer Concept Previewed in iPad Hologram, Debuts in Geneva

Opel chose a rather unique way to inform us about its new concept model that previews the next generation of the Zafira people carrier, and which is scheduled to make its world premiere at the Geneva Salon in March. The company published a short video accompanied by a photograph showing the firm's design boss Mark Adams holding an iPad through which a hologram of the concept car pops out.

Read more »

SCOOP: New Opel Zafira Grows up but Doesn't get FlexDoors

Opel and its sister company Vauxhall are pushing ahead with the development of the next generation Zafira minivan, which was caught here testing by our scoop photographers. The new seven-seat model is expected to grow in dimensions offering improved passenger and luggage space. Unlike the latest Meriva that boasts a pair of suicide doors, the new Zafira will continue to use conventional rear doors.

The sleeker shape of Opel's newcomer can easily be seen beneath the harlequin camouflage, while the pictures suggest that the minivan takes styling cues from both the Insignia and new Astra, including the wing-shaped head lamps.

The interior design will also be more or less inspired by the Astra, while the car's flexibility is reported to have been improved by a revamped three-row flexible seating system providing independent seating for all seven passengers.

Read more »

Vauxhall's Corsa VXR gets the Blues: New Special Edition of 192HP Hot Hatch

To mark the launch of the subtly refreshed Corsa VXR, Vauxhall is introducing a new limited edition version of its hot hatch with an additional kit and a special blue paintjob as standard.

In detail, the new Corsa VXR Blue Edition is finished in an Arden Blue metallic paint and comes fitted with 18-inch alloy wheels, dark-tinted glass, bespoke interior air vents and Recaro seats, which equate to a £445 saving compared with the cost of speccing a ‘standard’ VXR with this kit.

Read more »

Opel Astra ecoFLEX Gets Start/Stop Technology, Returns 60.3 mpg

With an average fuel consumption of 4.1 lt/100 km (57.4 US mpg) and CO2 emissions of 109 g/km, the diesel-powered Opel Astra 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX hatchback was already a frugal and eco-friendly proposal. However, GM's European division decided to do further improve the Astra's green-credentials by adding a rather effective Start and Stop system.

Read more »

Holden’s E3 GTS Transforms into the 2012 Vauxhall VXR8 in Britain

Based on Holden’s most recent E3 series GTS model, the 2012 Vauxhall VXR8 will hit UK dealers next March, featuring several improvements over the previous model, which was built on the lower-spec ClubSport R8. Priced at £49,500 (VAT included), the new model is still considered a bargain in the country, considering that there’s a 6.2-liter V8 powerhouse under the bonnet.

Read more »

Vauxhall gets into the Christmas Shopping Spirit, Announces 20% Discounts on Most New Models

'Tis the season for shopping at Vauxhall as GM's British subsidiary has announced a significant 20 per cent discount on most of its new models, just days before the VAT increases in the country by a hefty 2.5 per cent in early January. The automaker's offer is called "Vauxhall Countdown" and it is available on new cars purchased between December 27, 2010

Read more »

Fiat to Supply Opel with Commercial Vehicles Made in Turkey

In this day and age, automakers are either buying each other up forming new groups or constantly deepening their cooperation with their counterparts. The Fiat Group, which recently acquired a 20% stake in Chrysler, is now expanding its commercial vehicle joint ventures to include GM's European Opel and Vauxhall units.

The Italian company, which has a joint venture for larger LCVs with the PSA Peugeot-Citroen Group, has signed a contract agreement with GM to supply vehicles comprising of several variants to Opel starting from December 2011. The new model will replace the German firm's Combo light commercial vehicle, keeping the same name. The range will include a number of derivatives, such as cargo vans, passenger vehicles and chassis cabs.

Read more »

2011 Vauxhall Antara Facelift Prices Start Under £20k in the UK

Following the reveal of its Opel counterpart in mainland Europe, Vauxhall has released pricing and specifications on the UK market Antara facelift, which boasts a barely noticeable makeover and a refreshed engine lineup. Prices for the updated SUV now start from £19,995 for the 2.2 CDTi (163PS) Exclusiv front-wheel drive model, which according to Vauxhall, represents a saving of £2,835 over the outgoing base version.

Read more »

2011 Opel Corsa Facelift Pictures Found and Confirmed on Official Site

A couple of weeks, we told you about a series of photos showing the 2011/2012 Opel Corsa facelift. To recap, according to numerous tipsters including Carscoop reader Javier, the pictures were found momentarily on Opel's German site, but were removed shortly after some users started uploading the images on the firm's Facebook page. Unfortunately, we weren't able to verify the claim then.

But Javier kept on looking and this time, he was able to tip us off in a timely manner about the Corsa facelift making its appearance on Opel's Belgian website. And yes, we can confirm their authenticity. The pictures of the standard 3-door and 5-door Corsa as well as of the OPC hot hatch that you see in our gallery after the jump were downloaded by us.

Read more »

2011 Opel Antara Receives Minor Facelift with Renewed Engine Lineup

Following in the footsteps of its sister Chevrolet Captiva model, the Opel / Vauxhall Antara has received a mid-life refresh. It hasn't been around for long so there are no big styling changes for this facelift, just minor tweaks here and there to keep the crossover model looking up to date in a line-up of newer Opel products such as the Meriva, Astra and Insignia.

For the 2011MY, the Antara gets a new front grille with a less prominent logo and redesigned front bumper with new fog lights and lower grille styling, plus modified rear light clusters and optional 19-inch light-metal wheels. Interior changes come in the form of a new center console with extra storage solutions, new materials and added color options.

Read more »