Nother CarGuy

This is the all-new 2022 Opel Astra and to say it is a radical departure from its predecessor would be an understatement. The new Astra, also sold as a Vauxhall in the UK, shares its EMP2 platform with other Stellantis models including the Peugeot 308. Opel / Vauxhall will sell the new Astra with a handful of different petrol, diesel, and PHEV powertrains. Sitting at the base of the range is a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder petrol available in 108 hp and 128 hp configurations. A turbocharged four-cylinder diesel with 128 hp is also offered. These petrol engines all come standard with a six-speed manual transmission but customers can spec out an eight-speed automatic. As for the plug-in hybrids (PHEV), the entry-level variant combines a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine delivering 148 hp with a 109 hp electric motor, creating a combined 178 hp. The flagship PHEV model pairs this same 109 hp electric motor with a 178 hp version of the 1.6-liter turbo-four, produci...

Vauxhall has released the first photos of the 2020 Astra and the accompanying press release makes no mention of any design tweaks. A close look at the pictures reveals why: the only changes we could identify include the revised front bumper and new alloys. So what is really new about the facelifted Astra then? Well, Vauxhall says the new model is up to 19 percent more efficient courtesy of new PSA-sourced 1.2-liter three-cylinder gasoline engines and 1.5-liter four-cylinder diesels, as well as a new nine-speed automatic transmission. Furthermore, the Astra gains class-leading technology and equipment. Starting off with the engines, the big news is the addition of the new 1.2-liter three-cylinder turbocharged petrol unit from PSA, available in three states of tune: 110 PS (109 hp) and 195 Nm (144 lb-ft), 130 PS (128 hp) and 225 Nm (166 lb-ft), and 145 PS (143 hp) and 225 Nm (166 lb-ft). Each version is mated to a new PSA-sourced six-speed manual gearbox as standard and preli...

Meet Opel’s all-new sixth-generation Corsa supermini, now available as a battery-electric variant for the very first time. Dubbed the Corsa-e, this electrified model can offer a zero-emission driving range of 330 km (205 miles), per WLTP standards. Order books for the new Corsa are set to open “in a few weeks”, beginning with the Corsa-e and followed by the diesel and petrol versions. Here however, we’ll only be discussing the electrified model. The Corsa-e is fully electric and features a 50 kWh battery that can be fast-charged to 80% of its total capacity in just 30 minutes. Owners can do so either via cable, wall box or a high-speed charger. Meanwhile, the state of charge can be monitored with the myOpel app. Power output is rated at 100 kW (134 HP / 136 PS) and 260 Nm (191 lb-ft) of instantaneous peak torque. This means that the Corsa-e can sprint from zero to 50 km/h (31 mph) in 2.8 seconds and needs 8.1 seconds to hit 100 km/h (62 mph). Once in transit, the drive...

The 2020 Opel/Vauxhall Corsa has surfaced online ahead of the official reveal scheduled for the Frankfurt Auto Show in September. The folks from L’Automobile Magazine posted the images on their website, providing us with the first look at the next-generation subcompact hatchback. The French magazine pulled them out shortly after, but by then, they had already spread around the web on numerous sites and forums, including Autoblog.nl. The official images reveal an evolutionary design approach for Opel’s B-segment model. The car you see here is the electric version which appears to be named Corsa-e. As with the rest of the Corsa range, the electric model shares underpinnings with the Peugeot 208 — more specifically with the e-208. All Corsa models switch to PSA’s CMP scalable architecture which already underpins the Peugeot 208 and DS3 Crossback. Thanks to the new platform, the Corsa will not only be electrified but also significantly lighter, shedding up to 108 kg (238 lbs) i...

The Opel Cascada is slated to go out of production later this year and Buick has finally confirmed its version of the car is also going away. Even when Buick declined to confirm the Cascada’s death after Opel announced it was axing its version, it was clear that the Cascada was living on borrowed time. Thus, the announcement wasn’t too surprising. “The Cascada has played its role in the portfolio perfectly, outselling many other premium convertibles while bringing in buyers from outside GM”, Buick told Autonews. They added that the model will be discontinued at the 2019 model year and dealers should have enough inventory to last them until then. The Cascada was launched in early 2016 and became Buick’s first convertible in 25 years. Featuring a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder producing 200 hp (149 kW / 203 PS) and up to 221 lb-ft (300 Nm) of torque, the Cascada was billed as an affordable alternative to the Audi A3 Cabriolet. Despite being cheaper than the Audi, the Cas...

Following a preview earlier this month, Opel and Vauxhall have unveiled the GT X Experimental concept. Designed to showcase a new styling direction for the PSA-owned brands, the GT X Experimental concept is a stylish crossover coupe which has a roofline that mimics the Adam. Despite this familiar touch, the concept features a bold new design with a slightly opaque grille that blends into the crossover’s LED matrix headlights. Further below, we can see a triangular accent beneath the Opel / Vauxhall logo. The protruding element is echoed on the hood as there’s a prominent center line that goes all the way back to the windscreen. Continuing past the A-pillar, we can see sleek bodywork and bulging rear fenders. The sporty styling belies the fact that the concept features suicide rear doors and a pillar-less design. The latter feature allows easy access to the concept’s four-seat interior which has a minimalist design. While the cabin is largely plain, the concept ha...

The mark its first year under PSA control, Opel is working on a new car, dubbed the GT X Experimental Concept. Teased here, it will introduce a new styling language for the Vauxhall and Opel brands. This teaser image shows Vauxhall/Opel chief executive Michael Lohscheller offering the world a peak of the concept’s design. To say the front fascia looks unlike current Vauxhall and Opel models would be an understatement. The new front fascia first consists of the Vauxhall Compass. This section incorporates a north-south line that stretches down from the hood and a horizontal line at the bottom of the fascia. Additionally, the new design incorporates the Vizor, a feature that frames the headlights, DRLs, cameras, sensors and Vauxhall badge. It has been modelled on the eye slot of a motorcycle helmet and makes the GT X Experimental Concept’s nose appear particularly aggressive. One other thing you may notice from this teaser is the lack of any obvious air intakes or cooling ducts. ...

Opel is looking to redefine itself within the PSA Group, starting with an all-new design language that’s going to debut with an unnamed concept that will be revealed towards the end of the year. Opel’s VP of Design Mark Adams and his team have revisited the company’s design philosophy in order to better showcase the brand’s values in future products. The German car maker aims to make its cars look ‘bold’ and ‘pure’, starting with a new “Opel Compass” front-end treatment. Every future Opel’s face will feature design elements organized around two axes that intersect the brand emblem. The center-crease line on the bonnet will represent the vertical axis while the horizontal axis will be defined by the wing-shaped DRL signature. “Strong proportions, simple but sculptural surfaces, bold graphics, and rare but extremely well executed details – the 2018 Brand Concept we are preparing continues to develop the principles we explored with the GT Concept,” said Mark Adams. “There is a ...

Opel has released a mysterious teaser image that partially reveals what appears to be an entirely new product. Posted on their official Twitter account, the picture probably depicts an SUV that lacks a conventional front grille, suggesting perhaps the use of an electric powertrain. Other features visible are the reversed L-shaped LED daytime running lights, a muscular hood, a rugged-looking front bumper, and chunky tires, which makes us wonder whether this might provide a glimpse into some sort of flagship SUV. If that's the case, know that Opel/Vauxhall have already announced that such a flagship vehicle will be produced in Russelsheim before the end of the decade, likely underpinned by the PSA EMP2 platform. Joining the Mokka X, Crossland X, and Grandland X, the brand's flagship SUV will sit at the top of the range, alongside the Insignia, as part of a product offensive than includes several new models. It's also believed to share a thing or two with the new Pe...

This is the new Opel Insignia GSi, the sportiest derivative of Opel’s mid-sized model, which is expected to make its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September. Power comes from a turbocharged 2.0-liter petrol engine that makes 252hp (260PS) and 295lb-ft (400Nm) of torque and is mated to a new eight-speed automatic gearbox with paddles shifters on the steering. Opel also points out that despite the new model being less powerful by 69hp than the previous-gen Insignia OPC, it still manages a faster lap time at the Nurburgring. “It is this combination of low weight – especially on the front axle – low center of gravity, easy handling, high power over a wide rpm-band and best traction which makes the GSi so fast” said Volker Strycek, Opel’s Director Performance Cars & Motorsport. “That is pure efficiency. The high grip level is perfect for the Nordschleife and a fun-to-drive as well as safety advantage on public roads.” One of the reasons is because the new Insi...

Following a teaser earlier today, Opel and sister brand Vauxhall have officially unveiled the new Grandland X. Set to become the company's largest crossover, the Grandland X features a familiar front fascia with a chrome winglet grille as well as LED-infused headlights. The sporty styling continues further back as the model has been equipped with a prominent character line, a sculpted hood, and plastic body cladding. Lastly at the rear, there's a tailgate-mounted spoiler and an integrated dual exhaust system. Overall, the crossover measures 4,477mm (176.2 inches) long, 1,844mm (72.5 inches) wide and 1,636mm (64.4 inches) tall with a wheelbase that spans 2,675mm (105.3 inches). This means the model is 200mm (7.8 inches) longer than the both the Mokka X and Crossland X. The five-seat interior promises to be relatively comfortable as options include ergonomic front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a wireless smartphone charger. Buyers on a budget will still be treated ...

General Motors is currently negotiating the sale of its European operations, which include the Opel and Vauxhall brands, with PSA Group as confirmed from both companies earlier today. "PSA Group confirms that, together with General Motors, it is exploring numerous strategic initiatives aiming at improving its profitability and operational efficiency, including a potential acquisition of Opel," PSA said in their statement. Earlier reports talked about that the talks between GM and PSA could lead to a merger of Opel with PSA, with the deal to be announced even within days. General Motors and PSA already work together on some of their minivan and SUV models, as the two companies had tried to strike a merger deal unsuccessfully back in 2013 . Merging Opel with PSA’s Peugeot, Citroen and DS would create the second-biggest auto group in Europe after VW, with about 16 percent of the European car market. If the deal does happen, then GM will get the clean exit from Europ...

Wagons may be a dying breed in America, replaced (alongside the minivan) by the ubiquitous crossover. But the state of the estate is still alive and kicking in many overseas markets that even an American automaker like General Motors can't ignore. Hence the new  Insignia Sports Tourer . Based closely on the recently revealed  Insignia Grand Sport  sedan, the new Sports Tourer is set to debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month to replace the outgoing model that won Europe's Car of the Year award back in 2009. So what we're looking at, essentially, is the same fresh architecture and  Monza -inspired design, but with a stretched roofline to offer more utility. More than 100 liters (3.5 cubic feet) more utility, in fact, as cargo capacity has grown to 1,640 liters (68 cubic feet) thanks to a load floor that's nearly four inches longer. That means the new Insignia Sports Tourer is larger than the model it replaces, but thanks to lightweight construction materials and ...