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Opel focuses on environmentally compatible vehicles. Existing technologies offer considerable potential to further reduce CO2 emissions and fuel consumption. Opel has been steering gasoline and diesel engines towards a cleaner future and will continue to do so. Beyond the further development of conventional powertrains Opel will invest in the next few years alone some one billion euros specifically for alternative propulsion technology.

Apart from the Ampera, which will be the first extended-range electric vehicle (E-REV) to come to market in Europe, additional electric vehicles are on the drawing board. For instance hybrid cars and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles like the HydroGen4 are being researched. Opel calls this strategy e-mobility unlimited.

Further development of conventional propulsion systems

Opel continues to invest into the further development of conventional propulsion systems. Existing technologies offer considerable potential to further improve CO2 emissions and fuel consumption without significantly restricting driving performance. This can be achieved, for example, by using new materials and surface processes to decrease internal friction in the engine, adopting common-rail diesel engines with high injection pressures up to 2000 bar, using cam-phaser technology, optimizing transmission stepping, having a longer final-drive ratio, reducing weight, avoiding air flow turbulence at the rear axle, using low rolling-resistance tires and other aerodynamic fine-tuning.

One of the focal points here is a rightsizing strategy, where naturally-aspirated engines with relatively large displacements are replaced by turbocharged engines with a smaller displacement. Turbo technology helps to reduce internal friction, increase thermal efficiency and enable higher engine loads. This results in lower fuel consumption and emissions, while also achieving better performance.

Opel ecoFLEX models

The ecoFLEX model in an Opel product line is the most efficient variant that does not compromise driving fun, performance or safety. Opel ecoFLEX models are available with engines that run on diesel, gasoline, LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) or CNG (Compressed Natural Gas).

Opel continues expanding this family of highly fuel efficient cars. And the environmentally friendly vehicle portfolio is popular with customers. Market success supports this strategy: already in the past, ecoFLEX models accounted for over one-third of all Opel vehicles sold.
With the newly expanded offer – the company currently offers nearly 70 ecoFLEX variants – it is anticipated that every second car sold will be an ecoFLEX model.

ecoFLEX models with Start/Stop even more economical

The company underlines its commitment to being a leader in environmentally compatible mobility with the current models in this range.

The Corsa 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX embodies the philosophy of offering environmentally friendly cars at affordable prices without any compromises in driving fun.  Average fuel consumption is 3.5 liters diesel per 100 km, which corresponds to just 94 g/km CO2. Compared to the first ecoFLEX version from 2008, the Corsa with Start/Stop offers 27 percent more output (70 kW/95 hp instead of 55 kW/75 hp) while fuel consumption and emissions decreased by over 22 percent – from 4.5 to 3.5 liters per 100 km and from 119 to 94 g/km CO2. In addition to Start/Stop technology, the package of measure to reduce fuel consumption in ecoFLEX models comprises the improvement of engine characteristics and aerodynamics as well as reduction of vehicle weight.

The same applies to the new Opel Astra 1.7 CDTI ecoFLEX with Start/Stop. Available with 81 kW/110 hp or 96 kW/130 hp, the compact sedan undercuts the 100 gram mark in CO2 emissions. With just 99 g/km CO2 and consumption of 3.7 liters diesel per 100 km, it is the cleanest, most economical Astra ever. At the same time, the new green compact class flagship sets standards in performance and driving fun in Europe’s most important car segment with maximum torque of 300 Nm (96 kW/130 hp version) and six-speed manual transmission. To ensure optimum electrical energy management, Opel introduces a braking energy recuperation system which recovers kinetic energy via the generator in engine overrun mode, converting this to electrical energy and feeding it into the battery.

With the gradual introduction of Start/Stop technology into the whole model portfolio, Opel takes another major step towards its goal of lowering fuel consumption and emissions. Start/Stop technology is available in the Agila, Corsa, Meriva and Astra up to the Insignia.

The Start/Stop system’s biggest fuel-saving potential is in city driving. For example, the Corsa ecoFLEX’s consumption and emissions values are 8.7 percent lower here than without the system. Instead of idling with a running engine at a red light or train crossing, the engine turns off automatically as soon as the driver shifts into neutral and takes his foot off the clutch. When the light turns green, the driver simply steps on the clutch, shifts into first gear and drives off.

Lowering fuel consumption is not only limited to a few special models at Opel – it will be continually lowered with the introduction of new generations of vehicles. For example, the current Astra is available with eleven engines that emit an average of 12 percent less CO2 than the predecessor’s engines.

Alternative Propulsion systems

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)

Opel offers both CNG and LPG models ex-works. The company has been a CNG pioneer since 2001 and during this time nearly 60,000 Zafira A CNG, Astra G Station Wagon CNG, Combo CNG and Zafira B CNG vehicles have been built.

The 1.6 CNG engine (Compressed Natural Gas) with 69 kW/94 hp in the current Combo and the Zafira 1.6 CNG turbo (110 kW/150 hp) with the monovalentplus concept all run on natural gas, biogas or any combination of the two. A 14-liter gasoline reserve tank ensures continued operation if there is no natural gas filling station available.

Thanks to intelligent engine management and technical fine-tuning, engines optimized for natural gas emit around 20 percent less CO2 than comparable gasoline engines, and almost no soot.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)

With the LPG models, Opel offers cost-conscious and environmentally-aware drivers an attractive alternative. The company’s new LPG offer was launched with the Corsa LPG ecoFLEX. The LPG variants of the Meriva, Astra, Zafira Tourer and Insignia will gradually follow. With these newly developed, Euro 5 certified models, Opel offers a complete LPG solution ex-works, thus ensuring that Opel LPG ecoFLEX models are delivered in high Opel quality and come with the full manufacturer warranty.

Irrespective of the vehicles’ yearly mileage and utility profile, fuel costs can be reduced by about 40 percent with LPG. Everything also adds up on the environmental side: CO2 emissions in LPG operation are up to 15 percent lower than in comparable gasoline models. All of Opel's LPG ecoFLEX models are bi-fuel – they run on LPG and gasoline – enabling significantly longer operating ranges. That means an operating range of between 1,100 km and 1,500 km is possible with full gasoline and LPG tanks.

The Corsa 1.2 LPG ecoFLEX delivers 61 kW/83 hp in LPG operation (63 kW/85 hp in gasoline operation) and the three-door variant emits just 110 g/km CO2 (five-door version 115 g/km). The four following LPG ecoFLEX models are all based on the 1.4-liter turbo gasoline engine.

e-mobility unlimited: Electric mobility at Opel

Opel Ampera: First electric vehicle suitable for everyday use

The next milestone on the way to sustainable mobility is the Opel Ampera. The series production version of the Opel Ampera debuted at the Geneva Motor Show 2011. Opel establishes a new segment in the European automotive market with the launch of the electric vehicle at the end of this year. With this, the company underlines its role as a trendsetter for progressive mobility solutions. With its unique electric propulsion system and lively performance offering all the advantages of highly innovative battery drive, the five-door Ampera offers plenty of space for four occupants and their luggage, making it perfectly suitable for everyday use as well as long journeys.

The Opel Ampera is the first electric vehicle on the European market that doesn’t require a change in driving habits. Drivers have the peace of mind that they won’t be stranded due to a flat battery thanks to its extended range concept. The Ampera is easy to recharge. Using a 230 V power outlet with appropriate capacity, owners can fully recharge the battery in about four hours. This also underlines the vehicle’s everyday suitability and encourages use in pure battery operation, as studies on mobility behavior show. At lower capacity, the charging time increases.

Independent research found that about 80 percent of Europeans drive less than 60 kilometers per day. For the first 40 - 80 kilometers, power is supplied by the electricity stored in the 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery. The Ampera’s range-extender, a 1.4-liter gasoline engine, is used to generate power for the 111 kW/150 hp main electric motor when the battery reaches its minimum state of charge. This continuous power supply ensures worry-free driving – without the need to stop for recharging while providing 500 km travelling range.

Fuel Cell Vehicle with Hydrogen as Energy Carrier

Opel and GM have been working on the combination of fuel cells and hydrogen for more than ten years now. To date, GM has invested over 1.5 billion dollars in fuel cell technology and will continue to pursue this commitment.

HydroGen4

The fourth generation of fuel cell vehicles, the HydroGen4, is also completely emission-free – only steam comes out of its exhaust pipe. The HydroGen4’s fuel cell stack consists of 440 series-connected cells, in which hydrogen reacts with oxygen from the air. No combustion takes place, instead, an electro-chemical reaction produces an electric current. The only by-product is water; no harmful emissions are produced.

The fuel cell gives an output of 73 kW/100 hp and peak power of 94 kW/128 hp. The vehicle accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 12 seconds, and currently reaches a top speed of 160 km/h with an operating range of 320 km. To cover electric performance peaks, the HydroGen4 has a 1.8 kWh buffer battery.

The prototypes are already proving their everyday suitability in a pilot project in Berlin, which is supported by the German Federal Ministry for Transport. Since December 2008, ten HydroGen4 vehicles have been in use in the city as part of Opel’s contribution to the Clean Energy Partnership (CEP). Nine large companies – ADAC, Allianz, Axel Springer AG, Coca-Cola, Hilton, Linde, Schindler, Total und Veolia – have joined Opel to test the vehicles in everyday conditions.

In June 2011, a HydroGen4 driven by the ADAC as part of GM’s worldwide fuel-cell test fleet crossed the two-million mile mark (3.22 millionth kilometer).

The CEP is a lighthouse project for Europe to demonstrate the everyday usability of hydrogen as fuel for road use. It is supported by the German Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development. The regular use of cars with a broad utility profile enables Opel engineers to collect comprehensive performance and fueling data. The vehicles are very reliable for everyday operation in such a large city and clearly demonstrate the future potential of hydrogen technology. In addition, extensive European and global studies show the economic viability of establishing a hydrogen infrastructure. When the hydrogen is then also produced with power from renewable energy resources, not only would sustainable mobility be achieved, but a viable solution for supplying energy to society would also be created. This is due to the fact that by producing hydrogen, energy from fluctuating, renewable sources (wind energy, water energy and solar power) can be stored problem-free over a longer period of time.

In 2010 and 2011 the CEP project was expanded to the regions of Hamburg, Baden-Württemberg, North Rhine-Westphalia and Hessen where Opel has increased the number of vehicles in the fleet. The data and results collected contribute to achieving further improvements in terms of reliability, performance and vehicle fuel consumption.

The HydroGen4 vehicles in Berlin and North Rhine-Westphalia are part of the global Project Driveway, in which GM is testing a fleet of over 100 fuel cell vehicles in everyday operation. In the USA alone, around 100,000 people have applied to be drivers since the project began.