DETROIT, 11:43 PM, SUN JUL 6 | 2 POSTS IN THE LAST 24 HOURS | tips@jalopnik.com | RSS
Posts Tagged “

Opel

”
down on the street bonus edition

Opel Blitz Fire Truck Woke Up One Morning In... San Francisco?

Denver has the Mercedes-Benz Feuerwagen, but San Francisco can hold its head up high when it comes to German Emergency Vehicle bragging rights, with this 60s Opel Blitz that Akier photographed in the Sunset District. Make the jump to see the entire gallery and read Akier's description.

More »

3:00 PM on Fri Jun 27 2008
By Murilee Martin
1,126 views, 15 comments

down on the street bonus edition

Vauxhall Tigra Makes Some Kind Of Statement In New England

Say you really, really want to bring a weird European car over to North America, really blow the squares' minds with something they've never seen before, and you're willing to go through the nightmarish bureaucratic hassles. Do you get all Kafkaesque with a Škoda Superb, or maybe pick up a what-the-hell-is-that Citroën C6? No! You spend endless months in Paperwork Hell so you can register a Vauxhall Tigra in Connecticut! We can totally see that, and we can thank MaxForrest32 for having his secret spy camera at the ready. First a VX220 in California, now this! Make the jump to read MaxForrest32's description.


More »

4:00 PM on Fri Jun 20 2008
By Murilee Martin
2,030 views, 66 comments

Latest by FuzzyPlushroom: @maxforrest32: The Matchbox Caddy. But my reply goes well with both features of your above photo as well. more »

2011 saturn astra

2010 Opel Astra Spotted Testing In Alps, 2011 Saturn Version Not Far Behind

While on a testing field trip in the Austrian Alps, GM engineers managed to wander into the range of a wild pack of KGP photographers, giving us a bit more of a solid look at the pending 2010 Opel Astra, and by extension, the next version of the 2011 Saturn Astra. Though the outside camo makes us want to play checkers, the cockpit was sans cover-ups and looking pretty snazzy for the segment. We can imagine the character line at the bottom of the rear door swooping up to match a Mazda3-wagon-like C-pillar and window treatment, but that's just us. And wow, check out the front quarter lower intakes, or maybe it could just be sneaky camouflage. Full spy report below the fold.

More »

Spy Photos

10:40 AM on Wed May 28 2008
By Ben Wojdyla
4,134 views, 19 comments

Latest by n/a: I just realized that it actually is a pretty damn good camo. more »

beijing motor show

Opel Flextreme... ATTACK!

More »
2009 opel insignia

2009 Opel Insignia Revealed, Officially

The General's German brand saw the sign it needed to replace the aged Vectra, so they opened up their eyes — and came up with this — the new 2009 Opel Insignia. It's a new name, a new car and yes, a new badge for the brand preciously misspelled from the name of a gem and it's being revealed in July at the London Motor Show. We're guessing Opel decided to drop this load of shots and details early due to, you know, all the leakage everywhere — both manufactured, silly and otherwise. This new Vectra-replacing four-door will hit the market with a pickup truck-like selection of engine options and powertrains. Buyers of the new Insignia will be able to choose from seven different engines — four gasoline engines ranging from a four-banger 115 HP unit to a V6 with an output of 260 horses and three new direct-injection diesels displacing 2.0 liters and with outputs spanning from 110 to 160 HP. And when you're done choosing your boring engines, you'll have a choice between either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. What else would we expect from a four-door that's 7.9 inches longer than the current Vectra and is built on the General's new globe-spanning Epsilon II platform. Of course we'd expect a variety of available options — this sculpted boat's going to need to play the role of like, every car in GM's multi-brand lineup. And that's why we should care about this new Euro sedan — because everything else with an Opel badge gets sent state-wide as a Saturn, so we're under the impression we'll be seeing this as the 2011 Saturn Aura. But the platform prostitution doesn't end there — the bones underneath will hold the skin and meat of the 2011 Pontiac G6 and the 2012 Chevy Malibu. Rumor is we'll also see it as the 2010 Buick LaCrosse and the 2010 Saab 9-3. Yes, that means the 2010 LaCrosse would actually get an AWD platform — hmm, maybe there's some life in that old brand. Yeah, right. Full press release after the jump.

More »

8:30 AM on Fri Apr 18 2008
By Ray Wert
6,232 views, 38 comments

Latest by FuzzyPlushroom: @UDMan: Yeah, except that instead of a hideous nose like the Sebring's, it has a hideous arse. I dunno which is worse - but the Saturn's still much better to drive. Though I'd take a Malibu over it, since that's actually reliable more »

news

Auto Industry Helping Advance Plastics Industry, Unfortunately

Having a vehicle that looks too plastic-y is never a good thing, but the latest and advanced plastic manufacturers like Borealis and Sabic are looking to the auto-world to help further their cause of plastic. Borealis is using the Fiat 500 as its test vehicle for TPO. TPO is polypropylene-based Daplen thermoplastic olefins, whatever the hell that means. It really just translates to plastic that is very scratch resistant and has the ability to achieve uniform thickness. Opel is getting in on the high-tech plastic game, as well. More »

4:40 PM on Wed Apr 16 2008
By Travis Hudson
1,045 views, 17 comments

Latest by Falconfire: hey knock Saturn all you want, but my Saturn never has a ding in it once. cant say the same for any other car i have owned. more »

2009 opel insignia

2009 Opel Insignia Revealed Early, Sans Carefully Placed Tape

It's a shame the folks at Opel went through all that trouble to tape up the 2009 Opel Insignia, just to have the cover blown a few days later by the crew at AutoWeek.nl. Here it is, your future Opel Insignia in all its watermarked glory. Why should you care? This curvy sedan is likely to be the new Saturn Aura sometime down the line. The Insignia is scheduled for a big public unveiling at the London Motor Show in July with full details coming in a few days.

More »

3:40 PM on Mon Apr 14 2008
By Matt Hardigree
5,918 views, 32 comments

Latest by boldventure: Opel! Did you say Opel? Just can't keep the Opels outa here, just don't call it an Opel and it'll be okay! more »

spy photos

2009 Opel Insignia Spy Photos Released... By Opel?

In what seems to be a burgeoning trend, Opel joins the ranks of automakers that are releasing their own versions of professionally shot spy photos to whet the appetites of the motoring press. In this case we have the 2009 Open Insignia (and possibly the future Saturn Aura), which is based on GM's Epsilon-2 global platform. It's been taped up fairly well and, just for laughs, they guide us through the process of taping up a test mule. You clever buggers!

More »

Spy Photos

1:20 PM on Fri Apr 11 2008
By Matt Hardigree
2,842 views, 18 comments

Latest by athodyd: I spy a Bangle butt. My dad will be pissed. more »

spy photos

2011 Saturn Astra

Some say this test unit caught running 'round the 'Ring today thinks it actually has cupholders integrated into its design. Others claim despite the above-average Euro exterior styling and a somewhat dated interior (by Euro standards), it's terrible at checkers. All we know is it's called the — insert preferred name here, either the 2010 Opel Astra or the 2011 Saturn Astra. Heck, it may even be a 2010 Saturn Astra. Any way you look at it, the same hatch has hit the public track in Germany and the spy shooters of KGP have caught it running laps 'round the 'Ring. They've even caught an interior shot or two which gives away a center stack design with a high display and slender, vertical air-vents, reminiscent of its larger, midsize brother — the Opel Insignia, aka Saturn Aura. It also appears the new Astra will get an Insignia-inspired gauge cluster, with its distinctive chrome-ringed instrument pods. Full spy report from KGP after the jump.

More »

Spy Photos

10:16 AM on Wed Apr 9 2008
By Matt Hardigree
7,182 views, 37 comments

Latest by mytdawg: They should have kept one plastic body car for the faithful. I'm sure it's not worth it to keep a line running for that but it would have nice. more »

new cars

Opel Targets The Ladies With Shoes And Oh Yeah, An Agila To Match

No, that's not an April Fools' Day p-shop. That's what you think it is — a shoe that looks like an Opel. Designed by Simon Deering, The shoes are part of Opel's effort to market their Agila as a hip fashion accessory for their distaff customers. But the marketing doesn't stop there, Opel's even created a special model of the Agila, the "Agila.Com," which can only be ordered online. Pshaw, don't they know there are no women online?

More »

2:00 PM on Thu Apr 3 2008
By Mark Arnold
978 views, 21 comments

Latest by PhoneticLorin: ...I kinda think the shoes are cute. But I'll take the BMW version instead, thanks. @charles_barrett: That is a pretty nifty superpower. more »

el camino

South Africa Gets Opel Corsaminos!


Let's say you're in South Africa and you just can't get your hands on a good vintage 1956 Mercedes-Benzamino (or, in the local parlance, a Mercedes-Benz Bakkie). Fortunately, The General sells a Gamma-platform-based bakkie known as the Opel Corsa Utility. Sure, it's front-wheel-drive, but it's a factory-built car with a truck bed nonetheless. Thanks to Franzouse for the tip! [GM South Africa]

8:00 AM on Tue Apr 1 2008
By Murilee Martin
1,057 views, 38 comments

new cars

Is That A Sondergard In Your Pocket Or Are You Just Happy To See Me?

It's not often that we get unsolicited emails from Danish carmakers. Even rarer, still, are the carmakers advertising Caterham-esque two-seaters. What your looking at is the Sondergard concept, which is powered by what we think is the Opel GT's turbo I4. According to the email, this concept from "little Denmark" is capable of squeezing 265 horsepower out of said engine, good enough for a 0-62 mph time under 5.0 seconds. Of course, the email also says the top speed is "over 220 bhp/h." This concept goes on sale next year in Denmark for the low low sum of $63,550, which is a small price to pay for a car that goes over "220 bhp/h." The unintentionally funny email and more photos below the jump.

More »

4:49 PM on Thu Mar 27 2008
By Matt Hardigree
2,153 views, 31 comments

Latest by torquefreek: Newsflash: Ricky's sold one! Yeeehaw! more »

novelties

Wood Paneling, Schwood Paneling: How About An Opel Made Entirely Of Tree?

I hold a special area of my heart for wood paneling. Every since I was kid riding around in the wood-paneled station wagon, I always enjoyed this look. One particular individual has taken wood paneling to a completely new level by replacing the entire body of an Opel with wood panels. My natural instinct is to suggest that this is just wood-grain laminate attached to the body, but I can't confirm one way or another. Check out the pictures below and decide for yourself with a poll after the jump.
More »

3:45 PM on Thu Mar 27 2008
By Travis Hudson
2,081 views, 36 comments

Latest by CptSevere: Saw a Jeep Pickup in the Old Car Trader mag recently for sale. You could tell someone made the body completely out of wood. Looked like the dog's lunch, although someone put a lot of time into it. I just more »

choose your eternity

PCH, German Hellwagons Of Finland Edition: Taunus or Turbo Kadett?

In a not very shocking development, the Lincoln Mark VIIchero outclassed and out-helled the drag-racing '73 El Camino in yesterday's Choose Your Eternity poll, and we're sure everyone needs a breather from cartrucks after yesterday's madness. So what do we need? Station wagons, of course! And not just any station wagons- we're looking at old German station wagons... from Finland. You want umlauts? Wë'll gïvë ÿöü ümläüts! Finland must be the most umlaut-happy nation on the face of the earth. And rust? Oh yeah, Finland boasts excellent conditions for encouraging iron and oxygen atoms to get together and party. We can all thank Turbobrick for finding these ads and translating them for us; a PCH Tipster T-shirt will soon be arriving at his hut in the birch forests... that is, if the mailman can get through 20-foot snowdrifts.
More »

5:15 PM on Tue Mar 18 2008
By Murilee Martin
1,971 views, 54 comments

Latest by n/a: Heh, I'm from finland and I think both of those cars are actually quite expensive. But hey, you get 2 spare engines with the taunus, carburetor and 3 sets of tires ... all this for only 4990€ For the opel, it's more »

offbeat news

Police Pull Over Opel Vectra, Find Fourteen Romanians On Holiday

Police in the of German state of Bavaria didn't know what they'd find when they stopped a slow-moving Opel Vectra running at around 40 kmph on a snowy A6. But upon stopping the budget brand car, they found two men in the front seat, and in the back seat two women with two children on each lap and also a child between them. But wait, that doesn't sound like fourteen members of a Romanian family. That was because they'd yet to open the back hatch. That's where they found five more kids stuffed like sardines inside the trunk. The very extended family was on the road from France back to Romania. Guess that's why the Vectra was going so slowly, eh? Why do we seem so nonchalant about the whole thing? Because seriously, we'd only have been worried if we'd found fifteen in the car and six in the trunk. Now that would have been really silly. Fully Google translated story with all the inconsistencies we'd expect elow the jump. More »

7:30 AM on Fri Mar 7 2008
By Ray Wert
3,573 views, 55 comments

Latest by mr.chöppèrs: Hah, I took seven others across Denver to a kegger in my Chevrolet Turbo Sprint - with a speaker box aleady in the trunk! more »

geneva auto show

Opel Meriva Concept Revealed, Hooray For Suicide...Doors

Some of us hold suicide doors closer to heart than others, and Opel seems to be becoming a brand seeking to embrace us in all sorts of suicidally sound door configurations. The Opel Meriva Concept is a heavy hint at the next generation of the mini-minivan offering from Opel and among many features, it's replete with some mighty well-crafted suicide portals. Oh sure, that's not what they are going to call them. We're sure they'll use some kind of excuse like "a negative connotation" or "could cause protests from family groups," but whatever, that's just what everybody is going to call them. It's the way of the world. You don't see a GM car with a truck-bed and think immediately "it's a truck-car." No, you think "Hey, it's an El Camino." We don't care if does happen to be a GMC, the instinctual thought is "El Camino." Where were we? Oh right, the Meriva.

More »

10:45 AM on Wed Mar 5 2008
By Ben Wojdyla
1,079 views, 16 comments

Latest by FЯeeMan: @Rock517: definitely designed as a kid hauler - not for those with long legs. Unless they're at the auto show. more »

geneva motor show

Vauxhall Unveils Meriva Concept, Suicide Doors Are The Hotness

The biggest news on the Opel Meriva are its FlexDoors. We know them as suicide doors, but whatever. The rear doors hinge at the back, capable of opening separately from the fronts, they claim to offer much easier passenger ingress/egress, making the mini-MPV even more practical. By retaining the B-pillar, the doors don't reduce side impact safety. Aside form obvious pure concept touches like the high-spec interior and glitzy headlights, this all looks very production ready. We'll be bringing you live coverage from the Geneva Motor Show next week; expect more details on the Meriva then. The press release follows the jump.

More »

1:00 PM on Thu Feb 28 2008
By Wes Siler
1,792 views, 24 comments

Latest by n/a: Quote "Vauxhall do nothing but build and distribute re-badged Opels. It's just a silly front for a German company" Sorry but that is a silly arguement. Opel is no more German than Vauxhall is British as both are American owned more »

geneva motor show

Irmscher GT i40: An Opel GT With V8 Power

Who says the Germans are always hung up on Bruce? Sure, the press release we just received from German tuning house Irmscher says "Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail" at the bottom; but the body of the message has an entirely different tone. Forget the standard weaksauce Ecotec 4-pot; it seems the German hordes have realized they coulda had a V8 in their Opel GT. So Irmscher is releasing their version of the wee little roadster made off the same assembly line as our Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice with a 480 PS (473 HP) 6.0-liter V8 of unspecified origin. We're sure the German Green Party will totally be happy. Full press release with all the hilarious German-English translation errors — like "V8 Power to be enjoyed" — after the jump. We're just going to sit here and dream of a V8 crammed between the rails of a Saturn Sky. Don't mind us. More »

9:45 AM on Tue Feb 26 2008
By Mark Arnold
2,272 views, 20 comments

Latest by marc2068: This is a official Deathtrap 3000. F*** Opel,The guys at Mallet are on crack and meth. more »

next »