The British arm of Opel, Vauxhall has released information regarding this year’s lineup for the 2010 Paris Motor Show.
Besides the world premiere for the Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer, the main highlight at their stand will be the world debut of the Vauxhall GTC Paris Concept, a
sporty compact hatch which will combine speed and beauty.
The name Paris indicates the expressive nature of the Vauxhall GTC Paris Concept which will probably be a pre-production version of the Insignia Coupe but we’ll just wait for the show and see exactly what the automaker has in mind.
Apart from the Vauxhall GTC Paris Concept, the Vauxhall Meriva and Ampera will also be present at this French motor show.
Vauxhall press release :
- World Debut: GTC Paris, Vauxhall’s new concept combines Speed and Beauty
- World Premiere: Astra Sports Tourer, Vauxhall’s new stylish load carrier
- New Meriva: Expanded diesel line-up for groundbreaking compact MPV
- New Start/Stop model receives motor show debut
- Ampera: Extended-Range Electric Vehicle on track for 2011 production
Luton – With two world premieres and a host of new exciting
models, the Vauxhall stand will be one of the star attractions at this
year’s Mondial de l’Automobile in Paris (October 2 – 17), the most
visited motor show in the world.
Some 1.5 million visitors will get a chance to see the GTC Paris – a
stunning new concept car – the new Astra Sports Tourer, the latest new
Meriva diesel models, as well as the recently announced Start/Stop Corsa
ecoFLEX model. There will also be the very latest Ampera development
car on display, as its on-sale date in the UK draws ever closer.
World Debut: The GTC Paris, Vauxhall’s new concept combines Speed and Beauty
“And the speed was pure beauty.” This simple line from the novel, Jonathan Livingston Seagull
inspires the vision around Vauxhall’s newest concept car, the GTC Paris
and is laser etched into the upholstery of both front seats.
The name, GTC Paris, evokes both the character of the vehicle and the
fashionable city where it will have its debut. With its dramatic
proportions and sculptural shapes the GTC Paris showcases an expressive,
sporty compact hatch.
World Premiere for new, British-built Astra Sports Tourer
The Sports Tourer will be the second model to join the new Astra
range, which has now sold over 28,000 units in the UK (to end of May)
since its launch last December, and has helped the Astra become
Britain’s best-selling retail range in the first five months of this
year.
Combining high levels of practicality, clothed in a typically sleek
and rakish body from Brit Mark Adams’ design team, the Sports Tourer is
available to order now and will arrive in UK showrooms at the end of
October.
Illustrating the depth of Vauxhall’s engineering and manufacturing
excellence in the UK, the Sports Tourer will be assembled solely at
Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port plant in Cheshire, while its new upper-body
structure has been 100 per cent engineered at Vauxhall Engineering
Centre in Bedfordshire. And like the recently launched Astra hatch, the
Sports Tourer will feature key dynamic elements tuned for UK roads.
Packed with clever features, the Astra Sports Tourer maintains the
hatch’s wheelbase (2685mm), yet its superior packaging has allowed the
maximum load length to be increased by 28mm to 1835mm, and its load
volume by 30 litres to *500 litres with the rear seats up.
As well as boasting a cargo area with flat wall linings to fully optimise available space, a new FlexFold
feature (standard or optional depending on trim level) allows each
section of the 60:40 split-fold rear seatbacks to be lowered at the
press of a button housed in the walls of the cargo compartment. In
addition, with the rear seat cushions folded up against the front
seat-backs, the Sports Tourer has a completely flat load floor and a
maximum load capacity of up to **1550 litres. A further new addition is
the Easy-Access Cargo Cover which effortlessly slides upwards and away at the touch of a button.
New Meriva: Expanded diesel line-up enhances efficient performance
Also starring at Paris are the latest new Meriva diesel models, which
complete the engine line-up for this groundbreaking car. The two
ultra-efficient units together boost the range’s green credentials and
offer yet more performance than before. This brings the total number of
engines in the Meriva range to seven, comprising three petrol and four
diesel units.
The first new addition is a 95PS 1.3 CDTi engine, which will power
all Meriva ecoFLEX models. Featuring closed-loop combustion control, the
1.3 CDTi (95PS) uses a variable geometry turbocharger and is mated to a
gearbox with taller ratios. As a result, the Meriva ecoFLEX’s emissions
drop to 119g/km and it achieves fuel consumption on the combined cycle
of 62.8mpg – a 9 per cent improvement over the 1.3 CDTi engine in the
Meriva’s previous range. The 1.3 CDTi ecoFLEX joins the 1.3 CDTi (75PS),
which was available from launch.
For those Meriva buyers after more performance, but who still require
the efficiency and economy expected from a modern diesel, the new 1.7
CDTi (130PS) has all the answers. With up to 300Nm of torque available
from 2000-2500rpm, the Meriva’s most powerful diesel takes just 9.9
seconds to accelerate from 0-62mph and will hit a top speed of 121mph.
But brisk performance hasn’t come at the expense of economy. On the
combined cycle, the 1.7 CDTi (130PS) still achieves 54.3mpg and C02
emissions of just 138g/km, made possible by a comprehensive package of
efficiency upgrades.
All 1.7 CDTi (130PS) Merivas have six speed manual gearboxes as
standard and provide a more performance-focused alternative to the
existing 1.7 CDTi (100PS), which is available as standard with a
six-speed automatic transmission.
New Corsa Start/Stop showcases Vauxhall’s commitment to reducing CO2 emissions
The new Corsa ecoFLEX is the first Vauxhall to feature Start/Stop
technology, enabling the new Euro 5-compliant 1.3 CDTi (75PS) models to
achieve 70.6mpg – a near 5mpg, or more than 7 per cent improvement – on
the combined cycle.
Compared with the outgoing Euro 4, 1.3 CDTi (75PS) engine, the
addition of Start/Stop technology and Euro 5 emissions compliance has
brought a 9g/km reduction in CO2emissions, down to 105g, as
well as a 20Nm increase in torque to 190Nm. All Start/Stop cars are also
fitted with a DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter), which traps harmful
particulates.
The principle of Start/Stop is simple: instead of the engine idling
at traffic lights or at a level crossing, the engine will automatically
stop when the driver engages neutral and releases the clutch pedal. When
the traffic lights turn green, the driver simply presses the clutch
pedal to re-start the engine, engage first and move away. Naturally, the
car’s ventilation, power steering and braking system performance is
maintained while the engine is temporarily off.
Vauxhall Ampera: Extended-Range Electric Vehicle drives anywhere, anytime
Vauxhall’s goal is to offer the first extended-range electric vehicle
in Europe. And the latest Ampera development car on Vauxhall’s Paris
show stand proves that the brand is on schedule to launch this
revolutionary car in early 2012.
The Ampera extended-range electric vehicle will be the first
emission-free, electrically driven car in the UK suitable for everyday
driving. With its unique electric propulsion system providing lively
acceleration and high levels of refinement, the five-door Ampera seats
four passengers, offers a useful boot for their luggage, and features an
extended range of around 350 miles. The Ampera will be well-suited to
the daily driving schedule of most European customers. For example,
approximately 80 percent of UK drivers travel less than 40 miles per
day.
The Ampera’s wheels are driven by electricity at all times and
speeds. For trips up to 40 miles, power is supplied by the electricity
stored in the 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery. While driving on electricity
delivered by the battery, the Ampera emits zero CO2. When the
battery’s energy is depleted, a petrol-fuelled engine-generator
seamlessly provides electricity to power the electric drive unit while
simultaneously sustaining the charge of the battery. This mode of
operation extends the total range to approximately 350 miles, until the
battery can be recharged (in about three hours at 240v) by plugging the
vehicle’s on-board charge system into a standard household outlet.
Unlike a conventional battery-electric vehicle, the Ampera eliminates
range anxiety. It gives drivers the confidence and peace of mind that a
depleted battery will not leave them stranded.
More than 280 lithium-ion cells in the T-shaped battery pack provide
ample power. The nearly silent electric drive unit delivers 370Nm of
instant torque, the equivalent of 150PS, zero to 60mph acceleration in
around nine seconds, and a top speed of 100mph.
