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.

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Opel to Launch New Astra-Based Convertible Model in 2013

Opel today revealed its plans to introduce a new convertible in 2013. The new model is part of the company's EUR11 billion investment plan which was announced last year and also includes the new Zafira and the Ampera EV. The droptop will be based on General Motor's compact vehicle architecture, which forms the basis for the current Astra hatchback, Astra SportsTourer and the upcoming Astra GTC, as well as Chevrolet's Cruze and Orlando.

Although Opel doesn't specify the name of the model, it will most likely be the next-generation Astra Convertible, currently produced as a coupe-cabriolet under the name of Astra TwinTop. The vehicle will enter production in 2013 at Opel's Gliwice plant in Poland, where other Astra models are also built.

“The new Convertible will be a great addition to our product lineup. It follows the long-standing tradition of highly emotional and legendary Opel/Vauxhall Cabrios that provided important halo effects on our brand. With its sleek and elegant design, our new Convertible will fully deliver on that same promise,” said Opel/Vauxhall CEO Nick Reilly.

It is not clear if the Astra Convertible will retain the retractable hardtop or switch to a soft top to rival the new VW Golf Cabriolet. This, along with other details, will be revealed closer to the launch date.

By Dan Mihalascu

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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.

The tuning house also adds a Quaife differential lock, a new sports clutch kit, high performance perforated brake discs with 8 calipers and a sports suspension together with 20-inch wheels that are shod in Pirelli P Zero 235/35ZR20 tires up front and 275/30ZR20 at the back.

The exterior modifications are kept to a minimum and include new upper and lower grilles finished in black, side sills and a rear apron that houses a diffuser and the quad tail pipes.

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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.

The rear end is also sporty, dominated by the high-sitting taillights and the two large exhaust pipes integrated into the rear apron.

“We have transferred the idea of a relaxing lounge to a vehicle and created an automobile wellness oasis, a place to relax and enjoy. Passengers can retreat in the lounge. It is a comfortable, roomy space where you really want to be – regardless if it’s for a business trip or to relax for a long journey,” says Mark Adams, Vice President of Design at Opel.

One of the Zafira's main features is the panorama windshield, which is continued by a glass roof covering the entire length of the roof offering an airy interior. Inside, there's room for seven passengers with the concept building on Opel's Flex7 seating concept pioneered by the first Zafira. There are many available configurations, including a lounge mode that offers four spacious business-class seats.

The Zafira Tourer Concept is powered by a new version of the Opel's 1.4-liter gasoline turbo engine featuring Start/Stop technology.

We'll have more on Opel's new concept model from the Geneva motor show floors next week.

By Dan Mihalascu

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2011 Opel Astra Sports Tourer For Family

2011 Opel Astra Sports Tourer Turing

New Opel Astra four-door hatchback that is almost a year ago and now the Astra Sports Tourer, the second type of construction in the new Astra line-up.

2011 Opel Astra Sports Tourer Side

In contrast to the four-door hatchback, the style over substance places, the Sports Tourer is more of a clean car. The roof line goes in the rear seats just so rear passengers more headroom and radicals from the direction of the hatch, so that luggage. As the new Astra hatchback, still sports a stylish European wrapper.

2011 Opel Astra Sports Tourer Rear Side 1

2011 Opel Astra Sports Tourer Rear Side 2

If the Sports Tourer was developed to load as much as possible as efficiently as possible, the engineers took a lot of effort to provide optimum storage space. On the back of the boat is carefully designed to each odd that use difficult angle. In addition, a new “FlexFold” Back seat system has just flipped to the back seat. The system uses a spring mechanism that fires in one-touch automatic folding of the seat.

The biggest difference between the four-door saloon and Sports Tourer is the body style, like most of the pieces transferred from the hatch. The suspension of the convertible with largely unchanged good drivability and handling guarantee, but the rear suspension is calibrated to handle higher loads. An optional flex ride system functions such as Audi drive select allows the driver to select and a series from the Touring mode, standard and sport. Sport mode stiffens the suspension for better response and improved throttle and steering response. The Sports Tourer Opel Astra are also electronic trailer stability program to assist owners to pull the trailer.

The powertrain line-up captured the four-door hatchback, with a total of eight petrol and diesel engines. Power range of 95 hp in the Astra ecoFLEX with a fuel-efficient 1.3-liter turbo diesel 180 hp in the 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline engine. A six-speed manual transmission is standard with an upshift indicator for each engine and a six-speed automatic transmission is most available.

2011 New Opel Astra Sports Tourer

Chevrolet is a successful car model in India. It is the only brand that General Motors (GM) sells in the fast growing market of India. The cars of Chevrolet launched in India include Spark, Captiva, Cruze, Optra Magnum, Tavera and Aveo. Cruze was launched in India in October 2009.

2011 Opel Astra Sports Tourer Front Action View

An industry vastly changed from what it was even 20 years ago is Liverpool's maritime industry. Whilst it now only employs 6000 people, compared to nearly 40,000 in the early 20th century, the Port of Liverpool is the third largest port in the UK by tonnage handled and is in the top 10 of container ports in northern Europe. Whilst the days of large transatlantic liners docking at Liverpool are over, the port is still used by P&O Ferries for its routes to and from Ireland.

2011 New Opel Astra Sports Tourer