GM expands ecoFLEX offerings throughout the Opel passenger car portfolio for MY 2012

Opel Astra 1.7 CDTI ecoFLEX: 99 gCO2/km (3.7 L diesel/100 km) withoutput of 96 kW/130 hp. Click to enlarge.

GM has expanded the offering of ecoFLEX technologies throughout the Opel passenger car portfolio, resulting in reduced fuel consumption and emissions, along with some gains in output and torque.

Astra. Model Year 2012 brings two new ecoFLEX models into the Astra line-up. A new 1.7 CDTI diesel engine features a new engine management system completely designed by Opel engineers. It delivers optized performance, lower consumption as well as less noise and vibration. The new 1.7 CDTI engine is available in two output levels: 81 kW/110 hp and 96 kW/130 hp with maximum torque of 280 and 300 N·m respectively.

The five-door Astra ecoFLEX model is available with both 1.7 CDTI output versions; it has a fuel consumption of 3.7 liters diesel per 100 km (64 mpg US) and CO₂ emissions of 99 g/km, thus making it the cleanest, most economical Astra. The Astra ecoFLEX model features a Start/Stop system, a high-performance battery, a heavy-duty starter and low-rolling-resistance tires. In addition, it comprises a brake energy recuperation system, an optimized gearbox, optimized thermal management, an active aeroshutter in the radiator grille, a lowered chassis and LED daytime running lights.

Both 1.7 CDTI engine versions are also available in combination with an ecoFLEX technology package. The package comprises a Start/Stop system, a high-performance battery, a heavy-duty starter and low-rolling-resistance tires. It reduces fuel consumption in the 81 kW/110 hp and the 96 kW/130 hp variants to 4.3 liters diesel per 100 km (55 mpg US) and lowers CO₂ emissions in the five-door Astra to 114 g/km (Astra Sports Tourer: 4.4 liters per 100 km (53 mpg US) and 118 g/km CO₂.

The 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX model (70 kW/95 hp) and the 121 kW/165 hp 2.0 CDTI with ecoFLEX technology package (previously 118 kW/160 hp), have already been available with Start/Stop system for a number of months.

Corsa. For the Corsa, in addition to the 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX engines (55 kW/75 hp and 70 kW/95 hp), the gasoline engines 1.2 ecoFLEX (63 kW/85 hp) and 1.4 ecoFLEX (64 kW/87 hp and 74 kW/100 hp) are now also available with the Start/Stop system. They come with a high-performance battery, a heavy-duty starter and low-rolling-resistance 185/65 R 15 tires.

A major advantage of the Start/Stop system is that in the combined cycle, consumption is reduced by an average of 0.4 liters to 5.1 liters per 100 km (46 mpg US) for the 1.2-liter unit and to 5.3 l/100 km (44 mpg US) for both 1.4 engines. In urban driving, it is reduced by up to 0.8 liters per 100 km. This enables a reduction in CO₂ emissions in the Corsa gasoline variants down to 119 g/km.

Another highlight in the Corsa ecoFLEX engine offer is the newly developed 1.2 LPG ecoFLEX. It is bi-fuel and runs on gasoline or low-priced liquefied petroleum gas. In gasoline operation it reaches output of 63 kW/85 hp and in LPG operation 61 kW/83 hp. It meets the Euro 5 emissions standard in both operating modes and is also environmentally compatible with low CO₂ emissions (110 g/km in LPG operation, three-door model).

Meriva. Similar to the Corsa, Opel also expands the offer of engines with Start/Stop and ecoFLEX-technology for the Meriva. It is now available with the 1.3 CDTI (70 kW/95 hp) as ecoFLEX model with Start/Stop, a high-performance battery, heavy-duty starter and low-rolling-resistance tires.

With the 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX, consumption is reduced in urban operation by 0.8 liters per 100 km to 4.8 liters (49 mpg US). In the combined cycle, fuel consumption is reduced an average of 0.4 liters of diesel less per 100 km. CO₂ emissions are 109 g/km.

Agila. With model year 2012, the Opel Agila 1.0 ecoFLEX features an increased power output of 50 kW/68 hp (previously 48 kW/65 hp) as well as lowered fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions. In the combined cycle, the Agila 1.0 ecoFLEX consumption is reduced by an average of 0.3 liters per 100 km down to 4.8 L/100 km (49 mpg US), and CO₂ emissions are down to just 109 g/km. This was achieved by optimizing engine friction, Dual Variable Valve Timing (VVT) and an advanced alternator.

As of November, an Agila 1.0 ecoFLEX version with Start/Stop system and even lower fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions will be available.

Opel Insignia Model Year 2012. Click to enlarge.

Insignia. The brand flagship, which has sold more than 400,000 units to date, offers a new 1.4 turbo ecoFLEX gasoline engine for MY 2012. Combined with a six-speed manual transmission, Start/Stop technology, power steering, aerodynamic underbody paneling and size 225/50 R 17 low-rolling-resistance tires, it reduces fuel consumption compared to the previous 1.8-liter version (also with 103 kW/140 hp) by two liters in the sedan to 5.7 L/100km (41 mpg US).

CO₂ emissions are reduced by 45 grams to 134 grams per kilometer—in both cases a reduction of more than 25%. At the same time, the torque was increased by almost 15% to 200 N·m.

With this performance potential the Insignia 1.4 turbo ecoFLEX can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 10.9 seconds, reaching a maximum speed of 205 km/h. Opel’s top model is available with this propulsion variant as a sedan or as a Sports Tourer (5.9 L/100km/ 40 mpg US and 139 gCO₂/km).

Refinements to the new powertrain also include the optimization of the transmission ratio, resulting in reduced consumption and improved agility. The electric power steering REPS (Rack Assist Electric Power Steering) featured for the first time in the Insignia provides additional comfort. Its steering characteristics can now be even more flexibly adapted to every driving situation. A significant advantage of the REPS system is the potential for fuel saving and thus a reduction in CO₂ emissions. As it does not permanently rely on a running hydraulic servo pump, the electric power steering is only active when it is required.

The revamped 2.0L turbo with direct injection in combination with advanced 4x4 all-wheel drive goes into the new model year with 30 hp higher output. It is available with six-speed manual transmission or automatic transmission. The engine delivers 185 kW/250 hp and maximum torque of 400 N·m (previously 350 N·m). This powerful drivetrain with manual transmission can sprint from zero to 100 km/h in just 7.5 seconds. The top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h (155 mph).

Despite the increased output, with measures such as the Start/Stop system and low-rolling-resistance tires, Opel engineers were able to reduce fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions to 8.4 l/100 km and 197 g/km respectively (previously: 8.9 L/100 km, 209 g CO₂/km).

The 162 kW/220 hp 2.0 turbo with front-wheel drive and six-speed manual transmission will also soon be available with the intelligent fuel-saving technology including aerodynamic underbody paneling and rolling-resistance-optimized tires. This reduces fuel consumption by 0.5 to 7.6 liters per 100 kilometers (31 mpg US). The Start/Stop system saves up to one liter per 100 kilometers in city traffic. The CO₂ emissions in the combined cycle were reduced accordingly to 179 instead of the former 189 grams per kilometer.

Source: Green Car Congress