Tag Archives: Germany

News

Opel Astra Sports Tourer: Germany’s Long-Distance Hero Shows Its Versatility

If you’re in the market for a compact wagon that can effortlessly balance work, family, and road-tripping duties, Opel has a contender worth a serious look. The Astra Sports Tourer isn’t just a practical estate—it’s a car engineered to tick nearly every box, from long-distance efficiency to everyday comfort and even emissions-free motoring.

1,200 Kilometers Without a Fuel Stop

Opel recently set out to prove just how efficient its new Astra Sports Tourer Hybrid really is. The test: drive continuously under real-world conditions until the 52-liter fuel tank ran dry. The result was headline-grabbing—over 1,200 kilometers on a single tank, averaging just 4.3 L/100 km.

This wasn’t a controlled lab stunt either. The hybrid wagon looped through the congested Rhine-Main region, taking in rush-hour traffic, stop-and-go city streets, and plenty of autobahn stretches. Over the course of two days and 11 loops, the Astra covered about 345 kilometers in pure EV mode thanks to its 48-volt hybrid setup—all at an everyday-realistic 61 km/h average speed.

And if you’re wondering whether independent testers could repeat the feat, they did. Germany’s VOX auto mobil drove an Astra Sports Tourer from Munich to the island of Sylt—1,154 kilometers on a single tank, this time at a faster clip. The verdict: Opel’s wagon isn’t just thrifty; it’s a genuine long-distance workhorse.

A Powertrain for Every Lifestyle

Opel isn’t hedging its bets on one solution. The Astra Sports Tourer is available in practically every flavor:

  • Battery-electric: Up to 413 km of range (WLTP), 100 km/h in 9.3 seconds, 170 km/h top speed. A quick 30-minute DC fast charge gets you back on the road.
  • Plug-in hybrid: For those who want daily electric commuting with long-trip flexibility.
  • 48-volt hybrid: The long-distance hero with stellar efficiency.
  • Pure combustion engines: For drivers who still prefer a traditional setup.

It’s a buffet of drivetrains, letting buyers pick what suits their driving habits rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all solution.

Space Meets Style

As a wagon, utility is non-negotiable, and here the Astra delivers. Cargo space stretches to 1,634 liters in hybrid and combustion versions, or 1,553 liters in the EV. Even with the rear seats up, there’s room for 516 liters of luggage. The low loading sill (just 60 cm high) makes it easy to slide in everything from suitcases to bulky gear.

Inside, Opel hasn’t skimped on comfort. Ten-way ergonomic sports seats with massage, ventilation, and heating keep fatigue at bay, while an optional panoramic glass roof opens up the cabin. Tech duties are handled by a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen with voice control, backed up by wireless smartphone charging. At night, the Intelli-Lux Pixel headlights keep the road ahead crisp and glare-free.

A Wagon That Refuses to Be Ordinary

In an age where crossovers dominate sales charts, it’s refreshing to see Opel double down on the wagon. The Astra Sports Tourer proves that practicality doesn’t have to come at the expense of style, efficiency, or driving enjoyment. Built in Rüsselsheim, it wears its “Made in Germany” badge proudly and backs it up with real-world results.

Whether as a business vehicle, a family hauler, or a road-trip champion, the Astra Sports Tourer has the credentials to win over drivers tired of the SUV default. And if its recent 1,200-kilometer stunt tells us anything, it’s that this wagon is here to go the distance.

Source: Stellantis

News

ADAC Reveals Stark Fuel Price Disparities on German Autobahn

German drivers are facing steep fuel prices on the nation’s autobahns, according to a recent study by the German Automobile Club (ADAC). The analysis, conducted across 50 motorway service stations and 50 nearby alternatives, highlights a glaring discrepancy that can cost motorists over €20 per tank.

On average, drivers pay 43.7 euro cents more per liter for Super E10 and 42.5 euro cents more for diesel when refueling at motorway service stations. With a standard 50-liter tank, that translates to savings of €22 for petrol and just over €21 for diesel—simply by exiting the highway.

One of the most striking price differences was recorded at the Hochfelln-Nord station on the A8 Salzburg–Munich route, where Super E10 was priced 57 cents higher than at a station in nearby Übersee—only three kilometers away. Similarly, on the A3 between Frankfurt and Cologne, the Limburg Ost station charged nearly 54 cents more per liter of diesel than a nearby outlet just two kilometers from the motorway exit.

These are not isolated anomalies. The study found that 90% of motorway fuel stations charged at least 30 cents more per liter of Super E10, and 88% did the same for diesel. In fact, nearly a quarter of stations charged a markup of 50 cents or more.

However, there are exceptions. The Fuchsberg Nord station on the A20 in Mecklenburg had a modest 5.9-cent difference for Super E10 and an almost negligible 0.9-cent gap for diesel compared to the nearby station in Neukloster. But such cases remain rare.

What’s particularly alarming is that these price gaps have widened over time. In 2024, the average difference stood at just over 39 cents for Super E10 and 38 cents for diesel—figures that have climbed notably this year.

While the ADAC acknowledges that motorway stations face higher operational costs—due to long operating hours and expensive land concessions—the organization criticizes the excessive markups as unjustifiable.

“Such massive differences go beyond reasonable surcharges,” an ADAC spokesperson commented. “We advise drivers—whether in cars or on motorcycles—to plan ahead and refuel at stations located off the motorways. The cost savings are significant and consistent.”

With fuel prices climbing and wallets tightening, motorists would be wise to heed ADAC‘s advice. The autobahn might offer speed, but when it comes to filling up, the smarter route is often the scenic one—just off the next exit.

Source: ADAC

News

Musk’s support for the AfD caused a drop in sales of Tesla cars in Germany

Is Elon Musk intentionally destroying Tesla? According to recently published data, in January Tesla recorded a drop in sales worldwide. The biggest drop in demand was in Europe, and the biggest reason was Musk’s interference in the German elections and support for the AfD party.

Last month, Musk hosted Alice Weidel, the leader of the AfD, on his social media platform for a 75-minute debate in which she falsely claimed that Adolf Hitler was a socialist. The AfD is also a party that calls for mass deportations of migrants and uses Nazi slogans in its campaign, and has been classified as right-wing extremist by Germany’s intelligence agency. Musk’s choice of sides has been criticized by both Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Christian Democrat leader Friedrich Merz, but also by customers who clearly do not support this behavior.

According to the KBA (German Federal Motor Transport authority), Tesla sold 1,875 fewer cars in the German market than in January 2024, with a market share of just 4 percent, a huge drop compared to January 2024 when they had a share of 14 percent.

At the same time, Tesla’s main competitors in Germany are recording sales growth. Volkswagen sold 6,521 more EVs than in the same period last year. In second place, surprisingly for some, is the Spanish brand Cupra, which delivered 2,520 more EVs in January compared to January 2024.

Tesla’s sales decline in Europe may not seem so big to some, because the electric car market has been very shaken in recent years. However, we should not forget the fact that 54 percent more EVs were sold in Germany in January than in the same month in 2024. This shows that the situation is more difficult than it seems.

Some believe that the upgraded Model Y, which is scheduled for the first half of 2025, could turn the situation in Tesla’s favor. Whether that will happen remains to be seen.

Source: KBA