Tag Archives: Opel

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

Opel Welcomes a New Class of Apprentices—and Secures Its Future

Rüsselsheim isn’t just where Opel builds cars. It’s where the brand forges the people who will one day design, engineer, and assemble them. This week, the German automaker marked a milestone that wasn’t about a new electric SUV or a performance concept, but about something more fundamental: people. 149 of them, to be exact.

At Opel’s headquarters in Rüsselsheim, the company hosted a festive welcome for its incoming class of apprentices—a tradition that stretches back more than 160 years to Adam Opel himself. Out of the 149, one hundred will train at Rüsselsheim, 30 at Kaiserslautern, 12 at Eisenach, and 7 in Bochum. They’ll pursue careers across technical, commercial, and IT fields, as well as dual study programmes that blend academic learning with on-the-job training.

Opel’s program is no afterthought. The company was recently crowned Training Champion 2025 by the F.A.Z. Institute and ServiceValue, taking top honors among automakers in both classical apprenticeships and dual study formats. That’s no small feat in Germany, where vocational training is serious business. Since Opel’s founding, more than 27,000 young professionals have launched careers through its doors.

“Sound training is the key to professional success,” Opel HR boss Ralph Wangemann said during the ceremony. “We offer both modern learning conditions and a wide range of career prospects. The fact that Opel has twice been named ‘Training Champion 2025’ is a recognition of the great commitment of our entire team.”

But this isn’t just about nostalgia or titles. Opel’s curriculum is shifting to match the automotive industry’s new reality. Apprenticeships in automotive mechatronics, applied computer science, and new cooperative programs in engineering show a clear tilt toward electrification and digitalization—the skills the next Opel generation will need.

It’s easy to overlook ceremonies like this amid headlines about EV platforms and battery factories. But Opel’s investment in training is as much about the company’s future as its latest model lineup. After all, without the next generation of skilled engineers, coders, and technicians, there won’t be anyone to build those cars in the first place.

Source: Stellantis

NEW CARS

Opel Combo Tech: The Compact Van That Feels Like a Passenger Car

Opel’s Combo has long been a versatile workhorse among compact commercial vehicles, but the new Combo Tech special series takes it to a whole new level. With a package designed to blend practicality with comfort and style, Opel is clearly aiming to make life easier for tradespeople who spend long hours behind the wheel.

At first glance, the Combo Tech might look like just another compact van—but the devil is in the details. Standard Intelli-Lux Matrix headlights, a multi-adjustable comfort driver’s seat, and a fully integrated infotainment system with navigation elevate this van to near passenger-car territory. Exterior touches such as car-style bumpers and tech-inspired body decals give the van a polished, professional presence that stands out on the street.

Priced from €26,600 in Germany (excluding VAT), the Combo Tech also delivers savings of roughly €1,000 compared to a model fitted with the same options individually. Buyers can choose between a battery-electric Combo Electric and two diesel variants, offering flexibility for a range of commercial needs.

Practicality Meets Comfort

Measuring 4.40 meters long, each Combo Tech variant offers up to 3.8 cubic meters of cargo space and a load compartment extending up to 3.09 meters. Payload capacity reaches 650 kilograms for the diesel versions, while the electric Combo Electric can handle up to 780 kilograms. These figures place the Combo Tech firmly within the practical van segment—but with a twist.

Inside, the van continues to impress. Drivers enjoy a six-way adjustable comfort seat with lumbar support and armrest, while the two-zone automatic climate control keeps temperatures pleasant year-round. Cold-weather comfort is boosted with a heated steering wheel, wrapped in high-quality leather-like material.

Tech That Makes a Difference

Safety and convenience are also high on the agenda. The Combo Tech comes standard with Intelli-Lux Matrix headlights, fog lights, and the Dynamic Surround View system, which provides a digital interior rear-view mirror covering blind spots or reversing angles. The Visiopark 180° camera system adds confidence when maneuvering in tight spaces.

Connectivity is another area where the Combo Tech shines. The IVI HIGH infotainment system pairs a 10-inch instrument cluster with an equally impressive central HD display. Features like natural speech recognition, TomTom navigation, smartphone mirroring, and an inductive charging station make the van both functional and modern. Keyless Entry & Go comes standard, rounding out the driver-focused tech suite.

A Stylish and Flexible Choice

The Combo Tech also delivers on style. Kaolin White is standard, with metallic Kontrast Grey and Libeccio Blue as options. Black accents on the door handles, mirror caps, and side strips, paired with 16-inch alloys, create a refined, high-quality look. Inside, clever storage compartments, rubber load protection, and slip-prevention measures make loading and unloading more practical.

Powertrains are versatile, with the all-electric variant offering 100 kW (136 hp) and a WLTP-rated 354-km range, while diesel options include 75 kW (102 hp) with a six-speed manual or 100 kW (136 hp) with an eight-speed automatic.

In the Combo Tech, Opel has managed to create a compact commercial vehicle that doesn’t compromise on comfort, style, or practicality. For tradespeople who demand efficiency without sacrificing driver satisfaction, it’s a compelling proposition—one that makes the Combo Tech not just a work van, but a mobile office and a statement vehicle for any company.

Source: Stellantis