Vauxhall Blog
Lutz: No Beat for the U.S., smaller CUVs on the way, Insignia stalledFiled under: Concept Cars, Economy, Sedans/Saloons, Plants/Manufacturing, Crossovers/CUVs, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, HUMMER, Pontiac, Saturn, Opel, Vauxhall  General Motor's car czar, Bob Lutz, sat down with the little people of the blogosphere after GM's announcement that it would be reducing white collar expenditures by 20-percent, cutting truck production and eliminating retired health care for salaried workers over 65, all in an effort to boost its liquidity by $15 billion by the end of 2009.
Maximum Bob addressed questions about GM's entire brand portfolio, saying, "Pontiac will be nourished with products" and confirming that GM is in talks with financial institutions about HUMMER, and that, "If we could sell the brand, we'd be interested in doing that."
Predictably, much of the conversation centered on fuel efficiency and the General's plans to address the growing demand for miserly transport in the U.S. Lutz made it clear that "as fuel costs in the U.S. begin to resemble those in the rest of the world" it will be easier for GM to realign its products on a global scale.
[Photo: David McNew/Getty]Continue reading Lutz: No Beat for the U.S., smaller CUVs on the way, Insignia stalled Permalink | Email this | Comments
Opel and Vauxhall versions of Volt to be built in U.S.Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Euro, Green, Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet, Opel, Vauxhall, UK 
Click above for more shots of the Opel Flextreme concept
When the Volt concept was first unveiled, GM was not sure how to badge European versions of the E-Flex cars. Apparently, the decision has been made and the first Euro-bound EV's from GM will be badged as Opels, with a Vauxhall version coming shortly thereafter. All three models of the E-Flex chassis will be built in Detroit atop the next-gen Delta compact car platform which was designed to carry a large lithium ion battery pack along with a range-extending engine. Though the Europeans would likely favor a diesel powerplant, it seems that the first-generation of all three E-Flex vehicles will use a gasoline-powered engine for on-the-fly battery recharging.
It goes without saying that the Volt and its Euro-clones will be the most expensive vehicles built on the Delta platform, with U.S. pricing estimated to be at least $40 grand. Across the pond, the Opel and Vauxhall E-Flex's will be saddled with at least a 10,000 euro premium. The price of gasoline, which is significantly higher in Europe than in the States, along with any government assistance for purchasers of the EVs, will determine how quickly customers will recoup that added investment.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
British Motor Show Preview: Opel Insignia to debut in hatch and sedan formsFiled under: Sedans/Saloons, Hatchbacks, GM, Misc. Auto Shows, Opel, Vauxhall 
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Opel Insignia.
GM's European branch is planning a big debut later this month at the British Motor Show in London for one of its most important mainstream models. The new Insignia is replacing the venerable Vectra and brings with it a whole new design language. We got our first preview of the new look on last years GTC and Flextreme concepts. In London, Opel will be displaying hatchback and sedan variants of the Epsilon II-based Insignia, with the sharp edged look of the Vectra replaced with smoother flowing lines and scooped out side panels. European drivers will have seven engines to choose from including four gas and three diesel models, all with six speed gearboxes. The four- and six-cylinder gas engines range from 115 hp to 260 hp, while the 2.0L diesel fours get 110-160 hp variants. The Insignia will also be available with a version of the Haldex torque vectoring all wheel drive system used on the Saab Turbo-X. GM plans to announce pricing for the new model on July 22 in London with sales later this fall, and don't be surprised if the Insignia makes the trip across the Atlantic and receives a Saturn badge in the process. The Opel press release is after the jump.
[Source: General Motors]
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Vauxhall Insignia sports all-seeing front camera system [w/VIDEO]Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Safety, Videos, Opel, Vauxhall 
Safety technology has become a major selling point for car shoppers, and a new front-sensing camera co-developed by Vauxhall and Opel will give GM's European brands something to brag about. The new camera, which will be available on the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia beginning early 2009, is located between the wind screen and the rear-view mirror. The camera sees what's ahead at 30 frames per second and uses two processors to both read road signs and tell drivers when they're straying from a lane.
 The road sign reader works by scanning the road ahead for recognizable shapes and signals, then displaying information like speed limits or no passing zone signs in the digital display in the middle of the gauge cluster. Depending on conditions, the camera can recognize signs up to 100 meters away.
The lane departure system works by sounding an alarm whenever the driver strays out of a chosen lane. The digital display will also show the driver that the vehicle is drifting, which can help drivers that may have a hearing impediment.
If the recent hand-me-down program between Opel and Saturn continues to blossom, we may have both the car and the camera Stateside before we know it. Hit the jump to see an animation showing how the camera works. You'll also scope out the Vauxhall press release.
[Source: Vauxhall]Continue reading Vauxhall Insignia sports all-seeing front camera system [w/VIDEO] Permalink | Email this | Comments
Rendered Speculation: Vauxhall Astra VXR (Saturn Astra Redline?)Filed under: Euro, Hatchbacks, Saturn, Vauxhall, Rendered Speculation  While sales of the newly-minted (at least for the U.S.) Saturn Astra aren't exactly setting the world on fire, we found it to be a rather good vehicle with a chassis capable of handling plenty more power when we had it in our garage. Auto Express has what they claim is an official picture of the next-gen Vauxhall Astra VXR, which is sold in its base-model form as a Saturn in the states, and it looks pretty good. Expected in Europe is a new 1.8-liter turbocharged engine sending around 240 horsepower to the front wheels and possibly a diesel as well. These engine are not currently certified for sale in the U.S., but GM's excellent 260 horsepower 2.0-liter Ecotec, as is available in the HHR SS, is ready and waiting -- and we'd love to see a Saturn Astra Redline powered by it. We'd be more than happy to see the attractive nineteen inch rims and aggressive body kit make it stateside too. As evidenced by today's current crop of hot hatches, such as the Volkswagen GTI and Mazdaspeed3, a small performance car, when done right, can sell in the U.S. Auto Express also indicates that this vehicle is likely to be shown in concept form at the upcoming Paris Motor Show in October.
[Source: Auto Express] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
First official shots of Opel Insignia interior releasedFiled under: Sedans/Saloons, Euro, GM, Lotus, Misc. Auto Shows, Opel, Vauxhall, UK 
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Opel / Vauxhall Insignia
The first official look at the Opel Insignia's interior leaves us with the impression that Opel / Vauxhall's new sedan is going to be a nice place in which to log some miles. Put simply, the cockpit is identical to the one first shown in the slick-looking Opel GTC concept that debuted last year. Simple, attractive gauges are joined by amber lighting and a nice blend of plastics, brightwork, and other trim to create a driver-focused cockpit meant to be as usable as it is attractive. One of the little elements that's kind of cool is how the gauge lighting shifts from white to red when the car is put into sport mode. Expect even more info on the Insignia and plenty of closer looks at the cabin when the car debuts in London next month at the British International Motor Show. If you can't make it to London, just exercise a little patience, cross those fingers, and wait. This car will likely come Stateside as the next Saturn Aura at some point in the future. GM's official PR is pasted after the jump.
[Source: GM]Continue reading First official shots of Opel Insignia interior released Permalink | Email this | Comments
Vauxhall VXR8 gets LS3 V8Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Euro, Vauxhall, UK 
Click either image for a high-res gallery of the Vauxhall VXR8.
 Our friends across the pond finally get to enjoy the new LS3 that's currently powering the Pontiac G8 GXP and Holden Commodore HSV, with the revised Vauxhall VXR8. The upgraded V8 has grown from 5,967 cc to 6,162 cc and is producing 425 hp at 6,000 rpm. Coupled with the revised automatic gearbox, 0-60 times drop to 4.9 seconds (from five), and the run from 80 to 100 mph is reduced from 4.3 seconds to four seconds flat. Fuel economy remains the same as the outgoing LS2 and automatic-equipped models now get a transmission cooler standard. The new VXR8 is currently on sale in the UK for £35,695, an extra £485 over the outgoing model.
Hit the jump for the full press release.
[Source: Vauxhall]Continue reading Vauxhall VXR8 gets LS3 V8 Permalink | Email this | Comments
Vauxhall Tigra Sport Rouge: When a mock top isn't really a mock topFiled under: Convertibles, Euro, GM, Vauxhall, UK 
Click above for a gallery of the Vauxhall Tigra Sport Rogue
Mock tops: they're not just for Cadillacs anymore. Heck, now they're not even for non-convertibles anymore. Across the pond, Vauxhall has found an answer to a question no one has asked -- or at least a question no one should be asking. That question is, "how do we appeal to customers who want the look of a soft top on their hardtop convertible."
Our answer: Those customers are insane -- pay them no mind. Their answer: Give the droptop a mock top...even though it's not technically "mock". This, in a nutshell, is rationale behind the Vauxhall Tigra Sport Rouge, whose folding metal roof is covered in red fabric, combining the look of a soft top with the weight and diminished cargo capacity that come with a retractable hardtop. Brilliant. The least they could have done was insert fake bows under the fabric to really drive home the theme. I mean, that treatment looked completely awesome on the four-door Buick Regal grandpa speciaI I saw in the supermarket parking lot the other day.
[Source: Vauxhall]Continue reading Vauxhall Tigra Sport Rouge: When a mock top isn't really a mock top Permalink | Email this | Comments
Astra VXR Nürburgring Edition: now with Vauxhall badgesFiled under: Hatchbacks, Vauxhall, UK 
Click to view the Vauxhall Astra VXR Nürburgring in hi-res
There's no shortage of automakers which claim the vaunted Nürburgring Nordschleife as their own stomping ground. Along with the likes of BMW, Porsche and Aston Martin, to name but a few, GM's European subsidiary staked its claim last year with the Opel Astra OPC Nürburgring Edition. Now Vauxhall, its British counterpart, wants to be part of the club, too. But rather than create its own performance model, Vauxhall's big news is that it has essentially taken the OPC Nürburgring and slapped on the shiny new griffin logo and called it its own.
Giving credit where credit is due, however, the special edition Vauxhall VXR edges out its Opel OPC counterpart with an extra 14 horses unbridled by a Remus sport exhaust. Aside from the grille and the tailpipes, however, the package is just about the same. Lightweight 18" alloys - shod with Dunlop rubber, mounted on a widened track and barely hiding 321mm front and 278mm rear ventilated discs with signature blue VXR calipers - come in white, complimenting the white paint job. That's the only color this special VXR offers, and is accented by checkered-flag graphics (like those seen on special-edition Renaultsport hatchbacks from across the Channel) and faux-fiber accents on the B-pillars and wing mirror housings. Step inside and the special touches continue, including leather-trimmed Recaro racing seats embossed with the Nürburgring track layout, carbon fiber door trim and an individually-numbered plaque. The price of exclusivity for British customers comes in at £21,295, a £1,575 premium over the standard VXR. More details in the press release after the jump, and images in the gallery below.
[Source: Vauxhall]Continue reading Astra VXR Nürburgring Edition: now with Vauxhall badges Permalink | Email this | Comments
Vauxhall unveils new Griffin badgeFiled under: Marketing/Advertising, Vauxhall, UK 
Click above to view the Vauxhall badge in hi-res
Who wouldn't want to drive a car with a griffin on the grille? Well, apparently British motorists, because despite having arguably the coolest badge in the business, Vauxhall doesn't retain the best brand image in the UK market. General Motors' British subsidiary is trying its darnedest to update its profile, however, and to that end has launched a refreshed version of its stoic badge.
Vauxhall unveiled the new logo today, describing it as "more dynamic and contemporary" than its predecessor, but to our eyes looks unfortunately less griffin-y. The new badge is expected to make its first appearance on the new Insignia scheduled to be unveiled at the London show in July, around the same time that it will be hoisted above Griffin House, Vauxhall's corporate headquarters in Bedfordshire. Follow the jump for the full press release, and click on the two thumbnails below to view the new logo in high-resolution and an evolutionary timeline of the Vauxhall badge dating back to the 1920s.
[Source: Vauxhall]Continue reading Vauxhall unveils new Griffin badge Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Opel Meriva concept leaks out (again) ahead of GenevaFiled under: Concept Cars, Minivans/MPVs, Geneva Motor Show, GM, Opel, Vauxhall 
Click above for more images of the Opel Meriva concept.
Beyond the first sketch that surfaced and a sort-of leaked teaser last week, Opel has kept the Meriva out of the lime light until now. Courtesy of a few sites in Europe, we've been provided the first official unofficial images of the Meriva concept.
The squat people mover is more anonymous than absorbing, with a rather bland profile and somewhat forgettable front end. The concept's show piece is its FlexDoors; essentially rear-hinged "suicide" doors for back seat passengers.
We're just a week away from the official unveiling in the land of foie and schnitzel, so we'd expect more details to be revealed shortly.
[Source: Autoweek.nl] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Geneva '08 Preview: Opel/Vauxhall Meriva Concept renderedFiled under: Concept Cars, Sedans/Saloons, Geneva Motor Show, GM, Opel, Vauxhall 
Click above for a high-res shot of the Opel/Vauxhall Meriva concept.
We've already seen a rough sketch of the new Meriva concept from Opel/Vauxhall, but after a rendered image began leaking out onto the interwebs this week, GM's European division decided to put out a new image and a more extensive press release. The Meriva concept, set to make its debut in Geneva early next month, is being touted by GM as the future of flexibility and practicality. The automaker is heavily pitching the Meriva's major innovation dubbed FlexDoors, which are what we've all come to know and love as "suicide doors." The rear-hinged back doors supposedly offer easier ingress and egress, better aesthetics and greater safety for the little ones when you're strapping them down in thier child seats. Cool, but hardly what we'd consider truly innovative. We'll let you know how innovative this concept truly is in a couple weeks when we touch down in Switzerland.
[Source: GM]Continue reading Geneva '08 Preview: Opel/Vauxhall Meriva Concept rendered Permalink | Email this | Comments
Rendered Speculation: Saab MINI-fighterFiled under: Spy Photos, Trends, Hatchbacks, GM, Saab, Saturn, Opel, Vauxhall  Automotive journalists visiting a GM design studio recently got an eyeful of something interesting: a MINI rival from the General, leaving the door open to speculation over which GM division could make it work.
While the drawings spotted reportedly featured Chevy bow-ties, the scribes over at Motor Trend venture that Chevrolet couldn't sell it at high enough a price-point to make it a viable option. It'd be too small for Buick or Cadillac, and too European-flavored for Pontiac. (We don't need to point out that HUMMER and GMC wouldn't be a fit, either.) That leaves Saab and Saturn, either or both of which (in possible collaboration with Vauxhall/Opel) could present an intriguing alternative to the fashionable Anglo-Saxon retro-hatch, whose monopoly is coming to an end thanks to Fiat's hot-selling 500 and Alfa Romeo upcoming "Junior" model. It was nice while it lasted, wasn't it, MINI?
[Source: Motor Trend] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Geneva '08 Preview: Opel/Vauxhall Meriva ConceptFiled under: Concept Cars, Minivans/MPVs, Geneva Motor Show, Euro, GM, Opel, Vauxhall 
GM's European divisions are preparing to unveil their latest show car at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show next month. The Meriva Concept is Opel and Vauxhall's study for what form the next Euro minivan could take.
The Meriva Concept, as previewed by the concept sketch above, draws on the previous GTC Coupe and Flextreme concepts and applies the theme to a monocab form, a segment in which Opel and Vauxhall account for one fifth of continental sales between the Zafira, Meriva and Agila MPVs. Expect the Meriva Concept to preview the direction that GM's European tall wagons will take in the near future, which could end up finding its way into a Saturn model or two on our side of the Atlantic. Press release after the jump.
[Source: Vauxhall] Continue reading Geneva '08 Preview: Opel/Vauxhall Meriva Concept Permalink | Email this | Comments
Next gen. Vauxhall Vectra to get AWD, twin-turbo V6Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, Geneva Motor Show, Euro, GM, Saturn, Vauxhall  Here's what the Saturn Aura Red Line should be, courtesy of Vauxhall. The Vectra is being replaced by an Epsilon 2-based car called the Insignia. The Epsilon 2 will also serve as the basis for the second-generation Saturn Aura. That platform sharing will no doubt be good in workaday trim, but Vauxhall's turning up the wick for the Insignia VXR, and we're crossing our fingers that Saturn is hanging out in the gym with its cousin. The VXR will gain visual horsepower and there will be real output from the powertrain to back up the appearance. A twin-turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 laying down 300 horsepower through the all wheel drive system that debuted with the GTC concept car in Geneva. The suspension will be able to cope with the power by using a revised version of the Vectra VXR's adaptive dampers, and the AWD system carries at least one limited slip differential. A 0-60 time in the mid 5-second range sure sounds good, as does the 165 mph top speed.
Just as exciting to us diesel-starved US consumers is the 2.9 liter V6 turbodiesel variant of the Insignia. The diesel packs a not-insignificant 247 horsepower, and both cars get a six-speed manual transmission standard. What will we do if both versions make it Stateside? We'd have a hard time choosing, but it would be amusing to see what Saturn calls the diesel. The Aura Grey Line? Brown Line? The Insignia VXR is about a year and a half away, with lesser models arriving sooner. Cost will be £25,000 -- which we hope doesn't translate into a $50,000 range-topper Epsilon 2.
[Source: Auto Express]
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Vauxhall unveils Corsa SRi in UKFiled under: Economy, Sports/GTs, Euro, Hatchbacks, Vauxhall 
Click image for high-res gallery
UK car shoppers looking for a little extra pep in a subcompact, but who don't want to pony up for the high-zoot Vauxhall Corsa VXR (a.k.a. Opel Corsa OPC), now have another option: the Corsa SRi. This is simply the British-market version of the Opel Corsa GSi that made its debut in Barcelona this June. It's still worth mentioning again because it's a cool little ride. Powered by either a 150 HP gasoline-fueled turbo four or a 125 HP turbodiesel, the SRi delivers sporty looks and dynamics, respectable performance, and good fuel economy (30 mpg on petrol or 50 mpg on diesel). Add this one to the "Cars We Wish Were Saturns Today" list.
New pics are in the gallery below, and GM's press release/spec sheet are pasted after the jump.
[Source: GM]
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VIDEO: Fifth Gear takes on the Vauxhall VXR8 (aka the Pontiac G8)Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Euro, Pontiac, Vauxhall 
Jeremy Clarkson and Top Gear crew aren't the only car show on British television. In fact Top Gear was canceled by the BBC and the producers relaunched it as Fifth Gear before the Beeb eventually revived Top Gear as well. Fifth Gear is still around and they recently got a chance to spend some quality time on a race track with the Vauxhall VXR8.
If that car looks familiar, it's because we saw a lower-end version sporting a Pontiac grille at the Chicago Auto Show as the new G8. Fifth Gear spent a lot of time getting seriously sideways in the 414hp VXR8 and even got to do a top speed run. For a preview of what G8 buyers can expect whenever GM gets around to doing the all-but-inevitable GXP version, check out the video after the jump.
[Sources: YouTube, Fifth Gear]
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Brits get supercharger option for Vauxhall VXR8Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Sports/GTs, Euro, Vauxhall 
Click image for a gallery of the VXR8
GM loves to tease its American customers. While we patiently await the arrival of the Pontiac G8 GT, in Australia, multiple high-performance flavors of the VE Commodore its based on are available from HSV. In the UK, one of those cars, the HSV Clubsport R8, is offered as the Vauxhall VXR8.
With 412 horsepower (417 PS) and 405 lb-ft of torque on tap, one would think that the rebadged HSV would be sufficiently awesome for our former colonial overlords. One would also be incorrect. Carscoop reports the Brits will be offered a supercharger option that elevates power to a staggering 540 horses and adds 30-percent more torque (figure a new rating of 526 lb-ft or so). The non-supercharged VXR8 does 0-60 in 4.9 seconds, so you can expect the blown sedan to shave a few more tenths off that number while making expensive tires cry for their mothers. The cost of the kit is £6,995.
Please, General: Pontiac G8 GXP Supercharged, okay?
[Source: Carscoop]
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Zak attack: New head of GM's European exterior design teamFiled under: Concept Cars, Euro, GM, Saab, Opel, Vauxhall 
Saturn PreVue
 American designer Phillip A. Zak has just been appointed to head the design team for General Motors Europe, where he'll be taking the reigns of the Opel, Vauxhall and Saab brands. The man behind the Chevy Cobalt, Pontiac G6 and the "Excitement" division's GXP line, will also have a hand in designing "certain Saturn products for North America."
In addition to the aforementioned production models, Zak has also stuffed his portfolio with several concept cars including the Pontiac REV and the Saturn Prevue, two designs that have had a direct influence on the styling direction of both brands.
We're interested to see what will come out of the GM's European studio with Zak at the helm, especially considering the recent propagation of Euro designs in the Saturn lineup.
[Source: InsideLine] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
V2V communication as a safety featureFiled under: Euro, I.C.E., Safety, First Drive, Vauxhall 
Vauxhall's latest safety idea turns the highways and byways into a life-sized feedback loop by allowing vehicles to communicate with each other. We're not talking about the type of communication we humans do in our cars - behavior like pointing out the state bird - think more like WiFi. There are some real safety gains to be had with the system, inventively named Vehicle-to-Vehicle. Using GPS-based technology, along with some type of wireless communication facility, V2V can warn you of potential danger by alerting you to the presence of cars in your blind spots or around a bend, and it can also use data such as speed, direction, and acceleration to determine whether or not you're gonna smack that Scimitar in front of you. Driver alerts can be visual, auditory, or via a Magic Fingers(R) seat cushion. If you ignore your playfully jiggly seat cushion, the car can even apply its own brakes. This sounds kind of like the funk-tastic Carhood, but with real development dollars behind it.
[Source: Auto Express]
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