Two Opel World Premieres at the 2012 Geneva Show

Rüsselsheim (ots) -

- Mokka sub-compact SUV and Astra OPC to debut in Geneva
- Opel unveils "RAD e" - first e-bike built around automotive
construction principles
- Ampera among finalists of "Car of the Year 2012" award
- Opel press conference on March 6, 11:30 hrs in Hall 2

Opel is looking forward to two world premieres at this year's
Geneva Motor Show (March 6-18, 2012): the all-new Mokka sub- compact
SUV and the new Astra OPC. Entirely in line with this year's show
motto "Driving into the future", with the new Mokka, Opel is the
first German manufacturer to enter the fast growing SUV-B segment.
Visitors to the Opel press conference on March 6, Geneva Palexpo,
Hall 2 at 11:30 hrs will be able to see that not only is Opel
expanding its vehicle range with the new Mokka and the new Astra OPC
but it is delivering even more emotion to the brand and the customer.

The new 206 kW/280 hp Astra OPC compact sports coupé is the most
powerful Astra ever and offers customers a sporty driving experience
as well as a lot of emotion. And there are even more reasons to
celebrate for Opel which is currently marking its 150th anniversary
year: the revolutionary electric Ampera with range extender is among
the finalists for the "Car of the Year" award, and the brand will
unveil its futuristic e-bike "RAD e". Opel is also underscoring its
leading role in technology with the new exclusive sequential double
turbo system in the 2.0 BiTurbo CDTI diesel engine of the Insignia.

World premiere: compact in size, big in attitude - the new Mokka

Despite its 4.28 meter measurement, the Mokka generously
accommodates five people in a higher seating position. It delivers on
Opel's promise to combine attractive design with innovative
technologies and upmarket functionalities, making them accessible to
a wider segment of customers. A dynamic driving experience is
provided by three efficient engines, including the gasoline 1.6 liter
85 kW/115 hp and the 103 kW/140 hp 1.4 l Turbo versions and the 1.7
CDTI with 96 kW/130 hp. Safety is enhanced with new technologies
brought to its segment, for example the Driver Assistance Systems
that are based on the Opel Eye front camera system, as well as a rear
view camera.

Front-wheel and all-wheel-drive are both available in the new Opel
Mokka. The all-wheel drive system (AWD) ensures a high level of
stability and safety, while also extending the Mokka's capabilities
to more rugged environments. When handling and traction are put to
the test, the system automatically and seamlessly transfers power to
the rear wheels. Standard features that enhance the driving
experience across all Mokka versions include the Electronic Stability
Control (ESC), the Traction Control (TC) as well as the Hill Start
Assist (HSA) and Hill Descent Control (HDC) systems - which improve
driving comfort and safety in uphill or downhill terrain.

World Premiere: new Astra OPC - most powerful Astra ever

With the new Astra OPC, the high-performance version of the Astra
GTC has its world premiere in Geneva. The OPC´s 206 kW/280 hp 2.0
liter direct injection turbocharged gasoline engine is capable of
maximum torque of 400 Nm and a top speed of 250 km/h. Never before
has an Astra reached such a speed. The High Performance Struts
(HiPerStruts) on the Astra OPC are one of its big highlights,
allowing the car to deliver power without compromise. In combination
with the FlexRide chassis system, featuring a dedicated Sport- and
OPC-drive mode, the Astra OPC delivers refined handling abilities.

The Astra OPC also features a new high-performance bucket seat
with state-of-the art technology. Both front seats increase the
sporty and dynamic driving experience by introducing cutting-edge
weight-saving material, a lower seating position and enhanced side
support. The weight saving on the new seat shell compared to a
conventional one is 45 percent. No other car manufacturer in the
world has used an organic injection sheet with composite material in
a production car. The new seat boasts up to 18 different settings.
All of the new OPC technology unique to Opel had to pass a 10,000
kilometer endurance test on the famous Nürburgring race track in
Germany. 10,000 kilometers under the tough conditions of the northern
loop of the track are equivalent to 180,000 kilometers in normal
circumstances.

This year Opel has even more reasons to be excited about the
Geneva Motor Show. Not only is it Opel's 150th anniversary this year
but the Ampera which is just one of the latest in Opel's innovations,
is among the finalists for the prestigious "Car of the Year 2012"
Award. On March 5, the winner will be announced from a shortlist of
seven vehicles at the start of the Geneva show, making it the first
official news at the event.

Opel e-bike "RAD e" offers vision of the future

Opel will present the "RAD e" design study in Geneva - a
futuristic e-bike that complements the brand's existing e-mobility
strategy and offers a concept of truly integrated individual and
urban mobility. The RAD e - the first e-bike to be built around
automotive construction and production principles - carries much of
Opel's typical design language such as the boomerang shaped features
associated with the Ampera and the RAK e concept car. Its pedelec
technology with a 250 watt motor gives the rider motorized support
when pedaling and achieves an electrically supported range of between
60 and 145 kilometers. In that sense, the RAD e responds to customer
needs to be mobile when car use is restricted or not possible. The
RAD e is unveiled at a time when e-bikes are widely expected to play
a key role in future integrated urban transport concepts linking
e-bikes, cars and buses. The RAD e is also a stylishly designed
reminder of Opel's early industrial period of manufacturing bicycles.
In the context of Opel's 150th anniversary year, the designers
developed a study that is both historically relevant and offers a
vision of the future.

New 2.0 BiTurbo CDTI crowns Insignia diesel offer

Visitors to the Geneva show will have the opportunity to learn
more about Opel's new dynamic and highly efficient 2.0 BiTurbo CDTI
diesel engine which makes its debut in the Insignia flagship. The
Insignia 2.0 BiTurbo CDTI delivers 143 kW/195 hp and 400 Nm of
torque; fuel consumption starts as low as 4.9 liters per 100
kilometers (129 g/km CO2). It is thus one of the most fuel efficient
mid-size cars. At the heart of the engine is a sequential double
turbo system - technology that has so far been limited to a few
higher priced brands. This is also the first time a passenger vehicle
has been equipped with a twin intercooler system with two completely
separate cooling circuits. These are the key components for making
the new two liter engine very responsive and agile.

Beyond this, even more innovations are included in the popular car
line: every AWD variant will shortly be available with a SuperSport
chassis that includes the front suspension from the Insignia OPC
(Opel Performance Center) with high performance struts (HiPerStruts).
This gives their driving dynamics an even sharper edge. In addition,
new radar-based driver assistance systems further enhance active
safety in the Insignia.

New enhancements for Astra, Corsa, Insignia and Meriva

As a car maker that constantly evolves its vehicle range, Opel
will display its latest model enhancements in Geneva. Among them is
the new Corsa Kaleidoscope which further expands the successful,
sporty Corsa Color line family. Another novelty within the Color line
offer is the economical 1.2 liter, 51 kW/70 hp ecoFLEX gasoline
engine (5.1 l/100 km with Start/Stop and 119g/km CO2).

The Meriva, Opel's flexibility champion, is now available with
enhanced powertrains that are even more economical. The highly
efficient 1.4 LPG Turbo ecoFLEX (88 kW/120 hp) which makes its debut
in the Meriva is both low in fuel costs and emissions (124 g/km CO2).
All output levels of the 1.4 liter gasoline engine are now available
with the fuel saving Start/Stop technology in the Meriva. With this
technology, fuel consumption in the 88kW/120 hp, 1.4 Turbo engine
version has been cut by 12%.

The 1.4 LPG Turbo ecoFLEX powerplant is now also available in the
5- door Astra and the Astra Sports Tourer with the even more powerful
output of 103 kW/140 hp.

Ready for Opel's anniversary year, customers can order Astra,
Corsa, Insignia and Meriva vehicles with the special "150 years Opel"
trim. Opel has further enhanced its unique technologies such as the
FlexFix integrated bicycles carrier which can now carry even more
weight and can be extended to carry up to four bicycles in total
(Astra Sports Tourer, Zafira Tourer). A new park assist that
automatically activates when the reverse gear is selected also makes
its debut.

Text and photos can be downloaded at media.opel.com.

Contact:
Jean-Philippe Kempf
Phone: +49 (0) 6142-7- 66651

Axel Seegers
Phone: +49 (0) 6142-7- 68725