General Motors's Opel to take on Fiat and its 500 with New Mini Car

Last month, we told you that General Motors' European Opel / Vauxhall division announced the development of a new small car below the Corsa. Now, Autonews is reporting the car, which is codenamed "Junior", will be a funky upscale proposal designed to compete with Fiat's 500 mini in one of the smallest - literally - segments of them all.

Opel/Vauxhall's sales and marketing head Alain Visser hinted that the car will be an "iPod on wheels" and aimed squarely at young consumers with their high-tech needs. The "Junior", which begins production in Germany in 2013, will also be offered in an electric flavor.

Opel CEO Nick Reilly says. "It will have the latest infotainment systems and good fuel economy to make it environmentally friendly. For that, buyers will pay a little more."

In addition to being willing to pay more,potential buyers will be green, cool, and all the other bla-bla everyone's pushing these days. Regardless of the marketing gibberish, Opel's recent offerings have been attractive enough to indicate a promising 500-fighter.

By Phil Alex

Source: Autonews

Note: All photos are of the 2004 Opel Trixx Concept Model and NOT of the new mini GM is readying

READ MORE - General Motors's Opel to take on Fiat and its 500 with New Mini Car

Opel's Hot GTC Paris Concept: Live Photos and New Video Trailer

Meet the star of Opel's Paris Motor Show stand and probably one of the best looking concepts of this year's show, the GTC Paris Concept that will spawn next year's three-door Astra model.

Even though the mainstream variants of the production Astra GTC will lose the muscular bumpers, LEDs and tall 21-inch wheels of the design study, it's safe to say that what you see here is more or less what you'll get when the car arrives in Opel and Vauxhall showrooms across Europe in 2011.

For those wanting something closer in looks to the concept, there's good news as the flagship OPC model is expected to keep most of the styling features including the chunky bumpers.

The same goes for the GTC Paris Concept's direct injection and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 290-horsepower that strongly hints at the specifications of the Golf R / Scirocco R-rivaling Astra GTC OPC model, which is also due in late 2011.

For full details on Opel's Paris Show attention-grabber, hop over to our previous story here.

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READ MORE - Opel's Hot GTC Paris Concept: Live Photos and New Video Trailer

Opel / Vauxhall Announce New Small Car below the Corsa, Confirm Sporty Coupe and Small SUV

Speaking at a press conference in Eisenach on Thursday, Opel/Vauxhall CEO Nick Reilly revealed plans to build an all-new small car below the Corsa, with production set to start in 2013 at the firm's Eisenach plant in the east German state of Thuringia. "This new product will be an important element in our growth strategy" said Reilly.

The car is expected to go up against Ford's Fiat 500-based Ka and the forthcoming Volkswagen Up mini. According to an official statement from Opel, the as of yet unnamed city car will be geared towards customers who need "a small-sized fuel-efficient car in urban areas, but who do not want to compromise on technology, design or convenience".

The company added that the mini may also form the base for an all-electric, battery-powered version at a later stage.

GM's European unit said it will invest €90 million (approximately US$120 million) to manufacturer the small car on an existing production line alongside the Corsa at its Eisenach factory. According to the automaker, the decision to build the small car in Eisenach also benefits the Opel/Vauxhall's manufacturing plant in Zaragoza, Spain as it will receive additional Corsa production volume.

In addition to the announcement on Opel's future small car, Reilly also confirmed the automaker's plans to introduce a sporty coupe and small SUV to the firm's vehicle lineup.

"Along with other new vehicles, such as the upcoming electric Ampera [see here], a sporty coupe and a small SUV, we will significantly expand our product lineup in the future and offer customer choices in several more segments," said Reilly without getting into specifics.

READ MORE - Opel / Vauxhall Announce New Small Car below the Corsa, Confirm Sporty Coupe and Small SUV

Opel Unveils Vivaro e-Concept Hybrid Van at IAA Hannover Show [with Video]

Opel has taken the wraps off its Vivaro e-Concept plug-in electric van at the 2010 IAA Commercial Vehicles Fair in Hannover, Germany. The one-off concept was built to demonstrate the benefits of electrification to commercial vehicle operators.

The Vivaro's 111 kw (149 hp) electric motor delivers 370 Nm of torque and a pure electric range of 100 km (62 miles). An unspecified range extender (possibly one of Opel's common rail turbodiesels) gives the van an additional 300 km (186 mile) range.

By storing the lithium ion batteries under the floor, Opel can offer 5 cubic metres (177 cubic feet) of storage space and the ability to haul 750 kg (1650 lbs) of payload. As with most plug-in vehicles, the batteries can be charged through a standard 230 volt socket.

Chris Lacey, Executive Director of International Operations at Opel / Vauxhall Commercial Vehicles explains the benefits of the e-Concept:

"Electric mobility will allow [commercial vehicle operators] to travel in city areas which are now off-limits to petrol and diesel-powered vehicles and the range-extender technology makes it possible to use an electric van for normal routine business."

By Tristan Hankins

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READ MORE - Opel Unveils Vivaro e-Concept Hybrid Van at IAA Hannover Show [with Video]

Vauxhall Sports Cars Red Victor 3 V8 Engine

The Vauxhall sports car Red Victor 3 will appear at the CXR Power Festival this year which takes place at the Silverstone Circuit on August 28-29. General Motors’ Vauxhall  sports cars division is to enthusiasts while breathing a new life into a classic 1967 Victor FD by turning it to get a 3,000-hp. This is three times as much as a Veyron sports car! The Vauxhall sports car Red Victor 3 is based on the original 1967 Victor FD.

The sports car is named as the Red Victor 3 and it’ll be powered by an 8.8 liter twin-turbocharged GM V8 engine that churns out a whopping 3000hp. The 3000HP Vauxhall Red Victor 3 is expected to be able to reach a maximum speed of 240 mph, and a quarter mile run shouldn't take more than 6.5 seconds. Note that the Vauxhall sports car Red Victor 2 was able to accelerate from 0 to 153 mph in 4.8 seconds and reach top speeds of 200 mph.

The Vauxhall’s sports car Red Victor 3 will compete at 2011 MSA Pro-Modified Drag Racing season at Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire this Bank Holiday, August 28-29, and it’s supposed to be street-legal.

Press Release:

“We’re sure visitors to the Power Festival will make a B-line for the Victor,” said Stuart Harris, Vauxhall’s Group Product Manager. “We’re really looking forward to working with Andy Frost, Red Victor’s creator, and his team next year and see this as a great match for the VXR brand.”

Vauxhall’s VXR Power Events, which has run through 2010 to raise money for Help for Heroes, reaches its zenith with the two-day Power Festival at Silverstone this Bank Holiday. Thousands are expected to attend the event, which aims to raise further funds for H4H through high-octane activities like 0-60 challenges, autotesting, karting and VXR track tuition with pro-drivers. VXR and Vauxhall V8 owners can even pay to take to Silverstone’s famous track in their own cars.

But if you’d rather just sit back and watch the action, don’t miss the Pro-Am Pursuit, in which famous racing drivers from Vauxhall’s past, like Fabrizio Giovanardi, Jason Plato and James Thompson take on celebrities such as TV chef, James Martin, ex-England footballer, Luther Blisset and Eastenders’ Kara Tointon. And if that isn’t enough, then Paul Swift will be there to perform some unbelievable stunts in a Vauxhall road car.

Vauxhall Sports Cars Red Victor 3 V8 Engine

What the VXR Power Festival won’t do is cost you the earth. With adult tickets costing just £10 and children under five entering for free, the whole family can enjoy an action-packed day without breaking the bank. Even the on-site challenges only cost between £5-10, with all proceeds going to one of the UK’s most worthy causes.

READ MORE - Vauxhall Sports Cars Red Victor 3 V8 Engine

Vauxhall Sports Cars Red Victor 3 V8 Engine

The Vauxhall sports car Red Victor 3 will appear at the CXR Power Festival this year which takes place at the Silverstone Circuit on August 28-29. General Motors’ Vauxhall  sports cars division is to enthusiasts while breathing a new life into a classic 1967 Victor FD by turning it to get a 3,000-hp. This is three times as much as a Veyron sports car! The Vauxhall sports car Red Victor 3 is based on the original 1967 Victor FD.

The sports car is named as the Red Victor 3 and it’ll be powered by an 8.8 liter twin-turbocharged GM V8 engine that churns out a whopping 3000hp. The 3000HP Vauxhall Red Victor 3 is expected to be able to reach a maximum speed of 240 mph, and a quarter mile run shouldn't take more than 6.5 seconds. Note that the Vauxhall sports car Red Victor 2 was able to accelerate from 0 to 153 mph in 4.8 seconds and reach top speeds of 200 mph.

The Vauxhall’s sports car Red Victor 3 will compete at 2011 MSA Pro-Modified Drag Racing season at Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire this Bank Holiday, August 28-29, and it’s supposed to be street-legal.

Press Release:

“We’re sure visitors to the Power Festival will make a B-line for the Victor,” said Stuart Harris, Vauxhall’s Group Product Manager. “We’re really looking forward to working with Andy Frost, Red Victor’s creator, and his team next year and see this as a great match for the VXR brand.”

Vauxhall’s VXR Power Events, which has run through 2010 to raise money for Help for Heroes, reaches its zenith with the two-day Power Festival at Silverstone this Bank Holiday. Thousands are expected to attend the event, which aims to raise further funds for H4H through high-octane activities like 0-60 challenges, autotesting, karting and VXR track tuition with pro-drivers. VXR and Vauxhall V8 owners can even pay to take to Silverstone’s famous track in their own cars.

But if you’d rather just sit back and watch the action, don’t miss the Pro-Am Pursuit, in which famous racing drivers from Vauxhall’s past, like Fabrizio Giovanardi, Jason Plato and James Thompson take on celebrities such as TV chef, James Martin, ex-England footballer, Luther Blisset and Eastenders’ Kara Tointon. And if that isn’t enough, then Paul Swift will be there to perform some unbelievable stunts in a Vauxhall road car.

Vauxhall Sports Cars Red Victor 3 V8 Engine

What the VXR Power Festival won’t do is cost you the earth. With adult tickets costing just £10 and children under five entering for free, the whole family can enjoy an action-packed day without breaking the bank. Even the on-site challenges only cost between £5-10, with all proceeds going to one of the UK’s most worthy causes.

READ MORE - Vauxhall Sports Cars Red Victor 3 V8 Engine