Opel Corsa OPC Nurburgring Edition

Based on the recently refreshed Corsa OPC, the Nurburgring Edition is a limited series version of Opel’s hot-hatch of which only 500 units will be produced. However, exclusivity is not its only advantage. The special edition Corsa OPC receives an increase of 18HP, so that the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine goes from 192 to 210HP, posting an impressive power rating of 131.4 hp per liter.

The added power is achieved through a new ECU, a modified turbocharger, a sports exhaust with reduced backpressure and optimization for 100-octane fuel. Maximum torque has also been increased to 250 Nm (184.4 lb-ft), with 280 Nm (206.5 lb-ft) available when the overboost function is activated. In terms of performance, the Corsa OPC Nurburgring Edition hits 100 km/h from a standing start in 6.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 230 km/h (143 mph). It also completes the 80 to 120 km/h acceleration in 5th gear in 6.2 seconds.

To better exploit the increased power, OPC engineers fitted the FWD Corsa with a mechanical, multi-plate limited-slip differential that helps recuce wheel spin during cornering, making the Corsa OPC ideal for the racetrack. The chassis has also been retuned, with the car sporting a lower ride height, new Bilstein springs and dampers and a new lightweight front braking system from Brembo. In addition, systems such as the ABS, Traction Control and Electronic Stability Control have been recalibrated to suit the car's new configuration.

The Opel Corsa OPC Nurburgring Edition is available in two exclusive body colors, red “Henna” and apple-green “Grasshopper”, as well as with new 18-inch forged aluminum wheels in high-gloss grey. Other new features include a front spoiler lip, a new stainless steel dual exhaust system and Nurburgring logos on the B-pillars. On the inside, the Corsa features Recaro sports seats with white stitching and unique sill plates.

The car is available in Germany for €27.650 ($40,150), while its Vauxhall-badged alter-ego costs £22,295 in Britain.

GALLERY

Opel Astra 2.0 CDTI 2011

A new, more fuel efficient model has been added to the Opel Astra’s European lineup. The Astra 2.0 CDTI 160HP comes equipped the ecoFLEX package, which includes Start/Stop functionality. Already available for the Astra 1.3 CDTI, the package is offered as an optional extra for the 2.0-liter diesel hatchback and Sports Tourer models in combination with the six-speed manual transmission.

The ecoFLEX technology lowers fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, especially in city traffic, where the Astra 2.0 CDTI hatchback can save up to 0.8 liters per 100 kilometers, equal to a 13 percent reduction over the standard model without the package.

In the combined cycle, the Astra 2.0 CDTI hatch has a rating of 4.5 liters/100 km (52.26 mpg US), 0.4 liters less than the “normal” model. CO2 emissions are also down from 129 to 119 grams per kilometer. When fitted to an Astra Sports Tourer, the ecoFLEX package lowers average fuel consumption by 0.4 liters/100 km to 4.7 liters/100 km, while also reducing CO2 emissions from 134 to 124 g/km.

Other than the Start/Stop system, the package includes the CleanTech Combustion Technology for the 2.0 CDTI unit, which promises clean combustion while also reducing engine noise by means of adjusting fuel injection to the combustion process in real time. As with the 1.3-liter ecoFLEX model, the 2.0-liter version sports an active aero shutter incorporated in the front grille and refined underbody aerodynamics.

Opel also announced that all Astra model equipped with a manual-transmission will be fitted from now on with a shift indicator showing the driver the ideal moment to change gear in order to improve fuel economy.

The ecoFLEX Technology Package for the Astra 2.0 CDTI adds €300 ($425) to the standard car's price in Germany. By spring 2012, Opel wants to offer 34 car/engine combinations with the ecoFLEX technology, including all Astra diesel and petrol models with manual transmission.

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New Opel Astra GTC Sport

The production version of Opel’s stunning Astra GTC Concept from last year’s Paris Motor Show is scheduled to appear this summer with its public debut to take place at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show in September. However, thanks to Carscoop reader Javier who has a knack for finding future Opel models, we can give you a sneak peak of the production GTC. Javier discovered the picture of the completely undisguised Astra GTC on Opel’s official Facebook page earlier today.

As far as we can tell, the only visible changes over the Paris Concept are the lack of aero parts and the slightly different tail lamp design. However, the aggressive body kit and the larger alloy wheels of the concept study should make their way on the OPC version of the Astra GTC that will follow after the presentation of the standard models.

The sporty looking three-door version will be available with a similar engine lineup to the rest of the Astra models, offering buyers a variety of turbocharged gasoline and diesel units.

Electric car

An electric car is a plug-in battery powered automobile propelled by electric motor(s).

Although the electric motor often give the acceleration speed is good and acceptable in general higher, and low energy specific batteries available for production in 2010 compared with carbon-based fuels means that electric vehicles require batteries that are part of a relatively large mass of vehicle, but still often What gives relatively low, ranging from the charges against him. Recharge can also take significant lengths of time. For shorter trips within some passengers, rather than long-haul flights, electric cars are practical forms of transport and can be recharged expensive overnight. Currently the longest flight range of options followed by the installation of battery swap infrastructure in all cities throughout the pilot plant several, such as Tokyo.

Electric cars have the ability to reduce pollution significantly by the presence of zero-emissions city tube tail. Savings vehicles greenhouse gas emissions depends on how to generate electricity. With the energy mix in the present United States, using an electric car that would lead to a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. Given the current energy mix in other countries, has predicted that the emissions would reduce by 40% in the UK, 19% in China, and less than 1% in Germany.

It is expected that electric cars have a significant impact in the automotive industry because the benefits of pollution in the city, and reduce dependence on oil, and the expected increase in gasoline prices. And world governments pledged billions of dollars to fund the development of electric vehicles and their components. The United States pledged $ 2.4 billion in federal grants for electric cars and batteries. China announced it would provide U.S. $ 15 billion to start in the manufacture of electric vehicles. And the chief executive of Nissan's Carlos Ghosn, one of the 10 cars in the world will run on battery power alone by 2020. In addition, a recent report claimed that by the year 2020, electric cars, "green" cars will take the other one third of total global car sales.