Opel is introducing new pro-environmental Ecoflex variants of the Corsa and Astra for 2009. With CO2 emissions of just 109 (Corsa 1.3 CDTI Ecoflex) and 119 g/km (Astra 1.7 CDTI Ecoflex), they require just 4.1 and 4.5 litres of diesel, respectively, per 100 km.
Both cars are fitted with a maintenance-free diesel particulate filter as standard. The automaker is pursuing an array of activities as part of its commitment to further reduce fuel consumption and emissions of cars with conventional combustion engines.
Opel reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of the Corsa 1.3 CDTI Ecoflex by around nine per cent. Its combined fuel consumption is now just 4.1 instead of 4.5 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres, and at 109 g/km, it emits 10 grams less CO2 per kilometre than before.
The Corsa and Astra Ecoflex use a similar recipe to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. On the Corsa, the calibration of the 1.3 CDTI engine is optimised and adapted to a longer transmission gear ratio. To improve its aerodynamics, the car is lowered by 20 mm, air intakes are optimised and wheels are fitted with newly designed, more effective wheel caps.
The Corsa Ecoflex is also equipped with special roll resistance optimised smaller tyres: 175/70 instead of 185/70, fitted to lighter - flow formed - 14-inch steel wheels. Engineers have paid extra attention to the weight reduction, shaving off no less than 45 kg. The optimised wheels and tyres, for instance, allowed to reduce weight by 7.2 kg alone.
The Corsa Ecoflex is available with five-speed manual transmission as a three-door model in the equipment variants Corsa and Edition. Its performance figures are similar to its predecessor: 55 kW/75 hp output, maximum torque of 170 Nm and a top speed of 168 km/h.
The new Astra 1.7 CDTI Ecoflex is available as five-door, three-door and stationwagon models which come with a six-speed manual transmission. The especially economical compact car sips just 4.5 litres of diesel per 100 km and emits 119 g/km CO2.
GM engineers achieved this by modifying the Astra 1.7 CDTI in a number of ways: They selected a longer axle ratio, optimised the engine management system and reduced the engine idle speed. Weight being the enemy, the curb mass of the new Astra Ecoflex has been reduced by 30 kg.
Meanwhile, the UK's Environmental Transport Association (ETA) has voted Opel's Tigra two-door convertible the greenest vehicle in the sports category.
ETA looks at some 1,300 models of cars on sale in the UK and examines their power, emissions, fuel efficiency and the amount of noise they produce to create the definitive guide to buying the greenest vehicle.
The winning feature of the diesel Opel Tigra 1.3CDTi 16v is its low fuel consumption at 4.6 l/100 km (combined) which keeps CO2 emissions down at 124 g/km.
"Consumers are becoming increasingly conscious of the environment and the price they have to pay for unsustainable products," said Ryan Buttigieg, sales and marketing manager at United Automobile Limited, representatives of Opel in Malta.
For more information on Opel, call at United Automobile's showroom in Abate Rigord Street, Ta' Xbiex, or on 2132 0560, or e-mail info@unitedautomobile.com.mt.