car to ride: Vauxhall

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Vauxhall Gets Artsy with New Adam City Car

Opel's brother-in-arms, Vauxhall, is exhibiting three examples of its new Adam premium sub-compact, each prepared by a different artist.

Fred Butler, Louise Gray and James Small are responsible for what you see in these pictures and video, with the three cars being displayed outside the home of Vauxhall Fashion Scout, Freemasons’ Hall, Covent Garden from Friday, September 14 to Tuesday, September 18, 2012.

General Motors is keeping its Opel/Vauxhall European brands, despite losing money. In an attempt to reduce costs, utilize its plants’ output and face the European financial crisis, it has formed an alliance with PSA Peugeot Citroen.

Yet analysts are not convinced that any rescue plan GM may have devised for its ailing European brands can succeed. In fact, Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas said that, while it might be costly right now, selling Opel is in GM’s long-term interest.

Not only did Opel and its sister company Vauxhall confirm the name of its four-seater convertible today, but GM's European subsidiaries also dropped two teaser images of the all-new Cascada.

The new nameplate is derived from the Spanish word meaning waterfall (hence the background on one of the cropped from the waist down photos), and it ends in the letter “a”, which is typical for Opel models.

At 4.70 meters long, the Cascada is a full-size four-seater convertible that's significantly longer than the current BMW 3-Series Convertible (4.61m) and the A5 Convertible (4.62m).

This isn't the first time that Opel's as-of-yet, unnamed, Convertible model has set foot onto the Nürburgring, but up until now, we had only seen pictures of the production ready prototypes pushed around the famed race track in Germany.

This freshly filmed footage from the 'Ring shows the brand's engineers trying out a couple of Convertible test cars with their fabric tops in both up and down positions.

For many years, Ford and GM's Opel and Vauxhall brands have been battling it out in Europe's hotly contested sport hatchback segment.

Now, both automakers have come out with new proposals based on their highly popular Focus and Astra compact models.

Whereas Opel offers its Astra OPC (sold as the Vauxhall Astra VXR in the United Kingdom) exclusively as a sporty-looking, three-door hatchback, the Blue Oval's Focus ST is available only as a more practical but less fun to look at, five-door body style.

Fittingly, Opel and its sister company in Britain Vauxhall will announce prices and begin accepting orders for the new Adam mini on the same day that the car will make its world premiere at the 2012 Paris Motor Show on September 27.

The automaker said that it will also premiere a new internet-based configurator for the Adam in its official websites in several markets across Europe.

We have already scooped the regular versions of the European market Opel Insignia facelift a couple of times, but now our spies have snapped the range-topping OPC (sold as the Vauxhall Insignia VXR in the UK) undergoing tests at the Nürburgring track.

Not surprisingly, the OPC model will receive a similar suite of styling tweaks as the normal versions of the series (marketed as the Buick Regal in North America) and which include redesigned bumpers, a new front grille and possibly changes to the headlamp and taillight fixtures.

Up until now, Opel and Vauxhall engineers had been seen working on unfinished, test mules of the upcoming Astra-based convertible model with framed doors and other non-production parts.

Now, our spies were finally able to spot a camouflaged prototype of the open-top model wearing its production body including the electrically operated ragtop.

You may have noticed that we're constantly using the term 'Astra-based', the reason being that while the new Opel model is built on the current Astra replacing the previous Astra TwinTop, company officials have said that the four-seater convertible will gain a new and bespoke name - much like VW's Golf-based Eos.

Opel and its sister company Vauxhall will market the new convertible model as a more premium proposal than its predecessor, despite that fact that it gets a folding soft top instead of the TwinTop's retractable hardtop.

Opel and its sister company Vauxhall are expanding the availability of the firm's new 2.0-liter BiTurbo CDTI diesel engine in the recently updated Astra range.

First offered on the Astra GTC three-door hatch, the oil-burner is now available for order on the Astra five-door hatchback and the Astra Sports Tourer station wagon with deliveries expected towards the end of 2012 (for both the Opel and Vauxhall brands).

Even one resignation of a high-ranking official at a major car company would make news, but General Motors is in the difficult position of announcing two separate resignations at the same time.

The first one concerns General Motors Marketing Chief Joel Ewanick who stepped down during the weekend, with Bloomberg News reporting that he resigned because he "didn’t meet the company’s expectations of an employee," according to an e-mailed statement it acquired from the Detroit automaker.

Informations Modifications Specifications Image Review 2012 Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst S
Vauxhall’s already powerful VXR8 sedan has gotten rave reviews for providing tons of power at an affordable price but now the company has decided to take things to the next level by introducing the VXR8 Bathurst S Edition.
The special edition is outfitted with a Walkinshaw Performance 122 Supercharger that cranks up the standard car’s 431 horsepower to an earth shattering 560 horsepower. Horsepower isn’t the only big change as the new supercharger also increases the LS3 V8 engine’s torque output from 550Nm to a diesel-like 715Nm. Vauxhall insists that they could have gotten even more power out of the supercharger but for drivability and durability reasons, the company decided against it.
As part of the supercharger package Vauxhall added a large capacity intercooler, high-flow fuel injectors, a separate cold air intake and Walkinshaw-developed ECU map. They also had to modify the transmission in order to handle the increased engine output by adding a high-torque capacity clutch.

Vauxhall models, usually released as Opel outside of the U.K., very rarely find themselves onto the pages of RSportsCars. The Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst S is not like other Vauxhall models, though. The VXR8 Bathurst dispenses with 560 horsepower by way of a supercharged LS3 V8, and puts that power to the road through a composed and stylish sedan chassis.

The VXR8 Bathurst looks decidedly non-British, with its strange hybrid styling of the large Pontiac G8 GXP, a Ford Fusion or Australian-market Falcon, and perhaps some Holden Commodore thrown in for good measure.

Makes sense; the VXR8 is loosely based from both the Holden and G8 models, featuring the GM-sourced LS3 V8 found in both models. Unlike the G8 GXP, though, the 2010 VXR8 Bathurst S features a true manual 6 speed transmission.

Some may find the VXR8 Bathurst's styling a bit overblown, what with its EVO-esque front end and big side air inlets. Those who appreciate the heft of the car's blower, though, should like these features just fine.

2012 Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst S SpecificationsChassis
Brakes (Front) 6-pot caliper disc
Brakes (Rear) 4-pot caliper disc
Wheels Optional 20 inch
Suspension Stiffer, height-adjustable springs and Walkinshaw-developed coil-over dampers
Drivetrain
Layout Front Engine, RWD
Transmission 6 speed conventional manual with high-torque capacity clutch
Engine
Type: Supercharged LS3 V8
Induction Walkinshaw 122 Supercharger
Displacement 6.2 liters
Horsepower 560 bhp (570 with optional high-performance exhaust system)
Torque 528 lb-ft. (715 Nm)
source:www.zulva.com,www.rsportscars.com,www.carforums.net

2011 Vauxhall Astra VXR

Informations Specifications Modifications Image Review 2011 Vauxhall Astra VXR
THE wraps are off the hottest Astra ever! In a world exclusive, Auto Express can reveal the high-performance version of Vauxhall’s new family car – the eagerly anticipated Astra VXR.

Taking over from the current model – one of the most ferocious hot hatches in its class – the flagship is even more aggressive. It has a rakish look and a raft of new technology, including a fresh turbocharged powerplant and uprated suspension that will offer even sharper handling.

The Astra VXR arrives in showrooms in 2010, and will go into battle with the Ford Focus ST and Volkswagen’s all-new Golf GTI, which is due at around the same time. Other manufacturers will be bringing out revised and uprated hot hatches by then, too, so the VXR needs to be on top of its game. As you can see from these images, it builds on the styling of the Astra, adding an array of go-faster items to the three-door family hatch’s sleek, coupé-like shape.

As befits the VXR brand, it gets a ground-hugging bodykit and massive air intakes at the front, as well as a diffuser-style rear bumper, complete with a central exhaust.

Details such as 19-inch alloys, a roof spoiler and a range of bright body colours finish the hot hatch look. Inside, as with the rest of the Astra range, the newcomer gets a totally redesigned cabin, as seen in our exclusive spy shot (see panel, opposite). High-quality soft-touch materials will be used, while equipment including a Bluetooth phone connection and a stereo compatible with MP3 players is set to appear.

Each Arctic Edition also gets a generous £1965 worth of options included in its price. Heated leather Recaro front seats, tinted glass and Black 19-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels all now form part of the Astra VXR Arctic Edition’s armoury.
And for the first time on a VXR product, customers can also specify their Arctic Edition with the Panoramic Windscreen, a £920 option that offers a window on the world that extends back over the front seats with heat-absorbing glass. And if the skies are grim, a full-length shading system with pull-out sunblinds is also included.
Of course, none of this diminishes the Astra VXR Arctic Edition’s exceptional performance. With 240PS of power and 320Nm of torque between 2400 and 5000rpm, it’ll hit a top speed of 152mph, with 60mph arriving from standstill in just 6.2 seconds. Lowered and uprated VXR sports suspension, ultra-low profile 235/35 x 19 tyres and 321mm front ventilated brakes discs complete the Arctic Edition’s dynamic package.
And what better way to test a new Astra VXR Arctic Edition than at Vauxhall’s VXR Power Events. Starting this month and culminating in the VXR Power Festival at Silverstone in August, Power Events gives VXR drivers and enthusiasts the chance to test their mettle (and their metal) in a series of driving challenges.

On the VXR, the interior will be enhanced by heavily bolstered sports seats, a chunky steering wheel and brightly coloured trim inserts. The current Astra VXR isn’t lacking in fireworks – it was the most powerful hot hatch available until the Mazda 3 MPS arrived – and the newcomer will continue this ethos.

However, with pressure to reduce emissions and increase fuel economy, the second-generation VXR will replace the 237bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged unit with a new 1.8-litre motor. It will still be turbocharged and boast around 240bhp, allowing a 0-60mph time of six seconds and a 150mph top speed, but it will be cleaner and more economical, too.

There is also the outside chance of a diesel VXR. With a new range of 2.0-litre CDTI units debuting in the Insignia later this year, Vauxhall bosses have the option of a high-perfomance oil-burner – particularly as the line-up includes a 168bhp version.

Lowered and stiffened springs, plus electronically controlled dampers, should ensure that the Astra VXR is a grippy, agile and involving hot hatch. What’s more, the dampers, steering and throttle response can all be sharpened at the touch of a button. While the Insignia VXR will get a new four-wheel-drive system, the Astra will remain front-wheel drive, which means engineers will have to work hard to contain the torque steer and improve the poor traction of the current generation VXR.
source:www.autoexpress.co.uk,www.zulva.com

car to ride

Vauxhall Gets Artsy with New Adam City Car

Morgan Stanley Report Says GM Should Get Rid Of Cash-Bleeding Opel

Opel and Vauxhall Preview New Cascada Convertible, Bigger Than an A5 Cabrio

U Spy: Watch Opel's Engineers Thrash the New Convertible Around the Nürburgring

Ford Focus ST vs. Opel Astra OPC / Vauxhall Astra VXR in New EVO Track Test

Opel and Vauxhall to Begin Accepting Orders for New Adam Mini on September 27

Spied: Opel Insignia OPC Facelift Prototype Offers First Glance at Restyled Interior

Spy Shots: Opel's New Astra-Based Convertible Takes Final Shape Ahead of Paris Debut

New 192hp 2.0-liter BiTurbo Diesel Now Available on Astra 5d and Sports Tourer Wagon

GM Global Marketing Chief and European Division's Next VP of Design Step Down

2012 Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst S

2011 Vauxhall Astra VXR