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28.11.2002
35th Essen Motor Show: Opel Shows its Sportiest Side

-	World premiere: Corsa OPC concept with 175 hp 1.6 liter turbo engine
-	German premiere: frugal and sporty Opel Eco-Speedster
-	First appearance: Astra Cabrio anniversary model "Bertone 90-Year Edition"
-	New in the OPC program: high performance Astra top models with 200 hp turbo
-	Opel motor sport: DTM, Formula 3 and Junior Rally Contenders

Rüsselsheim/Essen. "Power and fun" are the themes of this year's Essen Motor Show (November 29, to December 8, 2002), and they match perfectly with the Opel exhibit in Hall 3, which features both a world and a German premiere, along with a variety of sporty models. The Corsa OPC concept car, equipped with a newly developed 129 kW (175 hp) 1.6 liter ECOTEC turbo engine, will celebrate its world premiere at this year's show. The sporty and frugal Eco Speedster, which Opel is using to demonstrate just how fascinating fuel economy can be, will be making its first appearance before a German audience. This engineering study has a top speed of 250 km/h yet requires only 2.5 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers in the MVEG cycle. The Astra Cabrio "Bertone 90-Year Edition", which marks the Italian design and chassis specialist's anniversary, is making its first public appearance here as well.

Opel will also be presenting a wide range of dynamic models in Essen, including the new 147 kW (200 hp) power duo – the Astra OPC and Astra OPC station wagon. And especially for the fans, a selection of vehicles from the world of motor sport will also be on display.

"Opel has a long tradition of producing sporty and very dynamic cars which are not only 'high-tech', but also affordable; and that tradition is continuing," said Opel Chairman and Managing Director Carl-Peter Forster.

World premiere: Corsa OPC study with 175 hp 1.6 liter turbo engine

An engineering study based on the Corsa will make its debut at the 35th Essen Motor Show. A 1.6 liter ECOTEC turbo engine with 129 kW (175 hp) and maximum torque of 210 Newton meters provides the power for this new Opel Performance Car. This new concept engine enables the Corsa OPC to achieve a top speed of 225 km/h and to accelerate from zero to 100 in just 7.9 seconds. The DSA (Dynamic SAfety) sport chassis was specially tuned and the body lowered by 25 millimeters to make for agile handling with high safety reserves. An aerodynamic kit with impressive looking front and rear bumpers, color-keyed wheelarches and side sills and 17-inch alloy wheels (215/40 R 17) in the classic OPC design, give the Corsa OPC a distinctively dynamic look.

This attention to detail can also be seen in the interior. Driver and front passenger travel in supportive bucket seats with blue Alcantara upholstery. Doors, side fixtures and some sections of the instrument panel come with a mesh-style cover. Blue safety belts front and rear add yet another accent to the distinctive styling. In addition, the instrument panel, adopted from the Corsa GSi, is decorated in matt chrome and refined with a Techno look.

Saving can be fun: Eco Speedster study with a 1.3 liter common rail diesel

The Eco Speedster sports car study, which created a sensation at the Paris Motor Show in September, is also making its German debut in Essen. With its looks alone, this engineering study based on the Speedster communicates both its ultimate sportiness and its efficiency. Featuring an 82 kW (112 hp) 1.3 liter, ECOTEC-turbo-diesel engine incorporating state-of-the-art common rail technology, and highly efficient aerodynamics (Cd = 0.20), this two-seat prototype is capable of a top speed of 250 km/h – yet it consumes no more than 2.5 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers in the MVEG cycle.

Exclusive anniversary model: Astra Cabrio "Bertone 90-Year Edition"

The Astra Cabrio "Bertone 90 Year Edition" will be making its first public appearance. This attractive open-air model is being produced as a limited edition to mark the 90th anniversary of Carrozzeria Bertone. A corresponding special edition of the Astra Coupé will also be available. Distinctive design features include exclusive three-coat metallic "China Blue" paint, chrome molding for the radiator grille and 17-inch alloy wheels in BBS design. The high quality interior designed for the "Bertone 90-Year Edition" includes Cashmere Beige leather, a metal insignia with the serial number in the center console and step plates inscribed with "Bertone 90 years". Aside from this, the extensive array of standard equipment otherwise corresponds with the "Linea Rossa" models. Opel has maintained a close partnership with the Italian design and chassis specialists for many years. The Kadett E convertible was produced for Opel between 1987 and 1992 at the Grugliasco plant near Turin and the first generation Astra Cabrio followed in 1993. At present, the Astra Coupé and the Astra Cabrio are built there.

Power-Duo: Astra OPC and Astra OPC station wagon with a 200 hp turbo engine

The two latest additions to the high performance OPC series on the market – the Astra OPC and OPC station wagon – will also be on display at the Opel stand in Hall 3. This compact sports car duo comes equipped with a 147 kW (200 hp) 2.0 turbo ECOTEC-engine, which delivers maximum torque of 250 Newton meters, providing for an exceptional driving experience. The three-door Astra OPC has a top speed of 240 km/h (station wagon: 231 km/h) and accelerates from zero to 100 in just 7.5 seconds (station wagon: 7.8 seconds.). The DSA sport chassis not only ensures distinctive driving pleasure, but also ride comfort.

The exclusive Zafira OPC sport van completes the OPC family of cars appearing in Essen. The Zafira OPC is also powered by the 147 kW (200 hp) ECOTEC turbo motor. With this engine, it reaches a top speed of 220 km/h, making it the fastest van in Europe.

New Opel Vectra GTS: Dynamic sport sedan

Dynamic driving characteristics helped the new Opel Vectra win the German "Golden Steering Wheel 2002" award for the best mid-sized car. The Vectra GTS sport sedan, the second member of the successful Vectra generation, has been on the market since the end of September. The top of the line model, with a top speed of 248 km/h made possible by a 155 kW (211 hp) 3.2-Liter-V6-ECOTEC engine, is the fastest Opel volume production model of all time. The Interactive Driving System (IDS), which has been specially tuned to complement this car's high performance potential, a sport chassis and more direct steering response compared to the Vectra sedan, help sharpen the handling and driving characteristics of the Vectra GTS.

Opel motor sport: DTM, Formula 3 and Junior Rally Contenders

Along with the sporty street cars, Opel will also have a selection of vehicles from the world of motor sport on display at the Essen Motor Show. These include the 340 kW (462 hp) Astra V8 Coupé driven by works driver Manuel Reuter in this year's German Touring Car Masters (DTM), the Corsa Super 1600 which participated in the newly established Junior-World Rally Championship, and the victorious Formula 3 cars with an Opel 2.0-liter 16V engine.
More than 400,000 visitors are expected at the Essen Motor Show 2002, this year's biggest and most important German car show. About 550 international exhibitors from the automobile, tuning, vintage and classic car sectors will present their products in the 110,000 square meter exhibition grounds.

Text and photos can be downloaded at the Internet address http://media.opel.com.