The first car with catalyst as standard in Germany, the first diesel to comply with Euro 4 emission standards: we have always taken a leading role in caring for both your economy and the environment. The way ahead is not just the long-term development of alternative drive systems and sustainable concepts, but also the short-term and continuous reduction in fuel consumption and emissions in the present.
To achieve this goal, we provide environmentally friendly technologies such as the start/stop system, engine downsizing, and our extensive range of fuel-saving ecoFLEX® models.
Sustainability has a long history at Opel. That’s why we are now able to offer lots of intelligent and innovative alternatives. You’ll find our ecoFLEX® badge on the Opel models that offer the biggest fuel savings. In other words, these are vehicles with the lowest consumption and CO2-emissions in the carline.
The principle of downsizing is quite simple: you let a small engine do the work of a big engine. In practice, however, things can get complicated: making too great demands on an engine can soon wear it out. To avoid this effect, we will continue to apply the latest technology. For example, the variable valve timing and intake manifold of our ECOTEC® engines ensure high performance and reduced fuel consumption and emissions.
Our turbo-charged engines provide another clear demonstration of the principle of downsizing: friction-optimised valve trains, sodium-filled exhaust valves, shortened pistons and an overboost function raise performance and torque while lowering consumption and emissions.
Turning standstill into motion: the Start/Stop system
This highly efficient technology, which really comes into its own in urban areas and in stop-and-go traffic, works in a very simple way: in a traffic jam or at a red traffic light, the engine stops when you engage the neutral gear and release the clutch pedal. To move on, you just press the clutch pedal and engage a gear.
For safety and comfort reasons, the temperature control, power steering and brake servo remain active while the engine is off.
Start/Stop technology is currently available for the Opel Corsa and will soon be available for the Opel Astra and other high-volume models.
