Opel Astra 2.0 CDTI

The current generation of Opel Astra is such a good-looking hatchback and it’s an obvious choice for anyone looking for a trendy and cool city car.

To make it an even more interesting prospect, Opel announced the new 2.0 CDTI version powered by a 118 kW/160 hp 2.0 liter diesel engine equipped with Start/Stop. It is the most fuel efficient version of the car averaging just 4.5 l/100 km and 119 g/km CO2. It comes with the six-speed manual transmission that significantly lowers fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Start/Stop is currently available for the Opel Agila, Corsa and Astra. By spring 2012, the company will offer 34 car/engine combinations with this technology, including all Astra diesel and gasoline models with manual transmission.

By spring 2012 34 Opel vehicle-engine combinations will get the start/stop system. And it’s one of the most intelligent systems of its kind. Read on to learn more details about it and also about the Astra 2.0 CDTI.

Opel now offers the Astra 2.0 CDTI (118 kW/160 hp) with the environmentally-friendly, fuel saving ecoFLEX Technology Package, including advanced Start/Stop functionality. This package, which is fitted as an option to the 2.0 CDTI with the six-speed manual transmission, significantly lowers fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, especially in the urban cycle: It can save up to 0.8 liters per 100 kilometers – a 13 percent reduction.

Over the combined cycle, Start/Stop reduces the Astra five-door’s average CO2 emissions from 129 to 119 grams per kilometer, and consumption from 4.9 to 4.5 liters per 100 kilometers. To sum up, the Astra combines exceptional efficiency with high performance (118 kW/160 hp) and powerful torque (350 Nm). The Astra Sports Tourer with the ecoFLEX Technology Package is equally impressive: It now consumes 4.7 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers, rather than 5.1 liters, and produces 124 grams of CO2 per kilometer, rather than 134 grams.

The introduction of Start/Stop in the ecoFLEX Technology Package is a further step in Opel’s ongoing efforts to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. The system has been developed in-house, and has just been launched in the new Corsa 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX, whose 70 kW/95 hp performance comes with fuel consumption of only 3.5 liters of diesel every 100 kilometers, and emissions of just 94 grams of CO2 per kilometer.

CleanTech Combustion Technology further raises efficiency

Also introduced in the 2.0 CDTI engine as part of the ecoFLEX Technology Package to further lower fuel consumption, the innovative CleanTech Combustion Technology guarantees exceptionally clean combustion and reduces engine noise, too. This closed-loop system adjusts fuel injection to the combustion process in real time. That means the engine runs more quietly and efficiently. Furthermore, a reduced-friction camshaft bearing taps additional fuel-efficiency potential.

All manual-transmission Astra models include a shift-up indicator. The driver can actively lower fuel consumption by choosing the ideal moment to shift up as prompted on the multifunctional display.

Opel’s Start/Stop System benefits and functionality

Opel’s automatic Start/Stop system reduces the engine’s idle time and thus greenhouse-gas emissions and noise – an advantage not only for the car’s occupants, but for all road users, particularly in urban areas. Here, the principle is clear: An engine which is not running cannot consume fuel. Instead of idling at a traffic light or train crossing, the engine will automatically stop when the driver engages neutral and releases the clutch pedal (‘Autostop’ mode). When the traffic light turns green, drivers simply press the clutch pedal to restart the engine, shift into first gear and take off.

For safety reasons, and for the comfort of passengers, the temperature regulator and the brake booster vacuum control remain active in ‘Autostop’ mode. When the situation calls for it – for instance in slow, stop-start traffic – the driver can manually deactivate the system with the ‘eco’ labelled Start/Stop switch.

For the Start/Stop system to have an effect, the following criteria need to be fulfilled:

* Hood is shut * Driver’s door is shut * Safety belt is fastened on the driver seat * Engine is sufficiently warmed up * Battery is sufficiently charged * Outside temperature is above 0°C (at frost, the ‘Autostop’ mode is increasingly restricted) * Defrost function is not activated * If air conditioning is switched on, the cabin temperature does not change significantly from the set value * Sufficient brake vacuum

* Regeneration cycle of the diesel particulate filter is not activated

If one of the above parameters changes while the engine is resting (‘Autostop’ mode) it may restart automatically. During ‘Autostop’, which lasts for a maximum of five minutes, energy-consuming components like rearwindow and sideview mirror heating are switched off, while others change to economy mode. Electric current to the infotainment system is always secured, so that the navigation system, for example, does not need to be re-programmed when the engine is restarted.

The Start/Stop system in the Opel Astra 2.0 CDTI consists of more than 20 sub-systems and new components, including:

* A more robust starter motor, which ensures the function remains operational throughout the average car lifespan. * A high-performance AGM battery (Absorbent Glass Mat), which ensures maximum reliability of the electrical system and the engine’s capacity to start without delay at any time. * An intelligent battery control with sensor, which also provides reliability and consistent quality. * A special energy management that is responsible for trouble-free re-starting of the engine.

* An ‘eco’ labelled Start/Stop switch that allows the driver to manually deactivate the system.

The ecoFLEX Technology Package in the Astra 2.0 CDTI is available for 300 euros (MSRP incl. VAT)