Auto company "Opel": the history of popular models

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:43

"Supercar" - this is exactly what many owners give to their stylish German steel horse. Disappointment does not occur even after decades of long-term friendly relations between the owner and the vehicle. Reading the reviews, you wonder what the unit does not have to face, everywhere it literally comes out dry from the water. There is a known case when a motorist drove into a swamp, sat inside the car in mud and water, and after 12 hours the car started up as simply as if it had recently left the conveyor belt. Miracles, and nothing more, because talented developers had a hand in it! Few people know how the history of Opel began. Finding out about it is useful for those who decide to make a purchase. It is interesting to analyze the information, to understand why there is such love for this iron dude.

Historical milestones of the famous concern

The history of Opel started in 1862 with the production of sewing machines. Adam Opel, born in idlefarm family, from childhood he was drawn to the knowledge of mechanics. His father sent him to college to be a blacksmith. The obedient son diligently comprehended the basics of the craft for five years. Returning to his native village, Adam made a sewing machine on his own, and a year later he established a factory. Later, in 1886, the owner decided to start a bicycle manufacturing line.

In 1899, the factory management met a talented auto designer. They open a joint production of vehicles. A year later, cooperation came to an end, Adam's son signs a contract with A. Darrac, an engine manufacturer, and the Opel story continues under the brand name Opel Darracq.

In 1895, Adam passed away after producing the 2,000th bicycle. He never knew the nuances of the automotive business, and the history of Opel was continued by his sons. 25 years have passed since the opening of the company's doors. As a result, it reached the international level of production of sewing equipment, the deliveries of which were carried out in the USA. The brand has become recognizable in India, Europe, Russia.

Further development

Production with the Darraq was stopped in 1907, but the history of Opel models did not end there. Two years later, the "doctor's" car, known under the Doktorwagen brand, was released. It cost four thousand marks, and it was a step towards the concern's social policy, making transport more accessible to the general population.

The real trouble treacherously awaited the factory. In 1911, the equipment of the workshops was destroyed in a fire. On this, the garment industry ended its life, leaving inmemories and history of Opel models are pleasant memories of success. At that time, the leaders did not imagine what a huge popularity awaits the plant in the future. The production line was restarted: the production of bicycles and vehicles was adjusted.

Looking at the documents on the history of the creation of Opel, and specifically in the papers of 1914, it is easy to understand that the affairs of the automaker were going uphill. Confirmation of this fact is the popularity of the company, in which workers work 55 hours a week for a salary of about 40 pfennigs per hour. Opel becomes a leader in the creation of cars in Germany. During this period, for the first time, female representatives are hired, who are actively involved in the work process. A decade later, the concern spends one million gold German marks on the purchase of new equipment and organizes an assembly plant for the first time in Germany.

After the war

The war years had a negative impact on technology, there was nothing left but to conclude profitable deals with General Motors. Fruitful cooperation resulted in the successful presentation of a joint brainchild. In 1935, the production model "Olympia" rolled off the assembly line with a body combined with a steel frame. The result is the largest creator of motor transport in Europe. Two years later, bike shops are closed forever.

The famous Opel Blitz

The most famous truck in the world, an exclusive in the history of the Opel brand, which was in demand during the war period, aroused terrible interest when it was mined by the Sovietssoldiers as a trophy. Compatriots could only dream of such versions. The product pleased the owners with great endurance. The country needed comfortable cars, and the main task of the designers was to create it to improve life in the state. It was created for the people. The Reich had high hopes for the concern. And they were largely justified. In 1940, sales of trucks with the ability to accelerate to 85 km / h started. But it was difficult for them to cope with Russian mud and frost. Transport was buried in mud, refusing to move in winter. In the future, the car was operated in the German army, transporting weapons, infantrymen, cargo for various purposes. What's next?

The strength of German trucks

From 1942 to 1944, the auto concern perfected the heart of the motor vehicle, using an all-wheel drive chassis, making trucks with a caterpillar chain. Auto industry experts consider this unit the most successful of the cargo collection. Considering a mass of 6,000 kg, he could reach speeds of up to 40,000 km. These modifications already had lightweight motors, the caterpillar changed for the better. What is the current lineup?

Opel-Astra and its ascent to Olympus

Sedans for Russian drivers - this is how these vehicles can be characterized. The rear is somewhat reminiscent of a BMW. Designers use the wheelbase from the hatchback. The history of Opel Astra began with the release of models marked F. This is a collection with an engine of your choice and with two types of gearboxes, whichallows motorists to make a choice, taking into account their financial capabilities.

In the history of Opel-Astra, in addition to the above modifications, station wagons and sports cars are found. The car is comfortable and convenient. A good difference from other variations is a roomy trunk. It is good to travel on it, taking cargo with you. The interior is quite modest, but it is focused on a practical person who does not pursue design and at the same time appreciates the comfort and quality of materials. The price of a car on the mechanics starts from 650 thousand rubles.

In the sedan format, people feel safe, because the front passenger is protected from impact by good parameters of the bonnet space, and the rear by the trunk, which cannot be said about hatchbacks. In 1997, the G variation was released in a completely transformed look. Improved chassis, ergodynamics, style - everything is brand new. In 2003, the third generation with the H marking was released, which is still in great demand. Soon this line was supplemented by Astra GTC, which in 2018 completed the epic of its march through the market. For the first time in the history of Opel-Astra models, the car brand won the victory, receiving the Golden Klaxon award in 2010. What else surprises the coryphaeus of the auto business?

Opel Vectra: how engineering has evolved

An alternative constructive step was made by engineers in 1988, trying to replace Ascona. The workers of factories in Germany, Spain, Belgian manufactories worked hard on the creation, offering a range of power units. In 1992, a two-liter turbo engine with 204 hp. With. was submitted to consumer court. The unit worked ondiesel, four-speed automatic, manual transmission.

In restyling, the emblem moved to the grille, giving brand recognition. In this form, it reached 1995. The next stage in the history of Opel is Vectra, which made it possible to increase power and dynamics. The designers managed to do this by adding a universal body kit to the line of hatchbacks and sedans. Here, 4-cylinder gasoline-powered engines were already in use. Turbodiesels were also used with a volume of 2.2 or 1.7 liters. The conglomerate established cooperation with Irmscher, which resulted in the appearance of the i500 and i30 versions. Their circulation was limited.

The beginning of the 2000s was characterized by new ties, including with the Russian car industry: an assembly shop was founded in Yelabuga. The third brainchild of a large family came out with a more solid and presentable appearance compared to the brothers of the previous series. This is an expensive business level with an extended wheelbase. The power of the motors has been increased to 155 hp. With. thanks to direct fuel injection. The aspirator was replaced with an Australian Holden power unit. The industry that produced these products knew complete sets with mechanics, automatic gearboxes, the Easytronic robot, stepless variators. 2009 became the final stage of the chronicle of foreign cars.

Bright debut and frontera curtain

The premiere was successfully held in 1991 in the capital of Switzerland. The muse for the creativity of the technicians on the project was the Japanese jeep Isuzu Rodeo. It turned out interestingEuropeanized image. Adjustments were made exclusively to the motor part. Japanese workshops prepared the transmission, German auto mechanics assembled the engines, although you can also find the Italian, English layout.

In the first series, the history of the Opel Frontera developed according to the scenario of two body types: a three-door short and a long five-door. The capacity of the engines reached from 2.2 liters on gasoline to 2.5 in diesel. The functionality was kept on the front disc, rear drum brake mechanisms.

They started talking about the restyled format in 1995. The springs were replaced in the suspension, the lower flap on the rear door began to open to the side, the luggage wheel moved here, freeing up space in the luggage compartment. The device turned out to be reliable and with a good overview. The mechanical transmission showed good technical abilities. The disadvantage was expensive maintenance, "appetite" for oil, you have to constantly control the level of the lubricant.

Three years have passed, updates have touched on the exterior design, the second generation has appeared. The correction noticeably added an elegant atmosphere to the rear lights, the front bumper acquired an aggressive character, and stampings flaunted on the sidewalls of the body. The wheel arches of the SUV stand out. The manufacturer has not lagged behind fashion trends in terms of combining rear position lamps with cabin fan deflectors. Jeep design fashion gravitates towards similar modifications in world practice.

Replenishment was expected by the engine family: ICE on gasoline fuel with a volume of 3.2 liters, diesel 2,2 liter direct injection petrol. Comparative analysis revealed that this series copes better with road conditions than the previous Frontera, easily covering kilometers off-road. The brake system is disc. There was no noise in the cabin due to the introduction of new power units, improved aerodynamics, and sound insulation. Full-size airbags, belt tensioners provide a high percentage of security. Headrests for passengers in the rear seats were added to the seats. They can be adjusted in height. An impressive trunk with a volume of about 520 liters cannot but rejoice. Folding chairs, there is a chance to increase its space. A weighty argument in favor of buying this brand was the development of the ABS system in 1999.

In 2001, on the eve of the International Olympic Games in Australia, a new production line was opened - Frontera Olympus. She retired from Vectra in 2003. What else is on display at the car market?

The birth of the OPEL Corsa

First debuted in 1982 as a sedan, hatchback. The three-year anniversary in the history of the Opel-Korsa model was marked by the appearance of a five-door hatchback. The second series was released in 1995, retaining the design, plastic edging of the wheel arches. The brand is encrypted under different names: Brazilians know it as Chevrolet Corsa, Mexicans - Chevrolet Chevy, Japanese - Opel Vita. Over an eleven year period, sales totaled 6 million of these vehicles. In the zero, the third generation appeared before motorists with a galvanized body,12-year guarantee against rust penetration. The restyled engine range met strict European emission standards.

A bright event happened in the history of Opel Korsa. The German Automobile Club awarded the car brand the title of “Car of the Decade”, as it has held the leading position in terms of environmental friendliness and economic component three times. The reconstruction took place in 2003, leaving the front part unchanged, completely changing the engine line. They came up with the ESP system, the “take me home” option in the Vectra C series. In 2006, the premiere of the fourth family took place in the capital of Great Britain, striking everyone with its sportiness. Collect it in Spain and Germany. There is also a fifth generation, the production of which began in 2014.

Improvement of the transmission, chassis and engine range has made it possible to achieve fundamentally new characteristics for a car of its class. All technical characteristics of the fifth generation model showed excellent indicators of comfort and control accuracy. The redesigned spacious interior with high-quality materials, the best infotainment system on the market and a suite of electronic assistants ushered in a new era of Opel cars for the driver.

Zafira - good start and continuation

The brand played in a new way in 2016. The history of the Opel Zafira model, the birth of which began in 1999, is amazing and interesting. Until 2005, when the second “branch” of minivans appeared, with the maneuverability of C-class sedans, adequate fuel consumption, thisthere was a car based on the Astra platform. The engine could run on gasoline, gas fuel. Deliveries went all over the world, including to Russian car dealerships.

From 2005 to 2014, workers were preparing the second generation with characteristic restyling, improved technical capabilities, and a boosted engine of 240 hp. With. The third generation was equipped with a turbo engine. Transmissions became six-speed, consumers could choose seven-seater models. The European industry stopped producing minivans in 2011, they continued to perform these tasks within the walls of Russian and Polish manufactories. In 2012, Russia contributed to the history of the Opel Zafira. The Kaliningrad auto industry assembled the Tourer, offering it to people at a price of 800 thousand rubles. Today, the model is extremely popular in the used car market. Unpretentious in care, service, eternally young in appearance, they suit large families, people employed in the business sector. There is an opinion in the automotive environment that Zafira will soon cease to exist at the initiative of the Germans. The era is changing, giving new opportunities. Demands are growing, a person wants to travel in fashionable crossovers.

Producer leak or driver fault?

Despite all the efforts of development engineers, automatic transmissions, stabilizer struts and other components suffer. Much depends on the driver himself, because it is not in vain that the creator offers instructions for his brainchild in the kit, where maintenance regulations and professional examinations are prescribed. Can't handle aggressive drivingnot a single tool, regardless of brand, country of origin. Bad road conditions, hourly parking in traffic jams, careless use - a small fraction of the reasons forcing you to call in for repairs. In terms of fuel consumption, each driver has a personal figure: some have enough 4 liters in the city, others need 14. According to car owners, the first 100 thousand kilometers do not cause any problems with operation. Having sat behind the wheel of a car with the famous logo, the owner is unlikely to want to try other options. Most reviews characterize the brand on the positive side, and problems arise depending on different conditions, but the manufacturer has the least complaints.