El Estado y las Fuerzas Armadas

Unbeatable Excitement in Opel’s First Mid-Engined Sports Car 

Intelligent weight-saving is the key to i

Intelligent weight-saving is the key to i ts outstanding performancets outstanding performance

Offering purists uncompromisin

Offering purists uncompromising driving excitement, the g driving excitement, the new Speedster is an Opelnew Speedster is an Opel pioneer in several respects. The two-seater is

pioneer in several respects. The two-seater is the brand´s first mid-engined sports car the brand´s first mid-engined sports car  and the first Opel to use

and the first Opel to use aluminum and composialuminum and composite materials for the chassis and body.te materials for the chassis and body.

The Speedster is built for

The Speedster is built for driving enthusiasts who will consciously forego creaturedriving enthusiasts who will consciously forego creature comforts for the sake of an

comforts for the sake of an uncompromisuncompromised sports car experience. It covers the sprinted sports car experience. It covers the sprint from zero to 100 km/h in

from zero to 100 km/h in only 5.9 seconds, reaches a top speed of 220 km/h andonly 5.9 seconds, reaches a top speed of 220 km/h and demonstrates exemplary agility and road-holding on winding roads.

demonstrates exemplary agility and road-holding on winding roads.

The philosophy behind the Speedster can best be

The philosophy behind the Speedster can best be described with the words, “minimaldescribed with the words, “minimal weight, high efficiency, maximum enjoyment”. Intelligent,

weight, high efficiency, maximum enjoyment”. Intelligent, lightweiglightweight design ht design comple- comple-ments a highly efficient new

ments a highly efficient new engine to give the engine to give the Speedster its impressive performance.Speedster its impressive performance.

The aluminum, 2.2-liter, four-cylinder ECOTEC engine has 108 kW/147 hp,

The aluminum, 2.2-liter, four-cylinder ECOTEC engine has 108 kW/147 hp, consumesconsumes 8.2 liters of premium fuel (MVEG norm) and already meets the Euro 4

8.2 liters of premium fuel (MVEG norm) and already meets the Euro 4 emissionsemissions standard.

standard.

“The Speedster is not

“The Speedster is not just another roadster,” says Hans Demant, Executive Director of just another roadster,” says Hans Demant, Executive Director of  Opel´s International Technical Develo

Opel´s International Technical Development Center. “Our first pment Center. “Our first priority with thepriority with the Speedster has always been driving dynamics. The extremely low weight of Speedster has always been driving dynamics. The extremely low weight of 870870 kilograms, a low center of gravity, the concentration of mass at the

kilograms, a low center of gravity, the concentration of mass at the center of thecenter of the vehicle, the racing suspension, the brakes and t

vehicle, the racing suspension, the brakes and t he unassisted steering, make it anhe unassisted steering, make it an absolute dream to drive –

absolute dream to drive – especiallespecially on y on winding roads.”winding roads.”

The Speedster´s looks are as striking as its performance. Hans Seer, Director of  The Speedster´s looks are as striking as its performance. Hans Seer, Director of  Design at Opel: “The

Design at Opel: “The lightweiglightweight, composite body, is ht, composite body, is Opel´s first production car to Opel´s first production car to bringbring to life the

to life the technically oriented design languatechnically oriented design language we demonstrated on the ge we demonstrated on the G90 and ZafiraG90 and Zafira Snowtrekker concepts.” The styling is characterized by taut

Snowtrekker concepts.” The styling is characterized by taut surfaces, muscular wheelsurfaces, muscular wheel arches and sheer flanks. The

arches and sheer flanks. The sculpted, three-dimenssculpted, three-dimensional headlamps and tail lights areional headlamps and tail lights are integral elements of the body shape. The large air intake ducts behind the doors are as integral elements of the body shape. The large air intake ducts behind the doors are as striking as the two vertically arranged exhaust pipes. Hans Seer is confident that “the striking as the two vertically arranged exhaust pipes. Hans Seer is confident that “the Speedster´s dynamic styling will leave its mark on

Speedster´s dynamic styling will leave its mark on automobile design at Opel andautomobile design at Opel and throughout the industry in the

throughout the industry in the years ahead.”years ahead.”

Close-Fitting, Sports Car Proportions Close-Fitting, Sports Car Proportions

The visible, aluminum chassis dominates the minimalist interior of the

The visible, aluminum chassis dominates the minimalist interior of the close-fitting two-close-fitting two-seater. Instruments are kept to the bare essentials with a revolution counter and a seater. Instruments are kept to the bare essentials with a revolution counter and a speedometer

speedometer, plus LCD , plus LCD displays for mileage and fuel level. Sculpted sports displays for mileage and fuel level. Sculpted sports seats areseats are complemented by a leather steering wheel, aluminum gear knob and a

complemented by a leather steering wheel, aluminum gear knob and a starter button,starter button, all of which underline the Speedster´s athletic personality. The optional leather interior  all of which underline the Speedster´s athletic personality. The optional leather interior  is available in black, blue, red

is available in black, blue, red or beige.or beige.

Although the Opel Speedster´s dimensions make it very

Although the Opel Speedster´s dimensions make it very compact, its proportions arecompact, its proportions are quite different from those of a typical small car. At

quite different from those of a typical small car. At 1117 millimeters, its roof is extremely1117 millimeters, its roof is extremely low, an impression that is reinforced by the width of 1708 mm and t

low, an impression that is reinforced by the width of 1708 mm and t he front and rear he front and rear  tread of 1450 and

tread of 1450 and 1488 mm respectively. At 2330 millimeters the wheelbase is1488 mm respectively. At 2330 millimeters the wheelbase is relatively long for a

relatively long for a mid-enginmid-engined sports car ed sports car while the length, 3790 millimeters, is closewhile the length, 3790 millimeters, is close to that of the

to that of the new Opel Corsa. The Speedster´s trunk, located behind the engine, isnew Opel Corsa. The Speedster´s trunk, located behind the engine, is larger than it looks from the outside with enough space (VDA method: 206 liters) for  larger than it looks from the outside with enough space (VDA method: 206 liters) for  two people´s weekend luggage.

two people´s weekend luggage.

Combinin

Combining a g a chassis made of bonded, extruded aluminum sections with a chassis made of bonded, extruded aluminum sections with a compositecomposite bodyshell made of bonded panel

bodyshell made of bonded panels reinforced with glass fiber is a first s reinforced with glass fiber is a first for Opel. In thisfor Opel. In this way the engineers achieved the extremely low vehicle weight of

way the engineers achieved the extremely low vehicle weight of 870 kilograms while870 kilograms while retaining excellen

retaining excellent torsional rigidity and t torsional rigidity and a high-quality finish. Apart from laying thea high-quality finish. Apart from laying the foundations for a high level of

foundations for a high level of active safety, this tactive safety, this t echnologechnology also provides excellenty also provides excellent

passive safety for the

passive safety for the passengerspassengers. They . They are surrounded by the stable aluminumare surrounded by the stable aluminum chassis while the driver airbag and pyrotechnical seat belt

chassis while the driver airbag and pyrotechnical seat belt tensioners provide effectivetensioners provide effective restraint. A “crashbox” made of a stiff, lightweight synthetic structure, similar to the restraint. A “crashbox” made of a stiff, lightweight synthetic structure, similar to the systems used in Formula 1 racing, is used to absorb impact energy in an extremely systems used in Formula 1 racing, is used to absorb impact energy in an extremely efficient manner.

efficient manner.

Strong, Light, Smooth-Running Powerplant Strong, Light, Smooth-Running Powerplant

The drive-train, too, is

The drive-train, too, is characterized by the combination of low weight and characterized by the combination of low weight and highhigh performance. The Speedster is powered by the

performance. The Speedster is powered by the first member of first member of the all-new, aluminumthe all-new, aluminum ECOTEC engine generation, the 2.2-liter, four-cylinder unit which drove onto the

ECOTEC engine generation, the 2.2-liter, four-cylinder unit which drove onto the European market in the Astra

European market in the Astra Coupé. The engine is made entirely of Coupé. The engine is made entirely of aluminum andaluminum and weighs only 138 kilograms (DIN 70020A). In t

weighs only 138 kilograms (DIN 70020A). In the Speedster the ECOTEC enginehe Speedster the ECOTEC engine produces 108 kW/147 hp at 5800 rpm. Maximum torque is 203 Nm, 90 percent of  produces 108 kW/147 hp at 5800 rpm. Maximum torque is 203 Nm, 90 percent of 

which is already available at 1900 rpm. Opel´s new sports car consumes an average of  which is already available at 1900 rpm. Opel´s new sports car consumes an average of  8.2 liters of

8.2 liters of premium fuel per 100 kilometers (MVEG) and premium fuel per 100 kilometers (MVEG) and complies with the comingcomplies with the coming Euro 4 emissions standard. Integrated into the

Euro 4 emissions standard. Integrated into the engine block, two counter rotatingengine block, two counter rotating balance shafts guarantee extremely smooth running. Maintenance is minimal: only the balance shafts guarantee extremely smooth running. Maintenance is minimal: only the oil, the oil filter and the spark plugs have to

oil, the oil filter and the spark plugs have to be changed.be changed.

The transmission is the new five-speed gearbox first seen on the 1999 Vectra, with The transmission is the new five-speed gearbox first seen on the 1999 Vectra, with high-precis

high-precision, cable-operated shift. Its ion, cable-operated shift. Its three-shaft design makes the three-shaft design makes the gearboxgearbox extremely compact.

extremely compact.

The complex chassis employs a double wishbone suspension at all four

The complex chassis employs a double wishbone suspension at all four wheels.wheels.

Advanced geometry and compliance tuning optimizes wheel

Advanced geometry and compliance tuning optimizes wheel control to maximize gripcontrol to maximize grip and handling performance. The Speedster´s high-speed cornering capabilities are and handling performance. The Speedster´s high-speed cornering capabilities are further enhanced by its wide track, its low center of

further enhanced by its wide track, its low center of gravity and precise steering. Four gravity and precise steering. Four  ventilated, 288-millime

ventilated, 288-millimeter disc ter disc brakes provide powerful deceleration. ABS is brakes provide powerful deceleration. ABS is standard.standard.

The Speedster´s 17-inch-diame

The Speedster´s 17-inch-diameter aluminum wheels (5.5” and 7.5” ter aluminum wheels (5.5” and 7.5” wide at the wide at the frontfront and rear respectively) carry

and rear respectively) carry speciallspecially y developed Bridgestondeveloped Bridgestone Potenza te Potenza tires (175/55 atires (175/55 at the front, 225/45 R17 at the rear).

the front, 225/45 R17 at the rear).

A plaque on the

A plaque on the instrument panel bears the production number of each Speedster,instrument panel bears the production number of each Speedster, underlini

underlining the ng the exclusiviexclusivity of ty of the two-seater sports car in the two-seater sports car in the Opel line-up. Specializedthe Opel line-up. Specialized dealership

dealerships will s will provide correspondiprovide correspondingly high levels ngly high levels of service. Throughout Europeof service. Throughout Europe about 800 dealerships have been appointed to sell and

about 800 dealerships have been appointed to sell and service the Speedster after firstservice the Speedster after first sending their sales and service staff

sending their sales and service staff on special training courses and preparing to stockon special training courses and preparing to stock Speedster parts.

Speedster parts.

The new sports car owes its origins to the

The new sports car owes its origins to the concept of the Lotus Elise. The decision toconcept of the Lotus Elise. The decision to cooperate with Lotus Engineering came at a

cooperate with Lotus Engineering came at a time when Opel was preparing for time when Opel was preparing for thethe biggest model offensive in its 100 years of car-making. It was taken because the biggest model offensive in its 100 years of car-making. It was taken because the

philosophy behind the English roadster is very much in line with Opel´s own objectives, philosophy behind the English roadster is very much in line with Opel´s own objectives, and because – after

and because – after the Speedster concept car had the Speedster concept car had been greeted with greatbeen greeted with great enthusiasm at the 1999 Geneva Motor Show – Opel wanted to put the

enthusiasm at the 1999 Geneva Motor Show – Opel wanted to put the two-seater ontwo-seater on the market as quickly as possible. The Speedster is assembled by Group Lotus in the market as quickly as possible. The Speedster is assembled by Group Lotus in Hethel, England, about 150 kilometers north-east of London, where the

Hethel, England, about 150 kilometers north-east of London, where the renownedrenowned English sports car specialists and automotive consultants have been building cars English sports car specialists and automotive consultants have been building cars since 1967. Opel quality assurance engineers work with their

since 1967. Opel quality assurance engineers work with their counterparts from Lotuscounterparts from Lotus to make sure t

to make sure that the company’s guidelines and processes are applied to that the company’s guidelines and processes are applied to t hehe

production of the Speedster. In addition, cars undergo a pre-defined test drive on the production of the Speedster. In addition, cars undergo a pre-defined test drive on the race-track adjacent to the plant

race-track adjacent to the plant before being released to the customer. Obefore being released to the customer. Opel’spel’s

confidence in the quality of its new two-seater sports car is further underlined by a confidence in the quality of its new two-seater sports car is further underlined by a ten-year anti-perforation warranty.

year anti-perforation warranty.

Robert W. Hendry, Opel´s Chairman and Managing Director calls the

Robert W. Hendry, Opel´s Chairman and Managing Director calls the Speedster “theSpeedster “the embodiment of pure driving excitement, a real driving

embodiment of pure driving excitement, a real driving machine with fascinating designmachine with fascinating design and a focus on agile handling. It conveys just the kind of exhilaration that our 

and a focus on agile handling. It conveys just the kind of exhilaration that our  customers can expect to feel more of in the

customers can expect to feel more of in the future.”future.”

November 2000 November 2000

Opel Frontera Opel Frontera

In document ABRIR CAPÍTULO II (página 195-200)