With its agile handling, precise speed-dependant power steering and stiff chassis, the Vauxall Antara is clearly designed as a dynamic on-road vehicle with off-road abilities. The McPherson suspension in front and a four-link suspension in the rear provide a high-quality chassis concept similar to that of the acclaimed Vauxhall Vectra and Signum models.
The front struts are mounted on a highly rigid subframe which guarantees precise wheel alignment and also compensates for lateral loads.
The compact four-link rear axle utilises three transverse and one longitudinal link to locate the rear wheels. This independent set-up makes it possible to optimise rear wheel camber and, compared the more traditional beam axle at the rear, the result is a more controlled ride.
All diesel-engined Antaras also feature a self-levelling device. Instead of the conventional shock absorbers, a regulating system with a pump integrated in the shock absorbers, reservoir, sensor, control mechanism and damper is fitted at both rear wheels and automatically adapts the Vauxall Antara to loads and trailers.
Buyers who plump for factory-fit towing pack will also discover that Antara will cleverly recognise when a trailer is plugged in and automatically calibrate the ESP system to compensate. A yaw-rate sensor immediately detects any yawing tendencies in the car-trailer combination and automatically stabilises it again with brake intervention or by closing the throttle.
The Vauxall Antara E comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels (with 235/60 R17 tyres) and the top S and SE Antara variants have 18-inch alloys (with 235/55 R18s). A Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is standard on the SE and monitors via sensors at each valve and activates a warning signal in the info display when more than 0.3 bar is lost.
The Vauxall Antara’s intelligent active four-wheel drive system combines the benefits of front-wheel drive - such as low fuel consumption and easy maneuvering − with those of four-wheel drive. Under normal conditions, the Antara is a pure front-wheel drive car. However, power can be quickly and seamlessly distributed between the front and rear axle at a ratio of up to 50:50 when needed. The key element for this function is an electronically controlled, electro-magnetically operated, electro-hydraulic differential on the rear axle. The compact and light four-wheel drive system is fully integrated in the ABS and ESP systems and supports the driver effectively in all driving situations, such as during heavy acceleration.
The braking system comprises large, ventilated disc brakes and a modern four-channel ABS. The ABS hydraulics also takes over the brake assist function if emergency braking occurs (Hydraulic Brake Assist, HBA). The modern ESP system boasts numerous additional functions that further increase active safety, including Descent Control System (DCS), a standard feature in all Antaras. DCS allows the vehicle to safely maintain a constant speed even down steep inclines without the driver needing to brake.
During winter holidays on snow-covered roads, for instance, the system ensures that the car does not exceed a pre-selected speed, thereby remaining easy to control. It operates at speeds of up to 30 mph.
If the driver selects first gear while stationary (or "D" for automatic) before a steep slope, then allows the vehicle to roll forward without using the accelerator pedal, and then presses the DCS button, the system will maintain a maximum downhill speed of 6 mph and keeps this speed constant through brake intervention at the front wheels.
If the Antara is approaching a steep downhill slope at a certain speed in a gear higher than first (also valid for automatics), the driver can activate DCS by operating the brake pedal as the vehicle starts to descend. The system then reduces the vehicle’s speed to 10 mph and maintains this speed to the bottom of the slope. DCS also operates in reverse gear. In this case, a constant 5 mph is maintained.
It is also possible to accelerate or decelerate slightly when driving down a slope with DCS activated. When the driver removes his foot from the accelerator or brake pedal, the system returns the vehicle to its pre-selected speed. If the system is activated at a significantly higher speed, the braking effect is immediately noticeable. At the same time, a clearly audible sound informs the driver about the activities of the ESP system’s control unit, which regulates the instant brake intervention.
The Vauxhall Antara is available with a choice of two engines – a petrol or a diesel. Both are transversally mounted, feature four-valve technology and are coupled to a five-speed manual transmission as standard
The newly-developed 2.0 CDTi engine with an output of 150PS is expected to take more than 90 percent of sales in the UK. This engine includes newest generation common-rail technology with up to 1600 bar injection pressure, an aluminum cylinder head, a turbocharger with variable vane geometry and a maintenance-free diesel particulate filter,
This particulate filter consists of a solid, honeycomb-shaped ceramic body with microscopic channels. Soot particles collect on the surface of these channels and are regularly burnt off to prevent the filter blocking. Instead of using a complex system of fuel additives to remove these particles, multiple targeted injections raise the diesel engine’s exhaust-gas temperature to 600 degrees Celsius − the soot particulate’s ignition temperature − for the duration of the burning process in the filter. All this happens without the driver even being aware.
The diesel can be mated to a five-speed automatic transmission instead of the standard five-speed manual gearbox. Thanks to ActiveSelect, this automatic transmission also offers manual gear selection, as well as the choice of a winter driving program.
With both transmissions it delivers excellent performance. Accelerating from 50 to 75 mph in fifth gear takes only 12.6 seconds (automatic: 9.7 seconds). According to government figures, consumption is only 37.7mpg on the combined cycle (automatic: 29.4mpg). In combination with the 65-litre fuel tank, this provides an operating range of around 540 miles. Top speed is 111mph (automatic: 108 mph).
The new diesel engine was co-developed by GM Korea and GM Powertrain, and is produced in Gunsan, South Korea. Up to 250,000 engines can be produced annually in the 19,200 square metre plant, where regular production began in March 2006.
Vauxhall Antara 2.0 CDTi ECOTEC Engine Overview:
Displacement (cm3) 1991
Output (kW/PS at rpm) 110/150 at 4000
Max. torque (Nm at rpm) 320 at 2000
Max. speed (mph) 113 (111)
Acceleration 0 – 62 mph (s) 10.3 (12.1)
MVEG total consumption (mpg) 37.6 (31.7)
Figures for automatic versions in italics
In addition to the diesel, the ECOTEC engine range also includes a petrol unit. The 2.4-litre four-cylinder produces 140PS, and features technical details such as double overhead camshafts, a balance shaft with two rotating counterweights and an electronic throttle control. The long-stroke unit (bore/stroke: 87.5/100 millimetres) reaches a top speed of 109 mph, accelerates from zero to 62 mph in 11.9 seconds, and returns an average of 29.4mpg.
Antara Petrol Engine Overview:
Displacement (cm3) 2405
Output (kW/PS at rpm) 103/140 at 5200
Max. torque (Nm at rpm) 220 at 4000
Max. speed (mph) 109
Acceleration 0 – 62 mph (s) 11.9
MVEG total consumption (mpg) 29.4
The intelligent active four-wheel drive system ITCC (Intelligent Torque Controlled Coupling) is fitted as standard to all Antaras and combines the benefits of pure front-wheel drive − such as low fuel consumption and virtually effortless manoeuvring − with those of four-wheel drive. While the Vauxhall Antara is a front-wheel drive car under normal conditions, drive can be quickly and seamlessly distributed between the front and rear axle at a ratio of up to 50:50 when needed. The four-wheel drive system’s principal component is an electronically controlled electro-hydraulic differential on the rear axle.
The four-wheel drive system is compact, light and fully integrated in the ABS and ESP control systems. To effectively isolate the body from the engine, the Vauxhall Antara features a complex four-point pivoted bearing in the neutral axis. With this Neutral Torque Axis (NTA) mounting, the engine’s weight is supported by bearings located left and right in its dynamic spin axis. This mounting reduces vibrations and noise, especially when the engine is idling.
There was every reason to mourn the passing of the Monaro, but the Thunder from Down Under hasn’t stopped yet…
What better to replace the 6.0-litre V8, rear-drive Aussie performance icon with than an all-new Antipodean muscle car. A car, in fact, just like the Vauxhall VXR8 – a car even more powerful and exciting than the Monaro.
The dramatic-looking new saloon is powered by the same 6.0-litre V8 as the outgoing Monaro VXR, but revisions have made it even more efficient. It now develops a massive 417PS and 550Nm of torque, giving it enough grunt to sprint from 0-60mph in just 4.9 seconds. No other supercar offers this sort of power for anywhere near the VXR8’s bargain price of just £35,105.
Yet the Vauxhall VXR8, based on the Australian Holden VE HSV Clubsport R8, offers more in the way of practicality than the Monaro, with four doors and space for all the family.
Although practical, with a spacious boot, comfortable, long-legged cruising ability and luxuries such as climate control and leather trim, the VXR8 is certainly no softie. Driver aids such as the stability system and traction control can be turned off at the flick of a switch – perfect for drivers who want to hone their skills on a track day!
In response to customer demand, the Vauxhall VXR8 will also be the first VXR model to be offered with an automatic gearbox, but that doesn’t mean that VXR shifted to being dull. Performance figures are hardly affected, and the auto’s fuel economy is actually better than the manual’s.
Satellite navigation and 20-inch wheels are among the options for those who want to make their VXR8 look more distinctive and help find their way to the best driving roads. Even with all the option boxes ticked however, the VXR8 is still around half the price of other cars with comparable performance. As all fast car fans know, Aussie rules – and here’s why…
Vauxhall has introduced a new top-of-the-range luxury variant of the Zafira to further strengthen its position as the leader in its market segment. Loaded with standard equipment and offering great value for money with on-the-road prices starting at only £18,950, the new Elite is at Vauxhall retailers now.As well as the innovative Flex7 seating arrangement with which the Zafira broke the mould in the MPV market, the Elite comes with full leather trim, electronic climate control, cruise control, CD30 stereo with MP3 socket, alloy wheels, a multifunction trip computer and a sight and light
pack, which incorporates automatic lighting control, rain-sensitive windscreen wipers and an electro-chromatic self-dipping interior mirror.
Engine choices include 1.8i 16v, 2.2 16v Direct and 2.0i 16v Turbo petrol engines, or a choice of 120PS or 150PS 1.9-litre CDTi diesels. Vauxhall’s clutchless Easytronic gearbox is available on 1.8-litre models, with a conventional automatic offered on all other variants except the 2.0 Turbo.
As well as introducing the new flagship, Vauxhall has reduced the price of the entry-level Zafira Expression, making it the least expensive seven-seat monocab on the market, even undercutting rivals from the Far East.
Available with Vauxhall’s sophisticated 1.6-litre Twinport engine, the award-winning MPV costs just £12,995 on-the-road yet includes such equipment as a stereo-radio CD player, electric windows and mirrors, multiple airbags, a 12v auxiliary power socket, a height adjustable driver’s Seat and remote control central deadlocking.
General Motors Europe (GME) today presented an environmental strategy focusing short-term on reducing CO2 emissions and long-term on introducing new propulsion technologies. The strategy’s key points:
* Opel/Vauxhall will introduce an ecoFLEX variant emitting lower CO2 levels in each model line; premiere at IAA in September
* GM will present HydroGen4, its next generation hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, at the IAA
* Cadillac will launch the Cadillac BLS as bioethanol (E85) variant in fall 2007
* Opel/Vauxhall and Chevrolet will offer E85 vehicles as of 2010
* 16 new GME engine families and ten transmission families by 2012
GME has intensively addressed the subject of emissions reduction and improved fuel economy for many years. This is evident in the current wide product portfolio, in which many vehicles meet or undercut the level of 140 g/CO2 per kilometer. As GM’s largest brand in Europe, Opel/Vauxhall will unveil ecoFLEX models at the 2007 Frankfurt motor show (IAA) in September. These especially pro-environmental automobiles combine economy and driving enjoyment with low fuel consumption and reduced CO2 emissions in each vehicle class. The premiere model is a Corsa 1.3 CDTI emitting only 119 g/km of CO2, which will be launched in 2008. The Swedish premium brand Saab is also expanding its range of BioPower engines across its entire model portfolio this year. Cadillac will offer a similar E85 variant as of fall 2007, and in 2010, E85 vehicles are expected to be available for Opel/Vauxhall and Chevrolet.
Between 2007 and 2012, GME will also introduce 16 new engine families with a total of 93 variants, as well as ten transmission families with 48 variants.
Environmentally compatible from development to recycling
“A vehicle’s CO2 emissions are an important parameter, but by no means the only measurement of its environmental compatibility. That’s why we are not restricting ourselves to the production of single, eco-friendly prestige objects. We want all GME vehicles to protect natural resources as much as possible throughout the entire life cycle, from development through to the recycling of materials. The start of Opel/Vauxhall’s ecoFLEX environmental initiative at the beginning of June was an important step, as this campaign promotes the scrapping of old vehicles which do not meet today’s environmental standards.” emphasizes Carl-Peter Forster, President, General Motors Europe.
More efficient engine technology and use of alternative fuels
In order to further reduce fleet fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, GM is pursuing a strategy of short and mid-term objectives. Conventional internal combustion engines will be made more efficient and economical through continued development, and greater use will be made of alternative fuels.
Eco-Turbo and CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) are the engine concepts at the core of ecoFLEX models. Engines with larger displacements are being replaced by new Eco-Turbo units with smaller cylinder volumes. The Eco-Turbo concept is used in both gasoline and diesel engines.
Opel and Saab are pioneers in the use of alternative fuels in Europe with their successful Opel CNG and Saab E85 BioPower models. GM’s environmental strategy pursues a clear global objective of energy diversification and focus on more than one technology.
E-Flex and fuel cells as propulsion systems of the future
Presented this year, GM’s E-Flex system enables multiple propulsion systems to be installed in a common, electrically driven chassis. Long-term, GM is working flat-out on the introduction of the hydrogen fuel cell – currently the only zero-emission vehicle option. GM has already invested more than one billion US dollars in this technology. The research department of the Fuel Cell Activities Center (FCA) is currently being integrated into regular production development, giving it a central role within GM. The GM HydroGen4 – the European version of the Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell vehicle – will be presented at the IAA and marks the next step toward fuel cell production readiness. A fleet of ten vehicles will undergo testing in Berlin as of next year.
General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world’s largest automaker, has been the annual global industry sales leader for 76 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 280,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 33 countries. In 2006, nearly 9.1 million cars and trucks were sold globally. In Europe, GM sells its Opel, Vauxhall, Saab, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Corvette and Hummer ranges in over 30 markets. It operates 10 production and assembly facilities in seven countries and employs around 60,000 people.
More information on GM and its products can be found at http://www.gmeurope.com
Source: General Motors Corp.
