Opel has launched its new hybrid portfolio in Ireland, with the arrival of the first units of the new Corsa Hybrid and the Mokka Hybrid.
According to Opel, the new technology enables fully electric travel up to 50 per cent of the time in urban settings. This will appeal to drivers who want to enjoy pure electric driving pleasure without having to connect to a charger.
Easy to use and efficient, both models deliver a significant reduction in CO2 emissions, and in fuel consumption. The new Hybrid powertrain will be extended in the coming months across the Opel Astra range, together with the all-new Grandland and Frontera ranges.
The new Corsa Hybrid 1.2 100hp Stop Start retails in Ireland from €29,695 plus delivery related charges and is available in SC, Elegance and GS trims. This offers claimed fuel savings of up to 18 per cent compared to an equivalent non-electrified model. Combined fuel consumption is 4.7 l/100 km, with CO2 emissions of 106 g/km. It is available to order at local Opel dealerships nationwide.
The Mokka Hybrid 1.2 136hp Stop Start retails from €34,995 plus delivery related charges and is available in SC, Elegance and GS trims. Quoted fuel savings of up to 20 per cent compared to a non-electrified model, combined fuel consumption is 4.9 l/100 km, and CO2 emissions are 110 g/km. It is also available to order at your local Opel dealership.
The new 48-volt hybrid technology features a turbocharged petrol engine, an electric motor and a six-speed dual clutch transmission. The petrol engine and electric motors work together, or separately, depending on requirements, always in harmony to balance energy consumption and performance.
The new generation, three-cylinder 1.2-litre petrol engines have been specially developed for hybridisation and to meet the latest Euro 6.4 emissions standard. Both the Corsa 74 kW/100hp and the Mokka 100 kW/136hp engines reach their peak power out at 5,500 rpm, with maximum torque of 205Nm and 230Nm respectively at 1,750rpm.
A new electrified six-speed dual clutch transmission has also been designed especially for hybrid applications. The gear shifts without torque interruption are shorter and comfort is higher. The transmission casing houses the electric motor and the DC inverter, optimising the drivetrain size and weight to ensure excellent driving performance.
A permanent magnet synchronous electric motor, integrated in the gearbox, produces peak power of 21 kW/28hp and maximum torque of 55Nm. A belt-driven starter, in combination with the electric motor, starts the petrol engine from a cold start. The belt-starter also restarts the engine quickly and seamlessly during the stop start drive.
The 48V lithium-ion battery is recharged via recuperation and the petrol engine. Installed under the front left seat, this location achieves optimum weight distribution for good driving dynamics and allows the full volume of the boot to be retained.
Two electrical networks are included: a low voltage 12V network supplies the car's equipment (e.g. electric windows, infotainment system ); a 48V network supplies the hybrid system. A direct current converter to transfer electrical energy from the 48-volt to the 12-volt network is also included. If the 48-volt battery is almost empty, after the car has been idle for a particularly long time, the converter can transfer energy from the 12-volt to the 48-volt network.
At low speeds, the electric motor enables fully electric travel for up to one kilometre or up to 50 percent of the time used in the city, for example when manoeuvring. The vehicle automatically switches to electric drive when the battery charge, outside temperature and catalytic converter temperature are appropriate.
If the Corsa Hybrid and Mokka Hybrid decelerate, the petrol engine switches off and the electric motor acts as a generator to recharge the 48-volt battery of the hybrid system. At the same time, when the accelerator pedal is released, the hybrid can “sail” with the support of the electric motor.
Drivers can choose between three driving modes: Eco (for particularly efficient operation ), Normal and Sport. In Sport mode, the petrol engine is always running to ensure required performance at all times.
Practical hybrid information is clearly arranged in the driver information display, allowing drivers to easily and conveniently keep an eye on the most important displays for the current operating mode and energy status.
When the vehicle is switched off, a trip summary display provides additional data such as the distance travelled, the duration of the journey, the average consumption, the remaining range and the percentage of the route driven purely electrically.
