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Opel heads for the city with new Karl hatchback

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Opel is getting big into small cars. With more versions of the stylish little Adam coming out all the time and the restyled Corsa just released within the last few months, the German automaker is now bolstering the bottom end of its lineup with the addition of the new Karl.

Though at 145 inches long, it's even shorter than the Adam, the Karl boasts five doors and five seats inside its compact frame – similar to the Volkswagen Up! but a little bit bigger. Power comes from a 1.0-liter inline three with just 75 horsepower channeled through a five-speed transmission. It's also got all the modern bells and whistles, including hill start assist, park assist, lane departure warning and an infotainment system with iOS and Android connectivity, all for under 10,000 euros.

Following the more stylish but less functional Adam that was named for the company's founder, the Karl is named for his son. In the UK, however, the identical Vauxhall version will be sold as the Viva, reviving a nameplate last used in the 1970s. Both versions are set to launch in the spring.
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The New Opel KARL – Small, Exquisite, Simply Outstanding!
2014-12-03

- Simply sensible: Entry-level Opel for less than euro 10,000
- Simply spirited: Latest generation three-cylinder, one-liter engine for efficient drive
- Simply exceptional: KARL with technologies and features from higher segments
- Simply practical: Five doors and space for five people despite compact size
- Simply appealing: Award-winning Opel design language for the small car segment

Rüsselsheim. Small but spacious, a dazzling appearance and above all insanely sensible – this is what entry-level buyers can expect from Opel from the summer of 2015. Its name: simply KARL, which pays homage to the son of the company founder. Customers will be able to purchase a 3.68-meter long, attractive five-door car with space for up to five people for less than euro 10,000. Furthermore, the new addition to the Opel family can be equipped with numerous safety, comfort and infotainment technologies that are unrivalled in this segment. KARL is powered by an ultra-modern latest generation one-liter, three-cylinder gasoline engine. KARL, ADAM and Corsa will give Opel its strongest mini and small car portfolio from the summer of 2015 – and the youngest on the market. They leave nothing to be desired.

"Short, crisp and full of character – the name KARL reflects its strengths. Opel's new entry-level model is a grown-up car and will appeal to heart and intellect," explained Opel Group CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann. "KARL offers typical Opel virtues starting with the high-tech, quiet one-liter, three-cylinder engine and by no means ending with our award-winning IntelliLink infotainment system. The Opel KARL is the ideal car for price-conscious customers looking to combine everyday suitability with comfort and modern technologies."

Sharp lines with character

KARL's front end sports the typical Opel smile, created by the dynamic chrome bar supporting the brand's emblem. From the side three precise, sharp lines characterize the smallest Opel. The signature 'blade' body side is indicated on the doors and reflects Opel's sculptured, precise design philosophy. The two sharp lines running through the door handles emphasize the dynamic high-quality character. Large headlights and taillights add to the vibrant appearance, creating an overall design that shows exceptional attention to detail for a vehicle in this class.

Technologies and features that melt small car owners' hearts

However, the most important thing is: The Opel KARL is not just good looking, it also impresses with its inner values. Under the hood, it can boast the latest generation in Opel powertrain technology. The new 1.0 ECOTEC with 55 kW/75 hp, an ultra-modern one-liter, three-cylinder gasoline engine with impressive running smoothness and efficiency, was developed especially for KARL. Drivers can regulate the power perfectly via the modern, soft five-speed transmission. KARL's chassis and steering have been developed to provide exceptional safety and comfort at the top of its class.

In line with this, KARL will be fitted with numerous safety and comfort features that customers will not expect in this price category and Opel will once again deliver ultra-modern technologies at affordable prices. Apart from standard ESP with traction control, ABS with Electronic Brake-force Distribution and the Hill Start Assist, which prevents the car from rolling back when starting on a slope, KARL can be equipped with a further safety feature highlight in the Lane Departure Warning. By means of front camera sensors, which scan the road, it alerts drivers with an acoustic signal and a blinking yellow icon on the instrument panel when they unintentionally stray out of their lane.

KARL also features the City mode that reduces steering effort at the push of a button as already implemented for the ADAM and Corsa. Elsewhere, Park Assist prevents unwanted bumps when parking by issuing an acoustic warning from approaching obstacles when reversing. Cruise control with speed limiter ensures driving at legal speeds, which is extremely helpful in complicated urban traffic or in residential areas with a 30 km/h speed limit. The fog lights guarantee improved illumination in adverse weather conditions whereas the integrated cornering light function ensures that turning maneuvers are safer for the driver and other road users.

The list of comfort, assistance and safety feature available in the KARL can be seamlessly continued. Optional heated front seats along with the heated leather steering wheel ensure cozy warmth in the winter. Summer days are made even more enjoyable by the optional sunroof.

Practically pretty – pretty practical

The small Opel KARL is not just fully grown up in the comfort and safety area; its roomy interior and driver-focused cockpit provide the driver and passenger with a feeling of space, quality and love for detail previously only known from cars that are more expensive. KARL owners will also be able to be fully connected with the award-winning Opel IntelliLink infotainment system, which allows seamless integration of Apple iOS and Android devices and brings the smartphone world into the car.

Beyond ultra-modern connectivity, KARL is extremely practical and offers spaciousness despite compact dimensions. From the outside, KARL will raise eyebrows from the very start with a total of ten different bodywork colors and various designs for rims for 14 to 16 inch tires. Therefore, Opel's smallest model, which will round off the company's small car segment offer from next summer, is both – practically pretty and pretty practical and that for a price of under euro 10,000.


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VAUXHALL REVEALS ALL-NEW VIVA

- First official pictures of VIVA ahead of Spring 2015 launch
- Specially-developed 1.0-litre ECOTEC (75PS) powertrain
- Comfortable and practical with room for up to five people
- IntelliLink connectivity for seamless smartphone integration

Luton – These are the first pictures of the VIVA, Vauxhall's all-new five-door entry-level model. Arriving in Spring 2015, the VIVA will be the latest edition to Vauxhall's small car range joining the fashionable ADAM and the popular Corsa supermini.

Design

With a name that pays homage to Vauxhall's original Viva made from 1963 to 1979, the all-new VIVA shares the original's philosophy of clean lines, durability and practicality. It is designed for modern, everyday life and at 3.68 metres long is practical and spacious providing more than enough room for up to five people.

VIVA is the latest model in the range to display Vauxhall's sculptured, precise design philosophy. Three strong feature lines swoop down the sides with the signature 'blade', seen previously on Insignia and GTC amongst others, slicing through the doors. The two others run through the front and rear door handles. The VIVA's front end features a distinctive winged chrome bar that presents the Griffin badge.

Large headlights and taillights add to the vibrant appearance, creating an overall design that shows exceptional attention to detail for a vehicle in this class.

VIVA will be available in ten exterior paint colours with a variety of 14- to 16-inch wheels.

Powertrain and Chassis

After first appearing in the ADAM ROCKS AIR and subsequently the New Corsa, VIVA is the latest Vauxhall to feature its new 1.0-litre three-cylinder ECOTEC engine. Specially-developed for VIVA, this 75PS powertrain is smooth, punchy and efficient, and is mated to a slick five-speed transmission.

VIVA's chassis and steering have been developed to provide exceptional safety and class-leading comfort.

Equipment and Practicality

Like its stablemates ADAM and Corsa, VIVA is fully-connected thanks to the IntelliLink infotainment system, which allows seamless integration of Apple iOS and Android devices.

It's also equipped with ESP featuring traction control, ABS with Electronic Brake-Force Distribution and Hill Start Assist, which prevents the car from rolling back when starting on a slope. Further safety options can be selected including Lane Departure Warning.

Another feature that VIVA shares with ADAM and Corsa is City mode which reduces steering effort at the push of a button. Park Assist alerts the driver to obstacles whilst parking plus there's optional cruise control, sunroof, fog lights, heated front seats and heated steering wheel.

"Short, crisp and full of character, Vauxhall's new entry-level model is a 'proper' small car and will hold great appeal in this rapidly growing sector," said Tim Tozer, Vauxhall's Chairman and Managing Director. "On sale next year at an extremely attractive price point, VIVA joins new Corsa and ADAM in a compelling small car portfolio, giving Vauxhall an unrivalled position in the small car market."

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