Opel tests market with niche vehicles
Opel tests market with niche vehicles
By Russell Williamson
Despite General Motors decision to postpone future investment in Indonesia because of the national car policy, the local importer, General Motors Buana Indonesia, has one of the most impressive stands at the Jakarta Auto Expo.
With three new Opel models being launched and three other automobiles being previewed, the company appears to be optimistic about the future. Heading its list of new models is the limited edition Blazer LT (Luxury Touring). Only 450 of these cars will be built.
Based on the standard 2000cc Blazer, the Blazer LT has a number of luxury items including a gold plated individual serial number embossed on a metal plate in the cabin, the car will also be defined by its production number. The LT's interior has full Connolly leather trim, wooden fascias, a remote control stereo system, extra comfortable rear seats and a pull-out vinyl luggage area cover. The exterior of the Blazer LT is painted two tones which are available in Verde Green and Ceramic Blue as well as the Blazer's normal colors. The car also has a bull bar, side steps and gold toned badges.
The LT costs about Rp 79 million.
The other two new models being launched are different versions of the Optima, a 1800cc small four door sedan.
Called the Club and Sport, these Optima models feature different packages of accessories which include full body kits incorporating front air dams, rear spoilers, side skirts, sports seats, leather wrapped steering wheels, leather upholstery, premium audio systems and alloy wheels.
The three vehicles being previewed at the exhibition are the small coupe Tigra, the medium size four wheel drive Frontera and the Sintra car. The Tigra's design is based on the small Corsa which is built at Opel's factory in Spain.
Powered by a 1400cc engine, this cheeky little coupe was initially shown at the 1993 Frankfurt Motor Show as a design study.
Spurred on by positive reaction from the show, Opel quickly approved the coupe for production, and the car first appeared on sale in Europe last year. Not intended as a true sports coupe, the Tigra is likely to attract buyers prepared to compromise some handling for fashion and a touch of European flair. Front suspension is MacPherson strut suspension. The car has a 24mm anti-roll bar, torsion beam rear suspension and 185/65 tires.
The car also features anti-lock brakes, dual air bags, alloy wheels, a leather steering wheel and central locking.
The Frontera has chunky good looks which appeal to buyers of Daihatsu Rockys and Suzuki Escudos, but adds an extra measure of ruggedness that suggests it would make a decent off-road vehicle.
And it is not badly equipped. Although it does not have safety items like air bags and ABS breaking, the vehicle has air- conditioning, central locking, electric windows and a set of six- spoke alloy wheels.
In an attempt to make the vehicle a sure winner with urban off-road buyers, it has a summer-fun look: complete with a lift- off roof and trendy side and rear panels.
Bright colors, and a breezy interior with boldly patterned seat trims are attractive to young buyers.
The Frontera's running gear is a mixture of Chevrolet Trooper and Isuzu Rodeo: the basic vehicle is like the Rodeo in its front end design and its interior, while its suspension and four-wheel drive systems are similar to the Trooper.
The vehicle is powered by the same 2000cc four cylinder Australian-made engine used in the Blazer.
Although 85KW four cylinder engines normally struggle in vehicles like this weighing 1700kg, the engine is helped by its famous mid-range torque, and by well-selected gearing. The manual transmission Frontera feels quite light on the road.
Its proper transfer case, with a set of off-road ratios, its auto-locking front hubs and its good ground clearance provided by its 16-inch wheels mean that it can perform well in the bush.
The vehicle's driving position is comfortable with big, well- proportioned seats, but the steering column needs a height adjustment instrument.
Plenty of handy cubby-holes are placed around the interior: in the front doors, the center console and in the rear-seat side panels. The vehicle's sound system is agreeable with four good speakers and a Eurovox tuner-tape player.
Overall, the package is appealing. It combines style with 4WD legitimacy, which also works well in the urban jungle.
The third vehicle that General Motors Buana Indonesia is previewing is the Sintra.
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The Opel Frontera 4WD and small coupe Tigra are just two niche vehicles produced by General Motors European operations which could be coming to a showroom near you soon.