Opel has clearly been hard at work in preparation for the 85th Geneva Motor Show. Aside from officially unveiling OnStar for Europe and the fifth-generation Opel Corsa OPC, the company also took the time to unveil a brand new entry-level five-door to the world: ladies and gents, meet the Opel Karl (that’s Vauxhall Viva to those under the Union Jack). Though we’ve previewed it here before, the Geneva show marked Karl’s official unveiling in the sheetmetal.
Named after the son of the company founder, the Karl sports Opel’s new 1.0L, three-cylinder engine that’s good for 75hp. Opel says the new, all-aluminum 1.0L Ecotec three-pot, developed specifically for the Karl, is both smooth (for a three cylinder at least) and efficient and comes paired with a “soft” five-speed manual.
Despite being just 3.68-meters (12.07 feet) in length– seven inches shorter than a 2015 Mini Cooper– Opel says Karl can fit five people. Though adults in the rear will no doubt be packed-in tighter than fitted luggage, they’ll look pretty good while doing it. The Opel “smile” is well-integrated and the fog-lights complement the front-end nicely. For a small car under 10,000 euros the Karl doesn’t look half bad to our eyes.
Karl also comes equipped with a surprising amount of standard kit such as ESP with traction control, ABS with Electronic Brake-force Distribution, and Hill Start Assist. Just like the Adam and Corsa, Karl also comes standard with ‘City Mode,’ a feature that reduces steering effort at the touch of button for inner-city driving.
It’s also available with some pretty grown-up options like Lane Departure Warning, park assist, cruise control, a heated leather steering wheel, and even a sunroof. Buyers can look forward to three trim levels, ten paint colours, and various wheel designs ranging from 14″ to 16″.
Opel says its German dealers have already taken 15,000 orders for the vehicle, even though deliveries won’t start until June. With all this in mind, Opel’s tiniest vehicle might just be one of its best small cars yet.
Comments
madhouse. this is not the sunroof opel karl that have exhibited. Opel is still in any way and do not care about nothing. the exhibition could at least show the top-equipped cars and the lowest supply.
Opel Karl is a very expensive car. I mean it seriously and do not make jokes. Competitors offer much cheaper and much more in a car, as well as the design and quality.
Opel Karl is like five years old Korean car.
this is not even a dim LED lights system. whether such a tiny thing is so terribly expensive to add. Just look at what is new KIA PICANTO see that even the most decent one in the class where the VW UP, Reanult Twingo.
When it comes to the time where there is not much to whine about your Opel working on. So much for all sorts of little things made no sense to Opel can not be bothered to deal with and it makes mad.
Opel karl driver’s door panel are ugly as night. The driver’s door armrest internal drives sick. Very simple things are in breach of their overall impression of Opel. OPEL probably will not look at what competitors are doing.
mirrors are also stupid solution. Why are these black spots left turn signal instead of mirrors. Turn signals have been attached to the body. all kinds of stupid things you do not reach all of these. why why why
yes OPC u are right , and KARL in just the future chevrolet spark MADE IN KOREA