From kei car to supermini: The new Opel Agila
Meet the Opel/Vauxhall Agila, at least the new revamped version (labelled as Trendy Urban Car). Until now, the model was based on the Suzuki Wagon R+ (not a kei car sensu stricto) but GM Europe has switched to a bigger platform, the one belonging to the Suzuki Splash. The Agila is now 20 cm longer, up to 3.74 meters and the height has been lowered, from 1.66 to 1.59 meters.
The result actually ressembles current Suzuki offerings, even prowertrains are the same. The gasoline options are a 1.2 four cylinder engine in two flavors: 65 and 86 HP, sourced from Suzuki. Then there's a diesel option with Opel's current frugal 1.3 (codeveloped with Fiat) good for 75 HP and which can be fitted optionally (standard in the Splash) with a particullate filter. The gasoline engines can be mated to an automatic transmission although manuals rule. Security is the key selling argument, so the car is fitted with a great number of airbags and ESP.
See it at Opel/Vauxhall dealers next spring. Prices start at 10.800 EUR.
[Source: Opel via AutoNews.de]
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