Test drive Opel reports accurate fuel consumption and emissions

From 2018, the company will implement SCR technology for the entire diesel fleet.

Opel has released details of an engineering initiative unveiled in December for greater transparency, credibility and efficiency. The company will take another voluntary step over the summer to increase transparency and comply with future emissions protocols. The launch will be with the new Opel Astra from June 2016, and in addition to the official fuel and CO2 emissions data, Opel will publish fuel consumption data reflecting a different driving pattern - in line with the WLTP test cycle. In addition, after August, Opel will launch an initiative to reduce NOx emissions from SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) diesel units. This is a voluntary and early intermediate step towards the so-called RDE (Real Driving Emissions) cycle, which will come into effect in September 2017. Opel offers regulators an engine calibration strategy that serves as the basis for an active dialogue.

“At Opel, we strongly believe that the industry must regain its credibility by increasing transparency for customers and regulators. Opel is taking this step towards RDE to show that it is possible,” said Opel Group CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann. “In September we announced where I was going; now we provide details. I have asked the European Union and EU Member States to give other European countries the opportunity to speed up the harmonization of methods, settings and interpretations of tests related to real measurements, in order to avoid the current uncertainty caused by test results that are difficult to compare. ”

Increasing cost transparency: Opel takes a step towards the WLTP test cycle

From the end of June 2016, in addition to the official data on fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of Opel models, the company will publish data derived from the WLTP test cycle, starting with the new Opel Astra. This data, which will show fuel consumption with low and high values, will initially be offered for the 2016 Astra and will be published on a dedicated micro-website for greater transparency. Data based on the WLTP test cycle will be released for other models later this year.

In line with EU plans, the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) will be replaced in 2017 with a modern standard called the Worldwide Harmonized Test Procedure for Light Commercial Vehicles (WLTP). WLTP is essential for maintaining standardized, reproducible and comparable results.

Lower emissions for Euro 6 diesel engines: Opel moves towards RDE

As noted in December, Opel is taking action to reduce NOx emissions from Euro 6 diesel engines with SCR catalysts in line with the upcoming RDE standard. RDE is a real emission standard that complements existing test methods and is based on measurements of vehicle emissions directly on the road.

Dr. Neumann notes: “I strongly believe that diesel technology will continue to play an important role in Europe if the industry adheres to a line of continuous improvement. This is one of the reasons why we decided to implement SCR technology for the entire diesel engine line from the beginning of 2018. In doing so, we are talking not only about a strategy to restore confidence, but also about a strategy to maintain the leading role of the European automotive industry in the field of diesel technology. "

Implementation of the Euro 6 SCR improvements in new vehicles is currently scheduled for August 2016. In addition, this initiative also includes voluntary field actions to meet customer needs, which will include 57000 6 Euro 2016 SCR vehicles on European roads (Zafira Tourer, Insignia and Cascada). This initiative will start in June XNUMX.