Opel reveals future R&D plans as part of Groupe PSA

With Vauxhall, Opel, Peugeot, Citroën and DS Automobiles all under one roof in Groupe PSA, the group is now pooling its strengths and has created 15 centers of competence at the Rüsselsheim Engineering Center, under which it will develop new technologies for both Opel and Groupe PSA. All new seats and seating technologies will be developed by Opel in Germany as well as all manual transmissions.

Journalists were recently invited to the Opel Tech Day at the facility to learn more about the integration between the two. During the event the car maker revealed its plans to use Group PSA’s two multi-energy modular platforms – the Common Modular Platform (CMP) and the Efficient Modular Platform (EMP2).

A modular platform consists primarily of the floor assembly, the chassis and various powertrains, as well as the base electric/electronic architecture. Opel revealed that the platform represents 60% of the material costs of the complete car.

“Thanks to the jointly used platforms, we will – depending on the programs – save between 20% and 50% of the development costs of every new Vauxhall/Opel model compared to the predecessor,” said Michael Lohscheller, CEO of Opel Automobile.

Opel also outlined its Pace electrification strategy, confirming an all-electric Corsa, which will be launched in 2020, and a plug-in hybrid electric Grandland X, also scheduled for market introduction in 2020.

Furthermore, all new Group PSA LCVs will be developed at the facility in Germany on a dedicated LCV platform, as well as the next generation of high-efficiency petrol engines for all Groupe PSA brands.

The four-cylinder engines will be optimized for use in combination with electric motors in hybrid systems. They will be launched in vehicles from 2022. The power units feature state-of-the-art technologies such as direct injection, turbocharging and variable valve control.

Christian Müller, MD of engineering and quality, commented at the Opel Tech Day, “Our teams are becoming more and more integrated. With this in mind, our R&D center is currently undergoing a massive change for better productivity and efficiency.

“We are questioning everything – all structures, habits and processes. I’m proud to say we are making very fast progress, keeping the best, adapting and radically changing the rest.”