Archive for category Opel
Opel Ampera and the Voltec Platform
A key aspect to General Motor’s survival is what is now being called its Voltec platform – cars which are built on the same platform underpinning the Chevrolet Volt, an electric car scheduled to be introduced before the end of 2010. Besides the Chevrolet Volt, GM has been showcasing the Cadillac Converj concept, a luxury coupe version of the Volt as well as the Opel Ampera, a European counterpart to the Volt. Together, these three cars will play a prime role in distinguishing the direction General Motors will be going for the next decade or longer.
Each of the three models will be “powered” by an electric lithium-ion battery, a rechargeable powerplant with an all-electric range of forty miles. Beyond that, a small gas engine will kick in and, in the case of the Chevrolet Volt, that engine will be the same 1.4L I4 motor as the one that will move the upcoming Chevrolet Cruze, a gasoline model. GM hasn’t said which engines will be in the Ampera or the Converj, but the 1.4L may provide just enough power to move those two models as well.
Once the all electric phase has ended, the engine should extend the car’s range by at least another 250 miles, depending on the size of the gas tank installed. A regenerative braking system will partially recharge the battery, but a complete recharge of Voltec platform vehicles will take several hours. With a 110 volt outlet, a recharge should take six to eight hours to accomplish; but with a 220 volt outlet full recharging should be realized in four hours or less.
220 voltage outlets are used across Europe, while 110 volts is used in North America. Likely, dedicated power stations – whether in the home or on the road – will feature the higher voltage. Read the rest of this entry »
Perfect Diagnostic Tools For Your OPEL
The car models of OPEL are named after their founder Adam Opel, which are highly recommended for their good performance. For a better maintenance of your OPEL, you can get yourself some perfect diagnostic tools.
In this case, TECH2 is your best choice. As it is the factory tester that U.S. General Motors offers to his authorized service station for testing the entire world’s universal models and it’s the necessary product for General Motors global service station. Following are two TECH2 that are quite practical for DIY repairers.
OPEL TECH2 COM can perform diagnosis of Engine, Transmission, Chassis, and Body systems for OPEL vehicles from year 1997 to 2004. When buying, you’ll receive a package including OPEL TECH2 Interface, RS232 cable and software CD. RS232 Interface is compatible the 3rd party Opel TECH2 Software with K-Line Multiplexer which does not require switching of diagnostic pins.
The other one is OBD2 OPEL TECH2, which is an alternative for other service device VAG 1552. It has three functions switch of pins: switch data line to pins 3, 7, 12 depended on which part is chosen to be diagnosed. The protocol it uses is ISO 9141-2 / SAE J1962. With it, you can diagnose the problems of the engine, chassis, ABS, body climate, airbag and so on.
OBD2 OPEL TECH2 is able to work with OPEL cars produced between 1997 and 2004. Both testers have the same functions for complete OPEL diagnosis. Easy interface is designed to make your PC professional car diagnostic machine. But you are required to have a Pentium PC with COM port. All electronic parts are well fitted into OBD2 connector what makes OPEL TECH2 really resistant and proof to work in each car service. Read the rest of this entry »