SCOOP: Opel's New Junior Mini Spotted Out in the Wild a Year Before Launch

It has been known for a while now that General Motor's European subsidiary Opel, is preparing to enter the increasingly popular mini car category with a new model currently codenamed Junior.

Taken during testing on public roads in Germany, these are some of the best spy shots we have of the upcoming Opel / Vauxhall Junior that will launch as a three-door hatchback.

The baby Opel model will slot beneath the Corsa supermini and is expected to measure around 3,700mm, meaning that it will be slightly longer than the Fiat 500 (3,546mm) which is believed to be one of its closest rivals.

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SCOOP: New Opel Astra GTC OPC Flogged Around the ‘Ring

What you see here is a prototype version of the all-new Opel Astra GTC OPC, or as Vauxhall buyers in Britain will come to know it, the upcoming Astra GTC VXR, and it was spotted doing test rounds at the Nurburgring race track.

Having already revealed the mainstream models of the new and rather sporty looking in a VW Scirocco kind of way GTC, the Astra’s engineers turned their focus on the fastest and most powerful version of the series, which will look a lot like the original concept seen at last year’s Paris Motor Show.

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2013 Opel Astra Convertible Spy Photos and Video Outline New Softop Model

Our spies have photographed and filmed the new Opel (Vauxhall in Britain) Astra Convertible on test in Germany. The vehicles caught testing here are early prototype models as the front doors appear to be carried over complete with their frames from the hatchback model.

Nevertheless, we are offered out first look at the open-top version of the new Astra series, which is planned to go on sale by early 2013. The most important change over the previous Astra TwinTop is the replacement of the more complicated, heavier and costly retractable metal roof with a traditional fabric hood.

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SCOOP: Is this the New 2013 Opel / Vauxhall Astra Convertible?

With the new sporty looking three-door Astra GTC on its way and the Astra Sedan outlined by its sister models from Buick’s US (2012 Verano) and China (Excelle) divisions, the only body style left to complete the range of Opel’s C-segment model series is the convertible version.

Recently, our spies in Germany caught a glimpse of an Astra-based model, which appears to be the cabriolet variant of the series. While we can’t be 100 percent sure, it is clear that this Astra has a boot while the close ups reveal a more raked rear windshield line than you’d normally expect to see on a four-door family sedan.

To get an idea of what the Astra Convertible might look like, here's our artist’s impression based on the upcoming GTC model. Even though our image of Opel’s VW Golf Cabriolet contender was styled with a soft-top, it has not yet been revealed if the German company will adopt this solution or if it will continue to use the current Astra TwinTop’s retractable metal roof.

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SCOOP: 2012 Opel Zafira MPV Uncovered

These are the latest and most revealing spy shots of the upcoming 2012 Opel Zafira minivan (to be sold under the Vauxhall brand in the UK), which will receive its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September before going on sale across Europe this fall.

The new Zafira was previewed in conceptual form at the Geneva Salon in March and will sit atop the Meriva in Opel’s MPV range rivaling the likes of Ford’s C-Max and Citroen’s Grand C4 Picasso.

From the looks of the lightly camouflaged test model, the Zafira has remained close to the Geneva concept car, with the most visible changes concerning the shape of the mirrors and the lower parts of the front and rear bumpers along with the reduced angle of the kink in the rear-side window.

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New Opel Astra GTC Sport Hatch Appears on Facebook Completely Undisguised

The production version of Opel’s stunning Astra GTC Concept from last year’s Paris Motor Show is scheduled to appear this summer with its public debut to take place at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show in September. However, thanks to Carscoop reader Javier who has a knack for finding future Opel models, we can give you a sneak peak of the production GTC. Javier discovered the picture of the completely undisguised Astra GTC on Opel’s official Facebook page earlier today.

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SCOOP: Production Version of Opel Zafira Tourer Concept getting Ready for Frankfurt Show Debut

At this month’s Geneva Motor Show, Opel previewed the next generation of its 7-seater MPV model through the Zafira Tourer Concept. Now, our spies have snagged some new photos of the production version rolling around in Germany as Opel puts the final touches on the compact minivan before its world premiere at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show this fall.

Being that that Geneva show Zafira was more of a pre-production model than a pure concept, few things appear to have changed on the outside. These include the smaller size and less snazzy alloy wheels, the larger but obviously more practical for everyday use exterior mirrors, the redesigned tail lamps and the more mundane tail pipe designs.

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SCOOP: Opel's New Corsa-Based Small SUV is GM's Answer to the Nissan Juke

General Motor's Opel / Vauxhall division is preparing its own proposal in the small crossover segment to take on the likes of the Nissan Juke as well as the forthcoming Fiesta Fiesta-based CUV, and here are some spy shots of what will soon slot into Opel's crossover lineup below the Antara.

Under all the camo is GM's new compact crossover, and it's expected to ride on an modified version of the upcoming Sonic/Spark's Gamma II platform, which will also be used on the next Corsa. Anyone want to photoshop a 4-door Corsa high rider? If not, just imagine it.

Power should come from Opel's current lineup of 1.4-liter and possibly 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder gasoline units as well as a choice of turbo diesel engines, while both front- or all-wheel drive configurations will likely be available when the Corsa crossover debuts.

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SCOOP: New Opel Zafira Grows up but Doesn't get FlexDoors

Opel and its sister company Vauxhall are pushing ahead with the development of the next generation Zafira minivan, which was caught here testing by our scoop photographers. The new seven-seat model is expected to grow in dimensions offering improved passenger and luggage space. Unlike the latest Meriva that boasts a pair of suicide doors, the new Zafira will continue to use conventional rear doors.

The sleeker shape of Opel's newcomer can easily be seen beneath the harlequin camouflage, while the pictures suggest that the minivan takes styling cues from both the Insignia and new Astra, including the wing-shaped head lamps.

The interior design will also be more or less inspired by the Astra, while the car's flexibility is reported to have been improved by a revamped three-row flexible seating system providing independent seating for all seven passengers.

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2011 Opel Corsa Facelift Pictures Found and Confirmed on Official Site

A couple of weeks, we told you about a series of photos showing the 2011/2012 Opel Corsa facelift. To recap, according to numerous tipsters including Carscoop reader Javier, the pictures were found momentarily on Opel's German site, but were removed shortly after some users started uploading the images on the firm's Facebook page. Unfortunately, we weren't able to verify the claim then.

But Javier kept on looking and this time, he was able to tip us off in a timely manner about the Corsa facelift making its appearance on Opel's Belgian website. And yes, we can confirm their authenticity. The pictures of the standard 3-door and 5-door Corsa as well as of the OPC hot hatch that you see in our gallery after the jump were downloaded by us.

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Is this the 2012 Opel / Vauxhall Corsa Facelift?

We were tipped off this morning by an attentive reader from Chile about images of the facelifted Opel Corsa (Vauxhall in the UK) that were posted by a user on Opel's dedicated Facebook page. The back story is that the refreshed Corsa was found momentarily on the official configurator on Opel's German site, but was abruptly removed shortly after the posting. We checked on the webpage but didn't find anything.

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Opel Corsa OPC: Nürburgring Edition Spy Shots

Here are some spy shots of what is believed to be the Opel Corsa OPC Nürburgring Edition special.

Based on the standard OPC, this should basically be the Corsa version of the Astra-based 2008 Nürburgring Edition model. That means it'll most likely come with the standard Corsa OPC's 192-horsepower (141 kW) / 170 lb-ft (230 Nm) turbocharged 1.6 liter mill and extra add-ons.

Other baubles to expect are upgraded Brembo brakes, Recaro leather seating, carbon-look decor for the interior, unique lightweight wheels, and maybe even a tuned suspension.

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SPIED: 2011 Opel / Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer

These latest spy shots show a lightly camouflaged version of the forthcoming Opel Astra Sports Tourer. The station wagon variant will be the second addition to the new Astra family after the five-door hatchback. It will be followed by a three-door hatchback, a coupe convertible and a four-sedan model that will be sold in the States as a Buick - see the scoop here.

Stylistically inspired by the larger Insignia Sports Tourer, the Astra Estate is evidently longer than its hatchback brethren which should translate to a more cavernous and practical boot.

The estate will use the same engine line-up as the five-door hatch, which means a petrol range stretching from a 1.4-liter naturally aspirated four-pot up to a 180 horsepower 1.6-liter turbo, and a comprehensive diesel range that tops out with a 160HP 2.0-liter CDTi.

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2011 Opel / Vauxhall Ampera Plug-in Hybrid: Production Version of European Volt Spied Completely Undisguised!

The most enlightening spy photos of the production version of the 2011 Opel Ampera plopped in our inbox today. At first we thought it was just the concept model out testing, but a closer look at the completely undisguised Ampera with the German license plates revealed that this is the actual production model that's due to go on sale in Europe and the UK (as a Vauxhall) in late 2011.

A sister model to the North American Chevrolet Volt, the road-ready Ampera features a few minor styling tweaks and additions over last year's concept model (see pictures here).

At the front-end of the plug-in hybrid, we find a slightly revised front grille, relocated front turning signals, plain black decorative trim on the bumper and the addition of washers on the bonnet.

At the back, the boot lid spoiler has been extended and features a larger third-stop light, while the reflectors on the corners of the bumper have been pushed outwards and the diffuser on the bumper has been redesigned and incorporates center mounted lights.

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New Opel Meriva MPV Spotted Out in the Open

True, GM's European arm has officially revealed the new Opel Meriva but we couldn't pass the opportunity to share with you these 'real-life' photographs of the small MPV that was bagged by our man with the long lens in Germany. You can read the full story on the 2010 Meriva here, but as a reminder, Opel's Citroen C3 Picasso rival that features rear-hinged back doors will make its first public outing at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

At launch, it will be marketed with six engines offering a power bandwidth from 75 HP to 140 HP and a choice of 5 and 6-speed manual transmissions (depending on the engine) as well as a 6-speed automatic gearbox

According to Opel, fuel consumption has been reduced by an average of 15 percent compared with the current generation Meriva.

Designed and developed at Opel's engineering center in Rüsselsheim, Germany, the new Meriva will be built at GM's plant in Zaragoza, Spain and is scheduled to go on sale across Europe this summer.