<p>April 2006</p><p>Zafira and Combo with natural gas propulsion</p><p>CNG: Opel’s Answer to Rising Fuel Prices</p><p> Zafira and Combo CNG models need only 5.2/4.9 kg natural gas per 100 kilometers  Underfloor gas tank arrangement ensures full cargo capacity  ADAC crash test confirms outstanding safety of Opel CNG design </p><p>Brussels. The monovalentplus concept Opel has used in its natural gas-powered vehicles (CNG = Compressed Natural Gas) since 2001 is unique on the market. Among its many advantages and benefits, this concept boasts unrivalled operating costs, betters the strictest exhaust standards by up to 80 percent, enables an operating range of up to 380 kilometers in natural gas mode and guarantees unrestricted passenger and luggage compartment use. It also has essentially the same engine performance as the gasoline entry-level unit and a gasoline reserve tank which increases operating range by up to 170 kilometers, ensuring full everyday suitability. Opel natural gas cars feature the comprehensive manufacturer’s warranty on all vehicle components. In Germany, Opel holds more than a 50 percent share of the natural gas car market with its CNG production vehicles, making it the clear leader in this segment. There are currently two CNG models available from Opel: the new Zafira 1.6 CNG and the Combo 1.6 CNG. </p><p>The 1.6-liter CNG engine was developed by GM Powertrain, in close cooperation with Opel Special Vehicles GmbH (OSV), where the gas systems in Opel’s natural gas vehicles are installed. The engine is designed to run on natural gas, biogas, or any mixture of the two. </p><p>Everyday and long-distance suitability proven</p><p>A pre-production model of the new natural gas Zafira proved the everyday and long- distance suitability of CNG vehicles in November of last year in the “Eurotour 2005” test drive. The 2326 kilometer route through Germany, Austria, Italy, France, and Switzerland demonstrated not only the reliability of the environmentally-friendly compact van, but also the adequacy of the European filling station network, which has been significantly expanded over the past years. </p><p>Adam Opel GmbH http://media.opel.com A member company of the GM Group D-65423 Rüsselsheim - 2 -</p><p>Opel Zafira 1.6 CNG: Unique Flex7 system ensures maximum versatility</p><p>Opel introduced the new version of the best-selling natural gas vehicle in Germany last September at the International Automobile Show in Frankfurt (IAA). Just like its predecessor, 20,000 units of which were produced, the new Zafira features the patented Flex7 seating system, which allows it to be transformed quickly from a seven to a two- seater without cumbersome removal or storage of the seats. The intelligent underfloor arrangement of the four gas tanks around the rear axle ensures the Zafira’s versatility and spaciousness remains unaltered. The new natural gas Zafira offers even more space than the successful first edition, and the largest luggage compartment of all seven-seat compact vans, with 645 liters in the standard seating arrangement, and up to 1820 liters depending on seat configuration. Customers are already able to order the Zafira CNG, and market launch of the second-generation natural gas compact van takes place this summer.</p><p>The Zafira 1.6 CNG’s particular highlight is its outstanding efficiency. Average consumption of around 5.2 kg of natural gas per 100 kilometers, at the current price of 0.82 euro per kilogram (as of February 2006), translates into a fuel cost saving of around 30 percent compared to diesel, and as much as 50 percent compared to gasoline. Tax and insurance ratings are on the same level as those of the 1.6-liter gasoline variant. The 69 kW/94 hp natural gas van also boasts high environmental compatibility. By virtue of its propulsion unit, it produces 80 percent less nitrogen oxide than a diesel, and around 20 percent less </p><p>CO2 than a gasoline model (15 percent less than diesel). What is more, the exhaust gases contain no soot particles.</p><p>Safety on highest level</p><p>The Zafira CNG is also ideally equipped when it comes to safety: the high-strength steel gas tanks and stainless steel gas pipes are safely located outside of the impact zone. This was also confirmed by ADAC in a crash test conducted with the first Zafira CNG in spring 2005. “The gas tanks stored in a metal compartment remained in their original position during both frontal and side collisions, despite body deformation. They are therefore optimally protected against damage. The entire gas system stayed tightly sealed, also a result of the safety valves that automatically close on the tanks”, said the automobile club experts, summing up the test results. </p><p>In addition, the results clearly showed that the risk of fire with natural gas vehicles is no higher than normal. This is also due to the fact that natural gas is much less flammable than gasoline or diesel, and in the highly unlikely event of a leak, it dissipates immediately. - 3 -</p><p>Due to the physical attributes of natural gas the Zafira CNG is allowed to be parked in basement garages. Like the other Zafira the 1.6 CNG also features the extensive and highly efficient SAFETEC safety system integrated into the passenger cell, which is reinforced by ultra high-strength metal plates. This system played a key role in the new Zafira earning the maximum rating of five stars for adult occupant protection in Euro NCAP crash tests (European New Car Assessment Programme).</p><p>Unrestricted everyday suitability </p><p>The natural gas Zafira’s excellent efficiency and unrestricted everyday suitability is ensured by the innovative monovalentplus concept. The 1.6-liter CNG engine, which has an increased compression ratio for high efficiency, is specifically designed to run on natural gas, biogas, or any mixture of the two. The engine has special pistons, valves and valve- seat inserts, as well as separate injection banks for natural gas and gasoline. In addition, the engine management system was optimized for natural gas operation. A 14-liter gasoline reserve tank ensures continued mobility on routes without a natural gas filling station. Switching between fuel operating modes is via a switch on the center console, or happens automatically when the primary fuel supply is too low. Thanks to economical consumption and the four natural gas tanks' generous capacity of 21 kilograms, the Zafira CNG has a total operating range of around 530 kilometers.</p><p>Opel Combo 1.6 CNG: Unrestricted cargo volume of up to 3200 liters</p><p>Available since June of last year, the Opel Combo 1.6 CNG is a spacious, multi-functional natural gas vehicle with especially economical and pro-environmental propulsion technology. With an average consumption of 4.9 kg natural gas per 100 kilometers, the 69 kW/94 hp Combo CNG boasts top efficiency. Fuel costs are around 30 percent less than diesel and as much as 50 percent less than gasoline, and just like the natural gas Zafira, the Combo produces 20 percent less CO2 emissions than a comparable gasoline engine; exhaust gas is also free of soot particles. </p><p>Thanks to the clever underfloor arrangement of the three gas tanks around the Combo's space-saving rear axle, the alternative propulsion makes no compromises in terms of practicality. Just like its conventionally powered counterparts, the compact Combo CNG offers up to 3050 liters cargo volume in its five-seat Combo, Edition, and Arizona variants, while the panel van even offers a maximum 3200 liters. The tanks hold 19 kilograms or 110 liters of gas. Combined with a 14-liter gasoline reserve tank, which is helpful on routes without a natural gas filling station, this enables an operating range of around 540 kilometers. Changing over from natural gas to gasoline operation is via a - 4 -</p><p> switch on the center console or happens automatically when the natural gas supply gets too low.</p><p>The Combo CNG benefits from the innovative monovalentplus concept, which enables maximum efficiency in natural gas operation. Top speed is 165 km/h and acceleration from zero to 100 km/h takes 15 seconds. Tax and insurance rates are at the same level as the gasoline unit.</p><p>The Combo CNG’s safety is at the same high level of the gasoline entry-level version. The three underfloor tanks that hold natural gas compressed to 200 bar are separately tested before installation at a pressure of 300 bar. The high-strength steel tanks are protected by underbody shields and together with the stainless steel gas pipes are located outside of the impact zone. - 5 -</p><p>Opel CNG Models</p><p>Timeline</p><p> 2001: Opel presents its first natural-gas vehicle concept with innovative monovalentplus technology  2002: First Zafira 1.6 CNG’s market launch; over 19,000 units produced up to model update, 9000 of which were for German market  2003: First Astra Station Wagon 1.6 CNG’s market launch; over 3600 produced before production end, more than 2200 of which were for German market  2005: Combo 1.6 CNG’s market launch, available in five-seat Combo, Edition and Arizona variants, as well as panel van  Summer 2006: Market launch of new Zafira 1.6 CNG with 69 kW/94 hp</p><p>Contact: Karl Mauer 0049-6142-7-72220 Jean-Philippe Kempf 0049-6142-7-66651</p><p>Text and photos can be downloaded from the Internet at http://media.gmeurope.com - 6 -</p><p>Opel CNG models: Technical Data Overview</p><p>CNG models Combo CNG Zafira CNG</p><p>Natural gas engines 1.6 CNG ECOTEC 1.6 CNG1) ECOTEC Emissions standard compliance Euro 4 Euro 4 Fuel natural gas natural gas Number of cylinders 4 4 Bore in mm 79.0 79.0 Stroke in mm 81.5 81.5 Displacement in cm³ 1598 1598 Max. output in kW (hp) 69 (94) 69 (94) at rpm 6200 6200 Max. torque in Nm 133 133 at rpm 4200 4200 Compression ratio 12.8 : 1 12.8 : 1</p><p>Transmission / Final drive ratio 5-speed manual  / 4.19  / 4.19</p><p>Trailer load in kg (manual transmission) Unbraked 4501) 4001) Braked at 12% gradient 7501) 4001) Braked at 10% gradient n.a. 6001)</p><p>1) Provisional values</p><p> = Standard</p><p>CNG models Engines</p><p>Driving performance Fuel consumption (l/100 km) according to 1999/100/EU Maximum Acceleration speed in km/h from 0-100 CO2 km/h in seconds Urban Extra-urban Combined emissions in g/km Combo CNG 1.6 CNG (kg H-Gas) 1652) 15.02) 6.61) 3.91) 4.91) 1321) 1.6 CNG (m³ H-Gas) 1652) 15.02) 10.11) 5.91) 7.51) 1321)</p><p>Zafira CNG 1.6 CNG (kg H-Gas/L- 1652) 172) 6.51)/3) 4.31)/3) 5.21)/3) 1401)/3) Gas)2) 1.6 CNG (m³ H-Gas/L- 1652) 172) 9.81)/3) 6.61)/3) 8.01)/3) 1401)/3) Gas)2)</p><p>1) H-Gas: Values reflect test gas G20 following 1999/100/EU calculation method 2) Provisional values 3) Fuel consumption (H-gas) according to MVEG-B</p><p>All data refer to the European base model with standard equipment. The consumption data according to 1999/100/EU takes into consideration the vehicle’s curb weight as stipulated by this regulation. Additional equipment can lead to slightly higher fuel consumption and therefore CO2 exhaust emissions than the declared values. In addition, they can raise the vehicle’s curb weight and in some cases also increase the gross vehicle weight, the maximum allowable axle loads and respectively reduce the permitted trailer load. Therefore the maximum speed may be decreased while acceleration time can be increased. The published performance figures are possible with the vehicle’s curb weight excluding driver plus a 200 kilogram load allowance. - 7 -</p><p>Zafira CNG Car dimensions in mm Length 4467 Width with extended / retracted mirrors 2025 / 1801 Height (at curb weight) 1635 / 1645 Wheelbase 2703 Track, front 1488 Track, rear 1512</p><p>Turning clearance in m Wall-to-wall 11.50 Curb-to-curb 11.10</p><p>Luggage compartment dimensions in mm Floor length to rear seat backs 2 / 3 row 1088 / 405 Floor length up to back of front seats 1809 Width at wheelarches 1071 Maximum width 1114 Height of sill 590 Height trunk-lid opening 893</p><p>Luggage compartment capacity (l) according to ECIE Luggage compartment only (7-seater) 140 With third row seats folded down (5-seater) 645 With all rear seat backs folded forward, up to ceiling (2-seater) 1820</p><p>Weight and axle load in kg1) Curb weight incl. driver (according to 70/156/EU) 1665 Gross vehicle weight 2235 Payload 570 Maximum axle load, front 1000 Maximum axle load, rear 1250 Maximum roof load2) 75</p><p>1) Values based on Zafira EU entry-level model. 2) Under consideration of gross vehicle weight. For safety reasons it is recommended not to drive over 120 km/h with a roof load. - 8 -</p><p>Combo CNG Car dimensions in mm Length 4332 Width with extended / retracted mirrors 1892 / 1684 Height (at curb weight) 1801 Wheelbase 2716 Track, front 1417 Track, rear 1440</p><p>Turning clearance in m Wall-to-wall 11.25 Curb-to-curb 10.82 - 9 -</p><p>Luggage compartment dimensions in mm Floor length to rear seat backs 1020 Floor length with rear seat backs folded forward 1664 Floor length with rear and front passenger seat backs folded forward 2700 Load area width with 2 sliding doors 1449 Width at wheelarches 1107 Height of sill 550 Height trunk opening 1139 Width trunk opening 1210</p><p>Luggage compartment capacity (l) according to ECIE Max. luggage compartment capacity 2695 With front passenger seat folded down 3050 Up to waistline and rear bench seat 510 Up to waistline with rear bench seat folded down 990</p><p>Weight and axle load in kg Curb weight incl. driver (according to 70/156/EU) 1367 Gross vehicle weight 1900 Payload 533 Maximum axle load, front 835 Maximum axle load, rear 1110 Maximum roof load1) 100</p><p>1) Under consideration of gross vehicle weight. For safety reasons it is recommended not to drive over 120 km/h with a roof load. - 10 -</p><p>Combo Panel Van Differences in dimensions and weights to Combo in mm</p><p>Load area dimensions in mm Length min. / max. 1787 / 2700 Width without sliding door / with 1 sliding door / with 2 sliding doors 1348 / 1399 / 1449 Width at wheelarches 1107 Maximum height 1190 Width rear door aperture min. / max. 1030 / 1210 Height rear door aperture min. / max. 1120 / 1139 Height of sill 550 Width sliding door aperture 620 Height sliding door aperture 913</p><p>Load area capacity (l) according to ECIE Without / with foldable passenger seat max. 2765 / 3200</p><p>Weight and axle load in kg Without AC / with AC Curb weight incl. driver (according to 70/156/EU) 1322/1352 Gross vehicle weight 1945 Payload 623/593 Maximum axle load, front 835 Maximum axle load, rear 1110 Maximum roof load1) 100 1) Under consideration of gross vehicle weight. For safety reasons it is recommended not to drive over 120 km/h with a roof load.</p>