XS Carnight Classic 10.0: Unique Opel Display at “Schleizer Dreieck”

• Classic meets modern: Opel thrills crowds with motorsport legends and current top models
• Motorsport history up-close: Opel Motoclub 500, “Schwarze Witwe”, DTM Calibra
• Dynamic: Opel Astra plug-in hybrid and Astra Sports Tourer GSe in XS Carnight design
• Unique one-off: Opel Rocks e-XTREME attracts lots of attention

100 years of the “Schleizer Dreieck” – the racetrack in the southeast of Thuringia is the oldest road circuit in Germany. A double reason to celebrate. Last weekend the “XS Carnight Classic 10.0” took place there to mark this anniversary – the 10th edition of the event. Opel took part with a whole range of automotive legends and thrilled the visitors with cars from yesteryear as well as with top models from the new GSe series, and a very special one-off. The XS Carnight stands for unique cars. Collector’s items that make the hearts of tuning fans and car lovers beat faster. Thousands of fans came to see the extraordinary vehicles.

Motorsport legends: From track racing machine to Astra OPC X-treme

The track racing machine from 1922 exuded racing splendour on two wheels as the oldest Opel exhibit on site. Developed for fast cement tracks and built down to the lightest weight possible, it was visionary for the time. Likewise the Motoclub 500 (built from 1928 to 1930) which had characteristic red tyres and an innovative frame made of pressed sheet steel that was highly modern at the time.

The many fans were not only able to look at, but also listen to and “feel” the Opel Rekord C, known as the “Schwarze Witwe” (black widow). Opel Classic expert Jens Cooper drove a replica of the legendary Groupe 5 special touring car on a closed section of the “Schleizer Dreieck” and demonstrated what racing in the 1970s meant. The field of Opel cars from the past was completed by a 1995 DTM Calibra and the 326 kW/444 hp Astra OPC X-treme gullwing study from 2001, which promised top acceleration from zero to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds.

Opel Astra Sports Tourer GSe in XS-look: Fun plus responsibility

With the new top-of-the-line variants Astra GSe and Astra Sports Tourer GSe, Opel demonstrates how top dynamics work today in a contemporary, forward-looking and, above all, responsible manner. The electrified Astra five-door in the XS Carnight design already caused a stir last summer. The 133 kW/180 hp plug-in hybrid (fuel consumption according to WLTP¹: 1.1-1.0 l/100 km, CO2 emissions 24-23 g/km; each combined) with “GRINDS air suspension” and 20-inch forged wheels was predestined for the Schleizer triangle.

The XS Carnight specialists also took on the Opel Astra Sports Tourer GSe and presented it to the public at the weekend. The dynamic top model of the Astra family already shows with its name suffix (GSe stands for “Grand Sport electric”) what can be expected from it: 165 kW/225 hp system output (fuel consumption according to WLTP¹: 1.2-1.1 l /100 km, CO2 emissions 26-25 g/km; each combined), maximum torque of 360 Newton metres and a special, 10 millimetre lower chassis, ensure pure driving enjoyment even in the series version, and thanks to the plug-in hybrid drive also locally emissions-free. The tuning workshop “Carstyle me” also installed “GRINDS” air suspension. The estate car in XS design also became an eye-catcher with special 20-inch wheels from the American rim manufacturer “ROTIFORM”, and of course with the characteristic XS decals.

But not only the powerful compact class models from Opel impressed. The smallest vehicle from Rüsselsheim also attracted everyone’s attention. Last winter, Opel called for creative talents to take part in the “#OpelDesignHack” – and the interpretation as an all-terrain electric fun vehicle “Rocks e-XTREME” convinced the jury. Opel built the winning design as a one-off. The next stop for the unique quadricycle: the IAA Mobility 2023 in Munich from September 5 to 10.

^[1] Values determined using the more realistic WLTP (Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Procedure) test method which replaces the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle) test procedure. A vehicle’s consumption, CO2 emissions and range not only depend on the efficient use of energy by the vehicle but are also influenced by driving style and other non-technical factors. The information on consumption and emissions does not refer to an individual vehicle and is intended solely for purposes of comparison between the various vehicle types.