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101-726: The Opel/Vauxhall Sintra is an automobile produced under the German marque Opel for the market in Europe between 1996 and 1999. It was sold in the United Kingdom as the Vauxhall Sintra . The Sintra was one of the second generation U-body (known internally as GMX110s) large multi-purpose vehicles (MPV). It was imported to Europe from the United States of America, where General Motors produced identical models under

202-524: A self-supporting ("unibody") all-steel body, closely following the 1934 Citroën Traction Avant . This was one of the most important innovations in automotive history. Launched in 1935, the Olympia was light and its aerodynamics enhanced performance and fuel economy. The 1930s was a decade of growth, and by 1937, with 130,267 cars produced. Opel's Rüsselsheim facility was Europe's top in terms of vehicle production, and ranking seventh worldwide. 1938 saw

303-481: A 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport among other minivans of the time. The minivan suffered extreme damage to the vehicle in the 40 mph (64 km/h) moderate overlap crash test, which has resulted in some criticism by contemporary reviewers. The minivan received a "Poor" rating and was ranked as the "Worst Performing Vehicle" by the institute as a result. This status was also applied to the Chevrolet Venture and

404-466: A 2-2-3 configuration. The GMT200 minivans adopted dual front airbags on the dashboard, with front-seat side airbags introduced in 1998 as a standard feature. As an option, the 1998 Trans Sport was the first minivan (alongside its divisional counterparts) to feature the OnStar telecommunications service (a modernized version of the system previewed in the 1986 concept car). The Pontiac Trans Sport

505-534: A 7% share of PSA, becoming PSA's second-largest shareholder after the Peugeot family. The alliance was intended to enable $ 2 billion per year of cost savings through platform sharing, common purchasing, and other economies of scale. In December 2013, GM sold its 7% interest in PSA for £250 million, after plans of cost savings were not as successful. Opel was said to be among Europe's most aggressive discounters in

606-528: A Pontiac-badged version of the Oldsmobile Silhouette (retaining the previous hoodline and headlamps). Though the new Trans Sport retained its roofline styling, the model had lost nearly all its lower body cladding and its Pontiac grille (adopting an Oldsmobile-style split grille above the license plate). After the 1996 model year, the export Trans Sport moved to the GMT200 generation (shared with

707-463: A U-platform vehicle, both generations of the Trans Sport share mechanical commonality and shared componentry with the W platform Pontiac Grand Prix. The Trans Sport was initially assembled at North Tarrytown Assembly ( Tarrytown/Sleepy Hollow, New York ), shifting production to Doraville Assembly ( Doraville, Georgia ) for its second generation. For the 1998 model year, Pontiac renamed

808-482: A blacked-out B-pillar with a body-color A-pillar and roofline. The Trans Sport was fitted with a largely black roof, with a body-color B-pillar; the extensive lower body cladding was a feature adopted from the 1986 concept car (and as part of Pontiac model tradition). In following with its spaceframe construction, only the roof panel of the Trans Sport is made of steel, with all exterior vertical side body panels made from polymer plastic (similar to Saturns). In line with

909-742: A compact MPV, the Zafira . In 1999, Opel unveiled its first sports car, the Speedster (Vauxhall VX220 in the UK). However, it was not a success and was discontinued in 2005. The company moved into the city car market in early 2000 with the Agila launch. The third generation Opel Corsa was launched in 2000, followed by a new version of the Vectra in 2002 and the Astra in 2004. Three generations of Vectra gave way to

1010-692: A cowshed to a more spacious building in Rüsselsheim. The production of high-wheel bicycles soon exceeded the production of sewing machines. At the time of Opel's death in 1895, he was the leader in both markets. The first cars were designed in 1898 after Opel's widow Sophie and their two eldest sons entered into a partnership with Friedrich Lutzmann, a locksmith at the court in Dessau in Saxony-Anhalt , who had been working on automobile designs for some time. The first Opel production Patent Motor Car

1111-562: A decade, but when production finished, there was no direct successor due to declining sales of executive saloon models from mainstream brands. A Corsa-based coupe, the Tigra , was also launched around this time and lasted in production for six years. The second generation Opel Vectra was launched in 1995, with the Vectra nameplate now extending to the Vauxhall version in the UK. The first Opel MPV,

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1212-408: A length of 74 cm (29 in), weighing 7 kg (15 lb) empty and 16 kg (35 lb) with fuel. The maximum thrust was 45 to 50 kp, with a total burning time of 132 seconds. These properties indicate a gas pressure pumping. The first missile rose so quickly that Sander lost sight of it. Two days later, a second unit was ready to go, Sander tied a 4,000-meter (13,000 ft)-long rope to

1313-490: A power-operated sliding door; originally slated for 1993 but was postponed until 1994 in order to fix quality-control issues related to the design. Coinciding with the addition of a driver-side airbag in the steering wheel (inherited from the Pontiac Grand Prix), the Trans Sport saw revisions to the dashboard; to make the forward edge of the windshield seem closer to the instrument panel, a ridged finishing panel

1414-479: A record speed of 238 km/h (148 mph) in front of 3,000 spectators and world media representatives, including Fritz Lang , director of Metropolis and Woman in the Moon , world boxing champion Max Schmeling , and many other sports and show business celebrities. A world speed record for rail vehicles was reached with RAK3 at a top speed of 256 km/h (159 mph). After these successes, von Opel piloted

1515-531: A wholly owned subsidiary. In 1935, Opel became the first German car manufacturer to produce over 100,000 vehicles annually. This was because of the popularity of the Opel P4 model. The sales price was 1,650 marks and the car had a 23  PS (17  kW ) 1.1 L four-cylinder engine achieving a top speed of 85 km/h (53 mph). Opel also produced the first mass-production vehicle in Germany with

1616-640: Is a GM U platform vehicle, with GM moving to a specific GMT199 platform code. In contrast to the 1986 concept vehicle (which used a lengthened A-body chassis), the GMT199 architecture employed a galvanized steel space frame , similar in concept to the Pontiac Fiero and the Saturn SL/SW/SC . Anti-lock brakes (ABS) was added as a standard feature in 1992. For 1994, traction control was added as an option on 3.8 L vehicles. In contrast to

1717-721: Is a German automobile manufacturer which has been a subsidiary of Stellantis since 16 January 2021. It was owned by the American automaker General Motors from 1929 until 2017 and the PSA Group prior to its merger with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to form Stellantis in 2021. Most of the Opel lineup is marketed under the Vauxhall brand in the United Kingdom since the 1980s. Some Opel vehicles were badge-engineered in Australia under

1818-878: The Calibra , being launched the following year. Soon afterward, Opel launched a high-performance version of the Omega – the Lotus Omega (Lotus Carlton in the UK) – which featured Lotus-tuned suspension and had a top speed of 175 mph. Opel's first turbocharged car was the Opel Rekord 2.3 TD , first shown at Geneva in March 1984. In the 1990s, Opel was considered GM's cash cow, with profit margins similar to Toyota's. Opel's profit helped to offset GM's losses in North America and to fund GM's expansion into Asia. 1999

1919-721: The Eurovans ). As such, the platform was made quite narrow, which in turn made the GMX110s narrower than the previous "dustbuster" minivans, and more importantly than most American competitors. This influence continued through the third and final generation U body minivans, even though none of them were sold in Europe. The Sintra featured sliding rear side doors on both sides and was available in different seating configurations, which provided seating for from 5 to 8 passengers. Unlike its counterparts sold in North America, it offered manual transmission instead of automatic transmission, and had

2020-743: The Holden brand until 2020, in North America and China under the Buick , Saturn (until 2010), and Cadillac brands, and in South America under the Chevrolet brand. Opel traces its roots to a sewing machine manufacturer founded by Adam Opel in 1862 in Rüsselsheim am Main . The company began manufacturing bicycles in 1886 and produced its first automobile in 1899. With the Opel RAK program,

2121-615: The Insignia in 2008, with the new model becoming the company's first European Car of the Year award winner for 22 years. Following the 2008 global financial crisis and the Chapter 11 reorganization of GM , on 10 September 2009, GM agreed to sell a 55% stake in Opel to a consortium including Magna group and Sberbank – with the approval of the German government. The deal was later called off. With ongoing restructuring plans, Opel announced

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2222-535: The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) test of its North American twin, the 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport, where the steering wheel only moved upward), which might have caused fatal neck injury to the driver, and that the damage to the dummy's feet were extremely high. Despite relatively good performance in side impact tests, the Sintra only managed to score 2.5 stars (3 stars with one struck due to

2323-637: The Opel/Vauxhall Sintra ) and was rebranded as a Chevrolet. The export Trans Sport was initially offered with a 2.3L Quad 4 (LD2) I4 engine paired with a 5-speed manual transmission (a combination never offered in North America); from 1992, the 3800 3.8L V6 and 4T60 4-speed automatic transmission was offered as an option. The GMT200 generation of the Pontiac Trans Sport was introduced in Europe for 1997, branded as

2424-441: The PSA Group agreed to buy Opel, its English twin sister brand Vauxhall and their European auto lending business from General Motors for US$ 2.2 billion. In return, General Motors will pay PSA US$ 3.2 billion for future European pension obligations and keep managing US$ 9.8 billion worth of plans for existing retirees. Furthermore, GM is responsible for paying about US$ 400 million annually for 15 years to fund

2525-754: The Pontiac Montana for 1999 (2000 in Canada). Following the closure of the North Tarrytown Assembly plant in late June 1996, assembly of the model line was shifted to the Doraville Assembly plant in Georgia; the facility closed on September 26, 2008. Considered a U-body vehicle by its VIN designation, the second-generation Trans Sport used the official GMT200 platform designation. The innovative chassis construction from

2626-704: The Sintra , was launched in Europe in 1996, imported from the US where it was sold as a Pontiac , but discontinued after three years due to disappointing sales. The Vauxhall-badged UK market version was also slated in motoring surveys for its dismal build quality and reliability. 1997 saw the demise of the Calibra coupe after an eight-year production, with no immediate replacement. The Opel Astra hatchbacks, saloons, and estate were wholly revamped for 1998 and, within two years, had also spawned coupe and cabriolet versions, as well as

2727-578: The 1902 Hamburg Motor Show . Production began in 1906, with the licensed Opel Darracq version discontinued in 1907. In 1909, the Opel 4/8 PS model, known as the Doktorwagen ( lit.   ' Doctor's Car ' ) was produced. Its reliability and robustness were appreciated by physicians, who drove long distances to see their patients back when hard-surfaced roads were still rare. The Doktorwagen sold for only 3,950 marks, about half as much as

2828-638: The 1920s, Fritz von Opel initiated together with Max Valier , co-founder of the "Verein für Raumschiffahrt", the world's first rocket program, Opel-RAK , leading to speed records for automobiles, rail vehicles and the first manned rocket-powered flight in September 1929. Months earlier in 1928, one of his rocket-powered prototypes, the Opel RAK2, piloted by von Opel himself at the AVUS speedway in Berlin, reached

2929-645: The 1980s there. The factory opened in 1982, and its first product was the Opel Corsa (imported to the UK as the Vauxhall Nova from 1983). The Ascona switched to front-wheel drive for an all-new General Motors J-Car global model format in 1981, with the Cavalier nameplate continuing for the UK market. The Kadett was revamped again in 1984, and became the company's first winner of the European Car of

3030-541: The 1997 model year, Pontiac released the second-generation Trans Sport. In response to the controversial reception of the previous generation, GM redesigned its front-wheel drive minivans with a form factor closely matching the third-generation Chrysler minivans (released a year before), with the Trans Sport matched against the Dodge (Grand) Caravan. In contrast to the Ford Windstar , the second-generation Trans Sport

3131-442: The 235 hp (175 kW) turbocharged 2.9 L V6 engine of the 1986 Trans Sport concept, the production Trans Sport was fitted with a naturally-aspirated 3.1 L V6 producing 120 hp (89 kW), shared with the 6000 and Grand Prix; a three-speed automatic was the sole transmission offered. For 1992, a 170 hp (127 kW) 3.8 L 3800 V6 with a 4-speed Hydra-Matic 4T60 transmission (adding an overdrive gear)

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3232-661: The British twin sister brand Vauxhall and the European auto lending business from General Motors for €2 billion ($ 2.3 billion), making the French automaker the second biggest in Europe, after Volkswagen . Opel is still headquartered in Rüsselsheim am Main. The company designs, engineers, manufactures, and distributes Opel-branded passenger vehicles, light commercial vehicles, and vehicle parts; together with its British sister marque Vauxhall, they are present in over 60 countries around

3333-670: The Chevrolet Trans Sport. With the exception of badging and wheels (from the Chevrolet Venture), the Chevrolet Trans Sport was trimmed identically to its Pontiac namesake. As with the previous generation, the export model line differed from its American-market counterpart primarily in changes related to compliance with ECE regulations, requiring different front headlamps, turn signal repeaters, amber turn signals, and rear foglamps; different seat belts are required, along with multiple other safety-related items. On

3434-591: The Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac brands. Contrary to popular belief, the name was not inspired by the historic Portuguese town of Sintra , rather, it was chosen by a computer from a list of short, easy to pronounce words. The Sintra was specifically based on the short wheelbase version of the second generation U platform and has the same wheelbase, front and rear track as the short wheelbase Chevrolet Venture and Pontiac Montana / Trans Sport , and similar exterior dimensions. Along with other U body minivans, it

3535-584: The GM minivans were widely accepted in the marketplace (alongside the competitive Ford Aerostar, both passenger and cargo van variants were marketed), the Astro/Safari did not secure as wide of market share as the initial Chrysler model lines. To compete more closely against the Caravan/Voyager, General Motors began development of a front-wheel drive minivan for the 1990s. Prior to the 1986 debut of

3636-574: The GMT200 platform, both the Chevrolet and Pontiac Trans Sport (later Pontiac Montana) were designed alongside the Opel/Vauxhall Sintra (the first/only Opels built in the United States). Following the 1999 discontinuation of the Sintra in Europe, the Trans Sport largely served as its replacement. After GMT200 production ended after 2005, sales of European dealer stock continued through 2007. Despite limited sales in most of Europe,

3737-462: The Grand Prix (itself redesigned for 1997), with the minivan having its own instrument cluster. Though the seats were completely redesigned, the modular seating feature of the previous generation made its return in two different configurations: eight passengers (2-3-3) and seven passengers (2-2-3, 2-3-2). In addition, the Trans Sport was available with rear bench seats (split or full-length) in

3838-500: The Montana was specified with "sport" suspension tuning, and load-leveling suspension (adding a rear-mounted air inflator). The Montana trim level quickly became the most popular version of the Trans Sport line, accounting for over 80% of total Trans Sport sales. In 1998, Pontiac renamed its minivan as the Pontiac Montana in the United States (1999 in Canada). In 1996, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash tested

3939-582: The Oldsmobile Silhouette as they both use the same chassis and body design, including the later first-generation Pontiac Montana. Some comments made by the IIHS after the first test in 1996 were: In a semi-related event, the Trans Sport/Montana's European equivalent, the Opel/Vauxhall Sintra , also fared badly in Euro NCAP 's frontal impact crash test on a 1998 model year minivan, made worse by

4040-527: The Opel RAK collaborators were able to attain powered phases of more than thirty minutes for thrusts of 300 kg (660-lb.) at Opel's works in Rüsselsheim," again according to Max Valier's account. The Great Depression led to an end of the Opel-RAK program, but Max Valier continued the efforts. After switching from solid-fuel to liquid-fuel rockets, he died while testing and is considered the first fatality of

4141-481: The Opel versions. The Opel Ascona of this era was sold on the UK market (and made in British and continental factories) as the Vauxhall Cavalier . Both of these cars had mild styling changes, as did the flagship Opel Rekord and Vauxhall Carlton saloon and estate ranges, which went on sale towards the end of the 1970s. By the 1970s, Opel had emerged as the stronger of GM's two European brands; Vauxhall

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4242-498: The Pontiac Trans Sport concept vehicle. Derived from the chassis of the mid-size Pontiac 6000 , the Trans Sport concept was nearly 6 inches lower than the Plymouth Voyager of the time. To give the vehicle a far more contemporary exterior, the Trans Sport was styled with blacked-out A-pillars and upswept B-pillars (giving the front row the look of a wraparound windshield). In place of a traditional curbside sliding door,

4343-486: The Sintra was ranked as the least satisfying car to own in the J. D. Power "customer satisfaction survey", covering cars first registered in the United Kingdom, and publishing in the Top Gear Magazine . The Euro NCAP frontal impact crash test performed on a model from 1998 revealed significant deficiencies – the cabin structure proved unstable and the steering wheel (along with the airbag) broke off (unlike

4444-486: The Sintra, but it proved to be far more successful than the Sintra ever had been. Opel never had a large MPV after the Sintra (until the launch of the Zafira Tourer in September 2011). The Chevrolet Trans Sport (which was a rebadged Pontiac Trans Sport very similar to the Sintra) remained available in Europe through 2003 to 2005, depending on the country. Opel Opel Automobile GmbH ( German pronunciation: [ˈoːpl̩] ), usually shortened to Opel ,

4545-464: The Trans Sport nameplate. The GMT199 Trans Sport was based on its American-market namesake (and the Oldsmobile Silhouette) and the GMT200 Trans Sport was a Chevrolet-brand vehicle based on the Pontiac Trans Sport (though adopting the body of the later Pontiac Montana, the nameplate was not used in Europe). For European export, the Pontiac Trans Sport was the sole GMT199 minivan, sold primarily through Opel dealers. Several modifications were made to

4646-481: The Trans Sport the Pontiac Montana , after an exterior trim package introduced in 1997. Following the 1984 model-year release of the Chrysler minivans , General Motors responded with the release of the Chevrolet Astro and GMC Safari for the 1985 model year. Though initially comparable to the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager in length and wheelbase, the Astro/Safari were heavier-duty vehicles, sharing components with compact pickup trucks and full-size cars. Though

4747-459: The U body minivans, but rather a selection of Opel engines (which had to be imported to the United States for assembly). New for this generation were cabin air filters , which can be easily accessed from inside the glove compartment. The Sintra had an important influence on U body development, because GM wanted to keep it similar in dimensions to European large MPVs (such as the Volkswagen Sharan , Ford Galaxy , SEAT Alhambra , Renault Espace , or

4848-407: The Year accolade. The Rekord's successor, the Opel Omega (still Vauxhall Carlton in the UK), achieved the same success two years later. The long-running Ascona nameplate was discontinued in 1988, with its replacement being sold as the Vectra , although the UK market version was still sold as the Vauxhall Cavalier. The Opel Manta coupe was also discontinued in 1988, with its Vectra-based successor,

4949-400: The automaker a wholly owned subsidiary , establishing an American ownership of the German automaker for nearly 90 years. Together with British manufacturer Vauxhall Motors , which GM had acquired in 1925, the two companies formed the backbone of GM's European operations – later merged formally in the 1980s as General Motors Europe . In March 2017, PSA Peugeot Citroën agreed to acquire Opel,

5050-422: The clear turn signal lenses. For 1992, the American-style composite headlamp housing were introduced (with glass lenses), with the turn signal repeaters moved behind the front wheels. The export version also was fitted with four bumper-mounted headlamp washers (for both high and low beams), replaced by two for 1994. With the mid-cycle revision of the model line for 1994, the European Trans Sport largely became

5151-412: The closure of its Antwerp plant in Belgium by the end of 2010. In 2010, Opel announced that it would invest around € 11 billion in the next five years. €1 billion of that was designated solely for the development of innovative and fuel-saving engines and transmissions. On 29 February 2012, Opel announced the creation of a major alliance with PSA Peugeot Citroen , resulting in GM taking

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5252-433: The company's American leadership had rejected an "invitation" to switch to munitions manufacture a few months earlier. In 1942 Opel switched to wartime production, making aircraft parts and tanks. Truck manufacture continued at the Brandenburg plant , where the 3.6-liter Opel Blitz truck had been built since 1938. These 3 short tons (2.7  t ) trucks were also built under license by Daimler-Benz in Mannheim . After

5353-417: The company's SUV line-up in 1994, but had been dropped from the UK and continental markets by 2000 due to disappointing sales. At the end of 1992, the company unveiled a completely new Corsa, which, like the original model, was produced at the Zaragoza plant. This car carried the Corsa nameplate on the UK market as a Vauxhall. A second generation Omega was launched in early 1994. It remained in production for

5454-412: The concept car (see below), General Motors approved the design of what would become the APV minivans, with the Trans Sport (loosely deriving its name from the Trans Am Firebird) targeting sport- and style-oriented buyers, while the Chevrolet Lumina APV serving as the value-based offering, and the Oldsmobile Silhouette targeting premium markets. At the 1986 Chicago Auto show , General Motors released

5555-403: The concept car saw a different set of taillamps, moving to a vertically-oriented design integrated in the D-pillars. For 1991, a sunroof became a new option; a year later, the external radio antenna was deleted (replaced by a design integrated between the roof and headliner). For 1992, the sideview mirrors were redesigned; along with growing in size, the units now were able to fold inward. Though

5656-426: The concept car was designed with a right-side gull-wing door (the driver-side window line was fitted with wraparound glass from the B-pillar to the liftgate). Much of the roof was glass; at its widest point, the headliner was only 36 inches wide. Though highly unlikely for production, the Trans Sport was designed with multifunction taillamps; in addition to traditional red brake lamps and white/clear reverse lamps,

5757-426: The concept car, the production Trans Sport has a large amount of slotted body cladding (to protect the body from dents). Though toned down extensively from its 1986 namesake concept, the production vehicle retained an upswept B-pillars, widely curved glass (used on all windows) with blacked-out window pillars. Along with the adoption of a full-width metal roof and the use of a sliding door, the largest styling change from

5858-420: The country's largest automobile exporter in 1928. The "Regent" – Opel's first eight-cylinder car – was offered. The RAK 1 and RAK 2 rocket-propelled cars made sensational record-breaking runs. Opel as a company and its co-owner Fritz von Opel , grandson of Adam Opel, were instrumental in popularizing rocket propulsion for vehicles and have an important place in the history of spaceflight and rocket technology. In

5959-463: The dashboard was revised slightly, as non-reflective carpeted cloth was placed on the portion below the windshield (to reduce glare). In 1992, the Trans Sport adopted an interior feature from its namesake concept car, with steering-wheel radio controls becoming an option. For 1994, all three GMT199 minivans underwent a mid-cycle revision, largely in response towards the negative critical response towards their exterior design. To further visually shorten

6060-427: The dawning space age. Sander's technology was confiscated by the German military in 1935. He was forced to sell his company and was imprisoned for treason. He died in 1938. In March 1929, General Motors (GM), impressed by Opel's modern production facilities, bought 80% of the company. The Opel family gained $ 33.3 million from the transaction. Subsequently, during 1935, a second factory was built at Brandenburg for

6161-425: The design to bring the model line in compliance with European lighting regulations, with the rear lighting clusters receiving amber turn signals; the liftgate was fitted with rear foglamps and enlarged reverse lights, along with mounting for wider European license plates. For 1990 and 1991, the European Trans Sport was fitted with exposed quad headlamps (from the R/V Suburban), with amber turn signal repeaters housed in

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6262-410: The early post-war years. Opel GT This two seater sports car was introduced in 1968 and was produced until 1973. During the 1970s and 1980s, the Vauxhall and Opel ranges were rationalised into one consistent range across Europe. The 1973 version of the Opel Kadett was later rebadged in hatchback, saloon, and estate form as the Vauxhall Chevette for the UK market, with German factories producing

6363-451: The end of the war, with the Brandenburg plant dismantled and transported to the Soviet Union, and 47% of the buildings in Rüsselsheim destroyed, former Opel employees began to rebuild the Rüsselsheim plant. The first postwar Opel Blitz truck was completed on 15 July 1946 in the presence of United States Army General Geoffrey Keyes and other local leaders and press reporters. Opel's Rüsselsheim plant also made Frigidaire refrigerators in

6464-420: The existing pension plans in Great Britain and Germany. Chevrolet Trans Sport The first-generation Trans Sport took on a "Dustbuster" nickname for its controversial front body styling (with a long front overhang); the second-generation version, much like several other model lines, marked an industry shift towards adopting a form factor similar to that used by the Chrysler minivans. Officially designated

6565-420: The exterior from the three inches removed from the body length, designers installed a new hood (sharing headlights with the Pontiac Bonneville ), restyled lower body cladding, and a new front bumper (with a larger, vertical front grille). The rear side glass received a darker tint (visually lengthening the vehicle from the side). As a market first, the Trans Sport (alongside its APV minivan counterparts) introduced

6666-410: The fatal neck injury hazard). The reliability and safety issues of the Sintra caused the minivan’s popularity to plummet even further, forcing Opel/Vauxhall to drop the model in April 1999. As the Astra -based Opel Zafira compact MPV debuted at the same time the minivan was officially withdrawn from sale, it is sometimes said that the Zafira replaced the Sintra. The Zafira was a smaller vehicle than

6767-465: The front-wheel drive chassis) of the body was poorly received, leading to the minivan being referred to as the "Dustbuster" (after the handheld vacuum cleaner ). This status was carried over to two other minivans manufactured by different brands. The last Trans Sport of this generation rolled off the assembly line on June 27, 1996, coinciding with the closure of the North Tarrytown Assembly plant shortly afterwards. The first-generation Trans Sport

6868-520: The gear shift mounted directly on the floor like the older generations of European MPVs. Many reviewers and customers found that the materials, fit and finish were below the usual Opel quality, and also below what European competitors offered – this was only partially addressed by several changes made throughout the model lifetime, like replacing the upholstery fabric for the season of 1997. This model proved relatively unreliable. In both May 2000 and May 2001, by which time it had been withdrawn from sale,

6969-478: The generation (with body-color badging); the SE was offered with any content from the GT as an option. As a stand-alone exterior option, a gold-color exterior trim package was offered; with certain colors, gold wheels, badging, and lower body cladding was paired with a body-color upper roof. During 1995, the black-color roof that was standard (body-color was a no-cost option) was discontinued, bringing it closer in line with its GM counterparts and other minivans. For

7070-500: The headlamps (a change made for all GMT200 vehicles). The Trans Sport adopted a blacked-out B-pillar (shared with the Chevrolet Venture) for a blacked-out window line. Reflecting the closer-coupled windshield angle (with a conventional A-pillar taking the place of fixed quarter glass), the interior featured a more conservative dashboard layout, with reduced surface area between the instrument panel and windshield edge. The Trans Sport shared its steering wheel and various switchgear from

7171-451: The late 1920s in Rüsselsheim. According to Max Valier 's account, Opel RAK rocket designer, Friedrich Wilhelm Sander launched two liquid-fuel rockets at Opel Rennbahn in Rüsselsheim on 10 and 12 April 1929. These Opel RAK rockets were the first European, and after Goddard, the world's second, liquid-fuel rockets in history. In his book Raketenfahrt Valier describes the size of the rockets as of 21 cm (8.3 in) in diameter and with

7272-401: The less expensive manufacturing process), but by the 1930s, this type of vehicle would cost a mere 1,930 marks – due in part to the assembly line, but also due to the skyrocketing demand for cars. Adam Opel led the way for motorised transportation to become not just a means for the rich, but also a reliable way for people of all classes to travel. Opel had a 37.5% market share in Germany and was

7373-408: The luxury models of its day. The company's factory was destroyed by fire in 1911, and a new facility was built with more up-to-date machinery. Opel's cars were initially tested on public roads, leading to complaints about noise and road damage. Under public pressure, Opel began construction of a test oval in 1917. The track was completed in 1919, but not open to the public until 24 October 1920 under

7474-570: The market. GM reported a 2016 loss of US$ 257 million from its European operations. It is reported that GM has lost about US$ 20 billion in Europe since 1999. Opel's plant in Bochum closed in December 2014, after 52 years of activity, due to overcapacity. Opel withdrew from China, where it had a network of 22 dealers, in early 2015 after General Motors decided to withdraw its Chevrolet brand from Europe starting in 2016. In March 2017,

7575-485: The moderate overlap crash test. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the van 4 stars for driver protection and 3 stars for passenger protection in the 35 mph (56 km/h) frontal impact test. In the side impact test, it received 5 stars for front passenger protection, and 5 stars rear passenger protection. This applies to all other second-generation U-body minivans. From 1990 to 2007, GM Europe imported two generations of US-produced minivans under

7676-573: The new version of the Kadett – entered production in 1979, initially built in Germany and Belgium. It was sold in the UK alongside the stronger-selling Vauxhall version – the Astra – which entered UK production in 1981. During the 1970s, Opel expressed interest in building an additional production facility in Spain and eventually settled on a location near Zaragoza , intending to develop a new supermini for

7777-479: The official name of Opel-Rennbahn (Opel Race Track). In the early 1920s, Opel became the first German car manufacturer to build automobiles with a mass-production assembly line. In 1924, they used their assembly line to produce a new open two-seater called the Laubfrosch (Tree frog) . The Laubfrosch was finished exclusively in green lacquer. The car sold for an expensive 3,900 marks (expensive considering

7878-519: The presentation of the highly successful Kapitän . With a 2.5 L six-cylinder engine, all-steel body, front independent suspension, hydraulic shock absorbers, hot-water heating (with electric blower), and central speedometer. 25,374 Kapitäns were made before the intensification of World War II brought automotive manufacturing to a temporary stop in the autumn of 1940, by order of the government. Opel automobile production ended in October 1940, after

7979-699: The previous generation was abandoned, largely benchmarking the NS-generation Caravan/Voyager, moving to a more conventional steel unibody with steel body panels. Growing significantly in size, the Trans Sport was now offered in a standard 112-inch wheelbase (2.2 inches longer) and a 120-inch extended-wheelbase chassis (between the Ford Aerostar and the Ford Windstar as the longest-wheelbase minivan). The suspension used front MacPherson struts along with rear coil springs. As with

8080-426: The previous generation, the Trans Sport was fitted with front disc brakes and rear drum brakes. The second-generation Trans Sport carried over the 180 hp (134 kW) 3.4 L V6 engine from the previous-generation 1996 Trans Sport, with a 4-speed automatic transmission as standard equipment. Moving away from the controversial "Dustbuster" profile of the previous generation, the second-generation Trans Sport

8181-502: The production Trans Sport interior did not adopt many of the high-technology features of the 1986 concept car, the model line debuted a modular set of rear seats. In place of the typical two full-length rear bench seats, the rear interior of Trans Sport could be configured in multiple ways to accommodate passengers and cargo, as the rear was fitted with five individual rear bucket seats. Three configurations were offered: five seats (2-3), six seats (2-2-2), and seven seats (2-3-2). For 1991,

8282-593: The production of " Blitz " light trucks. In 1929 Opel licensed the design of the radical Neander motorcycle and produced it as the Opel Motoclub in 1929 and 1930, using Küchen, J.A.P. , and Motosacoche engines. Fritz von Opel attached solid-fuel rockets to his Motoclub in a publicity stunt, riding the rocket-boosted motorcycle at the Avus racetrack. After acquiring the remaining shares in 1931, General Motors had full ownership of Adam Opel AG and organized it as

8383-589: The rocket. After 2,000 m (6,600 ft) of rope had been unwound, the line broke, and this rocket also disappeared in the area, probably near the Opel proving ground and racetrack in Rüsselsheim, the "Rennbahn". Sander and Opel also worked on an innovative liquid-propellant rocket engine for an anticipated flight across the English Channel. By May 1929, the engine produced a thrust of 200 kg (440 lb.) "for longer than fifteen minutes, and in July 1929,

8484-469: The steering wheel (and airbag) breaking off from the dashboard (a phenomenon that was not present in the IIHS test). Despite performing well in the side impact test, it rated 2.5 stars as a result. The safety issues of the Trans Sport/Montana and its U-body siblings were later addressed with the Montana SV6 (and the related Uplander ), which earned the highest rating of "Good" given by the institute in

8585-496: The time. Introduced for the 1990 model year, the Pontiac Trans Sport was introduced as the first Pontiac minivan; alongside the newly introduced Grand Prix four-door, the Trans Sport was phased in to replace the mid-size 6000 . Similar to the Ford Aerostar and Toyota Previa , the Trans Sport used a "single-box" body design, with the hood blending into the slope of the windshield. The long front overhang (resulting from

8686-492: The two companies' operations and product families into one did not start until the 1970s – which had Vauxhall's complete product line replaced by vehicles built on Opel-based platforms – the only exception to the rule being the Bedford CF panel van. This only solely Vauxhall design was marketed as an Opel on the continent. By the turn of the 1980s, the two brands were, in effect, the same. Opel's first front-wheel drive car –

8787-416: The units added amber for deceleration. The interior of the Trans Sport previewed the 1990s integration of technology into GM vehicles (including multiple Pontiacs), featuring a windshield heads-up display, a multifunction steering wheel, and a primitive form of what later would become OnStar ; along with a digital rearview mirror and electronic transmission shifter, and a Nintendo Entertainment System

8888-435: The world's first public rocket-powered flight using Opel RAK.1 , a rocket plane designed by Julius Hatry . World media reported these events, including Universal Newsreel in the US, causing "Raketen-Rummel" or "Rocket Rumble" immense global public excitement, particularly in Germany, where, among others, Wernher von Braun was highly influenced. Opel RAK became enthralled with liquid propulsion, building and testing them in

8989-402: The world's first rocket program, under the leadership of Fritz von Opel , the company played an important role in the history of aviation and spaceflight: Various land speed records were achieved, and the world's first rocket-powered flights were performed in 1928 and 1929. After listing on the stock market in 1929, General Motors took a majority stake in Opel and then full control in 1931, making

9090-413: The world. The company was founded in Rüsselsheim , Hesse , Germany, on 21 January 1862, by Adam Opel . In the beginning, Opel produced sewing machines . Opel launched a new product in 1886: he began to sell high-wheel bicycles , also known as penny-farthings . Opel's two sons participated in high-wheel bicycle races, thus promoting this means of transportation. In 1888, production was relocated from

9191-479: Was added. The rear seats were revised, with second-row seats receiving integrated child safety seats as an option. Air conditioning was made as standard equipment in 1996. At its 1990 launch, the Pontiac Trans Sport was introduced in base Trans Sport trim (distinguished by silver lower body cladding) and the Trans Sport SE trim (body-color lower trim). For 1992, the trims were revised, as the base Trans Sport

9292-627: Was built in Rüsselsheim early 1899, although these cars were not very successful (A total of 65 motor cars were delivered: eleven in 1899, twenty-four in 1900 and thirty in 1901) and the partnership was dissolved after two years, following which Opel signed a licensing agreement in 1901 with the French Automobiles Darracq France to manufacture vehicles under the brand name Opel Darracq. These cars consisted of Opel bodies mounted on Darracq chassis, powered by two-cylinder engines. The company first showed cars of its design at

9393-467: Was designed with a two-box form factor similar (if not more conservative) than the Dodge Caravan it competed most closely against. As with the previous generation, the Trans Sport was distinguished from its divisional counterparts by Pontiac lower body cladding (dependent on trim, either in a contrasting or matching color). The traditional Pontiac split grille was enlarged and relocated between

9494-541: Was discontinued and the sportier Trans Sport GT was introduced (with the 3.8L V6 standard); as part of the change, all Trans Sports became monochromatic. The GT also became the second APV minivan (besides the Oldsmobile Silhouette) available with leather seating (as an option). In 1993, the Trans Sport GT was dropped after a single year, with all examples becoming Trans Sport SEs for the rest of

9595-524: Was initially offered in short wheelbase and long wheelbase versions and either one or two sliding doors; in 1998, two sliding doors became standard on all extended-wheelbase versions. The standard trim was simply named as the Pontiac Trans Sport, distinguished primarily by monochrome exteriors (or light-color body cladding). The Pontiac Trans Sport Montana was the flagship trim, styled for a more rugged look. In addition to using exclusive gray/tan body cladding and standard alloy wheels (with white-letter tires),

9696-414: Was integrated for the rear passenger compartment. Though deriving its chassis from the 6000 sedan/wagon, the Trans Sport concept car was fitted with a 235hp turbocharged 2.9L V6 (intended for a stillborn version of the Pontiac Fiero ), paired with a 3-speed automatic. 17-inch wheels (the same diameter as the later Corvette ZR-1 ) were used, much larger than any other non-Firebird Pontiac vehicle of

9797-468: Was introduced. For 1996, Both the 3.1 L and 3.8 L V6 engines were replaced by a 180 hp (134 kW) 3.4 L V6; the 3-speed transmission was retired. Though sharing nearly all exterior body panels, each GMT199 minivan was distinguished by its roofline styling. The Chevrolet Lumina APV debuted with a black roof forward of the B-pillar and a body-color rear roof; the Oldsmobile Silhouette,

9898-562: Was made in Doraville, Georgia . ABS was standard as well as dual front airbags, dual front side airbags, and seat belt tensioners. The hood was made of aluminium in order to save weight and increase the crumple zone for safety. It had the largest interior of all the MPVs in the European market, including those from Daimler Chrysler . The Sintra did not use the LA1 3400 V6 engine like the rest of

9999-537: Was offered with two wheelbases, with single or dual sliding doors, and was offered through multiple brands. Again serving as the mid-range GM minivan, the Trans Sport was slotted between the Chevrolet Venture (replacing the Lumina APV) and the Oldsmobile Silhouette. The model line introduced a Trans Sport Montana appearance package (see below); its popularity led Pontiac to rename its minivan line as

10100-490: Was the last time when Opel was profitable for an entire year after almost 20 years. The first major Opel launch of the 1990s was the 1991 Astra, which spelled the end for the Kadett nameplate that had debuted more than 50 years earlier. The company also turned to Japanese Isuzu for its first SUV, the Frontera , which was also launched in 1991 but produced in Europe despite its Japanese origins. The larger Monterey joined

10201-608: Was the third-best-selling brand in Great Britain after the British Motor Corporation (later British Leyland ) but made only a modest impact elsewhere. The two companies were direct competitors outside of each other's respective home markets. Still, mirroring US automaker Ford's decision to merge its British and German subsidiaries in the late 1960s, GM followed the same precedent. Opel and Vauxhall had loosely collaborated before, but serious efforts to merge

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