Opel Karl

The Opel Karl is a city car designated by the German manufacturer Opel as their entry model for the line up. It is a rebadged and restyled version of GM Korea's Chevrolet Spark. The Karl replaced the Suzuki-sourced Agila in December 2014. In the United Kingdom, it has been marketed as the Vauxhall Viva since December 2014.

For the Vauxhall Viva model of the 1960s, see Vauxhall Viva.
Opel Karl
Overview
ManufacturerOpel (General Motors)
VinFast
Also calledVauxhall Viva (HD, fourth generation)
VinFast Fadil (Vietnam)
Production2014–2019
2019–present (VinFast Fadil)
AssemblySouth Korea: Changwon (GM Korea)
Vietnam: Hai Phong (VinFast, 2019–present)
DesignerMark Adams
Body and chassis
ClassCity car (A)
Body style5-door hatchback
LayoutTransverse front-engine, front-wheel drive
PlatformGlobal Small Vehicles
RelatedChevrolet Spark[1][2]
Powertrain
Engine1.0 L B10XF I3 (petrol)
Transmission5-speed manual
5-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,385 mm (93.9 in)
Length3,675 mm (144.7 in)
Width1,698 mm (66.9 in)
Height1,476 mm (58.1 in)
Kerb weight939 kg (2,070 lb)
Chronology
PredecessorOpel Agila

Overview
Opel Karl (Germany)
Interior

The Opel Karl is named after Adam Opel's eldest son Carl.[3][4] The model is closely related to the fourth generation Chevrolet Spark. The car is built in South Korea, with a starting price in the United Kingdom of under £8,000, and fuel consumption reaching 4.3 L/100 km (66 mpg‑imp).

While it is of South Korean origins, its 1.0 L (999 cc) three cylinder direct injection engine making 55 kW (75 PS) is from the Opel engine family.[5][6] Although the Karl's dimensions are very similar to its predecessor, it is 115 mm (4.5 in) lower, making it almost the same size as the more expensive three door Opel Adam.

Among its equipment features there are six airbags, ESC with hill start assist, tyre pressure sensors, electric power steering, cruise control, rear parking sensors, lane departure warning, automatic climate control, start-stop system, a seven inch display with IntelliLink and OnStar systems, and optional - heated front seats, heated steering wheel, electric sunroof and 16 inch alloy wheels.[7][8]

The Opel Karl is not sold in all European markets. It is not sold in Norway,[9] Sweden,[10] any ex USSR countries,[11][12] Malta,[13] Eastern Balkans (incl. Bulgaria[14] and Romania[15]), Greece,[16] Turkey,[17] nor Cyprus.[18]

The Opel Karl had its second world premiere held in Rijeka, Croatia, back in 2015.[19] In October 2018, it was announced that the production of the Karl and Viva will be discontinued by the end of 2019.[20][21]

New Vietnamese car company VinFast has licensed the Opel Karl from General Motors, to produce their first city car. The front of the car is restyled to match the new VinFast brand style.[22] Early vehicles were manufactured in South Korea, but in 2019, production was started in VinFast manufacturing plant in Haiphong.[23]

Vauxhall Viva
Vauxhall Viva
Vauxhall Viva Rocks

The Viva range includes the base SE model, the SE A/C (which has air conditioning as standard, hence the name) and the top SL.[24]

The range has a high level standard specification compared to similar vehicles from other manufacturers, including a lane departure warning system, cruise control, speed limiter, trip computer (instant MPG, average MPG, average speed, stop watch and trip computer), tyre pressure monitoring system, electronic stability program and traction control, front fog lamps and cornering lamps.

The SL offers digital climate control, partial leather trim and alloy wheels. Options include an electronically operated glass sunroof, a touch screen entertainment system (replacing the 300/300BT stereo unit) and a "Winter Pack" comprising heated seats, steering wheel, and door mirrors.

VinFast Fadil
VinFast Fadil

The VinFast Fadil was developed by Vingroup in Vietnam from the Opel Karl Rocks. It is expected to be released in September 2019.[25]

References
  1. "Vauxhall To Introduce New Brand Image, Small Cars – GM Authority". GM Authority. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
  2. "The Vauxhall Viva is coming back". Top Gear. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
  3. "Opel Karl – Neuer Kleinwagen als Einstiegsmodell" [Opel Karl: New entry model mini car]. Süddeutsche Zeitung (in German). 11 September 2014.
  4. "Opel History 1862 - 1899". Pressroom. Opel Automobile GmbH. Archived from the original on 18 September 2019.
  5. Voswinkel, Stefan (3 December 2014). "Neuer Opel Karl (2015): Erste Fotos vom Kleinwagen" [New Opel Karl (2015): First photos of this small car]. Auto Bild (in German). Axel Springer Auto Verlag GmbH.
  6. "New Opel KARL: World Premiere at the Geneva Motor Show" (Press release). General Motors. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
  7. http://www.opel.fr/content/dam/Opel/Europe/france/01_Vehicles/MA_tarifs_carline/Tarifs_FT_Karl_my16_04032015.pdf
  8. https://www.carscoops.com/2015/12/opel-karl-gains-intellilink-and-onstar/
  9. "Opel in Norway". Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  10. "Opel in Sweden". Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  11. "Opel in Estonia". Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  12. "Opel in Moldova". Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  13. "Opel in Malta". Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  14. "Opel in Bulgaria". Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  15. "Opel in Romania". Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  16. "Opel in Greece". Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  17. "Opel in Turkey". Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  18. "Opel in Cyprus". Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  19. "Svjetska vice premijera Opela Karl u Rijeci". fiuman.hr. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  20. Editorial, Reuters. "Opel stellt Modelle Adam, Karl und Cascada ein". DE (in German). Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  21. "Vauxhall confirms it will axe Adam and Viva city cars | Autocar". www.autocar.co.uk. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  22. "Vietnamese VinFast showed its new hatchback VinFast Fadil". Auto Times News. 24 November 2018. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
  23. Huong, Kim (21 November 2018). "VinFast announces jaw dropping starting price for vehicles". Vietnam Investment Review. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
  24. "Vauxhall VIVA | Equipment". Vauxhall Motors UK. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  25. Nga, Minh (20 November 2018). "Vietnam's first domestic car maker presents models, prices". VnExpress. Vietnam. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
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