Last weekend (June 20) the new little Opel Karl celebrated its premiere at the German Opel dealers. According to the Opel marketing strategists, it should conquer customers' hearts with its large space and variability. We see whether the concept works and can drive the Karl in advance.
And where do you usually go on a big or a barge ride? Right, that is best done in the city with the "Great Freedom" and desires, in Hamburg.
In keeping with the cuddly design, the typical "Opel smile" with the grille clasp drawn up on both sides, the Karl is ready for a test drive in bright, colorful colors. Buyers can choose between ten different body colors, from "night purple" to the fruity "kiwi green". We have opted for the “magmarot” that has been known for years, if not to say, for generations, and the best equipment variant called “Exclusive”. In addition, Edition and Selection are offered as entry-level versions.
What got us right at the first seat test striking is the very good feel of the materials used for a car in the 10.000 euro class. Of course it is all plastic, but there is plastic that reminds of the 80s Japan vehicles and today, at least it looks like it, is still installed and there is that in the new Opel Karl. The steering wheel in particular should be mentioned explicitly here. A correct, thick, ergonomically located steering wheel. We did that even in much more expensive vehicles, ok, that's not difficult, the Karl starts traveling from 9.500 euros, already experienced significantly worse. And ultimately it is the steering wheel that creates the connection between man and vehicle.
Establishing a connection and networking is a big issue even in the smallest Opel. The new IntelliLink infotainment system and the personal online and service assistant Opel OnStar will be available to order for the small car this autumn. This should make the Opel Karl the best connected and most user-friendly vehicle in this class. The OnStar system includes an automated connection to a trained emergency assistant in the event of an accident. Certainly a buying argument if the Karl is purchased by older people who simply want to stay mobile or by novice drivers who get the Karl financed by their parents.
In addition, Karl is thanked Vauxhall OnStar to the powerful 4G / LTE WiFi hotspot. Up to seven mobile devices can be connected to the system.
The R300 BT radio with hands-free system is already standard in the “Exclusive” equipment that we drive. From autumn 2015, Android Auto and Apple Car Play will also be possible via the IntelliLink infotainment system. For example, smartphone functions such as navigation, voice-controlled text messages, contacts or entertainment apps for music or news can be used particularly safely while driving.
“The brand new Opel KARL has a clear mission. It is the entry into the automotive world of Opel from now on, ”says Jürgen Keller, Head of Sales Opel Germany. "It will convince customers with its extremely attractive price of € 9.500 and its functionality".
The functionality is expressed in the interior by a foldable rear bench seat. And even in this inexpensive vehicle class, it can be divided into 1/3 and 2/3 and expands the cargo space of the 3,68 meter short Karl to up to 1.013 liters. In the city, of course, he shows off his brevity perfectly. So we scurry back and forth between the large vehicles on our way to the port in Hamburg and looking for a nice short-term photo stop, a U-turn is very easy thanks to a small turning circle. Perfect for the city.
On the city highway, however, the small, one-liter, all-aluminum motor with 75 hp runs out of steam at 130 km / h. Until then, the Karl is surprisingly quiet in the interior, no three-cylinder rattling, which is partly due to the good engine, but also due to the above-average noise insulation in this vehicle class. Above 130 km / h, however, it is as exhausting as any small car.
Also available in expensive premium sedans, there are optional equipment details such as a hill start assistant, lane assistant, cornering lights and six airbags on board. Even a heated steering wheel is available, years ago a novelty in the luxury class. Of course, the Karl does not stay below the magical 10.000 euro limit, but even the exclusive version we drove for 12.900 euros is still a cheap entry into the Opel world, with sufficient equipment. So you can confidently send the new little Opel Karl on a raid into hostile waters of a Ford Ka or Hyundai i10.
And who also wants to sniff the scent of the big wide world, buy the Opel Karl or take part in our competition of 10 Karl Lagerfeld fragrances.
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Text: Bernd Schweickard, © photo; Opel (), Bernd Schweickard