Opel Kadett E: The Aerodynamics Champion Turns 40

The development story of the fifth Kadett generation actually began in 1979. As soon as the Opel Kadett D, Opel’s first front-wheel drive model, was on the market, ideas for the potential successor were already being collected. In product development and construction in Rüsselsheim numerous engineers, technicians and designers are part of the “Kadett E” project. Over the course of five years, 1.5 billion German marks flow into the development of the Kadett E. Before it is ready for serial production, the prototypes cover a total distance of around 6.5 million kilometres – in test centres as well as on race tracks, under extreme weather conditions in Northern Europe and in desert regions of the USA. After the extensive testing was completed the time had come: the Kadett E – once again with front-wheel drive – was launched in autumn 1984. It soon arrived at dealerships – in a variety of variants that is second to none. But that is by far not the only reason that made the fifth Kadett generation a bestseller within a very short time.

The right choice for every task

Right from the start of sales, the latest Kadett generation is available as a three- and five-door hatchback and as a three- and five-door Kadett estate – with a class-leading loading volume of up to 1,520 litres. Just one year later, the notchback variant with four doors complements the range. And from 1987, outdoor fans got their money’s worth with the Kadett E: none other than the Italian star designer Nuccio Bertone was responsible for the new Kadett convertible. In close collaboration with the Rüsselsheim design team, the elegant “topless Kadett” is created in the northern Italian factory – including extensive standard equipment from sports seats for the driver and front passenger to individually foldable rear seats and tinted windows.

The manufacturer underlines the fact that Opel not only wants to attract car customers with the Kadett, but also offers the right model for commercial customers with another variant: the Kadett Combo. This compact transporter with a specially designed rear axle and 180 degree opening rear doors can shoulder up to 635 kilogrammes of payload and has 2.4 cubic meters of storage space.

However, the sportiest, most powerful and – alongside the Bertone convertible – probably also the most emotional Kadett variant is the Kadett GSi. While the production version initially has a 1.8 litre engine and 85 kW (115 hp) of power, the GSi hit the track shortly afterwards as a Group A touring car with 125 kW (170 hp) and an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in just under seven seconds. And as the 184 kW (250 hp) racing Kadett GSi 16V, it celebrated its winning premiere at the start of the International German Touring Car Championship in 1988. One year later, Austrians Josef Haider/Ferdinand Hinterleitner became German rally champions in the Opel Kadett GSi 16V. And in the same year an Opel works teams entered the German Touring Car Championship with the fifth generation Kadett.

Serial winner: “Golden Steering Wheel” and aerodynamics world champion

While developing the Kadett E, the engineers and designers paid attention to the typical Opel strengths, regardless of the respective body variant: emotional design and proven suitability for everyday use paired with maximum efficiency – all at affordable prices for the wide range of customers. This recipe for success resulted in numerous awards for the fifth generation of the compact class bestseller. In addition to the “Golden Steering Wheel 1984”, it also secured the title of “European Car of the Year 1985”.

In 1984, the Kadett also set a record in terms of aerodynamics. After 1,200 hours of fine-tuning in the wind tunnel, the Kadett E achieves a sensational drag coefficient of 0.32. And the sporty GSi, with a drag coefficient of 0.30 and an air resistance area of 0.57 square metres, was the most streamlined saloon in the world at the time. The Opel engineers achieved these best values, among other things, through a consistent wedge shape, a teardrop-shaped vehicle floor plan, smoothed window planes and other detailed solutions such as flexible joint seals in the body. In the words of the then Director of Product Development Fritz W. Lohr: “Over the course of around 1,200 wind tunnel hours, our engineers and technicians achieved an aerodynamic quality for the new Kadett that has never been achieved before in this class. During the development phase of the new Kadett, some of our senior engineers were sometimes unavailable for long periods of the day. The later explanation was usually: ‘Sorry, I was just testing the GSi…'”

At the same time, development is progressing continuously. In 1989, Opel launch a refreshed Kadett E, and in 1991 the Opel Astra nameplate is introduced across Europe.

Electrified Opel Astra: Modern driving pleasure with responsibility

Despite the change of nameplate from Kadett to Astra, Opel retains the way it counts the compact class generations – and so the latest generation is called Astra L. With it, the brand has been continuing its successful compact class history since 2021. The current Astra generation is the third in a row to win the “Golden Steering Wheel”. No wonder, because Astra and Astra Sports Tourer make clear statements: with bold, pure design from the characteristic Opel Vizor brand face on the outside to the fully digital Pure Panel cockpit in the interior. There are also state-of-the-art technologies such as the adaptive, glare-free Intelli-Lux Pixel light, which make driving more pleasant and safer. And last, but not least, the current Astra generation is electrified for the first time – as a dynamic plug-in hybrid and efficient hybrid with 48-volt technology as well as the fully electric Astra Electric and Astra Sports Tourer Electric. The electric motor delivers 115 kW (156 hp) and a powerful 270 Nm of torque – both available from the first touch of the accelerator pedal ensuring brisk starts and convincing acceleration. The Astra Electric and the Astra Sports Tourer Electric can cover up to 418 or 413 kilometres respectively (WLTP¹) locally emissions-free demonstrating what modern driving fun with responsibility looks like today.