Opel

If General Motors had continued its deal with Groupe PSA, the Holden Commodore name might’ve ended up on a crossover. Auto Express reports a transition to a crossover body style is in the cards for the next-generation Opel/Vauxhall Insignia. With sales having fallen by half over the course of a decade, PSA is planning on making a radical change to Opel’s mid-sizer.

Independent crash-testing firm, Euro NCAP, has released its latest round of safety ratings, with the new Mazda CX-30, Ford Explorer, and Mercedes-Benz GLB all achieving five-star results. The star of the show was the Mazda CX-30, which recorded a near-perfect 99 per cent score for Adult Occupant Protection, giving it the highest score for this category against Euro NCAP's 2018-19 protocol.

There are reportedly high-level talks regarding a merger of Fiat Chrysler (FCA) and the PSA Group, which could create a new automaker valued at around US$50 billion ($73 billion). Sources have told the Wall Street Journal the two parties are discussing an all-share transaction. Should such a deal occur, PSA CEO Carlos Tavares would lead the newly merged automaker, while John Elkann, and head of the Agnelli family which holds a controlling stake in FCA, would become its chairman.

With a new Ford Focus already on sale and the Volkswagen Golf Mark VIII around the corner, the PSA Group has given its Opel and Vauxhall Astra range a freshen up. Externally the differences are slight, with a new grille design incorporating shutters, and redesigned front and rear bumpers being the most obvious changes.

As was widely expected, the new Opel Corsa-e has the same drivetrain as the Peugeot 208-e. Under the bonnet, the Corsa-e has an electric motor with 100kW of power and 260Nm of torque. Opel says the electric hatchback is capable of racing from 0-100km/h in 8.1 seconds. Fitted with a 50kWh battery under the floor, the Corsa-e has an expected driving range of 330 kilometres using the WLTP cycle.