The New Agila completes the Opel monocab range, which includes the successful Zafira and Meriva models. As the new Agila is also a real eye-catcher, young and youthful women are Opel's first, but not sole, target group. Positioned in both the urban car and mini- monocab growth segments, the new Agila has excellent market prospects. Market researchers are confident that this segment will see strong growth from 2008, forecasting sales of 1.3 million units.

Design: Distinctive charm, inside and out

"We wanted to give our smallest car considerably more charm without compromising its functionality," says Chief Designer Uwe Müller, describing the new Agila's concept phase. "With its rather cheeky look, the new Agila fits perfectly into the current Opel model portfolio."

The front boasts typical Opel styling. With its round headlamps integrated into almond-shaped lamp units that echo the new Corsa, the Agila sees the world through wide eyes. Other Opel design elements include the tapering of the front and rear bumpers, as well as the typical crease in the hood. The rear also boasts several rounded elements. The rear look is further accented by the spherically styled rear lights.

The Agila boasts a wide selection of fresh colors and modern styles. This creates an interior ambience, which is further enhanced by the spacious headroom. The versatile five-seater's high seating position ensures good visibility, while the ergonomically positioned gear stick and tiltable steering wheel with radio remote controls ensure easy operation. The rev counter is housed separately on the instrument panel. All other information readouts are given on large, distinctive, round instruments.

Body: Fully fledged five-seater with top flexibility

With five fully fledged seats, five three-point seatbelts and five doors as standard, the Agila offers plenty of space for family and friends. It is also an exception in a segment crowded with four-seaters and three-door models. There is no small-car feeling for Agila occupants, thanks in part to the extensive noise reduction measures on board. The comfortable, slightly elevated and upright seating position enables excellent visibility, while the higher roof also plays an important part in the pleasant feeling of spaciousness on board.

The Agila's standard capacity up to the luggage compartment cover is 225 liters, large enough for a stroller, for example. One turn of a handle drops the rear bench seat back, increasing the load volume to an impressive 1050 liters. The rear bench seat and back split 60:40 in the 'Enjoy' version. Folding down one section of the seat back also lowers the corresponding seat cushion to create a completely flat luggage compartment floor. As an urban car it also offers plenty of compartments and boxes.

Equipment: ABS as well as front and side airbags are standard

All Agilas come with extensive equipment ex works. Safety features such as ABS, front and side airbags for driver and front passenger, airbag deactivation for the front passenger seat and mountings for the ISOFIX child seat fixture system are also fitted as standard. The Enjoy version boasts even more standard features than the Essentia variant, including air conditioning, remote control central locking and power windows in front.

Agila Engines make their mark

Two gasoline engines make their world premiere in the new Agila. Supplied by cooperation partner Suzuki, they share the same design: aluminum cylinder block and head and two overhead camshafts. The entry-level unit is the one-liter, three-cylinder gasoline engine. The four-valve unit produces 48 kW/65 hp and takes the Agila to a top speed of 160 km/h. The 1.2-liter Agila has a four-cylinder gasoline engine that produces 63 kW/86 hp and accelerates it from zero to 100 km/h in 12.3 seconds. The Agila 1.2 has a top speed of 175 km/h (values for five-speed manual version). This engine will also soon be available with an optional four-speed automatic transmission - an especially attractive alternative for city driving.

The fuel-saving master among the Agila engines is the 1.3-liter common-rail turbo-diesel. Developed by GM Powertrain, the diesel engine is a true multi-talent and also offers an interesting alternative in the Corsa and Astra model lines. With this unit, the new Agila produces 55 kW/75 hp, has a top speed of 165 km/h and accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 13.9 seconds.