As we get smarter, cars get smarter as well. Yesteryear, we knew what the future of the automobile holds with ever new generation of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. In comparison to then, these days we only need to look at volume brands such as Opel AG to understand the future holds for us.
With the imminent launch of 2015 Opel Astra K, the peeps from Russelsheim prepare to roll-out a product that is vital to the future crop of models, including the Astra compact hatchback. Without further ado, strength lies in technology, and the OnStar in-car infotainment suite is Opel’s weapon.
To be introduced across the Opel model lineup from late August 2015, OnStar will be available, at first, in no less than 13 European markets including the United Kingdom. Luton, UK, will be the headquarters of OnStar Europe, a center of operations that will employ 120 skilled people.
Their role is to respond to any OnStar user that accesses the system’s Stolen Vehicle Assistance and Ignition Block features. If an airbag deploys during a crash situation, the OnStar system automatically alerts HQ about the crash, then operators are immediately sent to the location of the crashed car to determine whether medical help is required.
“Opel OnStar is a ground-breaking technology: It will add a new level of safety to our vehicles and at the same time make driving more comfortable," said Opel Group CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann.
In addition to the life-saving features, Opel OnStat boasts 4G / LTE connectivity with a Wi-Fi hotspot feature that’s able to offer Internet connectivity for up to seven mobile devices at a given time.
Furthermore, the OnStar smartphone app lets the owner honk the horn, flash the lights, locate the car in a busy parking lot, remotely lock or unlock the car or download destinations to the sat nav system.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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