The best remedy for increasing gasoline prices is lower fuel consumption. And on this point, Opel has some especially good news: the new Agila, which made its world premiere at the IAA and will be on sale from spring 2008, boasts especially low fuel consumption in all its engine variants. With 5.0 liters per 100 kilometers for the Agila 1.0 and just 4.5 liters per 100 km for the Agila 1.3 CDTI (average consumption according to EU norm), the Mini monocab is a real fuel saver. Both of the units’ corresponding CO₂ emissions are only around 120 g/km.

The new Agila – either with a gasoline or diesel engine – thereby undercuts the emissions limit in several European countries and attracts special tax advantages. The economical, spacious five-seater achieves this value without additional – and consequently expensive – hybrid technology.

Dividing the CO₂ emissions figure by five to account for the Agila’s five potential passengers places the urban car near the top of the most economical cars list: at just 24 g/CO₂ per kilometer and seat, a fully occupied Agila is remarkably environmentally friendly. And unlike competitor models, the new compact Opel is a registered five-seater, comes equipped with five three-point seatbelts and is delivered standard as a five-door version. The Agila 1.2 also boasts economy and low emissions: an average consumption of 5.5 liters per 100 km corresponds to 131 g/CO₂ per kilometer or 26.2 g/CO₂ per seat.

Despite its impressive fuel economy, the new Opel Agila makes no compromises when it comes to technology or equipment. Its passengers still sit high and upright, but the roofline has been dynamically lowered and now blends into a smooth arc toward the rear. This helps create the Agila’s aerodynamic drag coefficient of 0.35 – a relatively low figure for a vehicle of this size. The urban car is now 20 centimeters longer, six centimeters wider, but seven centimeters lower than its predecessor.

As an urban car it also offers plenty of compartments and boxes for storing all passengers’ belongings. But it’s not just car essentials that the new Agila stows away easily. Despite its compact exterior dimensions, the new Opel Mini monocab boasts a surprisingly large luggage compartment. Its 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 – a top value in this segment. The rear bench Seat and back also splits 60:40 for even greater versatility.