Allergy Sufferers Can Breathe Freely in the Opel Astra with Intelli-Air

• For the entire Astra family: highly efficient air quality system with automatic air exchange
• Effective against hay fever: Powerful activated carbon filters stop unwanted particles
• Correct behaviour: Tips for what to do when pollen levels are high

Opel vehicles help keep the air cleaner. They are powered by highly efficient drive technologies that reduce emissions with the battery-electric and plug-in hybrid models offering locally emission-free driving. In the interior, effective cleaning mechanisms allow all passengers to breathe freely. A prime example of this is the state-of-the-art Intelli-Air “Clean Cabin” air quality system, which is available for all members of Astra family including the particularly dynamic top-of-the-range Opel Astra GSe (fuel consumption according to WLTP¹: 1.2-1.1 l/100 km, CO₂ emissions 26-25 g/km; each combined) where it even comes as standard.

Such systems are all the more important in spring and summer, when millions of allergy sufferers are again being plagued by hay fever. A good interior climate has several advantages: It makes a decisive contribution to the well-being of the driver and passengers, prevents the annoying itching of the eyes and nose and at the same time ensures greater safety for all road users.

Intelligent and highly effective: Keeping an eye on interior air quality with Intelli-Air

In the "Golden Steering Wheel 2022"² winning Opel Astra, the engineers have installed an intelligent, particularly effective air quality system called Intelli-Air. It combines highly effective air and particulate filters with an air quality monitoring system. It continuously controls the state of the interior air, initiating an automatic exchange when the air becomes stale. The air quality is controlled by the position of the recirculation vent. When the exterior air quality is poor, the car’s air quality sensor (AQS) closes the vent so that no pollutants can enter the car’s interior. However, if the interior air is stale or tainted, e.g. through smoking or dust on clothing, the vent opens to supply the passengers with fresher air.

Thanks to Intelli-Air, the interior air of the new Astra remains as clean as possible. The passengers can even see this for themselves: the system informs them of the air quality via the large colour touchscreen. It displays a car-shaped emoji that is based on the international AQI (Air Quality Index). The colour of the emoji changes according to the standard of the air in the interior. The standard of the air in the passenger compartment is monitored by a PM 2.5 sensor that can detect particulates up to 2.5 micrometre in size.

Doubling up: Active carbon combination filters gases and odours

Intelli-Air ensures good air quality standards in the Astra in combination with Opel original particulate and activated carbon combination filters, that are also available in many other Opel models. These consist of two layers and can therefore not only keep particles out the interior, but also filter out odours and gases such as ozone. Best of all, pollen is almost 100 per cent eliminated.

The quality of the filters meets the highest standards. The filter material is water-repellent, which prevents it from freezing in winter or becoming home to bacteria. Despite the high filter performance, good air permeability is ensured. The filter should be changed once every 12 months to ensure clean interior air all year round. A filter management system informs the driver when an exchange is necessary.

Ideal behaviour during the pollen season

Everyone can play a part in protecting themselves from a hay fever attack while driving. With high pollen concentration, you should only drive a car with the windows closed and let Intelli-Air and the filters take care of the rest. This also benefits road safety – if drivers have to sneeze more often, the risk of accidents increases. In downtown traffic, for example, a car can travel 20 metres in the time it takes to sneeze; at 100 km/h the driver might not have their eyes on the road for more than 50 metres. It is best to get advice beforehand about the current pollen forecast, for example, from the local weather service.

In addition, motorists should refrain from medication, because the so-called antihistamines can cause drowsiness. Clothes should be taken off in the bathroom, not in the bedroom, and hair washed in the evening so that pollen does not get on the pillow. A rinse with sodium chloride in the morning and evening calms an irritated nose and a damp cloth over the eyes soothes the itching. Furthermore, pollen protection and fine dust grids on windows offer an additional barrier and help keep indoor air clean.

^[1] Values determined using the more realistic WLTP (Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Procedure) test method which replaces the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle) test procedure. A vehicle’s consumption, CO2 emissions and range not only depend on the efficient use of energy by the vehicle but are also influenced by driving style and other non-technical factors. The information on consumption and emissions does not refer to an individual vehicle and is intended solely for purposes of comparison between the various vehicle types.

^[2] AUTO BILD edition 45/2022 and BILD am SONNTAG edition 46/2022, category for “Best car up to €50,000”.