World Premiere 70 Years Ago: The Opel Olympia Rekord Caravan

• Pioneer: Opel presents the first high-volume production estate from a German carmaker at the 1953 IAA
• Successful: Estates become regular fixture in model portfolio
• Innovative: New Opel Astra Sports Tourer Electric one of the first battery-electric estates from a German brand

70 years ago, Opel presented the new Opel Olympia Rekord at the International Motor Show (IAA) and captivated the masses. The new vehicle generation is not only available as a saloon, but also as a “caravan”. By revealing the 1953 Opel Olympia Rekord Caravan, the Rüsselsheim-based brand created a small sensation because it was nothing less than the first mass-produced estate from a German manufacturer. The model, which is as elegant as it is comfortable and at the same time practical, becomes a pioneer. Going forward the mixture of the best traits of saloon and delivery van (caravan = car and van) becomes a mainstay in the model range.

At the IAA Mobility 2023, Opel is once again playing a pioneering role with the latest generation of the compact class bestseller Astra. From September 5 to 10, the new Opel Astra Sports Tourer Electric will celebrate its world premiere in Munich – making it one of the first all-electric estates from a German brand. It offers Opel customers a dynamic, comfortable, extremely practical and, above all, locally emissions-free estate ideally suited for the daily commute or holiday trips with the whole family.

Beginning of a success story: The trend-setting Opel Olympia Rekord Caravan

As early as 1950, the Opel Olympia was available as an express delivery van in addition to the saloon. However, Opel then presented a real revolution at the 1953 IAA with the all-new Olympia Rekord. Because for the first time, in addition to the closed delivery van, an estate version called Caravan is also available ex works. "An ideal vehicle that harmoniously combines beauty and practicality – on weekdays for customer deliveries, on weekends for pleasant relaxation," the Opel advertisement said at the time. With the Opel Olympia Rekord Caravan a German manufacturer combines the advantages of a comfortable saloon and a practical van in a vehicle intended for large-scale production for the first time.

At the front, the so-called shark’s mouth fascia, which was characteristic of both variants at the time, takes centre stage. In the case of the caravan, the smooth-surfaced pontoon body transitions into a box-shaped rear end with side windows, so that the passengers in the back row can also enjoy the best views. The Olympia Rekord Caravan no longer has anything in common with a simple delivery van, which means that the estate attracts the attention of buyers.

The elegant four-seater impresses with a large load compartment, which can easily be doubled by folding down the rear seats. Split backrests that can be folded in at an angle make it easier for passengers to get in; the wide tailgate makes it easy to load and unload work utensils or bulky material. In addition, the booth can take a payload of up to 480 kilograms is possible and is designed so that it can be easily cleaned.

However, the Olympia Rekord Caravan does not just prove its efficiency with its design and flexible usability, but also with its 40 hp, economical 1.5-litre engine, which accelerated the estate to a comfortable cruising speed of up to around 115 km/h. This makes the Olympia Rekord Caravan a hit with the customers, and at the same time lays the foundation for the future Opel models. The caravan or estate version becomes an integral part of the line-up. Almost ten years after the premiere of the first mass-produced estate from a German brand, the Kadett A Caravan followed in 1963. It was the first compact estate from Opel and quickly helped the brand become the market leader in this body segment.

Spacious, locally emissions-free driving fun: The new Astra Sports Tourer Electric

In a few weeks, Opel will open the next chapter in the long history of successful estates from Rüsselsheim with the new Opel Astra Sports Tourer Electric celebrating its premiere at the IAA Mobility 2023. At the same time, the brand with the Blitz is once again underscoring its pioneering role in making innovative technologies and concepts available to a broad group of buyers – the Astra Sports Tourer Electric is one of the first fully electric estate from a German manufacturer.

Like all Astra variants, the Astra Sports Tourer Electric doesn’t just impress with its bold and clear design, but also with its responsible performance. The new all-electric estate from Rüsselsheim conveys pure locally emissions-free driving fun. The electric motor delivers 115 kW/156 hp and a powerful 270 Newton meters of maximum torque – both available from the first touch of the accelerator pedal ensuring brisk starts and convincing acceleration. And while many other electric cars are limited to 150 km/h or 160 km/h, the new Astra Sports Tourer Electric has a top speed of 170 km/h. Even with the rear seats up, the Astra Sports Tourer Electric offers 516 litres of luggage space in the boot – with the seats folded down, the capacity increases to up to 1,553 litres. The batteries are practically housed in the underbody so that no space for passengers or luggage is lost in the interior.