The intelligent active four-wheel drive system ITCC (Intelligent Torque Controlled Coupling) is fitted as standard and combines the benefits of pure front-wheel drive - such as low fuel consumption and virtually effortless maneuvering - with those of four-wheel drive. While the Antara is a front-wheel drive car under normal conditions, drive can be quickly and seamlessly distributed between the front and rear axle at a ratio of up to 50:50 when needed. The four-wheel drive system's principal component is an electronically controlled electro-hydraulic differential on the rear axle.

The four-wheel drive system is compact, light and fully integrated in the ABS and ESP control systems. To effectively isolate the body from the engine, the Antara features a complex four-point pivoted bearing in the neutral axis. With this Neutral Torque Axis (NTA) mounting, the engine's weight is supported by bearings located left and right in its dynamic spin axis. This mounting reduces vibrations and noise, especially when the engine is idling.


Powerful, economic and clean diesel engines

A high torque plateau, plenty of propulsion power and durability, but low consumption. No wonder diesel engines are in such high demand in SUV and crossover models. The Opel Antara is also available with a newly developed 2.0 CDTI engine with an output of 150 hp. A 127 hp version will be added to the range in early 2007. Both engines feature newest-generation common-rail technology with up to 1600 bar injection pressure, aluminum cylinder head and turbocharger with variable turbo geometry.

Both variants come standard with a maintenance-free diesel particulate filter, which requires no additives. The exhaust-gas cleaner consists of a solid, honeycomb-shaped ceramic body with microscopic channels. Soot particles collect on the surface of these channels and are regularly burnt off to prevent the filter blocking. Instead of using a complex system of fuel additives to remove these particles, multiple targeted injections raise the diesel engine's exhaust-gas temperature to 600 degrees Celsius - the soot particulate's ignition temperature - for the duration of the burning process in the filter.

The top diesel unit can be mated to a five-speed automatic transmission instead of the standard five-speed manual gearbox. In both cases, it delivers excellent propulsion power. Accelerating from 80 to 120 km/h in fifth gear takes only 12.6 seconds (automatic: 9.7 seconds). According to MVEG-mix data, consumption is only 7.5 liters of diesel per 100 km (automatic: 8.6 l/100 km). In combination with the 65-liter fuel tank, this provides an operating range of around 870 kilometers. Top speed is 180 km/h (automatic: 178 km/h).

The new diesel engine was co-developed by GM Korea and GM Powertrain, and is produced in Gunsan, South Korea. Up to 250,000 engines can be produced annually in the 19,200 square meter plant, where regular production began in March 2006.


Gasoline engines: Refined and powerful

In addition to the two diesel units, the ECOTEC engine range includes two refined gasoline units. The base unit is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 103 kW/140 hp. The long-stroke engine (bore/stroke: 87.5/100 millimeters) features technical details such as double overhead camshafts, a balance shaft with two rotating counterweights and an electronic throttle control. The 2.4-liter Antara reaches a top speed of 175 km/h, accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 11.9 seconds, and requires 9.6 liters of fuel per 100 km (MVEG-mix).

The most powerful engine is the 3.2-liter V6 with 167 kW/227 hp. With its standard five-speed automatic transmission with ActiveSelect function, the six-cylinder gasoline unit - a close relative of the 2.8 V6 ECOTEC unit in the Vectra and Signum - accelerates the Antara to a top speed of 203 km/h.

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