What's the news?
Opel's big push to reposition and renew its entire product portfolio by 2020 will have its most important year yet in the coming 12 months, as the German company announces what it is calling '7 in 17'.
Fairly obviously, what that means is that Opel will bring in seven new models during 2017, with the company stating it has never had so many launches in a single calendar year.
However, between 2016 and 2020, 29 new vehicles will form the biggest product offensive Opel has ever dreamt up, as it attempts to move upmarket and change its image for the better.
It's perhaps a little misleading to say seven 'all-new' models are on the way, as three of the newbies are variants of the impending MkII Insignia flagship. We'll have the Grand Sport five-door model, the Sports Tourer estate, and the updated version of the 'soft-roading' Country Tourer adventure wagon.
Aside from the Insignia's development into its second generation, the exciting Ampera-e electric car - complete with a range of more than 500km, and shown for the first time at the 2016 Paris Motor Show - will hit showrooms; although not showrooms here in Ireland, sadly, as it is not confirmed for our shores just yet.
There will also be a 'versatile touring companion' version of the Opel Vivaro panel van; as there's a Vivaro Combi minibus already in the line-up, we reckon this 2017 machine might be a more lifestyle-oriented Vivaro.
Last - but by no means least, given the importance of crossovers/SUVs - Opel will expand its off-road offerings with two new models. Joining the existing Mokka X in the B-segment will be the Crossland X, due out early in the year and said to give 'further impetus to the trend towards sporty as well as spacious crossover utility vehicles', while later in 2017 a larger C-segment-sized SUV will drop into the line-up at about the level of the Astra and Zafira Tourer. Opel says this second crossover is 'especially sporty', so it could be a coupe-type vehicle that's similar (if not as aspirational) to a BMW X4.
Anything else?
"With these seven new models for 2017, Opel will become a completely different brand within the next 12 months," said Opel's CEO Dr Karl-Thomas Neumann. "We are making electro-mobility feasible for everyday driving with the Ampera-e. The second-generation Insignia shows a new elegance, lightness and athleticism. And with the equally new crossover vehicles in the B- and C-segments we are extending our portfolio in a decisive area, which will give our growth significant additional impetus."