New infotainment functions for Opel

The infotainment system's color screen is easy to read and provides a clear presentation of the different operating menus – choose from between the radio station list or the titles of sound files, telephone lists or navigation maps. The nav's driving recommendations also appear as arrow symbols in the center of the instrument cluster, i.e. directly in the driver's range of vision.

The audio, navigation and communications functions combined in a compact head unit can be conveniently operated in many different ways: using the prominently placed control knob, the steering-wheel-mounted remote control or the direct hard keys on the dash panel. A real highlight of the new generation, however, is the operation convenience provided by voice control in the Navigation 900 model. Spoken commands can be used in seven different languages to operate the radio, the CD player and the audio components hooked up via the USB port or AUX-in connection as well as to enter the destination for the navigation system. The destination can be entered by simply saying the postal code or the name of the city and the street and house number; the system will then quickly calculate the route and make driving recommendations.

The navigation data is stored on an SD card, which leaves the standard CD drive free to play music. The SD card for the Navigation 900 system includes map software for more than 30 European countries as well as a digital travel guide. The map material also provides information on seasonal roads, which can be included in the route calculation. There is information on many different points of interest (POIs), regardless of whether it's a restaurant, a parking lot close by or the nearest filling station – the navigation system will show you the way. It is also possible to add personal POIs (MyPOIs) to the list and to update this information at any time. So that none of the personal destinations along the route are overlooked, the Navigation 900 can provide acoustic reminders along the way.

The top-of-the-line Navigation 900 features either two- or three-dimensional map displays from a bird's-eye view. To support this information, there are also directional arrows along with precise driving recommendations and distance data. In addition to the fastest and the shortest route, the route guidance system in both models also offers the option of choosing the most economical route, i.e. the system searches for and recommends routes that use the least amount of fuel and reduce CO2 emissions. Parameters for such vehicle additions as rooftop boxes and trailers can also be taken into consideration in route calculation.

Different other features like the automatic intersection zoom, the lane assistant or lane recommendations on the highway and the graphical display of directional arrows for the next but one driving recommendation take the stress and strain off the driver and make sure that the vehicle is in the right lane at the right time.