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J. Bacorelle
Lunes, 30 de diciembre 2024, 13:20
Opel Diplomat was a luxury car produced by the German brand Opel between 1964 and 1977. It was part of the KAD trio (Kapitän, Admiral, and Diplomat), representing the highest echelon in the brand's model range.
The first generation, known as Diplomat A, was introduced in 1964. Its elegant design and high-quality finishes positioned it as a direct rival to luxury models from other European brands. The Diplomat A offered a level of comfort and equipment that surpassed many of its competitors.
Opel launched an offensive in the premium segment with three distinct models for different audiences: Opel Kapitän, Opel Admiral, and Opel Diplomat, known as "The Big Three of Rüsselsheim." In this true luxury trident, the Diplomat was the top-of-the-line, serving as the best ambassador of technology, performance, luxury, and the most exclusive finishes that the "Blitz" could offer.
To create a car capable of competing with the big names in the premium segment, Opel looked to the large sedans that represented a significant portion of the car market across the Atlantic. In Detroit, the brand's designers discovered a new trend, the "New Vision," a linear and minimalist design style that avoided ornaments, baroque elements, and futuristic traits that had dominated the 1950s, opting instead for pure lines and sober elegance.
With 9,152 units produced, the Opel Diplomat managed to impose its style in the traditional European premium segment with a car that could have perfectly succeeded on American interstate highways due to its design, dimensions, and range of engines.
With the characteristic three-volume silhouette of American sedans and lines that were popular in North America at the time, the Opel Diplomat offered dimensions typical of "Made in USA," with a length of 4,948 mm, a width of 1,902 mm, and a wheelbase of 2,845 mm. Under the hood, the sensations were also purely American, with V8 engines of Chevrolet origin, which were used in sports cars like the Corvette and Camaro.
Throughout the Diplomat's commercial life, the V8 engines indisputably occupied the top of the range. Initially, a 4.6-litre engine with 190 hp capable of reaching 200 km/h and accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 11 seconds was marketed. Later, a 5.6-litre engine was introduced, developing 230 hp, allowing it to exceed 200 km/h and reach 100 km/h in 9 seconds. This engine was the basis for the Opel Diplomat Coupé, the most sporty and high-end version of this model. Carried out and prepared by Karmann, it offered 250 hp. These V8 engines were managed by another typical element of New World cars: a 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission.
Alongside these engines, the Opel Diplomat featured mechanics closer to what was in vogue in European cars of the time, such as the 6-cylinder inline engines of 2.6 and 2.8 litres with outputs of 100 hp and 125 hp, respectively.
Inside, the Opel Diplomat became a true ambassador of elegance, luxury, and prestige with the Opel seal. With refined and high-level upholstery, its dashboard offered the warmth of natural wood. The seats were reclining, and all four windows had electric lifts. The mirrors were adjustable from the inside, while the steering and brakes were hydraulic, and fog lights were standard.
In 1967, the Opel Diplomat underwent its first restyling, incorporating technical innovations such as a new recirculating ball steering system and a heated rear window. Two years later, more significant changes came with the second generation, known as Opel Diplomat B. To begin with, the body was shortened to 4,920 mm, while the chassis was improved with a De Dion axle in the rear suspension. In the engine department, it introduced electronic fuel injection with the 2.8 L6 engine. In the 5.4 V8, a 3-speed Hydramatic automatic transmission was integrated.
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