Opel's Shark Tradition Continues with New Astra

Bringing its superior German technology together with the most contemporary designs, Opel brings the attention it gives to details to the brand lovers in the new Astra model. In addition to the numerous advanced technologies offered as standard equipment for true Opel enthusiasts, a sea creature lurking in the car is of great importance: the shark. Miniature avatars of the creature at the top of the ocean food chain have been delighting Opel drivers and passengers for years, as in the case of the new Astra.

A shark figure is sure to lurk in the interior of most Opel models, including the award-winning Mokka-e and Corsa-e. The new Astra, which is getting ready to hit the road soon with its sixth generation, also hosts this figure. “The little sharks lurking in the new Opel Astra demonstrate the attention our designers have taken to the smallest detail.” Design Manager Karim Giordimaina said: “Opel's sharks have become a cult and our customers can feel the passion. This shows how customer-oriented the Opel brand is.”

So how do miniature sharks hide in Opel cars? One Sunday afternoon in 2004, designer Dietmar Finger was at home working on a sketch for the new Corsa. He was designing an ordinary panel for the glove compartment, which was often invisible and screened by the closed passenger door. But when the glove box was opened, this panel was supposed to be stable. This stability was provided by rib-shaped grooves on the plastic surface. While he was designing the rib-shaped grooves, his son looked at the sketch and said: "Why don't you just draw a shark?" The designer said, “Why not?” he thought and gave the ribs a characteristic shape.

Niels Loeb, Corsa Chief Designer at the time, loved the idea. The shark in the glove compartment went into mass production. Thus began the “Opel Shark Story”. This was followed by the example of the compact van Zafira. Karim Giordimaina, who was responsible for interior design at the time, had hidden three sharks in the cockpit of the compact van. These examples were followed by new ones. The Opel Adam example was followed by the Astra. Later, many more models continued this tradition, especially SUV models such as Crossland and Grandland.

In the process that followed, every interior designer hid a shark or two inside a new Opel model. The exact location of the shark has always been hidden, even from top design management. That's why the shark remains hidden until the vehicle is put on the market. This means a mystery, an interesting quest for shark lovers both inside and outside the company. The shark tradition will also be present in future Opel models, but where exactly they hide will always remain a mystery.