Rigel Odiel
At the end of 1995 in the showrooms the new sedan of the Spanish brand Rigel begins to be seen, we are talking about a compact sedan that grows 20 cm with respect to the Rigel Tinto and will be offered in versions with five and four doors. The new compact sedan of the brand is called ODIEL, it will be the new warrior that will make its way in the competitive world of three-volume vehicles. The offer begins with two very different versions, first we find the so-called “Hatchback” that will have five doors and a tailgate with a wide and practical access mouth, on the other hand, we have the “Sedan” that will offer a more classic vehicle with four doors.Rigel puts all their attention and budget into their new model and they hope it will be a sales success and that it will open a gap in the very competitive market of European sedans. The mechanical offer and the different trims is quite wide, being able to count on diesel and gasoline engines, up to four different trims depending on the needs of the customers.
Development: The sedan market in the 90s was especially competitive and we could find great competitors such as the Opel Astra sedan F, the Ford Escort and many other vehicles. In this case, Rigel decided to develop, since the launch of the Tinto (1992 ), a sedan to which the same chassis of the Tinto would be placed but making it almost 30 cm longer. The result would be a modern but compact sedan, ideal for European streets, with a totally renewed, fresh and technological interior.
The configuration of the vehicle by customers will begin with the choice between the model called Hactback and the Sedan model.
Hatchback: Its longer C-pillar gives it the possibility of incorporating a large tailgate, thus creating a very wide and practical boot opening. In this option, the rear window would be divided between the door and the end of the C-Pillar.
Sedan: The most classic option and preferred by many consumers. We find the perfect compact vehicle with three volumes, where the C-pillar is located on the rear wheel, and the rear glass is divided between the rear door and the C-pillar. In its trunk we will find a classic opening and a narrower mouth but much more stylized.
Engines: the Rigel Odiel engine offer at its launch includes four
gasoline engines and two diesel engines. These motors are configured in such a way that, depending on the version chosen, we can have a greater choice of motors in the configuration. It is worth noting the development of three new gasoline engines called G4 with four cylinders and 16 valves with double overhead trees, on the other hand, the European variant of the V6 engine mounted on the Rigel Navío, in this case a 3 L V6 that yields a power of almost 170 horsepower mounted only on the most exclusive versions of the model.
Rigel Odiel Trims
Driver: The Driver is the version of access to the range, despite being the most economical does not mean that its equipment is simple. In the Driver version we can count as standard with hubcaps, fog lights, ABS as standard, double front Airbag for driver and passenger, central locking, vehicle status system, cruise control among others, in addition this equipment can be completed with the different options at extra cost. Essential, practical and perfect for day to day, being able to mount diesel and gasoline engines.
Comfort: the mid-range of the Odiel stands out for its aggressive and elegant lines, the comfort version is focused on the community for its passengers and ease of driving. Among its standard equipment we can count on a progressive suspension, power steering, white leather interior and aluminum inserts. The offer of comfort in terms of engines is extended and expanded with the possibility of an automatic gearbox.
Sport: the Sport version condenses the fun of a racing car and the safety of a sedan. The rigidity of its chassis in combination with an active sports suspension and a lower ground clearance create the perfect vehicle. Its standard equipment can be its five-spoke Sport alloy wheels, exclusive red leather interior, its double exhaust outlet or the spoiler on the trunk with a third brake light incorporated.
Plus Ultra: The pinnacle of the range is expressed in Plus Ultra, the Latin name used in the Spanish coat of arms. The Plus Ultra version mounts as standard four-wheel drive called 4DRIVE and is combined with its V6 engine, an excellent, smooth and powerful drive. It is the first European Rigel vehicle to be fitted with a V6 petrol engine. This model features Level 2 driving aids that integrate ABS and traction control, plus upgraded suspension and a completely redesigned interior in brown leather and wood. Its Comfort-Relax seats have been created by an independent study, resulting in the greatest comfort seen to date in a Rigel vehicle for its driver and passengers. Its automatic gearbox will make driving this vehicle like floating through the clouds.
Wheels: The range is composed at launch with a single hubcap and three alloy wheels. The Driver model will only have available sheet metal wheels and the placement of a trim, the other models will be able to choose between three modern alloy wheels that will range from 5.7 and multi-spoke in silver.
Interiors: the range of interiors will be fixed to the selection of the vehicle variant, not being able to choose, as in the case of the wheels, a different interior for a certain finish. In gallery order we find:
Driver interior: dashboard made of hard plastic and rubber to dampen outside sound, black fabric interior and blue fabric panels.
Comfort interior: dashboard covered with fabric to improve the feeling of quality, interior in white and gray synthetic leather and mixed fabric, as well as central armrest and aluminum inserts.
Sport interior: racing-style suede dashboard, red leather interior and white panels, plus red inserts on the dashboard.
Interior plus Ultra: two-tone dark brown and caramel leather comfort relax seats, plus high-quality wood inspections.
