The new OPC – the most powerful Astra ever

[Jedi3]

The new OPC – the most powerful Astra ever

The sexy coupe gets some serious power

November 4th, 2011

www.gminsidenews.com

by: Alex Villani

Opel debuted an even hotter version of the beautiful Astra GTC by dropping in the ever-powerful two liter turbocharged engine that has found itself between the fenders of several domestic compact cars, as well as the new Buick Regal GS. The Astra OPC will pack 280 horsepower and 295 foot pounds of torque. Combined with HiPerStrut and mechanical limited slip differential, as well as some other neato features such as FlexRide, Opel took to the 'Ring to fine tune every aspect of the car to make sure that this car is ready to duke it out with the new generation of sport compacts. Read up on the rest of this svelte coupe below, and for our North American readers, now is the time to start begging Buick for this stateside.

High performance version of Astra GTC: 2.0 liter direct injection turbo gasoline engine

206 kW/280 hp, 400 Nm, top speed of 250 km/h

Exclusive high performance chassis with limited slip differential and Brembo-brakes

Powerful OPC design emphasizes pure passion and sporty interior

Rüsselsheim. The new Opel Astra GTC is being given a sharper edge: the crowning glory of the new sporty compact coupé will come in summer 2012 in the shape of the high performance OPC (Opel Performance Center) variant. The Astra OPC is powered by a 2.0 liter direct injection turbo gasoline engine. The performance figures: 206 kW/280 hp of power and maximum torque of 400 Nm. This power house ensures that the Astra OPC can reach a top speed of 250 km/h. Never before has an Astra been so fast.

The whole chassis of the sports car is designed to deliver power, without comprise. In line with the finest OPC traditions, the car was put through its paces and polished on the Northern Loop (“Nordschleife”) of the Nürburgring race track in Germany under the supervision of the Opel brand ambassador Joachim (“Jockel”) Winkelhock. It is geared especially towards lateral dynamics and superb handling qualities. The high tech front-wheel suspension, HiPerStrut (High Performance Strut) of the Astra GTC helps to achieve this. . In addition to the HiPerStrut feature, the OPC also enjoys all the benefits of the fully-adaptive FlexRide chassis control system. The FlexRide chassis lets the driver sharpen the characteristic shock absorber line, the steering and the gas pedal responsiveness. He can do that at the touch of a “Sport” and “OPC” button. However, the OPC model goes one major step further: it has been fitted with a limited slip differential on the front axle. This gives the OPC even more stability and better handling, in other words the car has more grip when exiting bends at high speeds – even in wet conditions. “We have devised a great package that will convince even the most experienced sports drivers – not just on the Nürburgring,” the motorsport legend, Winkelhock , explains. The high performance brake system made by the prestigious manufacturer, Brembo, ensures good deceleration stats and maximum stability, even in moments of intense pressure.

The exclusive body work of the Astra OPC is an expression of pure passion for power and speed. The Astra GTC with its racy edge has so far been the most emotional expression of Opel’s design language but the OPC version flexes its muscles. The OPC is given extra sportiness with a set of specially sculpted front and rear bumpers, side skirts, an aerodynamic roof spoiler and two exhaust tail pipes in a trapeze shape. In the inside, the compact sports car has performance seats, a flat OPC sports leather steering wheel and special instruments.

OPC: Performance and pure passion

The Opel Performance Center (OPC), responsible for the sporty accents in the Opel model line-up since 1999, is a decisive element in the brand’s profile. It embodies a high level of emotionality and passion for striking design, top-class technology and extraordinary driving dynamics. The vehicles with “OPC” in the model name are positioned as the emotional spearheads of the respective model lines. Current OPC models include the Corsa, 141 kW/192 hp (154 kW/210 hp as Nürburgring-Edition) as well as the Insignia OPC, which is available as a 4 or 5-door sedan and Sports Tourer. The 2.8 liter V6 turbo gasoline engine (239 kW/325 hp) is the most powerful Opel production engine in history. For the “Unlimited” version of the Insignia OPC maximum speed goes up to 270 km/h (depending on trim and transmission variant).

Source:

Alexander Villani

GMInsideNews Writer/Editor

http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f70/rid...tra-opc-106715/

[[ChaosweaveR]]

>Not coming to America

[Jedi3]

I love it but yea Im sure we wont get that hotness.

[[ChaosweaveR]]

I've lost all hope on GM bringing anything worthwhile from Europe and Australia anymore.

Damnit, just give us Opel and Holden.

[Ringo64]

Not a bad hatch, for once I might like one of these hatchbacks.

280hp ain't bad either

[valid]

I would buy this.