Geneva: Opel Astra OPC

[TaHoE]

Geneva Auto Show: New! Opel Astra OPC
www.gminsidenews.com

GMI is First Again, with your Geneva Auto Show Coverage, Stay tuned for more information and pics!





World premiere in Geneva

New Astra OPC: Sport-Compact with Striking Looks

Top performer based on Astra GTC boasts 240 hp and over 240 km/h top speed


Rüsselsheim. The new Astra OPC from Opel makes its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show (March 3 – 13, 2005). This production version of the Astra High Performance Concept study revealed in Paris is based on the Astra GTC and takes the dynamic potential of the new compact class generation to new heights with its striking looks and state-of-the-art technology. With its 176 kW/240 hp 2.0-liter turbo gasoline engine, the arden blue Astra developed by the OPC team is one of the most powerful compact front-wheel drive cars on the market. The engine develops maximum torque of 320 Newton meters and delivers strong pulling power at low engine speeds. The Astra OPC comes with a six-speed manual transmission, accelerates from zero - 100 in less than seven seconds and reaches a top speed of more than 240 km/h.

Hans H. Demant, Managing Director, Adam Opel AG: “The new Astra OPC is the first of several sporty top models that we will be presenting in the coming months. With the new OPC range we want to show the high dynamic potential in the Opel portfolio.”

The new Astra OPC’s engine is based on the 200 hp 2.0-liter turbo gasoline unit with maximum torque of 262 Nm, the top motorization for the other Astra variants. The OPC’s increased power is a result of optimizations to the intake and exhaust manifold, use of highest quality engine components as well as enhancements to the turbocharger and injection system.

The engine’s power is matched by the IDSPlus chassis (Interactive Driving System) with electronic CDC (Continuous Damping Control) and integration of all driving dynamics controls, which has been made even more agile and sporty for the new Astra OPC.

Special 18-inch alloy wheels and 225/45 R 18 tires are standard, 19-inch wheels (235/35 R 19) in the design of the Paris show car are available as an option. Brake calipers painted in characteristic OPC blue emphasize the powerful brake system (internally ventilated disks at front: 321 mm / disks at rear: 278 mm).

The impressive power hidden beneath the top performer’s exterior is apparent at first glance thanks to design features such as the front section which has a more muscular appearance than the Astra GTC. Its look is defined by a much wider and lower air intake, a honeycomb grille as well as a bumper with a clearly accentuated spoiler lip and integrated fog lights in the pronounced side apertures. At the same time, these provide a harmonious connection to the side sills which are more strongly profiled towards the rear of the car. The rear of the Astra OPC looks as powerful as the front. It is accentuated by a distinctive roof aerofoil, for increased down-force, two side cutouts with a lattice structure and the trapezoidal center tailpipe.

Eye-catching sporty details are also found in the interior. The most striking are the Recaro seats, which are designed for maximum lateral support. They are available in two-tone leather/fabric or leather upholstery. The seat surfaces are in arden blue or silver, while the side bolsters and head restraints are charcoal black. Other interior highlights are a new leather gearshift knob, chrome-ringed instruments with blue needles on black dials and stainless steel door sill trim – all with the new OPC logo. Décor on the instrument panel and in the doors is available in arden blue, silver or black.

The Astra OPC was developed by engineers at the International Technical Development Center (ITDC) in Rüsselsheim in close cooperation with the OPC (Opel Performance Center) team. Between 2001 and the end of 2004, over 15,000 OPC models based on the Astra, Astra station wagon and Zafira were delivered. The new Astra OPC will be launched in the fall 2005.



Text and images can be downloaded at www.media.opel.com.

[1BadPig]

Oh, baby, this one I won't mind badge engineering into a Saturn!

[GN6]

Bye bye, ION. BYE BYE!! Don't let the door hit you in the *ss on the way out! If this car doesn't replace the ION (and soon) I'll be amazed. Yeah, I know that it's getting Cobalt-esque updates, but still, the design is hideous, it looks cheap, and it most certainly doesn't fit in with Sky and Aura.

[gmsickofan]

Hello Pontiac Vibe / Sunfire replacement?

Please?

[kmacleod]

Originally Posted by 1BadPig

Oh, baby, this one I won't mind badge engineering into a Saturn!

Can you say REDLINE?


Ken

[MelvinJ]

Notice the 2.0L TURBO? I'm betting this is a pretty close relative to what we'll see in the 2007 Solstice/Sky (turned north-south, of course).

[LAChevy24]

the thing that surprises me is that it has a 240 hp engine and can reach 100 mph in less than 7 seconds, what in the hell can 0-60 be

[MelvinJ]

Originally Posted by LAChevy24

the thing that surprises me is that it has a 240 hp engine and can reach 100 mph in less than 7 seconds, what in the hell can 0-60 be

0-100 kilometers/hour, not miles/hour. That's about 0-62.

I'm surprised it's not much faster than that. A 205 hp Cobalt is supposed to do it in about 6.0 flat. I've read that the 2.0L S/C is underrated, but I would still expect something with 240 hp to do much better than that. Maybe it's just a really conservative estimate. I suppose "under 7 seconds" could mean "5.7 seconds".

[Bravada]

If I were working for Opel's marketing and the Astra OPC did 0-100 in 5.7 seconds, I would just scream about that all around. "Under 7 seconds" probably means 6.9999 seconds when going down the hill

[driverblogger]

Saturn!

[AMcA]

AWESOME - could become the instant darling of the tuner hot-hatch crowd

Slap some Saturn badges on it NOW!

[Smilingoat]

again, this would (will?) make a great ion coupe. its just great. and it has flare that can save the saturn name/brand. im getting very excited about these cars. and the interiors seem all but flawless.

[stevecmh]

WOW, please send to America.

[tgagneguam]

It just occurred to me why I like the [Saturn] Aura so much. The face is quite reminiscent of this here car.

Like other GMIers, I think the overall look and features of this car would make for a great addition to the Saturn line. I find the 0-60 numbers a bit discouraging, though. Hopefully, GM is just being conservative. Or perhaps they had a portly engineer/test driver?

[surferdude00711]

make it a saturn!