Six weeks ago, General Motors Europe decided to reveal official photos of the upcoming Opel Astra GTC. The rakish hot-hatch is a spitting image of the GTC Paris Concept revealed last year, and shows loads of promise based on appearance alone. Today, Opel finally decided to spill the beans on just what we can expect to power the GTC, along with several technology features.
The most basic powerplant bound for the 3-door hatch will be a turbocharged 1.4-liter ECOTEC engine producing 120 hp (88 kW) and 147 lb-ft (200 Nm) of torque. Another offering of the 1.4-liter engine will give the GTC 140 horsepower, while maintaining the torque output. Above that will be an available turbocharged 1.6-liter ECOTEC with a more potent 180 horsepower. A 2.0-liter CDTI turbodiesel will be available as well, with 165 hp (121 kW) and 280 lb-ft. (380 Nm) of torque and a range that Opel claims to be as much as 1,100 km or 680 miles. All engines will be equipped with Start/Stop technology.  The GTC will also feature a HiPerStrut suspension system at the front wheels and a Watt’s-link (Z-link) suspension at the rear, promising exceptional cornering skills.
As far as new technology goes, the GTC will feature the second-generation OpelEye system, much like the new Zafira Tourer. It will be able to read traffic signs, calculate the vehicle’s following distance and feature a blind-spot indicator. The fourth-generation advanced forward lighting system is present as well, which optimizes road illumination while still sensing oncoming vehicles, and will henceforth adjust the beam range accordingly, because nobody likes the jerk driving with their high-beams on.
In case you’re wondering what was left out, the details on the OPC version of the new hatchback remain disclosed until September, when the range-topper will be revealed at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, possibly along with a convertible counterpart and Corsa-based EV.
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Comments
If Opel and Vauxhall sell almost identical vehicles why not just consolidate under one name?
The Brits are none too fond of the idea.
I would agree. Not only that, but the vehicles aren’t even “almost identical.” They ARE identicaly, save for Vauxhalls being right-hand drive and wearing a different badge.
If there ever was a brand that needed to “slowly” go away, it’s Vauxhall!
I can see how the British people would hate to see there brand replacet by a Germain brand. So why not replace it with Buick hey we are still allies right lol, and slowly you can do away with both woot! give that man a raise!
Why can’t we not have this instead of the sonic…This car looks amazing!
Now that would be a nice car to compete with the Ford Fiesta or Focus! I agree Why not this instead of the Chevy “Mazda/VW” looking Sonic! Then again Why not just make the Soltice Coupe and call it a Chevy!
Guys, the car is a whole segment size larger than the Sonic/Aveo and is more along the size of the Chevrolet Cruze.The B-segment model offering from Opel is called the Corsa.
And the Corsa shares the Gamma II platform with the new Aveo/Sonic.
I was just going to say they build the
Astra on the Delta II platform.
Length (174.0 in) / Width (71.4 in) / Height (58.5 in).
The Sonic is built on Gamma II platform.
Length (173.1 in) (4-door) & (159 in) (5-door) Width (68.3 in) Height (59.7 in)
Then how about the Corsa? Just change the front bumper – the 2 would be an ocean apart, and the Corsa is a good looking car too, like the Astra.