Earlier this year, the Opel Astra GTC was put through its paces by the core chassis team in the car’s final testing stage — which is usually the most fun of all testing phases for the vehicle’s design and development team. And from the looks of it, this particular test didn’t disappoint in pushing the car to its limits on some beautiful but challenging roads in Wales, in the UK.
In this video, we hear from Astra GTC chief designer Andrew Dyson, who is quick to point out that the GTC is different from the 5-door Astra in that all surfaces are completely new (even though both share the awesome Delta II platform). We also hear from chief chassis engineers, including Gerry Baker of Vauxhall Vehicle Dynamics, who highlights the extra level of driver involvement — such as the extra variety of forces coming into the suspension system at once partly thanks to the HiperStrut setup — provided by the three-door hatch, making for a very rewarding driver experience.
Notably, Baker points out that the GTC makes the driver feel like a really good driver, since most drivers need the car to work with them to flatter their piloting skills.
At the end of the day, the GTC’s dynamic performance matches its dynamic looks — and the video couldn’t be a more perfect blend of capturing a beautiful machine on gorgeous (closed to the public) pavement; in fact, a part of the road where this video was shot is used in the British Rally Championship race.
So sit back with a nice cup of your favorite beverage and enjoy the 10-minute-long clip:
Comments
This car may be too sporty to be a Buick. Its more of a Chevy or Cadillac. The suspension seems to be so well engineered, it would be a shame to change it to suit Buick customers. It should be brought to the US with little change as possible.
Personally, I’d love to see a 3-door Chevy Cruze with some of these characteristics; not a Chevy-badged GTC, but a true Cruze with this tech… and — over time — move Opel upmarket into a space that doesn’t demand the kinds of vehicles like the GTC.
Ernie I was thinking the samething I like Opels as they are. I don’t see how GM can bring them here that way. Now that they have alliend Opel with Buick.
I honestly would consider buying this car
Honestly it seems like a perfect Pontiac, a lot of the opels seem that way
I own one of these, a 2 litre turbo diesel, with 19″ wheels and the vxr styling pack, its a very nice drive indeed, the only car that matches it for styling is the insignia ( the 2012 Buick Verano), i doubt you guys would get a true 3-door Chevy Cruze, as GM uses cross platform car manufacturing, you might get a re-skinned version, but why opal/vauxhall wont sell as is in the states is another thing.
I’m confident we’ll never see it or anything like in US. It’s too nice.