Opel has officially unveiled the fastest member of the new-generation Corsa lineup, the 2015 Corsa OPC, ahead of its in-person debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Photos of the hot hatchback leaked online earlier this week, however Opel’s official announcement comes complete with all the details on the “athlete” of the automaker’s small car family.
The Nurburgring-tested hatch is powered by Opel’s 208 horsepower 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The unit produces 180 lb-ft of torque between 1,900 and 5,800 rpm, and is capable of churning out as much as 202 lb-ft when the car’s overboost function is used. Sending power through a six-speed manual transmission, the engine enables the Corsa OPC to accelerate from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 230 km/h (142 mph).
A heavily reworked exterior ensures consumers don’t mistake the Corsa OPC for anything other than a product from the Opel Performance Center. The redesigned front fascia incorporates large aluminum-framed openings below the headlights, which Opel says are a nod to the Astra OPC. There’s also a small intake vent just in front of the hood (no word on if it’s functional), a rear diffuser housing dual exhausts, and the choice of two rear hatch spoilers, one being bigger than the other for additional downforce.
Further changes were also made to the Corsa’s chassis in moving to the high-performance OPC model. The Corsa OPC sits 10mm lower than non-OPC models and boasts a new Traction and Electronic Stability control system with selectable modes, including a sporty “Competition Mode.” Opel also worked with suspension company Koni to develop a new “Frequency Selective Damping” system (FSD), which self-adjusts based on the driving situation to balance between “uncompromising athleticism and an adequate level of comfort,” the automaker says.
If all that isn’t enough, Opel is offering up even more performance to Corsa OPC buyers with a special Performance Package. This replaces the standard 17-inch wheels with special 18-inch OPC units, adds a Drexler mechanical multi-disc differential and tightens up the chassis settings a bit. The package also trades in the standard 308mm OPC front performance brakes for 330mm Brembos.
Pricing and further details on the 2015 Corsa OPC should become available following the car’s debut at the Geneva Motor Show on March 5th.
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