While the Opel Astra K continues to rack up awards, European Car of the Year as only one example, the brand is busy sorting out the next OPC variant of the vehicle for hot hatches enthusiasts.
According to Left Lane News, the go-fast guys inside OPC are looking to push 300 hp from the next Astra OPC, which will arrive exclusively in four-door format. That would mean an increase of 20 ponies over the current Astra OPC.
The next Astra OPC will likely retain a manual gearbox, but also offer an automatic option, too. Earlier reports also stated a decrease in displacement to a 1.6-liter turbo-four over the current 2.0-liter turbo-four. But, hey, if more power is involved, we’re sure Opel knows what it’s doing.
German sources also indicate Opel is looking into a hopped up station wagon, too. The Astra Sports Tourer could be tapped, and also receive the OPC treatment as well.
Per standard OPC styling, the Astra and rumored Astra Sports Tourer would be treated to a wider body, exclusive, sporting wheels and other performance cues to complete the package. The report states a 2018 introduction for the performance vehicles, but we doubt local Buick will be in on any of the fun.
Comments
2018 is bad thing. when gm wants stay competition they must built 1.6 liter 300hp (+) newschool hothats. 300hp 1.6 l today number 1. peugeot have 1.6 l 270hp couple yeras. i like awd but good fwd not bad to. we will see. i think they want to see what built RENAULT sport team (megane RS).
golf r is many years old then when opc comes. 2018 must come new golf ahhaaaa.
autobild informatsion and teaser. this car must be very fast then he not die and super quality. today is .
http://www.autobild.de/artikel/opel-astra-opc-2018-vorschau-8753707.html
The HP is no issue as GM has already done this with the LNF with the Turbo upgrade. It is not so much the power but the torque they can make as the Solstice with the upgrade saw 340 FT LBS.
The real issue is getting the power to the ground. Contrary to popular myth FWD does not provide more traction. The weight transfer moves to the rear of the car as you launch and it unloads the front wheels. It is the one complaint I hold on my Turbo Chevy with right at 300 HP. I can spin tires at will rolling too up to 50 MPH to the point the wastegate opens and the traction control light has come on at 55 MPH. Launch control just slows you down too.
The key for Opel is to get this power to the ground. Adding AWD is an option but the price of the car already will not be cheap and that would add more. The Ford AWD Turbo is over $40K here in the states now. Neat car but for that kind of money a Mustang and Camaro has more appeal.
I think this is just what Buick needs if they want to bring in younger buyers. It is something that would not compete head to head with Chevy or Cadillac. It also could be priced a little higher than a Chevy and offer the right things to make it work here. This could be a GTI killer for America.
There is just no reason to bring in a limited group of these and just call them GSX or some other Buick performance name. There is a segment here that could go for this car and with the Opel doing the heavy lifting in sales the pressure is off Buick here. Sell 2500-5000 and let it go at that. Buick needs the hatch here anyways.
Small point Scott, but the Vauxhall brand actually does the heavy lifting for GME’s OPC/VXR range. The UK alone accounts for over 60% of combined European, Australian and South African sales.
gti rival not good thing. but today fwd cars is so good. old astra opc is to good. just i like to awd. but many awd cars not good to. golf r not briliant and many fwd cars this class goes better. but awd is all conditions grip and this is good thing ihhiii.
wheel spinn is bad thing and this i dont like. wheel spin and smoke is bad but some childrens