Opel/Vauxhall will launch the new Astra OPC at the next Geneva International Motor Show (March 8-18), but one of the very first definitive models of this new sporty variation of Opel’s hatchback was on display as a ’surprise guest’ at a recent event in Palma de Maiorca, Spain, which had been organized to promote the ‘regular’ Astra GTC. Opel had already released a few official pictures of this car before, but these are the first ‘live’ pics of a model that will be officially unveiled in Switzerland in a few months and will enter the market in Summer 2012. The Astra OPC is actually based on the GTC, but it is pushed by a powerful turbocharged 2.0-litre direct injection unit delivering an impressive 280 hp and 400 Nm of maximum torque.

Aesthetically, the OPC can be recognized by the specifically designed front bumper, side skirts, rear spoiler and the trapezoid-shaped exhaust tips. In the cabin there are new sports seats, exclusive OPC steering wheel and a re-designed instrument cluster. Probably more interesting is the a specially developed mechanical limited-slip differential, that will help the driver to handle all that power.

Astra OPC’s standard equipment include ventilated discs braking system by Brembo, specifically adjusted HiPerStrut suspension and the fully-adaptive FlexRide chassis control system, that lets drivers sharpen the characteristic shock absorber line, the steering and also the gas pedal responsiveness by simply touching “Sport” and “OPC” buttons. However, the only performance figure officially confirmed so far is its top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph). The Astra OPC will be marketed in the UK as Vauxhall Astra VXR.

Photos | Charlie Magee

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Opel has released images and technical details of the new Astra OPC, a version based on the GTC model and powered by a turbocharged 2.0 direct injection petrol engine. Engineers from Opel Performance Center provided the car with 280 hp and 400 Nm of maximum torque, giving it 250 km/h of top speed. No Astra ever went that fast before. In order to handle all that power, this version of the German compact car is equipped with HiPerStrut (High Performance Strut) front-wheel suspension, FlexRide active chassis, Brembo braking system and limited slip differential.

The FlexRide active chassis allows the driver to adjust the shock absorber line, the steering and the gas pedal responsiveness with the touch of a “Sport” and an “OPC” button. Aesthetically, the new Astra can be easily recognized by the new bumpers, the wider side skirts, the rear spoiler and the two trapezoid-shaped exhaust end cans. Highlights of the cabin are the sports seats, sporty leather steering wheel and specifically designed instrumentation.

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Official pics of the Opel Astra GTC being taken have allowed for spy shots to leak to the internet, published by the French site Autoplus. The three-door Astra is based on the Paris GTC Concept from last year’s show in that city, and is hotly anticipated as a sporty new model from Opel.

The Astra GTC should measure 4.46 metres when it hits the market, which is 17cm more than the current model. Engine options should include 1.4 and 1.6 Turbo units, and a 2.0 CDTI. The performance Astra OPC version will probably get a 2.0-litre turbo engine with about 290 hp which should appear in 2012.

The Opel Astra GTC should complete the Astra range along with a cabriolet. We saw a rendering of the Astra Cabriolet recently and this model should appear in 2013. Not early enough for us to provide some competition to the relaunched Golf Cabriolet but we’ll be keen to see it when it does get here.

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The Vauxhall Astra VXR (or Opel Astra OPC), shows more than just shades of the sexy hatch-coupé Opel GTC concept we saw at the Paris show last year. Autocar has got its hands on some details, including these two rendered images, and is saying that the new model should be competing with the Renault Sport Megane 250.

The new Astra OPC will get a boost in power, up 50 hp to nearly 300 hp. Some local UK development work has also been carried out to give it a new track chassis. This is designed to keep in step with the Megane 250 and the upcoming Ford Focus ST. The design is clearly as close as Opel wanted to get to its Paris concept, and the renderings are said to be an accurate rendition of the model, possibly produced for promotional material.

In fact, if these pics are to be believed, the Astra OPC is very faithful to the Paris concept, although we had originally expected Opel to go less radical. While it’s clearly an Opel design, some of the more exaggerated features look like they will be included: the door handle creases running to the rear, and the sculpted hatch part for example. The kind of curvy style of the Opel Astra GTC has been achieved through advances in technology that have managed to produce a design that would have otherwise been impossible.

Continue reading: Opel Astra OPC images leaked

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