Hot Opel Astra OPC / Vauxhall Astra VXR gets 280 Ponies, on Sale in 2012

It’s finally official; the production version of the most powerful model in the new Astra GTC range that will be marketed as the Opel Astra OPC in mainland Europe and as the Vauxhall Astra VXR in Britain. These pictures show the Vauxhall model but the styling and the performance specifications are common between the two Astra GTC-based hot hatches.
Power is derived from a new 2.0-litre turbocharged direct injection four-cylinder engine capable of 280-horsepower and 400Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque that are channeled to the front wheels via 6-speed manual gearbox and a specially developed mechanical limited slip differential.
These numbers bring the flagship Astra GTC straight into Volkswagen Golf R and Scirocco R turf.
GM's European division said that the Astra OPC / Astra VXR can reach a top speed of 155mph (250km/h) but did not give out a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time.
The hottest Astra also benefits from a raft of bespoke chassis mods including Brembo brakes and a retuned suspension with the firm's fully adaptive FlexRide system that features three settings: Normal, Sport and VXR/OPC, with the latter promising more focused stages of damper, throttle and steering control.
The company highlights the fact that much of the chassis development was done at the infamous Nordschleife and was overseen by Le Mans 24-hour race winner, Jo Winkelhock who stated: “We have devised a great package that will convince even the most experienced and enthusiastic drivers – and not just on the Nürburgring!”
On the styling front, the automaker's designers opted for sleek visual identifiers such as the new sculpted front and rear bumpers, side skirts, a roof spoiler and two prominent exhaust tail pipes in a trapezoid shape.
The interior gains a pair of scrumptious sport bucket seats with embossed logos in the backs, a flat-bottomed and thick-rimmed sports steering wheel and upgraded instrument panels.
For more details and on-sale dates, we'll have to wait until early next year. And because we're pretty sure that some will pop the question, despite recent rumors about Buick getting the Astra GTC, GM has not made any official comments on the matter.

PHOTO GALLERY

Opel Astra New Set Images

Did the papers have something significant to them about the car or do they just use them to block our view?

That is the head designer Marc van der Haegen Astra and Laszlo Kreth, technical coordinator at the new Astra project, doing the best strip tease to show the next generation model.

Opel will offer a version of the body's upcoming Astra several styles, including three-door hatch, which inspired the name of the GTC coupe, four-door sedan, wagon, coupe / convertible and, of course, the standard five-door hatch.

Opel designers and engineers believe quality execution also must be matched by what the customer sees and feels. Such perceptual quality is particularly important in the interior, where the appearance and tactile properties of all materials must be on a par with their high standard of fit and finish.

The quality of the materials used in the new Astra is evident in such things as the grained, soft-touch surfaces, the textured panels, the quality of the décor, the chrome trim elements, and the feel of operating buttons and switches.

Quality in execution, quality in the materials used and quality as perceived by the customer add up to the new Opel Astra’s upscale appearance. Together they deliver the sculptural artistry and German precision of Opel’s new design language.

New Astra is based on the same architecture with the Chevy Volt, but it will not come as a plug-in or hybrid standards, at least not at first. New will be a / 1.4-liter, turbocharged gasoline engine with various power output of gasoline. A streamlining of the first initiated by VW with a 1.4-liter turbo engine itself, with many cars in Europe are now offering a turbocharged 1.4-liter or a 1.6 naturally aspirated powerplants instead of 2.0 liters.

Opel implants will most likely be booked for 2.0-liter version of OPC (or VRX for Vauxhall Astra) to rival the Golf GTI and other hot hatch, the engine is currently available in 240 hp turbo configuration.