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GTC TO OPC: Opel’s very stylish new Astra GTC concept. With boy-racer paraphernalia and 213kW, expect the OPC version to be a hot hatch of note.
If you are a hot hatch fan, you’ll know Opel revealed its new GTC at the Paris auto show a month ago.
Amongst showgoers talk immediately turned to whether there would indeed be a high-performance OPC version of the stylish three-door.
Although Opel’s Rüsselsheim engineers have been responsible for most of the new Astra's design the company is understood to be consulting with dynamic tuning experts at Lotus with regards to final validation for its OPC model.
Opel's Focus RS killer
The new OPC will be powered by 213kW of twin-scroll 2l turbo technology.
Lotus engineering, considered the experts in vehicle dynamics, has been tasked to quell any torque-steer issues with the new OPC.
Following much the same design philosophy that enabled Ford to sign-off its Focus RS with 224kW and front-wheel drive, Lotus are agitating for a traditional mechanical limited-slip differential (instead of an ABS intervention system) to help Opel’s new OPC deliver its power with a remnant of control.
GM’s patented hyperstrut front suspension configuration (shortening the spindle length and front-wheel kingpin offset) should enact a similar dynamic to Ford’s RevoKnuckle, thereby ensuring as pure a level of feedback via the helm as possible – even under full power.
With Opel’s long-standing relationship consulting on dynamic engineering issues with Lotus (and the latter’s stellar reputation), the new Astra OPC should be an outstanding evolution of Rüsselsheim’s hot hatch heritage.
Opel second generation Astra OPC is expected to debut in Europe in just before the end of this year.
Amongst showgoers talk immediately turned to whether there would indeed be a high-performance OPC version of the stylish three-door.
Although Opel’s Rüsselsheim engineers have been responsible for most of the new Astra's design the company is understood to be consulting with dynamic tuning experts at Lotus with regards to final validation for its OPC model.
Opel's Focus RS killer
The new OPC will be powered by 213kW of twin-scroll 2l turbo technology.
Lotus engineering, considered the experts in vehicle dynamics, has been tasked to quell any torque-steer issues with the new OPC.
Following much the same design philosophy that enabled Ford to sign-off its Focus RS with 224kW and front-wheel drive, Lotus are agitating for a traditional mechanical limited-slip differential (instead of an ABS intervention system) to help Opel’s new OPC deliver its power with a remnant of control.
GM’s patented hyperstrut front suspension configuration (shortening the spindle length and front-wheel kingpin offset) should enact a similar dynamic to Ford’s RevoKnuckle, thereby ensuring as pure a level of feedback via the helm as possible – even under full power.
With Opel’s long-standing relationship consulting on dynamic engineering issues with Lotus (and the latter’s stellar reputation), the new Astra OPC should be an outstanding evolution of Rüsselsheim’s hot hatch heritage.
Opel second generation Astra OPC is expected to debut in Europe in just before the end of this year.
