Motor Authority - blog Tag: OPC

With Opel’s new Astra now out in the open, attention can turn to variants other than the regular five-door Hatchback that’s been plastered all over the web in recent months. While a new Wagon and stylish Cabrio have already been speculated on, new reports indicate the sporty three-door hatch will also make a return but time around it will be much more agressively styled than the regular five-door.

Speaking with Autocar at the launch of the new Insigna OPC, the Astra's chief designer, Malcolm Ward, revealed that the sports hatch would feature a far more rakish and lower profile than the current model and would arrive on the... With Opel’s new Astra now out in the open, attention can turn to variants other than the regular five-door Hatchback that’s been plastered all over the web in recent months. While a new Wagon and stylish Cabrio have already been speculated on, new reports indicate the sporty three-door hatch will also make a return but time around it will be much more agressively styled than the regular five-door. Speaking with Autocar at the launch of the new Insigna OPC, the Astra's chief designer, Malcolm Ward, revealed that the sports hatch would feature a far more rakish and lower profile than the current model and would arrive on the market in 2011. The car will also spawn a high-performance OPC (VXR) variant, though details on this model are yet to be confirmed. OPC, which stands for ‘Opel Performance Center,’ is the name given to models developed by Opel’s official in-house tuner and typically feature minor engine and handling mods as well as styling and performance upgrades such as bigger wheels and sporty bodykits. Opel's designers will be building upon more than 600 hours of wind tunnel testing that went into the regular five-door model to ensure the new sports hatch is much more aerodynamic. Opel is taking the economy gains that can be had from better aerodynamics very seriously and utilized a number of new design touches to improve efficiency. The front bumper, for example, will be angled to direct air past the wheel and on to the side of the car. There will also be sculpted areas around the rear lights to reduce the pool of air that gathers behind hatchbacks, cutting drag. The new Astra is crucial for Opel as it will need to recover market share lost by the current model to Ford’s strong-selling Focus hatch as well as fend off the Fiesta compact, and with a number of new and exciting variants in the works it may just accomplish this goal.2010 Opel Astra Read More

Following last month’s reveal of the 325hp (242kW) Opel Insignia OPC comes the wagon or ‘Sports Tourer’ version, which is set to go on sale in Opel and Vauxhall showrooms in the second half of the year. Like its sedan counterpart, the OPC Sports Tourer comes packing the same twin-turbocharged powerplant, sophisticated AWD chassis and a sub-six second 0-60mph time.

For the uninitiated, OPC, which stands for Opel Performance Center, is the name given to models developed by GM’s official in-house tuner in Europe, and in the past has been used for cars like the Astra and compact Corsa hatchbacks. OPC models are rebadged... Following last month’s reveal of the 325hp (242kW) Opel Insignia OPC comes the wagon or ‘Sports Tourer’ version, which is set to go on sale in Opel and Vauxhall showrooms in the second half of the year. Like its sedan counterpart, the OPC Sports Tourer comes packing the same twin-turbocharged powerplant, sophisticated AWD chassis and a sub-six second 0-60mph time. For the uninitiated, OPC, which stands for Opel Performance Center, is the name given to models developed by GM’s official in-house tuner in Europe, and in the past has been used for cars like the Astra and compact Corsa hatchbacks. OPC models are rebadged as VXRs when sold under the UK’s Vauxhall brand. The only discernable difference between the sedan and Sports Tourer is the extra storage space of the wagon body, which offers 540L of load space with the 40:60 split rear seats up and 1,530L when folded down. The Insignia OPC is the first model from the performance division to be offered with AWD and is available in sedan, hatch and Sports Tourer wagon bodystyles. Highlights are a ‘HiPerStrut’ (High Performance Strut) front suspension system, an adaptable AWD system with an electronic Limited Slip Differential and a 10mm reduction in ride height over the standard Insignia. The HiPerStrut system is unique to the OPC model and serves two primary functions: firstly, to reduce torque-steer, but also to maintain negative camber during cornering, thereby improving ultimate grip levels in wet or dry conditions. Drive comes from a 2.8L V6 turbocharged engine rated at 325hp (242kW), which is enough to send the car from 0-60mph in 5.8 seconds and an electronically controlled top speed of 155mph. Complementing these features are standard 19in alloy wheels (20in lightweight forged alloys are optional), revised bushing and damper settings on both axles, and Brembo brakes with color-keyed calipers and vented and cross-drilled discs. The sporting theme continues inside with Recaro front seats, a new steering wheel, gearknob and unique moldings, as well as different instrument graphics and sill plates.2009 Opel (Vauxhall) Insignia wagon2010 Opel Insignia OPC (Vauxhall Insignia VXR)2010 Opel Insignia OPC Sports Tourer (Vauxhall Insignia VXR) Read More

Packing 325hp (242kW), a sophisticated AWD chassis and a sub-six second 0-60mph time, Opel’s new Insignia OPC is set to take the midsize performance saloon market by storm when it goes on sale in the middle of the year. OPC, which stands for ‘Opel Performance Center,’ is the name given to models developed by GM’s official in-house tuner in Europe, and in the past has been used for cars like the Astra and compact Corsa hatchbacks.

OPC cars typically feature minor engine and handling mods as well as styling and performance upgrades such as bigger wheels and sporty bodykits. In the UK, the car will be known as the... Packing 325hp (242kW), a sophisticated AWD chassis and a sub-six second 0-60mph time, Opel’s new Insignia OPC is set to take the midsize performance saloon market by storm when it goes on sale in the middle of the year. OPC, which stands for ‘Opel Performance Center,’ is the name given to models developed by GM’s official in-house tuner in Europe, and in the past has been used for cars like the Astra and compact Corsa hatchbacks. OPC cars typically feature minor engine and handling mods as well as styling and performance upgrades such as bigger wheels and sporty bodykits. In the UK, the car will be known as the Vauxhall Insignia VXR. The new Insignia OPC is the first model from the performance division to be offered with AWD and is available in hatch, saloon, and wagon bodystyles. Highlights are a ‘HiPerStrut’ (High Performance Strut) front suspension system, an adaptable AWD system with an electronic Limited Slip Differential and a 10mm reduction in ride height over the standard Insignia. The HiPerStrut system is unique to the OPC model and serves two primary functions: firstly, to reduce torque-steer, but also to maintain negative camber during cornering, thereby improving ultimate grip levels in wet or dry conditions. Complementing these features are standard 19in alloy wheels (20in lightweight forged alloys are optional), revised bushing and damper settings on both axles, and Brembo brakes with color-keyed calipers and vented and cross-drilled discs. Drive comes from a 2.8L V6 turbocharged engine rated at 325hp (242kW), which is enough to send the car from 0-60mph in 5.8 seconds and an electronically controlled top speed of 155mph. The sporting theme continues inside with Recaro front seats, a new steering wheel, gearknob and unique moldings, as well as different instrument graphics and sill plates.2010 Opel Insignia OPC (Vauxhall Insignia VXR) Read More

We’ve seen a number of prototypes for the upcoming OPC Opel Insignia sedan and Sports Tourer wagon in the past 12 months but this is the first time that we have seen the car in its almost production ready state. OPC, which stands for ‘Opel Performance Center,’ is the name given to models developed by GM’s official in-house tuner in Europe, and in the past has been used for cars like the Astra and compact Corsa hatchbacks.

OPC cars typically feature minor engine and handling mods as well as styling and performance upgrades such as bigger wheels and sporty bodykits. In the UK, the car will likely be known as the... We’ve seen a number of prototypes for the upcoming OPC Opel Insignia sedan and Sports Tourer wagon in the past 12 months but this is the first time that we have seen the car in its almost production ready state. OPC, which stands for ‘Opel Performance Center,’ is the name given to models developed by GM’s official in-house tuner in Europe, and in the past has been used for cars like the Astra and compact Corsa hatchbacks. OPC cars typically feature minor engine and handling mods as well as styling and performance upgrades such as bigger wheels and sporty bodykits. In the UK, the car will likely be known as the Vauxhall Insignia VXR. The oversized wheels and cross-drilled brake discs of this latest prototype suggest there will be some serious performance modifications implemented by Opel’s engineers this time around. A V6 badge at the rear of previous prototypes, meanwhile, confirms that the 260hp (194kW) 2.8L engine from the standard model will also be used in the OPC, however, the addition of a turbocharger system could boost power levels beyond 300hp (225kW). Previous reports suggest that a new AWD system will be fitted to the car to improve handling, while stiffer suspension and an uprated steering system will also improve track performance. The expected AWD system is the same torque-splitting electronic differential used by Saab for its 9-3 Turbo X. With rumors the Insignia could be heading Stateside as the 2010 Buick Regal, there’s now a chance that this high-performance OPC model could be offered in the U.S. as well - let’s keep our fingers crossed.Opel Insignia OPC with Brembo brakes spy shots2010 Opel Insignia Sports Tourer OPC Read More

The Astra hatch is approaching the end of its product cycle, but in the lead up to the arrival of an all-new model later this year Opel has seen fit to release one more special edition based on the sporty Coupe. Using last year’s 300hp (225kW) Nurburgring 24 Astra endurance race car as its inspiration, Opel’s official in-house tuner OPC has taken the Astra and beefed it up to ‘Race Camp’ spec.

Set to go on sale later this month in Europe, the Astra OPC Race Camp is fitted with a 240hp (179kW) 2.0L turbocharged engine and is priced from €27,999. Matched to a standard six-speed manual transmission, the compact... The Astra hatch is approaching the end of its product cycle, but in the lead up to the arrival of an all-new model later this year Opel has seen fit to release one more special edition based on the sporty Coupe. Using last year’s 300hp (225kW) Nurburgring 24 Astra endurance race car as its inspiration, Opel’s official in-house tuner OPC has taken the Astra and beefed it up to ‘Race Camp’ spec. Set to go on sale later this month in Europe, the Astra OPC Race Camp is fitted with a 240hp (179kW) 2.0L turbocharged engine and is priced from €27,999. Matched to a standard six-speed manual transmission, the compact engine will send the hotted-up Astra from 0-100km/h in a little over six seconds and see it go all the way to a top speed of 244km/h. The car is also fitted with a bodykit based on a similar design used to that on the race car, and to further distinguish it against the regular fleet of Astras is a unique white paint scheme with a black chequered flag logo. Other modifications include a sports suspension set-up, Recaro bucket seats, and 18in wheels (19in optional). If you’re wondering, the Race Camp name is actually derived from a driver training program run by OPC in Europe. This year’s event saw more than 22,000 drivers participate, and from this field one lucky driver will be picked to compete in the Nurburgring 24 endurance challenge in a new Astra OPC race car this May.Opel Astra OPC Race Camp Read More

We’ve seen a number of prototypes for the upcoming OPC Opel Insignia sedan in the past 12 months but this is the first time that we have come across the Sports Tourer wagon version of the car. OPC, which stands for ‘Opel Performance Center,’ is the name given to models developed by GM’s official in-house tuner in Europe.

OPC cars typically feature minor engine and handling mods as well as styling and performance upgrades such as bigger wheels and sporty bodykits. In the UK, the car will likely be known as the Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer VXR.

The oversized wheels and cross-drilled brake discs of this latest... We’ve seen a number of prototypes for the upcoming OPC Opel Insignia sedan in the past 12 months but this is the first time that we have come across the Sports Tourer wagon version of the car. OPC, which stands for ‘Opel Performance Center,’ is the name given to models developed by GM’s official in-house tuner in Europe. OPC cars typically feature minor engine and handling mods as well as styling and performance upgrades such as bigger wheels and sporty bodykits. In the UK, the car will likely be known as the Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer VXR. The oversized wheels and cross-drilled brake discs of this latest prototype suggest that this is a new performance variant of the standard Insignia. The latest images also reveal the car will feature a Brembo developed brake package. A V6 badge at the rear of the car, meanwhile, confirms that the 260hp (194kW) 2.8L engine from the standard model will also be used in the OPC, however, the addition of a turbocharger system could boost power levels beyond 300hp (225kW). Previous reports suggest that a new AWD system will be fitted to the car to improve handling, while stiffer suspension and an uprated steering system will also improve track performance. The expected AWD system is the same torque-splitting electronic differential used by Saab for its 9-3 Turbo X. With rumors the Insignia could be heading Stateside as the 2010 Buick Regal, there’s now a chance that this high-performance OPC Sports Tourer, as well as its sedan sibling, could be offered in the U.S. as well.2009 Opel-Vauxhall Insignia OPC2009 Opel (Vauxhall) Insignia wagon2010 Opel Insignia Sports Tourer OPC Read More