In Europe it will go up against the likes of the Volkswagen Scirocco and Renault Megane Coupe but here in the U.S. we could envision it as a stylish competitor to the upcoming Ford Focus ST.
This isn’t your average Astra like the one sold by Saturn in recent times. The new Opel Astra GTC is wider, sleeker and sits much lower than its predecessor, and it’s set to receive a range of new four-cylinder engines as well as a high-performance OPC edition.
Even in entry-level trim, the Astra GTC adopts the sophisticated front suspension from the 325 horsepower Insignia OPC, featuring Opel’s HiPerStrut (High Performance Strut), as well as a Watt’s link rear axle.
The HiPerStrut uses the existing attachment points from the regular Opel Astra, and has a reduced kingpin inclination and a shorter spindle length. This reduces levels of torque-steer in the front-wheel drive hatch, but also improves grip, steering precision and feedback. You might recall that a similar setup is destined for the Buick Regal GS.
Also aiding handling is an adaptive suspension system with Standard, Tour and Sport modes, as well as 18-inch alloy wheels.
Four different engine options will initially be available, three gasoline units and one diesel. All are a turbocharged and come matched to a six-speed manual as standard. The most powerful engine in the range is a 1.6-liter gasoline unit with 180 horsepower on tap, but as mentioned a more powerful OPC version is set to debut next year.
We’ll bring you live shots of the new Opel Astra GTC direct from its debut in Frankfurt this September, and hopefully one day we see the stylish three-door hatch in local Buick showrooms as well.
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