Press Release
High-Performance Compact Sports Car with Great Looks
- 177 kW/240 hp 2.0-liter turbo engine with 320 Nm torque
- IDSPlus with CDC electronic damping control as standard
- Zero - 100 km/h acceleration in 6.4 seconds, top speed 244 km/h
The Astra OPC's driving dynamics keep the promise made by its eye-catching looks. With acceleration from zero to 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds and a maximum speed of 244 km/h, its driving performance rivals that of a sports car. The sporty three-door model is powered by a 177 kW/240 hp 2.0-liter gasoline turbo engine coupled to a six-speed manual transmission. Maximum torque of 320 Newton meters ensures strong pulling power, even at low engine speeds. With fuel consumption of 9.2 liters per 100 kilometers, the Astra OPC is remarkably efficient considering its powerful driving performance.
This new model marks Opel's continuing commitment to its successful OPC product line. Around 19,000 of the previous OPC models based on the Astra, Astra Station Wagon and Zafira were sold between 2001 and June 2005. Additional OPC models are planned, such as the Zafira OPC, which will be presented by the end of the year.
Design: Powerful and performance-oriented
The new Opel Astra OPC is based on the Astra GTC - a real challenge for the design team headed by Ulli Hochmuth, as the original three-door model already features a very dynamic appearance. The new Astra OPC's design is even more emphatic, reflecting the OPC design philosophy - uncompromising sportiness in a distinctive design language that is as aesthetically sophisticated as it is technically efficient.
The front of the Astra OPC is dominated by a deep front spoiler with a large, central engine cooling-air intake flanked by fog lamps in spot-light design. Unlike the vane design used in the Astra GTC, the OPC has honeycomb openings and intakes in the front spoiler and radiator grille.
The rear of the Astra OPC is also unmistakable, defined by the distinctive rear spoiler and centrally located trapezoidal tailpipe, a characteristic styling element of the OPC design language. The most striking features of the side view are the door sills, which are more prominent than those of the GTC, as well as the blue brake calipers. The OPC color arden blue as well as star silver, sapphire black and magma red have been chosen for the exterior.
The ergonomically optimized Recaro sport seats are an excellent example of the high-quality materials and meticulous workmanship in the interior. There are two standard fabric/leather color combinations to choose from (blue/black and silver/black); a complete leather variant (black) is available as an option. Customers can also choose décor strips in anthracite, silver or blue, individually combining them with the interior colors.
The cockpit is sporty and sophisticated, boasting matte chrome-ringed instruments with special graphics, a three-spoke, leather-covered sport steering wheel, leather-covered gearshift lever, door sill trims in OPC design as well as aluminum pedals.
Sporty, 240 hp four-valve turbo engine
The Astra OPC's 177 kW/240 hp 2.0-liter engine is the latest and to date most powerful version of the so-called "Family II" ECOTEC engine generation. With its 240 hp, the Opel Astra OPC is the most powerful four-cylinder front-wheel drive car in the compact class. Compared to the 147 kW/200 hp version of the 2.0-liter ECOTEC engine, the OPC engine features a number of significant modifications, including oil-spray cooling and modified rings for the aluminum-silicon forged pistons, a pressure-optimized turbocharger, an intercooler with increased flow rate as well as larger fuel injection nozzles. A reduction of the engine rotating mass is achieved through elimination of the balance shafts, significantly contributing to the engine's liveliness and responsiveness.
One of the most striking features of the four-valve engine is the integral turbocharger system. This solution, first introduced in a production model by Opel in 1992 in the Calibra Turbo, combines the exhaust manifold, turbo housing and wastegate into one single assembly. The integral turbocharger system is not only lighter and more compact than conventional designs, it also makes a key contribution to the engine's performance: the shortened gas flow paths between the turbine and the engine, as well as the use of a low-inertia turbine, result in what is known as high "low-end torque", an engine operating characteristic in which the torque curve rises steeply from idle speed, ensuring immediate response to even the smallest load changes.
This means that the engine reaches its maximum torque of 320 Nm at 2400 rpm, with this torque figure remaining available up to 5000 rpm. The engine reaches its 177 kW/240 hp performance peak at 5600 rpm. Gas pedal movements are registered electronically ("drive-by-wire") and mechanically implemented by a butterfly throttle actuating motor. The electronic engine management system features high-precision hot film air mass measurement, sequential fuel injection as well as separate-coil ignition with cylinder-selective knock control.
IDSPlus adaptive chassis control as standard
The Astra OPC's state-of-the-art chassis technology contributes to its excellent driving performance. The combination of McPherson-strut front suspension and torsion-beam rear axle is supplemented by the adaptive chassis control system IDSPlus as standard. In terms of ride comfort and active safety, IDSPlus, which networks all driving dynamics systems via CAN data busses, has redefined driving dynamics in the compact class.
The chassis has an uncompromisingly sporty and dynamic character. A number of modifications were made compared to the Astra GTC, including lowering the body by an additional 15 millimeters, firmer spring and shock absorber rates, as well as additional springs in the suspension struts to further reduce body-roll. All this is complemented by stabilizer bearings with higher preload and reduced friction as well as adjusted steering-knuckle geometry - measures that enhance roll-prevention and enable a more sensitive steering response, thus contributing to neutral self-steering reactions and higher handling precision.
The hydroforming process used by Opel, with which certain chassis components are pressed into shape using high hydraulic pressure, enables the use of a torsion-beam rear axle with double-walled U section, as well as efficient design of the wheel carrier assembly. This in turn allows for exact chassis tuning while retaining the advantages of a conventional torsion-beam rear axle (compactness, low weight, high camber stiffness).
The Astra OPC's 17-inch, high-performance brake system, with internally ventilated front disks (diameter 321 x 28 mm) and solid disks at the rear (278 x 10 mm), provides powerful deceleration, durability and feel. The electro-hydraulic power steering features a specific OPC set-up to ensure best-possible road contact and precise response.
The Astra OPC's chassis concept is complemented by the electronic control system IDSPlus with integrated Electronic Stability Program ESPPlus, Traction Control TCPlus, Understeer Control Logic UCL, ABS, brake assist and Continuous Damping Control CDC, a technology previously only found in luxury and exclusive sports cars. The CDC system precisely and continuously adjusts the shock absorbers to ideally adapt to prevailing road conditions, vehicle movements and driving style, thus ensuring highest possible suspension comfort and optimal road grip. For even sportier handling, the driver can select the "SportSwitch" mode, which gives the shock absorbers, steering and gas pedal a more direct set-up. ESPPlus can be deactivated by the driver if it is not required.
The Astra OPC has undergone a rigorous development program, including numerous test drives at the Opel Test Center in Dudenhofen as well as on the Nürburgring "Nordschleife". Manuel Reuter, Opel works driver in the DTM, took part in the development. The chassis is complemented by impressive wheels in exclusive OPC five-spoke design. The Astra OPC has 225/40 R18 Y tires as standard on 8J x 18 rims. Two 19-inch variants are available as an option, combined with 235/35 ZR19 XL tires.
Market launch in Germany: November 2005
In addition to the OPC-specific features, the Astra OPC's standard equipment includes power adjustable and heated exterior mirrors, power windows, a height and reach-adjustable steering column, air conditioning, CD30 stereo audio system with an MP3-compatible CD drive and six speakers, rear seat backs that fold forward in a 60:40 split, as well as a remote-controlled central locking system.
The Astra OPC is also state-of-the-art in terms of safety. Standard are front and side airbags, active head restraints in front, head curtain airbags for front and outer rear seats, safety belt force limiters and pyrotechnic belt tensioners in front, PRS (Pedal Release System) as well as mountings for an ISOFIX child's seat in the rear.
The new generation Astra OPC was developed in a team effort between the International Technical Development Center (ITDC) and engineers and designers from the Opel Performance Center (OPC). The car will be built in the plant in Antwerp, Belgium, where it will share a production line with other Astra models.
