With German carmaker Opel reportedly planning to bring its thunderbolt badge to the Australian market, its movements in Europe have shifted from being a matter of general interest to offering crucial hints at what options might lay ahead for local buyers.

Following its online preview earlier this month, Opel has today revealed more images and details for its GTC Paris Concept - destined for a public unveiling at this month's Paris Auto Show.

Based on the 2010 Opel Astra, the seemingly production-ready GTC Paris Concept is likely to hit the European market as a three-door variant to the popular five-door hatch.

The styling of the GTC Paris Concept is largely guided by its five-door sibling, with sportier touches including more performance-oriented front and rear bumpers and a coupe-like roofline strongly reminiscent of the three-door variant of the previous-generation Astra H/C (the last Astra model to be sold in Australia).

Power for the GTC Paris Concept comes courtesy of a turbo-charged and direct-injected 2.0 litre four-cylinder petrol engine, paired with a six-speed manual transmission.

Until now, specific power figures for the GTC Paris Concept were a tightly-held secret. Opel has today revealed that the hot hatch's turbocharged engine pumps out a huge 213kW, bringing it within spitting distance of the 225kW offered by its ultimate rival, the Ford Focus RS.

While the production version of the GTC Paris Concept will likely deliver a little less power - more along the lines of the Golf GTI and the next-generation Focus XR4 Turbo - the three-door Astra line-up will likely also feature diesel and smaller-capacity petrol engines.

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• reply ” like !

  

  5 valve per cylinder says,
  2 years ago

  Will it wear an Opel or will they change it to a Holden when it gets released here in Oz?.. a bit unclear if Opel will set up shop or be imported through an independent supplier 'cause I think Holden won't accept if it won't be re-badged with their logo.
  It looks incredibly sweet with those flowing lines.
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  Super Mattthew says,
  2 years ago

  I don't think Holden's got any say in the matter. They might complain to GM HQ, but Holden shouldn't have the right to view Australia as its sole domain in the GM family. GM-owned brands compete in Europe, and while that's admittedly a bigger market, the same should still be allowed here.
  
  Anyway, my impression of the article about Opel coming to Australia was that it would come here as the Opel brand, not as rebadged Holdens (a bit tough to do when the Holden line-up is already full).
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  MotorMouth says,
  2 years ago

  OMFG!!! That thing is simply gorgeous, way sexier than the Scirocco or the new Megane Coupe. I think it also works much, much better than the last Astra 3-door and that still turns heads in traffic.
  I really can't see Holden selling any of these Opel products. Opel would need to establish itself here as a premium brand, independent of Holden, to have any hope of success. They will need to be able to convince buyers to pay a higher price than Holden could ever expect of it's customers. If they can manage it, I'd line up for one of those things.
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  Wheelnut says,
  2 years ago

  Imagine if they made it AWD.... then it would be a potential Rex Rival
• reply ” like !

  

  MattJ says,
  2 years ago

  why are the seats opposite colors?
  • reply ” like !

    

    Super Mattthew says,
    2 years ago

    A track-like driver focus perhaps...
• reply ” like !

  

  Adrian says,
  2 years ago

  Stupid power for just front wheel drive....
• reply ” like !

  

  288gto says,
  2 years ago

  Interior looks like it was put together by an 18year old after a spending spree at Super Cheap Autos!!
• reply ” like !

  

  w0203j says,
  2 years ago

  1 like

  Wondering what rear suspension it's got ...
• reply ” like !

  

  mg81 says,
  2 years ago

  Looks like someone sat on a Mazda 3
  
  Adrian +1
  • reply ” like !

    

    MotorMouth says,
    2 years ago

    Assuming it is the same as the current hatch, it will have a watts linkage, which may or may not be an improvement over the torsion beam of the previous gen [and the Cruze]. I don't think it matters too much, given that the best hot hatch money can buy, the Megane RS250, doesn't have IRS and manages just fine.
    • reply ” like !

      

      w0203j says,
      2 years ago

      1 like

      Had a look at watts link system seems pretty good. Should go have a test drive.
• reply ” like !

  

  PeterG says,
  2 years ago

  Front Wheel drive probably a handful with 213kw
• reply ” like !

  

  MotorMouth says,
  2 years ago

  It depends how they do it. Both Ford and RenaultSport seem to have found a way to tame torque steer, so there is no reason Opel couldn't do something similar if they feel the need to. Personally, I'd be more than happy with 132kW/230Nm from the 1.6 turbo if the handling is up to speed [which you'd expect it to be].
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  martin says,
  2 years ago

  i would buy an opel if it's not called a holden, and if it has the indicator on the right hand side, just like the last astra sold here, which proved that the technology is actually available to stick the indicator where it should be. all the other European marques don't have this technology as yet, so i see it as a great advantage for opel.
  • reply ” like !

    

    Wheelnut says,
    2 years ago

    Well Martin - when Opel arrive in Australia [sometime next year] they'll wear an Opel badge and not Holden. They'll also have their own showroom although they're expected to share the same property as select Holden / HSV dealers..
    Most likely to reduce set-up costs and maximise exposure - that is [unlike some] they won't be stuck out on their own away from other "related" car dealers
• reply ” like !

  says,
  1 year ago

  hiiii..can ask you something my friends????that opel gtc how many ps are???that come and 1800 200 ps??