OPEL ASTRA GSI

The 'new' Opel Astra will include a sports-focused range-topper when it arrives in Australia next year, if these new spy photos are anything to go by.

These new images, which offer the best look yet at the new variant, reveal a front bumper almost identical to the wide-open mouth of the Astra GTC Paris concept revealed last year.

The rear of the spied test car, while not as lary as its concept predecessor, sports a pair of exhaust tips at each corner.

In Australia, the Astra's Holden-badged predecessor featured a SRi turbocharged variant in its line-up, producing 147kW - a figure that, at the time, saw it rival the Golf GTI.

With the new Golf 6 GTI offering 155kW, Opel will likely aim to continue the GSI's status as a GTI-fighter.

In concept form, the three-door GTC concept is powered by a turbocharged and direct-injected 2.0 litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 213kW. While this figure is likely to fall substantially in the next-generation GSI, it opens more than a few doors for the new model.

Opel has yet to confirm which models will be offered in Australia, but it will be looking to make an impact - and the GSI will be likely be one of its flagship models.

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• reply ” like !

  

  5 valve per cylinder says,
  2 years ago

  Think even with it's premium pricing this new Opel Astra will sell very well once it sets foot over to our shores.
  
  Spec sheets looks really good and the car is gorgeous.
  • reply ” like !

    

    MotorMouth says,
    2 years ago

    1 like

    I can't see it myself. I might well buy a 2-door if it arrives but I am prepared to pay a hefty premium for it. I can't see too many other people paying Golf money for an ex-Holden, which I think is how the "Astra" name will be seen by the largely unaware public.
• reply ” like !

  Steve Thompson says,
  2 years ago

  1 like

  Fair chunk of Mazda 3 in there styling-wise - which is no bad thing. I wonder if goobers will start putting holden badges on these opels when they arrive?
• reply ” like !

  

  toesonthenose says,
  2 years ago

  The side profile pic reminds me of a current model Impreza!
• reply ” like !

  says,
  2 years ago

  Wonder if GM have solved their FWD hot hatch torque steer issues. If it's going to be anywhere near 200kw they'd better. The Astra VXR(177kw) was terrible, crap actually. The latest MPS is better but still terrible under heavy throttle. With so many 'great' rivals out there(WRX, Ralliart, XR5, GTi), GM had better get this one right in the handling department.
• reply ” like !

  says,
  2 years ago

  Holden lost the plot when they started bringing in Daewoo crap and putting Holden badges on them. If people were ever to look beyond the purchase price they may see that these things aren't good value for money. I would like to see what money has been spent on them once they get to 50,000 kms. I bet it is substantially more than what it would cost to maintain a European built car. I drive a Mondeo TDCi and absolutely love it. It is well built so I have the confidence that it is never going to squeak, rattle or become a ho hum item to drive.
  
  I look forward to the Opels hitting Australia. They are designed, engineered & built to a whole different standard than the crap from Korea. It might be enough to sway me from my blue oval heritage, although it would have to be something very nice to take me away from a Focus or Mondeo.
  
  Cheers
  Richard.