Opel Astra OPC Revealed, Australian Debut Unclear

If the 132kW Astra GTC isn't enough for you (if you were comparing it to the 155kW Golf GTI, it won't have been), Opel has just the ticket: the Astra OPC.

Some might have thought the GTC was as close as we'd get to a production version of the GTC Paris Concept, but they'd have thought wrong.

In the top-shelf OPC (Opel Performance Centre) variant, Opel has held onto the concept's big-mouthed front bumper, while adding a huge new alloy wheel design.

Churning out a hefty 208kW and 400Nm of torque, the Astra OPC is among the hottest of hot hatches, blowing past the 188/199kW Golf R and coming up on the 224kW Focus RS.

That power comes courtesy of a 2.0 litre turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder engine, sent to the front wheels through a six-speed manual transmission.

To help the Astra handle the boost in power, Opel has gifted the small hatch with a number of chassis modifications and a mechanical limited-slip differential to help manage the small matter of (what must be incredible) torque steer.

There's a version of the "High Performance Strut" suspension package that features on the GTC, and Opel's adaptive FlexRide system is also featured.

Australia

Will we see the Astra OPC, or any other OPC models, on Australian roads? Not immediately, Opel Australia boss Bill Mott says. 

“OPC would be naturally at home in a market like Australia where drivers appreciate great performance and handling in large cars and hot hatches,” Mott said.

An Australian debut for the OPC range is under consideration, but the brand's local arm will evaluate the potential for performance models depending on the success of its wider line-up.