Astra VXR / OPC revealed

Vauxhall and Opel have unveiled performance versions of the recently launched Astra GTC. Called VXR and OPC respectively, both are identical except for their badges.

Thanks to a 2.0 litre, turbocharged, direct injection engine producing 276 bhp (206 kW / 280 PS) and 400 Nm (295 lb/ft) of torque, the VXR / OPC’s top speed is 155 mph (250 km/h). That makes it the fastest Astra ever, although for now no other performance figures are being released.

Vauxhall Astra VXR (2012) Front SideOpel Astra OPC (2012) Rear Side

Vauxhall Astra VXR (2012) InteriorOpel Astra OPC (2012) Front Side

Those outputs should easily be enough to worry rivals such as the 246 bhp (184 kW / 250 PS) Renault Mégane Renaultsport 250 and the 261 bhp (195 kW / 265 PS) Volkswagen Scirocco R.

But regardless of how quick it is, the VXR / OPC has two things in its favour: first, the Astra is much better looking than its French and German competitors; second, there’s no three-door Ford Focus to steal potential customers.

As with just about every self-respecting performance car nowadays, the Nürburgring Nordschleife was the chosen venue for chassis development. Like the standard GTC, the HiPerStrut (High Performance Strut) front suspension set-up features, but VXR / OPC models additionally get a mechanical limited slip differential to help transmit their extra power to the road.

Also fitted as standard is the FlexRide control system, which allows the driver to tighten up the throttle, damper and steering responses in two stages.

Pricing and on-sale dates for the Astra VXR and OPC will be confirmed early next year.

Images © GM Corp.

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