Autoblog

2012 Opel Astra GTC gives us Buick-tinted hope for the future [w/video]

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 19:20:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Performance, Europe, Hatchback, GM, Opel

A more engaging driving experience should always be considered a wonderful thing, and it's clear from the Astra GTC that Opel agrees. The compact hatchback has its sights set squarely on the Volkswagen Scirocco, and it's clear the two cars share a common design ideology. Low and sleek, the Astra GTC has been styled to provide enthusiasts with a sneak peek of the driving experience waiting once they strap in behind the wheel.

The key to getting the Opel Astra GTC to play nice with twisty roads lies in the changes made beneath the car's skin. General Motors engineers took the HiPerStrut setup from the front suspension of an Opel Insignia OPC and applied them to the Astra. Opel says this upgrade reduces the amount of unwanted front-tire movement felt during cornering and other high-grip situations.

Out back, the Opel Astra GTC gets more suspension-related attention. The Watt's link rear setup now sports revised roll-stiffness and a lower roll-center height to keep things more composed. Additionally, the entire three-door compact was 15 millimeters compared to the standard Astra, and the wheelbase and front and rear tracks have grown as well.

Opel has plied a lot of handling know-how and upgraded styling into its Astra to turn it into the Astra GTC. If you like what you see, keep your fingers crossed. Rumor has it that General Motors could bring the Astra GTC stateside as a more entertaining brother for the Buick Verano. A convertible version is reportedly also in the works. Want to learn more? Check out the video after the jump and the official release.

Continue reading 2012 Opel Astra GTC gives us Buick-tinted hope for the future [w/video]

2012 Opel Astra GTC gives us Buick-tinted hope for the future [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Opel/Vauxhall coming to Frankfurt with secret concept plus two production debuts

Noah Joseph — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 07:57:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Europe, Opel, Vauxhall, UK

General Motors' European divisions are keeping mum on the details, but Opel and Vauxhall are preparing to unveil some sort of new concept car next month at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

All GM is saying at this point is that the experimental prototype will be driver-focused. Which sounds good, but we'll reserve any sort of judgement until we know a little more. Or really, until we know anything.

The secretive show car will join the Astra GTC three-door hatch and Zafira Tourer minivan, which also make their production debuts, on the twin companies' show stand. Joining them as well will be the Ampera - the European cousin of the Chevy Volt - that is nearing its market debut, and seven vehicles equipped with the EcoFLEX family of frugal engines.

Follow the jump for the full press release, and watch this space for more info on what form that concept car might take as the show approaches.

Continue reading Opel/Vauxhall coming to Frankfurt with secret concept plus two production debuts

Opel/Vauxhall coming to Frankfurt with secret concept plus two production debuts originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Aug 2011 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vauxhall unveils new Astra GTC ahead of Goodwood debut

Noah Joseph — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Europe, Hatchback, Misc. Auto Shows, Opel, Vauxhall, UK

2012 Vauxhall Astra GTC - Click above for high-res image gallery

Different strokes for different folks. While Volkswagen chose to label its coupe-like Golf derivative as the Scirocco, rival automakers are keeping theirs in the family. Take, for example, the Renault Megane coupe, and this - the new Vauxhall Astra GTC.

Compared to the already-sleek five-door Astra, the GTC retains only the door handles and antenna. All the body panels are fresh, riding on a wheelbase that's actually longer than the existing five-door's, and it's slower and wider, too. Overall, it's a pretty direct production of the GTC concept unveiled at the Paris Motor Show last fall, and of the renderings released more recently.

British buyers - and presumably European ones at Opel dealerships as well - will be able to choose from from four engine options: a 1.4 with 118 or 138 horsepower, a 1.6 with 178 hp or a 2.0-liter diesel with 163 hp. The sophisticated suspension from the higher-end Insignia VXR coupled with adaptive damping promise to keep handling tight.

The Astra GTC will headline Vauxhall's lineup at the Goodwood Festival of Speed next month for its public debut (it was originally promised for this fall's Frankfurt Motor Show, but is showing up early), but you can check it out now in the high-res image gallery and the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Vauxhall unveils new Astra GTC ahead of Goodwood debut

Vauxhall unveils new Astra GTC ahead of Goodwood debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Opel previews production Astra GTC ahead of Frankfurt debut

Noah Joseph — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 19:26:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Europe, Hatchback, Opel, Vauxhall

2012 Opel Astra GTC - Click above for high-res renderings

A staple product of General Motors' overseas subsidiaries, the Opel Astra has been a long time in the making. The five-door hatchback was revealed back in 2009 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, which was then followed by the GTC show car that previewed the three-door version in concept form (along with the production Sport Tourer wagon variant) a year later at the Paris Motor Show. Another year after that, Opel will unveil the production three-door GTC in Frankfurt this coming September. The final product is still undergoing development, but while GM's German division irons out the kinks, they've released these preliminary images showing us what to expect from the production version.

Although still months away from its public debut, the order books for the Astra GTC will officially open on June 7, when full details will be revealed. The Astra range, you'll recall, is also offered a Vauxhall in the UK, as the Buick Excelle XT in China, and as a Chevrolet in Latin America. But while Saturn had a version of the more angular previous-generation model, now that the brand is shut, we'll likely have to do without. That's a shame, because we recently saw a five-door model out on the road while overseas and were struck by its fluid design. So we'll just have to do with admiring from afar. Follow the jump for the brief press release, and scope out the pair of images in the gallery below.

Gallery: 2012 Opel Astra GTC

[Source: Opel]

Continue reading Opel previews production Astra GTC ahead of Frankfurt debut

Opel previews production Astra GTC ahead of Frankfurt debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Apr 2011 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Opel details Paris plans, including GTC Paris hatch concept, Astra Sports Tourer

Zach Bowman — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Opel

Opel at the 2010 Paris Motor Show - Click above for high-res image gallery

Believe it or not, the Paris Motor Show is just a hop, skip and a jump away. Opel has already taken it upon itself to give the world a taste of what the company will show off at this year's show, including its new Astra Sports Tourer and a concept worked up just for La Ville-Lumière. Details are scarce on the showcar at the moment. So far, we know that it will be called the GTC Paris and that it was at least partially inspired by Richard Bach's Jonathan Livingston Seagull. We certainly can't argue with the company's taste in fiction, and we suspect it's going to look an awful lot like a hotted-up version of some of the Astra-based prototypes our spy shooters have been seeing lately.

Opel has been kind enough to share quite a few more details on its long-roof Astra Sports Tourer. When the company pulls back the sheets, we can expect to see around a snappy station wagon the likes of which American buyers can only dream about. The car will make use of the same tailored interior as its hatchback sibling, though with more space for stuffing various sundries behind the back seats.

Expect to see a few additions to the company's diesel line up on display as well. Hit the jump to check out the full press release for yourself and mark your calendars. This year's Paris Motor Show starts on October 2, but if you can't make it to France for the show, don't worry, Autoblog will be there to give you a front-row seat on all the action.

Gallery: Opel at the 2010 Paris Motor Show

[Source: Opel]

Continue reading Opel details Paris plans, including GTC Paris hatch concept, Astra Sports Tourer

Opel details Paris plans, including GTC Paris hatch concept, Astra Sports Tourer originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vauxhall Astra GTC has receding roofline

John Neff — Mon, 19 Jun 2006 12:04:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Europe, Hatchback, GM

Fans of the Vauxhall Astra Sports Hatch in Europe can now get a special GTC edition with a "panoramic windscreen" that extends the top of the car's windshield back into the roof past the driver's head. It looks like it would be a blast to experience on whlie cruising the open, if not incredibly unsettling at first. GM Europe says the glass is a special heat absorbing variety and that a blind can be pulled forward if the driver and passenger want to hide from the sun.

Only 500 Astra GTCs will be produced and they'll cost customers a cool £15,995 ($29,553), which happens to be £5 less than the standard Astra Sports Hatch. Vauxhall even throws in 18-inch alloys, AC, sports seats, ESP, a trip computer and fog lights. What a deal! After the GTC model is sold out, people who require a panoramic view of the horizon can have this unique roof treatment as a £850 option ($1,570 USD).

[Source: Autocar]

Vauxhall Astra GTC has receding roofline originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Jun 2006 12:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vauxhall Astra Panoramic lets drivers soak up the sun

Alex Nunez — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Europe, Hatchback

To help kick off sales of its new Panoramic windshield option, Vauxhall has released a special edition Astra GTC that features the snazzy glass up front, exclusive GTC badging, 18" rims, foglights, ESP and interior goodies like A/C and sport seats. Only 500 of the special editions will be built, and they're being sold for £15,995 -- undercutting the more vanilla Astra Sport Hatch 1.8 SRi's asking price by a few pounds.

The Panoramic windscreen is made of heat-absorbing glass (a good thing) and wraps up and over the two front seats, greating an airy, open cabin feeling that can't be matched by a mere sunroof. For days when it gets extra-hot, a power shade can be pulled forward to shield the front passengers from the sun's rays.

Once the initial 500 special editions are sold out, the Panoramic option will cost £850. This might also be a good time for buyers to opt for that full glass coverage from their insurance companies. Could come in handy, you know?

If the option winds up being popular, it'd be nice to see GM at least consider it for the upcoming Astra-based Ion replacement. Something like this would look mighty cool on (and be very relevant to) cars from The General's Born From Jets brand as well. Hint, hint...

(More pics and the Vauxhall press release after the jump)

[Source: GM / Vauxhall]

Continue reading Vauxhall Astra Panoramic lets drivers soak up the sun

Vauxhall Astra Panoramic lets drivers soak up the sun originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Jun 2006 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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