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<generator>Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/</generator><item><title><![CDATA[2012 Opel Astra OPC gets 280 horsepower, 155 mph top speed]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/04/2012-opel-astra-opc-gets-280-horsepower-155-mph-top-speed/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/04/2012-opel-astra-opc-gets-280-horsepower-155-mph-top-speed/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/04/2012-opel-astra-opc-gets-280-horsepower-155-mph-top-speed/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sports/" rel="tag">Performance</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/euro/" rel="tag">Europe</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/hatchbacks/" rel="tag">Hatchback</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/gm/" rel="tag">GM</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/opel/" rel="tag">Opel</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/vauxhall/" rel="tag">Vauxhall</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2012-opel-astra-opc/"><img alt="2012 opel astra opc" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/2012-opel-astra-opc-opt.jpg" style="margin-top: 4px; margin-bottom: 4px; width: 628px; height: 376px; " /></a><br />
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We ogled the curvaceous <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/14/2012-opel-astra-gtc-frankfurt-2011/">Opel Astra GTC at Frankfurt</a>, but this is the one we've really been waiting for: The <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/OPC/">OPC</a> version. Standing for Opel Performance Center, "OPC" is similar to the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/honda/">Honda</a> "<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/type-r/">Type R</a>" or <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/bmw/">BMW</a> "M" nomenclature, although not nearly as well known. The 2012 Astra OPC could change that in a hurry.<br />
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GM's European division has really done a number on the compact hatchback to make it worthy of the badge, dropping a turbocharged, 2.0-liter four with direct injection underhood. The 280-horsepower engine is also good for 295 lb-ft of torque, and GM says the Astra OPC can do all of 155 mph. Like the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/26/opel-previews-production-astra-gtc-ahead-of-frankfurt-debut/">Astra GTC</a>, the OPC uses the HiPerStrut front suspension with adjustable dampers, steering and throttle, thanks to the FlexRide control system. But the top-of-the-line Astra model adds a limited-slip front differential to help control all that turbo torque. Brembo brakes, special front and rear fascias, dual exhaust, performance seats, a special steering wheel and new instrumentation round out the OPC package.<br />
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The Astra OPC will also be sold as the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/vauxhall/">Vauxhall</a> <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/07/vauxhall-unveils-new-astra-gtc-ahead-of-goodwood-debut/">Astra</a> VXR in the U.K.<br />
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Of course, the first question any of us here in the States have is, "Will we get it?" To which the answer is, per usual, not likely. If we do get any version of the Astra, it's much more likely to be the GTC, which could potentially be sold as a <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/06/buick-to-bring-astra-gtc-to-the-states-possibly-a-convertible/">coupe version of the Buick Verano</a>. Read the entire press release <a href="/2011/11/04/2012-opel-astra-opc-gets-280-horsepower-155-mph-top-speed/#continued">after the jump</a>.<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/04/2012-opel-astra-opc-gets-280-horsepower-155-mph-top-speed/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>2012 Opel Astra OPC gets 280 horsepower, 155 mph top speed</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/04/2012-opel-astra-opc-gets-280-horsepower-155-mph-top-speed/">2012 Opel Astra OPC gets 280 horsepower, 155 mph top speed</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Fri, 04 Nov 2011 15:44:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/04/2012-opel-astra-opc-gets-280-horsepower-155-mph-top-speed/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/20098949/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/04/2012-opel-astra-opc-gets-280-horsepower-155-mph-top-speed/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>2012 opel astra opc</category><category>2012 vauxhall astra vxr</category><category>astra</category><category>astra opc</category><category>astra vxr</category><category>opc</category><category>opel</category><category>vauxhall</category><category>vxr</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jeff Sabatini]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 04 Nov 2011 15:44:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[2012 Opel Astra GTC gives us Buick-tinted hope for the future [w/video]]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/14/2012-opel-astra-gtc-frankfurt-2011/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/14/2012-opel-astra-gtc-frankfurt-2011/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/14/2012-opel-astra-gtc-frankfurt-2011/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/frankfurt-auto-show/" rel="tag">Frankfurt Motor Show</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sports/" rel="tag">Performance</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/euro/" rel="tag">Europe</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/hatchbacks/" rel="tag">Hatchback</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/gm/" rel="tag">GM</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/opel/" rel="tag">Opel</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2012-opel-astra-gtc-frankfurt-2011/" target="_blank"><img height="411" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/01-2012-opel-astra-gtc628.jpg" vspace="4" width="628" /></a><br />
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A more engaging driving experience should always be considered a wonderful thing, and it's clear from the Astra GTC that <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/opel/">Opel</a> agrees. The compact hatchback has its sights set squarely on the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/28/geneva-2008-2009-volkswagen-scirocco-arrives-early/">Volkswagen Scirocco</a>, 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.<br />
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The key to getting the Opel Astra GTC to play nice with twisty roads lies in the changes made beneath the car's skin. <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/general+motors/">General Motors</a> 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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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 <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/06/buick-to-bring-astra-gtc-to-the-states-possibly-a-convertible/">General Motors could bring the Astra GTC stateside</a> as a more entertaining brother for the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/06/officially-official-2012-buick-verano-revealed/">Buick Verano</a>. A convertible version is reportedly also in the works. Want to learn more? Check out the video <a href="/2011/09/14/2012-opel-astra-gtc-frankfurt-2011/#continued">after the jump</a> and the official release.<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/14/2012-opel-astra-gtc-frankfurt-2011/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>2012 Opel Astra GTC gives us Buick-tinted hope for the future [w/video]</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/14/2012-opel-astra-gtc-frankfurt-2011/">2012 Opel Astra GTC gives us Buick-tinted hope for the future [w/video]</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 19:20:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/14/2012-opel-astra-gtc-frankfurt-2011/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/20042394/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/14/2012-opel-astra-gtc-frankfurt-2011/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>2011 frankfurt</category><category>astra</category><category>astra gtc</category><category>frankfurt</category><category>frankfurt motor show</category><category>gtc</category><category>opel</category><category>opel astra</category><category>opel astra gtc</category><category>vauxhall</category><category>vauxhall astra</category><category>vauxhall astra gtc</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jeff Glucker]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 14 Sep 2011 19:20:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[Opel/Vauxhall preparing soft-top Astra cabrio]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/09/opel-vauxhall-preparing-soft-top-astra-cabrio/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/09/opel-vauxhall-preparing-soft-top-astra-cabrio/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/09/opel-vauxhall-preparing-soft-top-astra-cabrio/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/spyphotos/" rel="tag">Spy Photos</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/convertibles/" rel="tag">Convertible</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/euro/" rel="tag">Europe</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/opel/" rel="tag">Opel</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/vauxhall/" rel="tag">Vauxhall</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/uk/" rel="tag">UK</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/opel-vauxhall-astra-cabriolet-spy-shots/"><img alt="Vauxhall Astra Cabriolet spy shot" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/web1-astra-cabrio-spyshots.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; margin: 4px 0px;" /></a><br />
<div class="iphone_hide" style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-size: 10px; font-style: italic;">
	Opel/Vauxhall Astra Cabriolet spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery</div>
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The <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/astra">Astra</a> is a car of many hats. It's sold as an <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/opel">Opel</a> in Europe, a <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/vauxhall">Vauxhall</a> in the UK, a <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/buick">Buick</a> in China and a <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/chevrolet">Chevrolet</a> in South America. The previous model was even sold as a <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/saturn">Saturn</a> in North America and as a <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/holden">Holden</a> in Australia.<br />
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Now that's versatility for you, and its body-styles are just as pervasive. The five-door hatch launched in 2009 has since bred a wagon variant, the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/07/vauxhall-unveils-new-astra-gtc-ahead-of-goodwood-debut/">GTC coupe was just revealed</a> last week, and there's two more to come - including the convertible that's simultaneously surfaced in these spy shots and in the rendering (below right) released by <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/general+motors">GM</a>'s European design studio.<br />
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<a href="http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle.aspx?AR=257619"><img alt="Opel/Vauxhall Astra cabrio rendering" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/astracabriorendering.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; margin: 4px; height: 165px; width: 250px; float: right;" /></a>Whereas the previous Astra cabrio went with a folding hard top, the new model is expected to incorporate a soft roof to save on space and weight. The resulting shape ought to be a bit longer than the hatchback, but maintain a svelte profile. Four seats and a usable trunk are also said to be part of the package, with the roof folding into its own compartment aft of the cabin and below an elegant chrome surround.<br />
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The Astra cabrio is expected to hit markets overseas in 2013. But with Saturn long gone, it remains to be seen whether <a href="http://autoblog.com/tag/general+motors">General Motors</a> will bring it over to its home market at all.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/09/opel-vauxhall-preparing-soft-top-astra-cabrio/">Opel/Vauxhall preparing soft-top Astra cabrio</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Thu, 09 Jun 2011 17:29:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/09/opel-vauxhall-preparing-soft-top-astra-cabrio/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19962709/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/09/opel-vauxhall-preparing-soft-top-astra-cabrio/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>astra</category><category>astra cabrio</category><category>astra cabriolet</category><category>astra convertible</category><category>opel</category><category>spy photos</category><category>spy shots</category><category>vauxhall</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Noah Joseph]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 09 Jun 2011 17:29:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[Vauxhall unveils new Astra GTC ahead of Goodwood debut]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/07/vauxhall-unveils-new-astra-gtc-ahead-of-goodwood-debut/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/07/vauxhall-unveils-new-astra-gtc-ahead-of-goodwood-debut/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/07/vauxhall-unveils-new-astra-gtc-ahead-of-goodwood-debut/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/coupes/" rel="tag">Coupe</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/euro/" rel="tag">Europe</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/hatchbacks/" rel="tag">Hatchback</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/misc-auto-shows/" rel="tag">Misc. Auto Shows</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/opel/" rel="tag">Opel</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/vauxhall/" rel="tag">Vauxhall</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/uk/" rel="tag">UK</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2012-vauxhall-astra-gtc/"><img alt="2012 Vauxhall Astra GTC" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/web-astra-gtc.jpg" style="border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; margin: 4px 0px;" /></a><br />
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	2012 Vauxhall Astra GTC - Click above for high-res image gallery</div>
<br />
Different strokes for different folks. While <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/volkswagen">Volkswagen</a> chose to label its coupe-like <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/volkswagen/golf">Golf</a> derivative as the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/scirocco">Scirocco</a>, rival automakers are keeping theirs in the family. Take, for example, the Renault Megane coupe, and this - the new <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/vauxhall">Vauxhall</a> Astra GTC.<br />
<br />
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 <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/08/vauxhall-gtc-concept-completely-revealed-ahead-of-paris-motor-sh/">GTC concept</a> unveiled at the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/paris-motor-show/">Paris Motor Show</a> last fall, and of the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/26/opel-previews-production-astra-gtc-ahead-of-frankfurt-debut/">renderings</a> released more recently.<br />
<br />
British buyers - and presumably European ones at <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/opel">Opel</a> 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.<br />
<br />
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 <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/frankfurt-auto-show/">Frankfurt Motor Show</a>, 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.<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/07/vauxhall-unveils-new-astra-gtc-ahead-of-goodwood-debut/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Vauxhall unveils new Astra GTC ahead of Goodwood debut</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/07/vauxhall-unveils-new-astra-gtc-ahead-of-goodwood-debut/">Vauxhall unveils new Astra GTC ahead of Goodwood debut</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 09:30:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/07/vauxhall-unveils-new-astra-gtc-ahead-of-goodwood-debut/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19960296/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/07/vauxhall-unveils-new-astra-gtc-ahead-of-goodwood-debut/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>astra</category><category>astra gtc</category><category>goodwood</category><category>goodwood festival of speed</category><category>opel</category><category>opel astra</category><category>vauxhall</category><category>vauxhall astra</category><category>vauxhall astra gtc</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Noah Joseph]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 07 Jun 2011 09:30:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[Opel previews production Astra GTC ahead of Frankfurt debut]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/26/opel-previews-production-astra-gtc-ahead-of-frankfurt-debut/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/26/opel-previews-production-astra-gtc-ahead-of-frankfurt-debut/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/26/opel-previews-production-astra-gtc-ahead-of-frankfurt-debut/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/frankfurt-auto-show/" rel="tag">Frankfurt Motor Show</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/euro/" rel="tag">Europe</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/hatchbacks/" rel="tag">Hatchback</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/opel/" rel="tag">Opel</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/vauxhall/" rel="tag">Vauxhall</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2012-opel-astra-gtc/"><img alt="2012 Opel Astra GTC" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/web630-1-astra-gtc.jpg" style="border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; margin: 4px 0px;" /></a><br />
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	2012 Opel Astra GTC - Click above for high-res renderings</div>
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A staple product of <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/general+motors">General Motors</a>' overseas subsidiaries, the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/astra">Opel Astra</a> has been a long time in the making. The five-door hatchback was <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/17/frankfurt-2009-opel-astra-makes-its-debut-under-the-lights/">revealed</a> back in 2009 at the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/frankfurt-auto-show/">Frankfurt Motor Show</a>, which was then <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/04/opel-details-paris-plans-including-gtc-paris-hatch-concept-ast/">followed</a> 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 <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/paris-motor-show/">Paris Motor Show</a>. Another year after that, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/opel">Opel</a> 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.<br />
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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 <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/vauxhall">Vauxhall</a> in the UK, as the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/buick">Buick</a> Excelle XT in China, and as a <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/chevrolet">Chevrolet</a> in Latin America. But while <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/saturn">Saturn</a> 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.<br />
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<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2012-opel-astra-gtc">2012 Opel Astra GTC</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2012-opel-astra-gtc/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/1-astra-gtc_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2012-opel-astra-gtc/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/2-astra-gtc_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />
[Source: Opel]<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/26/opel-previews-production-astra-gtc-ahead-of-frankfurt-debut/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Opel previews production Astra GTC ahead of Frankfurt debut</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/26/opel-previews-production-astra-gtc-ahead-of-frankfurt-debut/">Opel previews production Astra GTC ahead of Frankfurt debut</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Tue, 26 Apr 2011 19:26:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/26/opel-previews-production-astra-gtc-ahead-of-frankfurt-debut/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19923866/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/26/opel-previews-production-astra-gtc-ahead-of-frankfurt-debut/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>2011 frankfurt motor show</category><category>astra</category><category>astra gtc</category><category>frankfurt</category><category>frankfurt 2011</category><category>frankfurt motor show</category><category>opel</category><category>opel astra</category><category>opel astra gtc</category><category>vauxhall</category><category>vauxhall astra</category><category>vauxhall astra gtc</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Noah Joseph]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 26 Apr 2011 19:26:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[Lotus reportedly brought in for chassis work on new Vauxhall Astra VXR]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/28/lotus-reportedly-brought-in-for-chassis-work-on-new-vauxhall-ast/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/28/lotus-reportedly-brought-in-for-chassis-work-on-new-vauxhall-ast/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/28/lotus-reportedly-brought-in-for-chassis-work-on-new-vauxhall-ast/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sports/" rel="tag">Performance</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/euro/" rel="tag">Europe</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/hatchbacks/" rel="tag">Hatchback</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/lotus/" rel="tag">Lotus</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/opel/" rel="tag">Opel</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/vauxhall/" rel="tag">Vauxhall</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/uk/" rel="tag">UK</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/vauxhall-gtc-concept/#3341462"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/web630-vauxhall-gtc.jpg" /></a>
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><small>2010 Vauxhall GTC Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery</small></strong></em></div>
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From the likes of the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/11/detroit-2009-dodge-circuit-ev-now-with-cross-hairs/">Dodge EV</a> to the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/ford">Ford</a> Cortina, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/lotus">Lotus</a> has had its fingers in all of the Big Three's pies. But its strongest relationship has historically been with <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/general+motors">General Motors</a>. The British engineering firm helped develop the engine in the original <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/chevrolet/zr1">Corvette</a> ZR-1, engineered the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/vauxhall">Vauxhall</a> VX220/<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/opel">Opel</a> Speedster, re-engineered the Vauxhall <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/23/autoblog-night-watch-lotus-carlton/">Carlton</a> into ones of its own, and has undertaken a variety of projects for the General over the years. Now the latest reports have Lotus teaming up with GM's European subsidiaries for a new hot hatch.<br />
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Much as it did with <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/08/white-out-vauxhall-vxr-artic-edition-revealed/">the outgoing Vauxhall Astra VXR</a>, Lotus is reportedly hard at work tuning the chassis on the next generation of the model. Previewed by the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/30/paris-2010-opel-gtc-paris-concept/">GTC concept at the Paris Motor Show</a>, the new Astra VXR is tipped to ditch the current model's electronic differential for a more traditional mechanical one. The engine is rumored to produce in the neighborhood of 280-300 horsepower, with Lotus reportedly brought in to help minimize the torque steer inevitable with that much power channeled through the front wheels. <br />
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The Hyperstrut front suspension set-up developed for the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/15/opel-and-vauxhall-reveal-325-horsepower-insignia-opc-vxr/">Insignia VXR</a> is tipped to port over to the smaller hatchback, expected to hit European markets towards the end of next year to do battle with the likes of the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/04/officially-official-2009-ford-focus-rs/">Ford Focus RS</a> and <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/25/pics-aplenty-265-hp-2011-volkswagen-golf-r-whets-our-appetite/">Volkswagen Golf R</a>. We can only hope that GM finds space in the lineup of one of its remaining brands to bring the new Astra VXR to American shores.<br />
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<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/vauxhall-gtc-concept">Vauxhall GTC Concept</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/vauxhall-gtc-concept/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/01-gtc_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/vauxhall-gtc-concept/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/03-gtc_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/vauxhall-gtc-concept/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/04-gtc_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/vauxhall-gtc-concept/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/05-gtc_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/vauxhall-gtc-concept/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/06-gtc_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />
[Source: <a href="http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle.aspx?AR=253622">Autocar</a>]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/28/lotus-reportedly-brought-in-for-chassis-work-on-new-vauxhall-ast/">Lotus reportedly brought in for chassis work on new Vauxhall Astra VXR</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Thu, 28 Oct 2010 16:41:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle.aspx?AR=253622>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/28/lotus-reportedly-brought-in-for-chassis-work-on-new-vauxhall-ast/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19691284/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/28/lotus-reportedly-brought-in-for-chassis-work-on-new-vauxhall-ast/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>astra</category><category>lotus</category><category>lotus opel</category><category>opc</category><category>opel astra</category><category>opel astra opc</category><category>vauxhall astra</category><category>vauxhall astra vxr</category><category>vxr</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Noah Joseph]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 28 Oct 2010 16:41:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[Paris 2010: Opel Astra Sports Tourer]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/30/paris-2010-opel-astra-sports-tourer/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/30/paris-2010-opel-astra-sports-tourer/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/30/paris-2010-opel-astra-sports-tourer/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/wagons/" rel="tag">Wagon</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/euro/" rel="tag">Europe</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/paris-motor-show/" rel="tag">Paris Motor Show</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/opel/" rel="tag">Opel</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-opel-astra-sport/#3418113"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/astra-630.jpg" alt="Opel Astra Sports Tourer" /></a>
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><small>Opel Astra Sports Tourer - Click above for high-res image gallery</small></strong></em></div>
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<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/opel">Opel</a> is keeping busy, and aside from moving into a handful of new markets and pulling the sheets off of a <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/04/opel-details-paris-plans-including-gtc-paris-hatch-concept-ast/">hot concept</a>, the German manufacturer has been whittling away on its wagon interpretation of the company's <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/astra">Astra</a>. The 2011 Astra Sports Tourer wears the brand's trademark nose and sculpted sheet metal, but throws in an arching roofline for good measure. Inside, buyers can look forward to a set of snappy folding seats in the rear Opel claims should help make the car appealing to both families and small businesses looking to haul goods. <br />
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Power comes from either an uber-thrifty 95-horsepower engine or a more robust 180-pony lump, and a total of three transmissions are available - a five-speed manual, six-speed manual and six-speed automatic. The company says that European buyers can expect to see a start/stop system land on its 1.3-liter turbo-diesel engine in the Astra Sports Tourer as well. <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/30/paris-2010-opel-astra-sports-tourer/#continued">Hit the jump</a> for the full press release.<br />
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<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-opel-astra-sport">Paris 2010: 2011 Opel Astra Sport Tourer</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-opel-astra-sport/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/01-astra-sports-tourer_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-opel-astra-sport/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/02-astra-sports-tourer_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-opel-astra-sport/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/03-astra-sports-tourer_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-opel-astra-sport/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/04-astra-sports-tourer_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-opel-astra-sport/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/05-astra-sports-tourer_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />
<strong><em><font size="1">Photos copyright (C)2010 Zach Bowman / AOL</font></em></strong><p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/30/paris-2010-opel-astra-sports-tourer/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Paris 2010: Opel Astra Sports Tourer</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/30/paris-2010-opel-astra-sports-tourer/">Paris 2010: Opel Astra Sports Tourer</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 03:57:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/30/paris-2010-opel-astra-sports-tourer/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19654826/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/30/paris-2010-opel-astra-sports-tourer/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>2010 paris</category><category>2010 paris auto salon</category><category>2010 paris motor show</category><category>astra</category><category>astra sports tourer</category><category>opel</category><category>opel astra sports tourer</category><category>paris</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Zach Bowman]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 30 Sep 2010 03:57:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[Vauxhall GTC concept completely revealed ahead of Paris Motor Show debut]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/08/vauxhall-gtc-concept-completely-revealed-ahead-of-paris-motor-sh/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/08/vauxhall-gtc-concept-completely-revealed-ahead-of-paris-motor-sh/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/08/vauxhall-gtc-concept-completely-revealed-ahead-of-paris-motor-sh/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/conceptcars/" rel="tag">Concept Cars</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/euro/" rel="tag">Europe</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/paris-motor-show/" rel="tag">Paris Motor Show</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/hatchbacks/" rel="tag">Hatchback</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/vauxhall/" rel="tag">Vauxhall</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/vauxhall-gtc-concept/"><img hspace="0" border="1" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/01-gtcopt.jpg"  alt="Vauxhall GTC Concept" /></a>
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><small>2010 Vauxhall GTC Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery</small></strong></em></div>
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<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/vauxhall/">Vauxhall</a> has beaten the speculating voices of the Internet to the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/paris-motor-show/">Paris Motor Show</a> punch by pulling the covers off of its GTC Concept well ahead of the main event. According to the company, what you see above is likely to have more than a little influence on the next Astra Sport Hatch. In classic concept style, the GTC rolls on epic 21-inch wheels that aren't likely to find their way to the production version of the car any time soon. That's not to say that this creation is pure fantasy, though.<br />
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For one thing, there's a direct-injection, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine snugged under the hood, complete with a functioning start/stop system and a six-speed manual gearbox. That choice of powerplant seems a little too realistic to just be a show-circuit folly, so our guess is that the Astra Sport Hatch will likely boast similar hardware when it hits the road to take on cars like the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/volkswagen/">Volkswagen</a> Scirocco. <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/07/vauxhall-gtc-concept-completely-revealed-ahead-of-paris-motor-sh/#continued">Hit the jump</a> for the full press release and check out the gallery for a closer look. Vauxhall will show off the GTC Concept in Paris starting on September 30, and we'll be on-hand to give you live shots and impressions of its reveal.<br />
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<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/vauxhall-gtc-concept">Vauxhall GTC Concept</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/vauxhall-gtc-concept/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/01-gtc_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/vauxhall-gtc-concept/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/03-gtc_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/vauxhall-gtc-concept/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/04-gtc_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/vauxhall-gtc-concept/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/05-gtc_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/vauxhall-gtc-concept/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/06-gtc_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />
[Source: Vauxhall]<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/08/vauxhall-gtc-concept-completely-revealed-ahead-of-paris-motor-sh/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Vauxhall GTC concept completely revealed ahead of Paris Motor Show debut</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/08/vauxhall-gtc-concept-completely-revealed-ahead-of-paris-motor-sh/">Vauxhall GTC concept completely revealed ahead of Paris Motor Show debut</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Wed, 08 Sep 2010 09:27:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/08/vauxhall-gtc-concept-completely-revealed-ahead-of-paris-motor-sh/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19624925/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/08/vauxhall-gtc-concept-completely-revealed-ahead-of-paris-motor-sh/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>astra</category><category>Concept</category><category>GTC</category><category>GTC Concept</category><category>GtcConcept</category><category>paris 2010</category><category>Paris Motor Show</category><category>paris motor show 2010</category><category>Paris2010</category><category>ParisMotorShow</category><category>ParisMotorShow2010</category><category>Vauxhall</category><category>Vauxhall GTC Concept</category><category>VauxhallGtcConcept</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Zach Bowman]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 08 Sep 2010 09:27:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[Opel details Paris plans, including GTC Paris hatch concept, Astra Sports Tourer]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/04/opel-details-paris-plans-including-gtc-paris-hatch-concept-ast/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/04/opel-details-paris-plans-including-gtc-paris-hatch-concept-ast/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/04/opel-details-paris-plans-including-gtc-paris-hatch-concept-ast/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/wagons/" rel="tag">Wagon</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/euro/" rel="tag">Europe</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/paris-motor-show/" rel="tag">Paris Motor Show</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/opel/" rel="tag">Opel</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/opel-at-the-2010-paris-motor-show/"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/08/01-opel-630.jpg" /></a>
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><small>Opel at the 2010 Paris Motor Show - Click above for high-res image gallery</small></strong></em></div>
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Believe it or not, the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/paris-motor-show/">Paris Motor Show</a> is just a hop, skip and a jump away. <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/opel/">Opel</a> 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-Lumi&egrave;re. 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 <em>Jonathan Livingston Seagull</em>. 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 <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/02/spy-shots-2011-opel-astra-three-door-coupe-caught-in-the-lot/">seeing lately.</a><br />
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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. <br />
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Expect to see a few additions to the company's diesel line up on display as well. <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/04/opel-details-paris-plans-including-gtc-paris-hatch-concept-ast/#continued">Hit the jump</a> 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.<br />
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<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/opel-at-the-2010-paris-motor-show">Opel at the 2010 Paris Motor Show</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/opel-at-the-2010-paris-motor-show/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/08/03-opel_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/opel-at-the-2010-paris-motor-show/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/08/01-opel_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/opel-at-the-2010-paris-motor-show/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/08/02-opel_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/opel-at-the-2010-paris-motor-show/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/08/04-opel_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/opel-at-the-2010-paris-motor-show/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/08/05-opel_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />
[Source: Opel]<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/04/opel-details-paris-plans-including-gtc-paris-hatch-concept-ast/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Opel details Paris plans, including GTC Paris hatch concept, Astra Sports Tourer</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/04/opel-details-paris-plans-including-gtc-paris-hatch-concept-ast/">Opel details Paris plans, including GTC Paris hatch concept, Astra Sports Tourer</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 10:29:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/04/opel-details-paris-plans-including-gtc-paris-hatch-concept-ast/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19580541/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/04/opel-details-paris-plans-including-gtc-paris-hatch-concept-ast/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>2010</category><category>2010 Paris Motor Show</category><category>2010ParisMotorShow</category><category>astra</category><category>astra gtc</category><category>Astra Sports Tourer</category><category>AstraGtc</category><category>AstraSportsTourer</category><category>Concept</category><category>gtc paris</category><category>GTC Paris Concept</category><category>GtcParis</category><category>GtcParisConcept</category><category>Opel</category><category>opel astra</category><category>opel astra gtc</category><category>Opel Astra Sports Tourer</category><category>opel gtc paris</category><category>Opel GTC Paris Concept</category><category>OpelAstra</category><category>OpelAstraGtc</category><category>OpelAstraSportsTourer</category><category>OpelGtcParis</category><category>OpelGtcParisConcept</category><category>Paris Motor Show</category><category>ParisMotorShow</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Zach Bowman]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 04 Aug 2010 10:29:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[Officially Official: Opel loads up new Astra Sports Tourer [w/video]]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/16/officially-official-opel-loads-up-new-astra-sports-tourer-w-vi/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/16/officially-official-opel-loads-up-new-astra-sports-tourer-w-vi/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/16/officially-official-opel-loads-up-new-astra-sports-tourer-w-vi/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/wagons/" rel="tag">Wagon</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/euro/" rel="tag">Europe</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/paris-motor-show/" rel="tag">Paris Motor Show</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/hatchbacks/" rel="tag">Hatchback</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/gm/" rel="tag">GM</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/opel/" rel="tag">Opel</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-opel-astra-sports-tourer/"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/265691opt.jpg" /></a>
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><small>2011 Opel Astra Sports Tourer - Click above for high-res image gallery</small></strong></em></div>
<br />
Small wagons might not have much of a place in the United States, but overseas, they do very well, thank you. Take the <a href="http://autoblog.com/tag/astra">Opel Astra</a>, for example - its wagon variant accounts for around 25 percent of its overall sales. Thus, <a href="http://autoblog.com/tag/opel">Opel</a> hasn't wasted any time in creating the wagon (Sports Tourer) version of the new Astra, and while it will make its public debut this October at the <a href="http://autoblog.com/paris-motor-show">Paris Motor Show</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/general+motors/">General Motors</a> is already spilling the virtual beans.<br />
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Inside, the Astra Sports Tourer uses a new FlexFold rear seat system, which allows rear seats to be folded down simply by pressing a button in the tailgate. We commonly see this feature on larger SUVs and minivans, and the Astra is the first compact wagon to have this function. With the rear seats down, the Sports Tourer can accommodate up to 54.7 cubic feet of haulables.<br />
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Not only is the Astra Sports Tourer quite functional, it has the makings of a vehicle that's relatively good to drive, too. Opel has fitted its FlexRide adaptive suspension system to the wagon, with standard, tour and sport driving modes. Eight engine choices are available, ranging from 95 to 180 horsepower, including the turbocharged 1.4-liter four that's slated for use in the U.S.-market <a href="http://autoblog.com/chevrolet/cruze">Chevrolet Cruze</a>.<br />
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It looks to be a fun little wagon, this Astra, and it makes us wish that there were enough buyers for such vehicles over here in the States. Have a look for yourself by either scrolling through the gallery below or watching the video (complete with <em>Shaft</em>-inspired soundtrack) <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/16/officially-official-opel-loads-up-new-astra-sports-tourer-w-vi/#continued">after the jump</a>.<br />
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<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-opel-astra-sports-tourer">2011 Opel Astra Sports Tourer</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-opel-astra-sports-tourer/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/265691_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-opel-astra-sports-tourer/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/265681_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-opel-astra-sports-tourer/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/265682_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-opel-astra-sports-tourer/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/265684_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-opel-astra-sports-tourer/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/265685_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />
[Source: Opel]<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/16/officially-official-opel-loads-up-new-astra-sports-tourer-w-vi/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Officially Official: Opel loads up new Astra Sports Tourer [w/video]</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/16/officially-official-opel-loads-up-new-astra-sports-tourer-w-vi/">Officially Official: Opel loads up new Astra Sports Tourer [w/video]</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 12:30:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/16/officially-official-opel-loads-up-new-astra-sports-tourer-w-vi/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19518622/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/16/officially-official-opel-loads-up-new-astra-sports-tourer-w-vi/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>2010 paris motor show</category><category>2010ParisMotorShow</category><category>2011 opel astra</category><category>2011 opel astra sports tourer</category><category>2011OpelAstra</category><category>2011OpelAstraSportsTourer</category><category>Astra</category><category>Astra Sports Tourer</category><category>AstraSportsTourer</category><category>general motors</category><category>GeneralMotors</category><category>gm</category><category>opel</category><category>opel astra</category><category>Opel Astra Sports Tourer</category><category>OpelAstra</category><category>OpelAstraSportsTourer</category><category>paris motor show</category><category>paris motor show 2010</category><category>ParisMotorShow</category><category>ParisMotorShow2010</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Steven J. Ewing]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 16 Jun 2010 12:30:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[Spy Shots: 2011 Opel Astra three-door 'coupe' caught in the lot]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/02/spy-shots-2011-opel-astra-three-door-coupe-caught-in-the-lot/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/02/spy-shots-2011-opel-astra-three-door-coupe-caught-in-the-lot/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/02/spy-shots-2011-opel-astra-three-door-coupe-caught-in-the-lot/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/spyphotos/" rel="tag">Spy Photos</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/paris-motor-show/" rel="tag">Paris Motor Show</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/hatchbacks/" rel="tag">Hatchback</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/opel/" rel="tag">Opel</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-2011-opel-astra-hatchback/"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/opelastra-hatchspy.jpg" alt="" /></a>
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><small>2011 Opel Astra Sport Coupe spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery</small></strong></em></div>
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<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/28/rumormill-buick-wagons-hatchbacks-and-diesels-oh-my/"><em>Car and Driver</em> has prognosticated</a> that we'll get other versions of the Buick Regal, but we still don't know if we'll get this one: the Opel Astra Sport 'Coupe.' Wearing much less cladding <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/24/spy-shots-sporty-opel-astra-three-door-spotted-coming-to-buick/">than when we've seen before</a>, it's obvious this one has gone all sleek-and-creased compared to its predecessor, and it looks like the extended-windshield option will make it to production for the Volkswagen <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/volkswagen/">Scirocco</a> rival, as well. <br />
<br />
The markets that will get the hot hatch, namely Europe and China (for starters), will have four engine options ranging from a 1.4-liter turbo to the 240-hp, 2.0-liter direct injected turbo inline-four going in the VXR model. The big reveal is likely set for the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/paris-motor-show/">Paris Motor Show</a> this September, but you can get a sneak peek at it now in the gallery of high-res photos below. <br />
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<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-2011-opel-astra-hatchback">Spy Shots: 2011 Opel Astra Hatchback</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-2011-opel-astra-hatchback/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/01-astra-hatch-spy-carpix-june_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-2011-opel-astra-hatchback/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/02-astra-hatch-spy-carpix-june_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-2011-opel-astra-hatchback/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/03-astra-hatch-spy-carpix-june_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-2011-opel-astra-hatchback/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/04-astra-hatch-spy-carpix-june_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-2011-opel-astra-hatchback/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/05-astra-hatch-spy-carpix-june_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />
[Source: CarPix]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/02/spy-shots-2011-opel-astra-three-door-coupe-caught-in-the-lot/">Spy Shots: 2011 Opel Astra three-door 'coupe' caught in the lot</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Wed, 02 Jun 2010 14:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/02/spy-shots-2011-opel-astra-three-door-coupe-caught-in-the-lot/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19499690/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/02/spy-shots-2011-opel-astra-three-door-coupe-caught-in-the-lot/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>2011 astra</category><category>2011 astra sport coupe</category><category>2011 opel astra</category><category>2011 opel astra sport coupe</category><category>2011Astra</category><category>2011AstraSportCoupe</category><category>2011OpelAstra</category><category>2011OpelAstraSportCoupe</category><category>Astra</category><category>Astra Sport Coupe</category><category>AstraSportCoupe</category><category>opel astra</category><category>Opel Astra Sport Coupe</category><category>OpelAstra</category><category>OpelAstraSportCoupe</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jonathon Ramsey]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 02 Jun 2010 14:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[Vauxhall's <i>Thoroughly Modern Motoring Manners</i> aims to teach you how to drive]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/15/vauxhalls-thoroughly-modern-motoring-manners-aims-to-tea/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/15/vauxhalls-thoroughly-modern-motoring-manners-aims-to-tea/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/15/vauxhalls-thoroughly-modern-motoring-manners-aims-to-tea/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/etc/" rel="tag">Etc.</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/marketing-advertising/" rel="tag">Marketing/Advertising</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/vauxhall/" rel="tag">Vauxhall</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/uk/" rel="tag">UK</a></p><a href="http://www.debretts.com/about-debrett%27s/in-the-media/march-2010/thoroughly-modern-motoring-manners-press-release.aspx"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/vauxhallmannersbook.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
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The new <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/vauxhall/">Vauxhall</a> Astra - or something or someone claiming to be the new Vauxhall Astra - has co-written a book on driving manners. The other co-writer is Debrett's, an English version of Miss Manners except that Debrett's has been dispensing etiquette advice for more than 200 years, long before Miss Manners' was even a zygote.<br />
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And that ancient lineage - at least, by American standards - could explain the quaint tone of <em>Thoroughly Modern Motoring Manners</em>, a 48-page work that would put a little more chivalry back on the roads. Advice includes "It's good manners to remove your hat in the car, just as you would when entering a building," and "A chivalrous man will ensure that his female passenger is comfortable before the journey begins. He should offer to take her coat, check that her seat is adjusted and be sure that the temperature is to her liking."<br />
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Well, then. Men of honor, you have your orders. To find out what you need to know regarding everything else mannered and motored, just &pound;5.99 ($9.22 U.S.) placed with Debrett's or Amazon UK will get a volume shipped speedily to you. And you know all the Astra boys will be doing it, so don't be shy. More words of etiquette wisdom are available in the press release <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/15/vauxhalls-thoroughly-modern-motoring-manners-aims-to-tea/#continued">after the jump</a>.<br />
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[Source: Vauxhall]<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/15/vauxhalls-thoroughly-modern-motoring-manners-aims-to-tea/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Vauxhall's <i>Thoroughly Modern Motoring Manners</i> aims to teach you how to drive</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/15/vauxhalls-thoroughly-modern-motoring-manners-aims-to-tea/">Vauxhall's <i>Thoroughly Modern Motoring Manners</i> aims to teach you how to drive</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Thu, 15 Apr 2010 07:59:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.debretts.com/about-debrett%27s/in-the-media/march-2010/thoroughly-modern-motoring-manners-press-release.aspx>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/15/vauxhalls-thoroughly-modern-motoring-manners-aims-to-tea/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19437078/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/15/vauxhalls-thoroughly-modern-motoring-manners-aims-to-tea/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>astra</category><category>books</category><category>debretts</category><category>etiquette</category><category>manners</category><category>miss manners</category><category>MissManners</category><category>vauxhall</category><category>vauxhall astra</category><category>VauxhallAstra</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jonathon Ramsey]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 15 Apr 2010 07:59:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[White Out: Vauxhall VXR Arctic Edition revealed]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/08/white-out-vauxhall-vxr-artic-edition-revealed/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/08/white-out-vauxhall-vxr-artic-edition-revealed/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/08/white-out-vauxhall-vxr-artic-edition-revealed/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sports/" rel="tag">Performance</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/hatchbacks/" rel="tag">Hatchback</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/vauxhall/" rel="tag">Vauxhall</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/uk/" rel="tag">UK</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/vauxhall-astra-vxr-arctic/"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/astravxrarctic.jpg" alt="" /></a>
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><small>Vauxhall Astra VXR Arctic - Click above for high-res image gallery</small></strong></em></div>
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<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/vauxhall/">Vauxhall</a> wants to shed inventory of its old Astra bodystyle and it's using the go-to tactic of a limited special edition to do it. There will be just 500 VXR Arctic Editions will get your polar needles spinning, and the extras above and beyond the VXR trim includes a black roof, mirror housings, window tints and fascia pieces, heated leather Recaros and 19-inch alloys. <br />
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The 240-horsepower VXR Arctic starts at &pound;23,595 ($36,019 U.S.), which is &pound;720 ($1,099 U.S.) more than a basic VXR, but throws in another &pound;1,245 ($1,900) in free goodies. If you still don't think you've spent enough, you can always add the panoramic roof for another &pound;920 ($1,404). They're on sale now, and sure to be going... from 0-to-60 in 6.2 seconds...<br />
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<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/vauxhall-astra-vxr-arctic">Vauxhall Astra VXR Arctic</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/vauxhall-astra-vxr-arctic/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/01astravxrarctic_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/vauxhall-astra-vxr-arctic/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/02astravxrarctic_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/vauxhall-astra-vxr-arctic/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/03astravxrarctic_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/vauxhall-astra-vxr-arctic/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/04astravxrarctic_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/vauxhall-astra-vxr-arctic/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/05astravxrarctic_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />
[Source: Vauxhall via <a href="http://www.parkers.co.uk/News/News/Vauxhall-unleashes-Astra-VXR-Arctic--/">Parker's</a>]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/08/white-out-vauxhall-vxr-artic-edition-revealed/">White Out: Vauxhall VXR Arctic Edition revealed</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Thu, 08 Apr 2010 13:58:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.parkers.co.uk/News/News/Vauxhall-unleashes-Astra-VXR-Arctic--/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/08/white-out-vauxhall-vxr-artic-edition-revealed/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19430830/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/08/white-out-vauxhall-vxr-artic-edition-revealed/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>astra</category><category>astra vxr</category><category>astra vxr arctic edition</category><category>AstraVxr</category><category>AstraVxrArcticEdition</category><category>limited edition</category><category>LimitedEdition</category><category>special edition</category><category>SpecialEdition</category><category>Vauxhall</category><category>vauxhall astra</category><category>vauxhall astra vxr</category><category>vauxhall astra vxr arctic edition</category><category>VauxhallAstra</category><category>VauxhallAstraVxr</category><category>VauxhallAstraVxrArcticEdition</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jonathon Ramsey]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 08 Apr 2010 13:58:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[Spy Shots: Opel Astra ST spotted braving the elements]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/10/spy-shots-opel-astra-st-spotted-braving-the-elements/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/10/spy-shots-opel-astra-st-spotted-braving-the-elements/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/10/spy-shots-opel-astra-st-spotted-braving-the-elements/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/spyphotos/" rel="tag">Spy Photos</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/wagons/" rel="tag">Wagon</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/opel/" rel="tag">Opel</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/vauxhall/" rel="tag">Vauxhall</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/opel-vauxhall-astra-sports-tourer-spy-shots/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/opelastraspy.jpg" /></a>
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><small>Opel/Vauxhall Astra SportsTourer spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery</small></strong></em></div>
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The <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/opel/">Opel</a>/<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/vauxhall/">Vauxhall</a> Astra Sports Tourer - otherwise known as a wagon or estate - is testing its cold weather chops with minimal camouflage. <br />
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Details on the little cargo carrier are slim, but snappers at CarPix tell us that the rear liftgate differs from that on the larger Insignia ST by being separated from the taillights. We are also told that the interior and engine options will be the same as <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/10/2010-opel-astra-hatch-gtc-coupe-and-wagon-revealed/">on the five-door hatch</a>, and a spicy GSi model is on the way to fill out the line. It's too bad no one from <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/buick/">Buick</a> will tell us in the States, "Yes, you can have it..." You can check it out from various angles in the gallery of high-res photos below.<br />
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<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/opel-vauxhall-astra-sports-tourer-spy-shots">Opel/Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Spy Shots</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/opel-vauxhall-astra-sports-tourer-spy-shots/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/01opelastra-stspy_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/opel-vauxhall-astra-sports-tourer-spy-shots/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/02opelastra-stspy_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/opel-vauxhall-astra-sports-tourer-spy-shots/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/03opelastra-stspy_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/opel-vauxhall-astra-sports-tourer-spy-shots/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/04opelastra-stspy_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/opel-vauxhall-astra-sports-tourer-spy-shots/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/05opelastra-stspy_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />
[Source: CarPix]<br />
<br /><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/10/spy-shots-opel-astra-st-spotted-braving-the-elements/">Spy Shots: Opel Astra ST spotted braving the elements</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:01:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/10/spy-shots-opel-astra-st-spotted-braving-the-elements/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19389617/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/10/spy-shots-opel-astra-st-spotted-braving-the-elements/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>astra</category><category>astra sports tourer</category><category>AstraSportsTourer</category><category>buick</category><category>buick astra</category><category>BuickAstra</category><category>opel astra</category><category>Opel Astra Sports Tourer</category><category>OpelAstra</category><category>OpelAstraSportsTourer</category><category>vauxhall astra</category><category>vauxhall astra sports tourer</category><category>VauxhallAstra</category><category>VauxhallAstraSportsTourer</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jonathon Ramsey]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:01:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[Video: Opel goes all "Oceans Eleven" and augmented reality for new Astra]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/20/video-opel-goes-all-oceans-eleven-and-augmented-reality-for-n/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/20/video-opel-goes-all-oceans-eleven-and-augmented-reality-for-n/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/20/video-opel-goes-all-oceans-eleven-and-augmented-reality-for-n/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/marketing-advertising/" rel="tag">Marketing/Advertising</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/videos/" rel="tag">Videos</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/opel/" rel="tag">Opel</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/20/video-opel-goes-all-oceans-eleven-and-augmented-reality-for-n/#continued"><img hspace="0" vspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/opelastra-video.jpg" /></a>
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><small>Click above to watch the videos <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/20/video-opel-goes-all-oceans-eleven-and-augmented-reality-for-n/#continued">after the jump</a></small></strong></div>
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The <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/17/frankfurt-2009-opel-astra-makes-its-debut-under-the-lights/">2010 Astra</a> is one nice-looking hatch, and the good people at <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/opel/">Opel</a> are going to great lengths to show the world their five-door accomplishment. The latest example of Astra pride comes in the form of a two-and-a-half minute short that plays off of the clever nature of the Oceans movies starring George Clooney and Brad Pitt. <br />
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If you haven't seen any of the Oceans trilogy, each film centers around a Las Vegas casino and a gang of crafty crooks that take the owner for everything he has. All three films are edited with quick cuts and multiple clips showing at the same time. The Astra TV spot also involves a Casino and some fancy editing, but the dozen or so criminals are replaced with three "agents" trying to get their hands on the plans for the world's most expensive casino. Of course, there are also plenty of shots of the Astra highlighting features like the "Astra Eye" that can read traffic signals and headlights that turn with you. <br />
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<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/20/video-opel-goes-all-oceans-eleven-and-augmented-reality-for-n/#continued">Hit the jump</a> to watch the video for yourself. If you're as confused as we were, watch the second embedded video that explains what was going on in the first video.<br />
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[Source: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYl9ck6k8vE">YouTube</a>]<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/20/video-opel-goes-all-oceans-eleven-and-augmented-reality-for-n/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Video: Opel goes all "Oceans Eleven" and augmented reality for new Astra</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/20/video-opel-goes-all-oceans-eleven-and-augmented-reality-for-n/">Video: Opel goes all "Oceans Eleven" and augmented reality for new Astra</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:33:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYl9ck6k8vE>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/20/video-opel-goes-all-oceans-eleven-and-augmented-reality-for-n/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19322857/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/20/video-opel-goes-all-oceans-eleven-and-augmented-reality-for-n/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>astra</category><category>oceans 11</category><category>Oceans11</category><category>opel</category><category>opel astra</category><category>OpelAstra</category><category>vauxhall astra</category><category>VauxhallAstra</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Shunk]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:33:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[REPORT: GM may let dealers sell remaining "non-core" vehicles as used with big discounts]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/29/report-gm-may-let-dealers-sell-remaining-non-core-vehicles-as/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/29/report-gm-may-let-dealers-sell-remaining-non-core-vehicles-as/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/29/report-gm-may-let-dealers-sell-remaining-non-core-vehicles-as/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/carbuying/" rel="tag">Car Buying</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/pontiac/" rel="tag">Pontiac</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/saturn/" rel="tag">Saturn</a></p><a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB126205243214008389.html?mod=WSJ_hps_MIDDLESecondNews"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/saturn-of-colma-empty-630-getty.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /> <br /> You've seen the dealer commercials before. "Now is the time to buy.... year end sale!" Well, if you want the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/pontiac/">Pontiac</a> or <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/saturn/">Saturn</a> of your dreams, this really is the best ever time to deal because it's literally the last chance to get a new vehicle from these brands. <em>The</em> <em>Wall Street Journal</em> reports that General Motors is offering dealers $7,000 in cash for each new Saturn or Pontiac model sold until the deal ends January 4. <em>Edmunds</em> reportedly told the WSJ that it expects GM will have about 4,200 Saturn and Pontiac models by January 1.<br /> <br /> That $7,000 in cash goes straight to dealers, meaning that a dealer can give you all or only some of the $7,000 off the vehicle if they so choose. But if you do get the entire $7,000 rebate, it could amount to 46 percent off the price of a new <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/g3">Pontiac G3</a> - you know, if driving a rebadged <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/model/Aveo">Chevrolet Aveo</a> is your idea of excitement. But hey, how many new cars can you buy for $8,000 outside of India? A more compelling deal could be $7,000 off the price of a <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/saturn/astra">Saturn Astra</a>. Getting a brand-new Astra with tons of options and a $13,000 price tag could be considered a steal.<br /> <br /> The catch to the sale is that the vehicle will be sold as used since dealers will officially be the first owners of the vehicle. That could effect customers' ability to purchase a new vehicle with a GM employee or supplier discount, but in the majority of cases, the $7,000 would likely be the better deal. <em>Hat tip to Keerthi!</em><br /> <br /> [Source: <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB126205243214008389.html?mod=WSJ_hps_MIDDLESecondNews">The Wall Street Journal</a> | Image: Justin Sullivan/Getty]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/29/report-gm-may-let-dealers-sell-remaining-non-core-vehicles-as/">REPORT: GM may let dealers sell remaining "non-core" vehicles as used with big discounts</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Tue, 29 Dec 2009 11:28:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB126205243214008389.html?mod=WSJ_hps_MIDDLESecondNews>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/29/report-gm-may-let-dealers-sell-remaining-non-core-vehicles-as/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19296407/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/29/report-gm-may-let-dealers-sell-remaining-non-core-vehicles-as/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>7000 incentive</category><category>7000Incentive</category><category>Astra</category><category>G3</category><category>General Motors</category><category>GeneralMotors</category><category>GM</category><category>Pontiac</category><category>pontiac closeout</category><category>Pontiac G3</category><category>pontiac sale</category><category>pontiac sales</category><category>PontiacCloseout</category><category>PontiacG3</category><category>PontiacSale</category><category>PontiacSales</category><category>sales incentive</category><category>SalesIncentive</category><category>Saturn</category><category>Saturn Astra</category><category>Saturn cars</category><category>saturn closeout</category><category>saturn sale</category><category>SaturnAstra</category><category>SaturnCars</category><category>SaturnCloseout</category><category>SaturnSale</category><category>Wall Street Journal</category><category>WallStreetJournal</category><category>WSJ</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Shunk]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 11:28:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[Frankfurt 2009: Opel Astra makes its debut under the lights]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/17/frankfurt-2009-opel-astra-makes-its-debut-under-the-lights/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/17/frankfurt-2009-opel-astra-makes-its-debut-under-the-lights/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/17/frankfurt-2009-opel-astra-makes-its-debut-under-the-lights/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/frankfurt-auto-show/" rel="tag">Frankfurt Motor Show</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/hatchbacks/" rel="tag">Hatchback</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/opel/" rel="tag">Opel</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/frankfurt-2009-opel-astra/"><img hspace="4" vspace="4" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/2010-opel-astra.jpg" /></a>
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><small>2010 Opel Astra - Click above for high-res image gallery</small></strong></em></div>
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By now, you've likely already seen official shots of the 2010 Opel Astra, both <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/18/opel-pulls-the-wraps-off-the-2010-astras-interior/">inside</a> and <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/13/officially-official-2010-opel-astra-revealed-ahead-of-frankfurt/">out</a>. Of course, catching a glimpse of a new shape under the harsh lighting of an auto show often brings a different point of view than the automaker's own glitzy press shots.<br />
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In the case of the latest Astra, though, the new car looks nearly as fetching caught with the lenses of our own DSLRs as it did in GM's official photography. We especially like the new Astra's interior furnishings, which are a major step up from the current model's rather boring and somber duds.<br />
<br />
While the 2010 Astra won't be coming Stateside as a Saturn like the previous model, GM has promised to bring the latest Detla-based car to American shores (probably in sedan form) <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/04/buicks-new-compact-sedan-spotted-in-china/">wearing the trademark Buick badge and chrome waterfall grille</a>, and none of those plans are expected to change now that The General has <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/10/report-gm-coughs-up-55-opel-stake-to-magna-sberbank/">offloaded a majority stake in Opel</a> to Magna. Check out our high-res shots below of the 2010 Astra live from <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/frankfurt-auto-show/">Frankfurt</a>.<br />
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<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/frankfurt-2009-opel-astra">Frankfurt 2009: Opel Astra</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/frankfurt-2009-opel-astra/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/01-opel-astra-live_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/frankfurt-2009-opel-astra/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/02-opel-astra-live_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/frankfurt-2009-opel-astra/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/03-opel-astra-live_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/frankfurt-2009-opel-astra/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/04-opel-astra-live_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/frankfurt-2009-opel-astra/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/05-opel-astra-live_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br /><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/17/frankfurt-2009-opel-astra-makes-its-debut-under-the-lights/">Frankfurt 2009: Opel Astra makes its debut under the lights</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:41:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/17/frankfurt-2009-opel-astra-makes-its-debut-under-the-lights/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19164251/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/17/frankfurt-2009-opel-astra-makes-its-debut-under-the-lights/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>2010 astra</category><category>2010 opel astra</category><category>2010Astra</category><category>2010OpelAstra</category><category>astra</category><category>frankfurt</category><category>frankfurt 2009</category><category>frankfurt auto show</category><category>frankfurt motor show</category><category>Frankfurt2009</category><category>FrankfurtAutoShow</category><category>FrankfurtMotorShow</category><category>opel</category><category>opel astra</category><category>OpelAstra</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jeremy Korzeniewski]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:41:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[Opel pulls the wraps off the 2010 Astra's interior]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/18/opel-pulls-the-wraps-off-the-2010-astras-interior/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/18/opel-pulls-the-wraps-off-the-2010-astras-interior/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/18/opel-pulls-the-wraps-off-the-2010-astras-interior/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/frankfurt-auto-show/" rel="tag">Frankfurt Motor Show</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/euro/" rel="tag">Europe</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/hatchbacks/" rel="tag">Hatchback</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/opel/" rel="tag">Opel</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/vauxhall/" rel="tag">Vauxhall</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/uk/" rel="tag">UK</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-opel-astra/2091720/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/06/020_2010opelastra-580op.jpg" /></a><br />
<div align="center"><em><strong><small>2010 Opel Astra - Click above for a high-res image gallery</small></strong></em><br /></div>
<br />Although we're still a few months away from seeing the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/2010OpelAstra/">2010 Opel Astra</a> in the flesh at the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/FrankfurtMotorShow/">Frankfurt Motor Show</a>, the automaker has released a bevy of interior images of its new compact hatch following the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/13/officially-official-2010-opel-astra-revealed-ahead-of-frankfurt/">reveal of the fully redesigned exterior</a>.<br /><br />The new interior takes a huge stride beyond the current model's drab yet functional environment, with upgraded materials and a completely reworked center stack housing controls for the sat-nav, HVAC and infotainment systems. It's mildly mobile phone-like and you wouldn't be alone seeing shades of the new Ford Fiesta in the Astra's center console.<br /><br />Additionally, there's a redesigned glovebox with removable compartments for pens and coins, an optional compartment under the passenger seat and ambient lighting piped into the door handle surrounds, gear lever recess and center stack.<br /><br />Based on the new Delta platform that underpins the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/ChevroletCruze/">Chevrolet Cruze</a>, the new Astra will be available abroad later this year, packing a host of gasoline and diesel powerplants with outputs ranging from 100 to 180 hp. Make the jump for the release, along with a groovetastic video of the Astra's new insides.<br /><br /><br /><div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-opel-astra">2010 Opel Astra</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-opel-astra/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/000_2010opelastra_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-opel-astra/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/001_2010opelastra_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-opel-astra/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/002_2010opelastra_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-opel-astra/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/003_2010opelastra_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-opel-astra/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/004_2010opelastra_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/18/opel-pulls-the-wraps-off-the-2010-astras-interior/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Opel pulls the wraps off the 2010 Astra's interior</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/18/opel-pulls-the-wraps-off-the-2010-astras-interior/">Opel pulls the wraps off the 2010 Astra's interior</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:01:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/18/opel-pulls-the-wraps-off-the-2010-astras-interior/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19071084/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/18/opel-pulls-the-wraps-off-the-2010-astras-interior/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>2010</category><category>2010 opel astra</category><category>2010OpelAstra</category><category>astra</category><category>frankfurt</category><category>frankfurt motor show</category><category>FrankfurtMotorShow</category><category>opel</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Damon Lavrinc]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:01:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[Officially Official: 2010 Opel Astra revealed ahead of Frankfurt debut]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/13/officially-official-2010-opel-astra-revealed-ahead-of-frankfurt/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/13/officially-official-2010-opel-astra-revealed-ahead-of-frankfurt/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/13/officially-official-2010-opel-astra-revealed-ahead-of-frankfurt/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/frankfurt-auto-show/" rel="tag">Frankfurt Motor Show</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/euro/" rel="tag">Europe</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/hatchbacks/" rel="tag">Hatchback</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/gm/" rel="tag">GM</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/saturn/" rel="tag">Saturn</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/opel/" rel="tag">Opel</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-opel-astra-1/2012221/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/03-2010-opel-astra-580op.jpg" /></a><br />
<div align="center"><em><strong><small>2010 Opel Astra - Click above for a high-res image gallery</small></strong></em><br /></div>
<br />After yesterday's <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/12/leaked-2010-opel-astra-gets-early-web-reveal/">impromptu internet unveiling</a> of the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/2010OpelAstra/">2010 Opel Astra</a>, General Motors has finally let the details out on its next-generation compact before its official debut at the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/FrankfurtMotorShow/">Frankfurt Motor Show</a> this September.<br /><br />The 2010 Astra's design is inspired by the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/OpelInsignia/">Opel Insignia</a>, sporting all-new sheet metal that takes cues from its mid-size sibling and packages it into a smaller, more fluid shape. The fascia, headlamps and rump remain true to Opel's new design direction, along with the sculpted sides and cab-forward greenhouse.<br /><br />The same Delta 2 global platform used on the Cruze and Volt underpins the new Astra, measuring in at 174 inches, with a wheelbase that stretches 2.8 inches longer than the outgoing model. The "wing and blade" design employed on the exterior carries through to the interior, and joins ergonomic seats and the new Opel Eye front camera system, which recognizes road signs and warns drivers if they veer out of their lane.<br /><br />Buyers abroad have the choice of eight different engines, including four CDTI common-rail diesels with displacements ranging from 1.3- to 2.0-liters and outputs between 95 and 160 hp. Another four gasoline-powered mills, with displacements between 1.4- and 1.6-liters, doll out between 100 and 180 hp along with a new turbocharged 1.4-liter that replaces the outgoing naturally aspirated 1.8-liter and puts out 140 hp and 14% more torque, while lowering fuel consumption.<br /><br />The wraps come off the five-door Astra later this year, while a four-door sedan, three-door hatch and a two-mode hybrid variant are expected to debut in 2010. Sales should begin towards the end of 2009, and although Saturn's future is all but sealed in the States, we wouldn't be surprised to see the General import the Astra to the U.S. to finally provide a credible contender to the Mazda3. All the details, along with a video of the Astra, are available below the fold.<br /><br /><br /><div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-opel-astra-1">2010 Opel Astra</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-opel-astra-1/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/01-2010-opel-astra_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-opel-astra-1/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/02-2010-opel-astra_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-opel-astra-1/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/03-2010-opel-astra_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-opel-astra-1/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/04-2010-opel-astra_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-opel-astra-1/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/05-2010-opel-astra_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/13/officially-official-2010-opel-astra-revealed-ahead-of-frankfurt/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Officially Official: 2010 Opel Astra revealed ahead of Frankfurt debut</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/13/officially-official-2010-opel-astra-revealed-ahead-of-frankfurt/">Officially Official: 2010 Opel Astra revealed ahead of Frankfurt debut</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Wed, 13 May 2009 14:58:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/13/officially-official-2010-opel-astra-revealed-ahead-of-frankfurt/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1545052/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/13/officially-official-2010-opel-astra-revealed-ahead-of-frankfurt/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>2010</category><category>2010 opel astra</category><category>2010OpelAstra</category><category>astra</category><category>frankfurt</category><category>frankfurt 2009</category><category>frankfurt motor show</category><category>Frankfurt2009</category><category>FrankfurtMotorShow</category><category>opel</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Damon Lavrinc]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 13 May 2009 14:58:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[Leaked: 2010 Opel Astra gets early web reveal]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/12/leaked-2010-opel-astra-gets-early-web-reveal/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/12/leaked-2010-opel-astra-gets-early-web-reveal/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/12/leaked-2010-opel-astra-gets-early-web-reveal/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/frankfurt-auto-show/" rel="tag">Frankfurt Motor Show</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/spyphotos/" rel="tag">Spy Photos</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/economy/" rel="tag">Budget</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/euro/" rel="tag">Europe</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/green/" rel="tag">Green</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/hatchbacks/" rel="tag">Hatchback</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-opel-astra/2010677/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/002_2010opelastra_opt.jpg" /></a><br />
<div align="center"><em><strong><small>2010 Opel Astra - Click above for high-res image gallery</small></strong></em><br /></div>
<br />Opel's Astra <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/28/saturn-astra-disappears-for-2009/">hasn't exactly gone down a storm</a> here in the U.S. while wearing a Saturn badge, but the four-cylinder econocar lineup is pivotal stuff in Europe, and the next-generation model could still find its way to America - even if it doesn't wear a planetary badge.<br /><br />Regardless of whether or not a stateside version is in the cards, the 2010 Astra seen here is massively important. Based on General Motors' Delta platform (whose basic architecture underpins the Chevrolet Cruze and forthcoming Volt), the sixth-generation Astra will take the fight to cars like Volkswagen's Golf and Ford's Focus powered by a range of four-cylinder engines. According to CarScoop, the Astra will be available with a normally aspirated 1.4-liter gasoline inline-four, but turbocharged variants will also be available, offering between 120- to 140 horsepower and 175 to 200 Nm of torque (129 - 148 pound-feet). More power will reportedly come in the form of a 180 hp 1.6-liter turbo motor. Naturally, being a European offering, a range of diesels will also be available, including 1.3-, 1.7- and 2.0 -liter variants. A particularly miserly ecoFLEX variant is also expected in 2010.<br /><br />If CarScoop's sources are right, the five-door Astra will hit showrooms in the autumn, with a three-door GTC Coupe fastback to follow. A wagon, four-door sedan, and a retractable hardtop model are expected to fill out the range thereafter.<br /><br />The 2010 Astra is expected to see its official debut at this fall's <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/Frankfurt-Motor-Show/">Frankfurt Motor Show</a>, where we'll be sure to have our cameras primed and waiting.<br /><br /><br /><div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-opel-astra">2010 Opel Astra</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-opel-astra/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/000_2010opelastra_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-opel-astra/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/001_2010opelastra_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-opel-astra/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/002_2010opelastra_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-opel-astra/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/003_2010opelastra_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-opel-astra/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/004_2010opelastra_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />[Source: <a href="http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2009/05/2010-opel-astra-fully-revealed-new-14.html">CarScoop</a>]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/12/leaked-2010-opel-astra-gets-early-web-reveal/">Leaked: 2010 Opel Astra gets early web reveal</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Tue, 12 May 2009 16:58:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/12/leaked-2010-opel-astra-gets-early-web-reveal/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1544156/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/12/leaked-2010-opel-astra-gets-early-web-reveal/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Astra</category><category>breaking</category><category>breaking news</category><category>breakingnews</category><category>Opel</category><category>Saturn</category><category>Vauxhall</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Paukert]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 12 May 2009 16:58:00 EST</pubDate>
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