Opel

Nov 5 2011

2012 Opel Astra OPC gets 280 horsepower

2012 Opel Astra OPC gets 280 horsepower
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 Astra GTC, 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.

Source: Opel

2012 Opel Zafira Tourer revealed

May 23 2011

2012 Opel Zafira Tourer revealed

Sending power through the improved chassis are three 2.0-liter CDTI diesel options. The four-cylinder diesel mills come in 110-, 130- and 165-horsepower options. If you must have a gas powerplant, the Zafira carries either a 120-hp, 1.4-liter ECOTEC four banger or a 140-hp version of the same powerplant. No matter what engine you choose, you can have either a six-speed stick or six-speed automatic.

Source: Opel

Opel channels the Nürburgring for its hottest-ever Corsa

Apr 22 2011

Opel channels the Nürburgring for its hottest-ever Corsa

Opel channels the Nürburgring for its hottest ever Corsa

Between the New York Auto Show, the Shanghai Motor Show and Top Marques Monaco, there’s a major motor expo happening on each of three continents. But the latest model you see here wasn’t unveiled at any one of them.

What you’re looking at is the hottest hatch to come from Opel. It’s called the Corsa OPC Nürburgring Edition, and it means business. To start with, the Opel Performance Center (think of it as General Motors of Europe’s AMG) has tweaked the 1.6-liter turbo four from 192 horsepower to 210 and boosted the torque count from 170 lb-ft (196 on overboost) to 184 (206 on overboost).

To cope with the added twist, OPC’s fitted a multi-plate mechanical limited-slip differential. They’ve also added Bilstein suspension components and Brembo brakes, recalibrated the ABS, traction control and stability management systems. On the outside, they’ve mounted new 18-inch alloys on 35-series low-profile rubber and a new front spoiler, dual-tipped stainless-steel exhaust and the requisite special badges.

The result is a Karousel-charging 6.8-second sprint to 60 and an Autobahn-crunching 143 mph top end. Only 500 examples will be offered, with two new colors (Grasshopper green and the above-pictured Henna red) joining the catalog for this special edition. Follow the jump for the full press blast and scope out the trio of images in the gallery below for a closer look.

[Source: Opel]

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