Thursday 30th September 2010

Paris: Opel GTC Paris Concept

Show debut for new Astra VXR, in body if not in name

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If you've been wondering what the next Astra VXR will look like, stop it now - because the Opel GTC Paris Concept is pretty much it.

The GTC concept isn't only a hint at the next VXR, though. It's also a good indicator to what the upcoming three-door Astra will look like.

However, the sporting pretensions of this concept aren't to be ignored. It's taken the Astra's 'blade' surfacing and turned it round, much like the Insignia, and created an integrated side skirt. There's also a sharp bonnet crease, an aggressive trapezoidal grille, a chunky rear shoulder line, a small spoiler, angry looking (technical term, that) LED tail lights, and twin exhaust pipes.

Its 4.46metres long - 4cm longer that the five door. It's also obviously lower in the metal, and the GTC sits on a wider chassis designed for better handing and to make more room for things like Vauxhall's FlexRide adaptive damping system and a 'leccy LSD.

The GTC also gets a four-cylinder, 2.0-litre turbo'd engine with direct injection and Start/Stop tech. It's all hooked up to a six speed manual.

[dave stew]

It'll look better with a few 'No Fear' and 'Oakley Thermonuclear Protection' stickers on the back window! Not to mention the optional Burberry trim...

I suppose this is the spiritual successor to the Opel Manta...

[LuS1fer]

Stating the bleedin' obvious said:

It's also a good indicator to what the upcoming three-door Astra will look like.

No sh*t!

Looks far better than the Farkus ST though.

Edited by LuS1fer on Thursday 30th September 12:43

[amare32]

Just how big are those wheels?

[356Speedster]

Looks like a heavy blob. I wonder what it weighs. The new Focus isn't pretty, but at least it's not as dull as this.

[RJB_666]

Looks good.

I've heard that the new Astra VXR's will have a 1.8l turbo.

[Zletsgo]

RJB_666 said:

Looks good.

I've heard that the new Astra VXR's will have a 1.8l turbo.

You need to stop reading Autoexpress lol

It's 2.0L and currently in use in the states - will be 295bhp when it lands on these shores

[soad]

Quite decent - yes, heavy looking but what modern car isn't?

[willisit]

amare32 said:

Just how big are those wheels?

Those are 21inch - expect 19/20 inch on production. The SRi has optional 19s so I'd bet on optional 20s like the Insignia.

I'd heard 286hp in other rags...

[Zletsgo]

willisit said:

amare32 said:

Just how big are those wheels?

Those are 21inch - expect 19/20 inch on production. The SRi has optional 19s so I'd bet on optional 20s like the Insignia.

I'd heard 286hp in other rags...

Here's a kit GM already sell for the engine in the US to take it to 290bhp - liking the "no shift lift" if that gets fitted as well....
http://www.gmpartshouse.com/products/19212670-lnf-...

[dave stew]

willisit said:

amare32 said:

Just how big are those wheels?

Those are 21inch - expect 19/20 inch on production. The SRi has optional 19s so I'd bet on optional 20s like the Insignia.

I'd heard 286hp in other rags...

My wife'd wreck those outside the Co-Op. Half my 18's are on the kerb outside that well known Rochdale originated emporium.

[SR06]

Quite a few nice lines there actually but its a massive looking thing.

Q. Why puts Oakley stickers on their cars? Ive seen more ///M badges on 320's lately than chavy stickers...obviously someone never hit their projected sales last year.

[s4rpf]

If you want more info best looking here

http://www.vxronline.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=...

should be 280-295, wheels are 21 on the concept, but 20/19 should be on the vxr, back is basically as the vxr will be front will change slightly.

seats are what are in the vxr though the colour scheme will change.

will have the hyperstrut suspension like the RS, but will have a E-LSD instead of a mechanical one

[300bhp/ton]

Not saying this isn't good, but is it not more of "seen it, done it, got the T-shirt already"???



Unless it's way cheaper than rivals, will there be any reason to want one?

[RJB_666]

Zletsgo said:

RJB_666 said:

Looks good.

I've heard that the new Astra VXR's will have a 1.8l turbo.

You need to stop reading Autoexpress lol

It's 2.0L and currently in use in the states - will be 295bhp when it lands on these shores

Don't read autoexpress Been told by someone who works at Vauxhall. 'Apparently' the one we'll get here is a 1.8l with a smaller turbo.

[Zletsgo]

RJB_666 said:

Zletsgo said:

RJB_666 said:

Looks good.

I've heard that the new Astra VXR's will have a 1.8l turbo.

You need to stop reading Autoexpress lol

It's 2.0L and currently in use in the states - will be 295bhp when it lands on these shores

Don't read autoexpress Been told by someone who works at Vauxhall. 'Apparently' the one we'll get here is a 1.8l with a smaller turbo.

Well you need to tell the contact at Vauxhall to stop reading Autoexpress lol as it's based on the engine that's already in the Insignia and it's a 2.0L as confirmed by the VXR Brand Manager - it's currently doing the rounds as a mule on the ring in 280bhp format

[robsco]

I'm praying for the day when cars are designed with 13" wheels again.

[RJB_666]

Zletsgo said:

RJB_666 said:

Zletsgo said:

RJB_666 said:

Looks good.

I've heard that the new Astra VXR's will have a 1.8l turbo.

You need to stop reading Autoexpress lol

It's 2.0L and currently in use in the states - will be 295bhp when it lands on these shores

Don't read autoexpress Been told by someone who works at Vauxhall. 'Apparently' the one we'll get here is a 1.8l with a smaller turbo.

Well you need to tell the contact at Vauxhall to stop reading Autoexpress lol as it's based on the engine that's already in the Insignia and it's a 2.0L as confirmed by the VXR Brand Manager - it's currently doing the rounds as a mule on the ring in 280bhp format

Must have changed spec then http://drivingspirit.com/2010-astra-vxr-gets-small...

It's good news though, i didn't want a 1.8l

[Escort Si-130]

so DRY @ burberry!

dave stew said:

It'll look better with a few 'No Fear' and 'Oakley Thermonuclear Protection' stickers on the back window! Not to mention the optional Burberry trim...

I suppose this is the spiritual successor to the Opel Manta...

[Zletsgo]

RJB_666 said:

Zletsgo said:

RJB_666 said:

Zletsgo said:

RJB_666 said:

Looks good.

I've heard that the new Astra VXR's will have a 1.8l turbo.

You need to stop reading Autoexpress lol

It's 2.0L and currently in use in the states - will be 295bhp when it lands on these shores

Don't read autoexpress Been told by someone who works at Vauxhall. 'Apparently' the one we'll get here is a 1.8l with a smaller turbo.

Well you need to tell the contact at Vauxhall to stop reading Autoexpress lol as it's based on the engine that's already in the Insignia and it's a 2.0L as confirmed by the VXR Brand Manager - it's currently doing the rounds as a mule on the ring in 280bhp format

Must have changed spec then http://drivingspirit.com/2010-astra-vxr-gets-small...

It's good news though, i didn't want a 1.8l

They got their story from Autoexpress as well it seems lol
On vxronline we've had it confirmed for over a year that it was going to be 2L - which I agree is good news

[Fire99]

So my Jeep is going to be dwarfed by a family hatchback. Cars are getting rather plump.