Opel Astra GTC

Wretched · 04-05-2012, 08:42 AM

For the last couple of weeks I have seen this Opel Astra GTC on my way to work each morning.
Sorry for the dull pics but I didn't want to make it too obvious while taking them.
Have to say I think the car is quite good looking, has a real nice shape to it.
Couldn't get a profile pic as there was a car parked either side of it.

Are these on sale yet or scheduled to be?

aussie muscle · 04-05-2012, 09:19 AM

it's weird, you can see it's astra lineage, but no lion badge on the front.

ZDHLANE · 05-05-2012, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aussie muscle

it's weird, you can see it's astra lineage, but no lion badge on the front.

Because they are making provision for a chev badge

csv8 · 04-05-2012, 09:26 AM

Opels go on sale from september....

**DJM83** · 04-05-2012, 09:28 AM

This has been in the pipeline for sometime. I have a mate involved with OpelAus and the release back into the Aus market.

csv8 · 04-05-2012, 09:34 AM

My concern with Opel is it will be another car on the market. Australia has a small market base and another brand dilutes sales choice. This is one of the reasons why FORD sales are down the gurgler.. Too much choice !! for population size. Button Plan has failed. Fiesta will be up against Corsa..Focus Astra and Mondeo the Insignia..

MAGPIE · 04-05-2012, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csv8

My concern with Opel is it will be another car on the market. Australia has a small market base and another brand dilutes sales choice. This is one of the reasons why FORD sales are down the gurgler.. Too much choice !! for population size. Button Plan has failed. Fiesta will be up against Corsa..Focus Astra and Mondeo the Insignia..

Are you for real...

your complaining about too much choice because Ford can't sell enough cars. Hang on I'll just grab you a hanky or would you prefer a violin ?

The Opel looks pretty good, a bit Renaultish

graham_h · 04-05-2012, 09:52 AM

maybe stalk the guy driving it and have a chat, could be a personal import ?

Nurb608 · 04-05-2012, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graham_h

maybe stalk the guy driving it and have a chat, could be a personal import ?

Deffinately not a private import. It's one of the guys/girls who are working for Opel over here. There are a few astra j's about but this is the only GTC that's been seen out on the roads by a few people.

Chopped · 04-05-2012, 04:52 PM

Looks nice but I'd like to see it in a different colour.

csv8 · 04-05-2012, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chopped

Looks nice but I'd like to see it in a different colour.

http://www.vauxhall.co.uk/vehicles/v.../overview.html

Nurb608 · 04-05-2012, 05:17 PM

Or the Aussie site ;)

http://www.opel-australia.com.au/veh...gtc/index.html

Fab · 04-05-2012, 08:12 PM

Whilst watching Melbourne FC coach getting interviewed on Foxsports, the sponsor banner behind him had the Opel logo.

Nurb608 · 04-05-2012, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fab

Whilst watching Melbourne FC coach getting interviewed on Foxsports, the sponsor banner behind him had the Opel logo.

Yeah, after they ditched energy watch, Opel came on board with the dee's as a Major Sponsor.

madmatty · 04-05-2012, 08:19 PM

looks pretty lame to me
bet is front wheel drive and under powered
just another hairdressers car

anyone remember celica,pasaeo,mirage,veloster,civic,golf all lame,boring front wheel drive coupe/hatchback

Nurb608 · 04-05-2012, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madmatty

looks pretty lame to me
bet is front wheel drive and under powered
just another hairdressers car

anyone remember celica,pasaeo,mirage,veloster,civic,golf all lame,boring front wheel drive coupe/hatchback

Ofcourse it's front wheel drive!

Base models dont have massive power but the OPC version out here next year would be on par to a Focus RS. Plenty of hairdresser cars putting the bigger cars to shame on a race track these days ;)

madmatty · 04-05-2012, 08:31 PM

the focus rs was $64,000 .a great little car that would put must cars to shame on a race track.i doubt the opel/holden s box will be that good. it might be like the w427 the greatest car they couldnt sell.

Nurb608 · 04-05-2012, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madmatty

the focus rs was $64,000 .a great little car that would put must cars to shame on a race track.i doubt the opel/holden s box will be that good. it might be like the w427 the greatest car they couldnt sell.

I like the RS, one of the only fords i'd consider, but I think the Opel OPC Mk6/J will be up to it.

The W427 was and is still too overpriced, as alot of cars are.

**DJM83** · 04-05-2012, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madmatty

looks pretty lame to me
bet is front wheel drive and under powered
just another hairdressers car

anyone remember celica,pasaeo,mirage,veloster,civic,golf all lame,boring front wheel drive coupe/hatchback

You really have NO idea.

MethodX · 04-05-2012, 09:06 PM

I would take an OPC Insignia any day.
Great car, by all accounts.

**DJM83** · 04-05-2012, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MethodX

I would take an OPC Insignia any day.
Great car, by all accounts.

Oh yeah

In Focus · 04-05-2012, 08:52 PM

Got a Mazda 3 look about it.

IceValk85 · 04-05-2012, 10:03 PM

bit of BMW m series whiff in there! very nice!

Fiesta_Man69 · 04-05-2012, 11:18 PM

The VXR version gets launched in Europe very soon. 276bhp. 0-100 in 5.9. Hardly under powered or slow I would think, and will have 30hp more than the upcoming Focus ST. It also comes with a mechanical limited slip dif (as will the hot version of the Corsa). It only comes with a 6 sp manual, for real drivers then.....

Franco Cozzo · 05-05-2012, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiesta_Man69

It also comes with a mechanical limited slip dif (as will the hot version of the Corsa). It only comes with a 6 sp manual, for real drivers then.....

None of this brake the inside wheel crap, about damn time someone released something which works 100%.

Also yay to manual!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Depends if it plough understeers like an absolute pig, like previous hot Astras did.

One area they need to fix.

My TDCI Focus does this, I think its because of the cast iron engine over the front wheels, its soft suspension setup and high profile tyres (205/55/16). It will push out really wide in any sort of hard cornering.

Fiesta_Man69 · 04-05-2012, 11:21 PM

So if Opel price their cars right they will be on to a winner: the cars get rave reviews in the European press. However, if they price them too high, a la Mondeo (great car, too pricey, thus poor sales) then they will struggle against the Golf and Japanese rivals..

Bossxr8 · 04-05-2012, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiesta_Man69

So if Opel price their cars right they will be on to a winner: the cars get rave reviews in the European press. However, if they price them too high, a la Mondeo (great car, too pricey, thus poor sales) then they will struggle against the Golf and Japanese rivals..

The Mondeo is/was the 2nd highest selling car in the medium class behind Camry, so I don't know where you're getting that from.

Or is it your usual bash Ford just for the sake of it dribble.

madmatty · 04-05-2012, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiesta_Man69

So if Opel price their cars right they will be on to a winner: the cars get rave reviews in the European press. However, if they price them too high, a la Mondeo (great car, too pricey, thus poor sales) then they will struggle against the Golf and Japanese rivals..

i agree,the mondeo a bit pricey,but i think the focus rs will own this opel.

Nurb608 · 05-05-2012, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madmatty

i agree,the mondeo a bit pricey,but i think the focus rs will own this opel.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Depends if it plough understeers like an absolute pig, like previous hot Astras did.

One area they need to fix.

Obviously fans of Top Gear ;)

I have the current model VXR and the torque steer is no where like what they showed on that show.

Also, my fastest time at Winton is a second quicker than the current RS in my Astra with alot less power and without the fancy suspension setup.

My fastest here in my daily driver http://www.natsoft.com.au/cgi-bin/re...2011.WIN.S16.Y

Gordon with his race car RS fastest time here http://www.natsoft.com.au/cgi-bin/re...10/2011.WIN.P1

* RS times taken from one of the only guys I knows who races his RS at Winton, unsure if there are others who are quicker there?

**DJM83** · 05-05-2012, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nurb608

Obviously fans of Top Gear ;)

I have the current model VXR and the torque steer is no where like what they showed on that show.

Also, my fastest time at Winton is a second quicker than the current RS in my Astra with alot less power and without the fancy suspension setup.

My fastest here in my daily driver http://www.natsoft.com.au/cgi-bin/re...2011.WIN.S16.Y

Gordon with his race car RS fastest time here http://www.natsoft.com.au/cgi-bin/re...10/2011.WIN.P1

* RS times taken from one of the only guys I knows who races his RS at Winton, unsure if there are others who are quicker there?

As much as i love the RS, its funny how people can make comments about the VXR and RS being a Torque steer loony but have never driven one.

Having driven a standard RS and one that has been fairly modded (And to a lesser extent my Tuned XR5) the Torque steer is no where near as bad as people make out.

Thing is this market (Hot hatch) is fairly well covered in terms of choice, and having so much choice can be a PITA

i know ill buy another hatch but what it will be i just couldnt say as i have no idea what it will be.