The Opel Astra GTC has finally been given its public debut at Frankfurt this week, a year after it arrived as a concept at Paris.
Based on the five-door Astra, the GTC carries over just about nothing, save for the wing mirror housings and radio antenna. Six of the seven wheel designs are also unique to the vehicle. The Astra GTC is a decent looking effort from Opel – as is the regular Astra – designed to take the fight to cars like the Scirocco.
Underpinning the good-looking GTC is a new, driver-focussed, chassis derived from the European market Insignia VXR. In addtion, the GTC has Opel’s FlexiRide damping with three modes, as well as ‘HiPerStrut’ front suspension and a Watt’s link rear axle. A slightly wider track front and rear, also help to improve the car’s handling.
Engines at launch will be a range of diesel and petrol options with outputs from 88 kW to 132 kW, with the promise of an Astra GTC OPC with around 220 kW expected in the not too distant future. The new Astra GTC will reach European showrooms before the end of the year. South Africans will get their first view of the car at the Johannesburg International Motor Show in October, as the cars will be flown directly from Frankfurt for the event.
