First Drive: Opel Astra GTC

By Scott Hayes on 21 March, 2012 in Featured, Road Tests

Opel have moved slowly with the expansion of their Astra model range. The five-door hatch was launched back in 2010, we’re only now receiving the three-door GTC version and they’re still in the testing phase of their cabriolet TwinTop replacement.

The reason for this has been the uncertainty surrounding the future of Opel, which was hit hard by the recent economic crisis, forcing the brand to slow down and tighten its belt in all respects. Ian Nichols, General Motors South Africa (GMSA) Vice President of Planning, says, “Opel has been through a tough time more recently, primarily driven by the economic conditions that exist in Europe today. Let me be quite clear, GM is committed to the turn-around of Opel. GM has taken firm steps to strengthen the board of directors in Opel and there is clear intent to make sure we optimise our cost structure in Europe, utilise GM’s global scale to reduce our overall costs and grow our business in Europe.”

Despite the gloomy economic situation, last year Opel sold 1.2 million vehicles in Europe, 3 percent up on the previous year, with the Meriva and Astra Sports Tourer models being leaders in their respective segments. In addition, the Opel Ampera was recently awarded the 2012 European Car of the Year title, further evidence of positive progress in the brand’s home markets, which should bode well for the rest of the globe too.

With the local introduction of the new Meriva mini-MPV and three-door Astra GTC, the German subsidiary of GM now has something to shout about.

The more anticipated of the two new vehicles, the Opel Astra GTC, may look like simply a three-door version of the current Astra hatch, but in fact it shares only the door mirrors, handles and radio aerial according to Opel.

The front end features Opel’s centre-line crease and now familiar ‘eagle-eye’ designed headlamps with their daytime running lights, which frame the trapezoidal grille that is lower and larger than that of the hatchback. The shoulder section is the most dramatic area of the Astra GTC, where the line from below the C-pillar runs into and curls around the integrated spoiler of the boot lid. The flared-look wheel arches and tapering roof line give the GTC further road presence, with a low and wide looking stance, which all work to easily make the GTC Opel’s prettiest offering.

Available in two specification levels, namely, Enjoy and Sport, standard equipment on both models includes: Anti-lock Braking System (ABS); Electronic Stability Programme; Driver and passenger front and side airbags; Cruise control; Heated and electrically operated side mirrors; Power operated front windows; Radio/CD/MP3-player with auxiliary and USB connector; Daytime running lights and 18-inch alloy wheels.

The ‘Sport’ model is given further appeal with: chrome highlights atop the side window frame; a unique alloy wheel design; sports type seats covered in leather; a leather covered steering wheel and gear lever cover; as well as chrome surrounds for instruments and door sill plates.

Despite its coupé-like design, the Astra GTC can accommodate five passengers with relative ease. Adults can comfortably sit in the back and the boot can hold 380-litres with the seats up, or 1 165-litres with the seats folded down. The cabin is virtually identical to the regular five-door, meaning it’s well appointed, logically laid out and features quality materials.

The Astra GTC is available with a choice of two petrol engines. A 1.4-litre turbocharged unit produces 103 kW and 200 Nm between 1 850 – 4 900 r/min. Equipped with stop/start engine technology, Opel claim average fuel consumption of 5.9 L/100km and 139 g/km of CO2 emissions. Acceleration from 0 – 100 km is done in 9.9 seconds and top speed is 201 km/h.

The Astra GTC 1.6T Sport uses a slightly detuned version of the 1 598 cc turbocharged engine found in the Corsa OPC. With 132 kW and 230 Nm of torque between 2 200 – 5 400 r/min, the 1.6T manages 6.8 L/100km, a 0 – 100 km/h benchmark sprint time of 8.3 seconds and a top speed of 220 km/h. Both models utilise a smooth and accurate 6-speed manual transmission.

Our launch route took us between Bloemfontein and Clarens in the Free State, which while scenic in parts, didn’t give us an opportunity to sample the car’s handling talent, which is a shame, as Opel have made a few notable changes to the GTC’s chassis over that of the Astra five-door.

The GTC rides on a slightly longer wheelbase of 2 695 mm, a 15 mm lower ride height, as well as a 40 mm wider front and 30 mm wider rear track. Importantly too, Opel have fitted the GTC with a new ‘HiPerStrut’ front suspension layout. Essential a reinforced version of the traditional McPherson strut, the HiPerStrut design is said to provide reduced tendency towards torque steer, together with improved steering accuracy and response.

The Astra GTC rides comfortably, thanks in part to the large sidewalls of the 235/55 R18 tyres. Interior wind and road noise is limited, but judging by the solid feel of the car and its aerodynamic shape, you may expect it to be slightly better. The gap in performance between the two engines isn’t a huge one, with the 1.4T offering adequate power for hauling up hills and overtaking.

The new Astra GTC competes with the likes of Volkswagen’s Scirocco and Renault’s Mégane Coupé, fitting snugly between the two on price and performance. More spacious than its two main rivals and with a better interior too, the Astra GTC states a solid case. Whether or not it’s as good to pilot as it is to look at, is a question we’ll need to answer when we have a chance to show it plenty of corners.