Opel has released details of the drivetrain in its new Astra OPC, claiming to have developed the highest specific torque in its class.
Developed using motorsport engineering, the Opel Astra GTC OPC’s transmission delivers a claimed 400 Nm of peak torque from a turbocharged 2.0-litre direct-injection engine. Featuring a unique aluminium cylinder head and improved turbocharger, the engine develops 206 kW, which is claimed to get the OPC from 0 – 100 km/h in just 5.9 seconds.
Vauxhall’s clever HiPerStrut (High Performance Strut) has been adapted for the Astra OPC. The system reduces front wheel camber changes during cornering, enhancing steering feel and filtering out unnecessary torque-steer under hard acceleration. The new OPC is also fitted with a mechanical multi-plate limited-slip differential for optimum traction.
The car also features ZF Sachs dampers, 30 percent lower and stiffer springs, stiffer suspension bushes, Watt’s link rear suspension, Brembo brakes and 19-inch alloy wheels. The more obvious exterior identifiers of the car’s sporting intentions are sculpted front and rear bumpers, side skirts, roof spoiler and twin trapeze-shape exhaust pipes, while performance seats and a flat-bottom steering wheel reminder the driver the he/she is piloting something special.
The new Opel Astra OPC is the most powerful Astra ever and will go head-to-head with other serious hot-hatch machinery like the Renault Megane RS Trophy, Volkswagen Golf R, Mazda3 MPS and the Ford Focus RS. GMSA has not announced an estimated time of arrival, but we expect the new car to arrive towards the end of 2012 or early 2013.
