Search the Community
Showing results for tags 'OPC'.
Found 6 results
-
Opel and Vauxhall are bringing the heat to the sport compact market with the introduction of the Astra OPC Extreme (or VXR Extreme). The two say this is the fastest Astra ever built and looking at the spec sheet, we have to agree. The Astra OPC/VXR Extreme comes with a 2.0L turbo-four producing 300 horsepower to the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential. Opel and Vauxhall are keeping performance figures a secret, but expect it to be quicker than the standard Astra OPC/VXR. Compared to the standard Astra OPC/VXR, the Extreme is 220 pounds lighter thanks to the extensive use of carbon fiber throughout the body. More carbon fiber is found on the dashboard, door panels, and steering wheel. The interior also features Recaro bucket seats with six-point harnesses and a rollcage. “With the new Astra OPC EXTREME we show the pure joy of driving! This study is quite simply spectacular and driving enthusiasts will appreciate its looks, which are head-turning without grandstanding. Its interior is superb and typically Opel – exciting, precise and quality-made in Germany. The EXTREME is the new top-of-the-line model in our Astra family with all the attributes of a super sporty car,” says Opel CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann in a statement. Opel says if the public reaction is good, they will put the Extreme into low-volume production. Source: Opel William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. Press Release is on Page 2 Uncompromisingly Sporty: New Opel Astra OPC EXTREME Study for low-volume production run: World premiere at Geneva Motor Show From the racetrack to public roads: Fastest-ever Astra on its way Turbo power and carbon fiber: Over 300 hp, 100 kilograms lighter than OPC Breathtaking looks: High-tech lacquer highlights sculptural Opel design Rüsselsheim. The Opel Astra OPC EXTREME that makes its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in six days is a real race-bred performance car. Developed on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, the most challenging race track in the world, it is powered by a 2.0-liter turbo engine with over 300 hp and equipped with all the key high-tech components from its racing peer, the Opel Astra OPC Cup. The Astra OPC EXTREME was developed directly from the Cup version and brings pure racing technology to the road. If public reaction is as positive as expected, Opel plans a low-volume production run for the super sporty, street-legal EXTREME. Over 300 hp will be unleashed from under the EXTREME’s carbon fiber hood. Its 2.0-liter turbo gasoline engine, with direct injection and variable camshaft phasing, is quite simply the most powerful four-cylinder unit Opel has ever produced. The all-aluminum engine is mated to a slick, six-speed manual gearbox transmitting power through a limited-slip differential. This race-proven powerplant will have an easy time of it with the OPC EXTREME, because the super sporty car is 100 kilograms lighter than a conventional Astra OPC thanks to its high-quality, carbon fiber components. Widely used in Formula 1 racing to reduce weight, carbon composite is incorporated throughout the EXTREME. This high-strength, ultra-light material is used for the aerodynamically-optimized rear wing, the diffuser, front spoiler, hood, suspension cross-bracing, the engine cover, complete wheels, rear wheelhouse ventilation and roof. The carbon wheels are 20 kilograms lighter than their aluminum counterparts. This is weight saving in a decisive area because unsprung mass is substantially reduced – much to the joy of engineers and driving fun of drivers. The inhouse manufactured carbon fiber roof is almost as light as a feather. It weighs just 2.6 kilograms, compared to a steel roof’s 9.3 kilograms, and noticeably lowers the Astra EXTREME’s center of gravity. The fenders are made of aluminum and weigh only 800 grams a piece instead of 2.2 kilograms in steel. Weight reduction in key areas greatly improves agility, overall handling and, of course, the car’s power-to-weight ratio. As a result, the street-legal EXTREME sweeps through fast curves as playfully and quickly as its racing brother in the Nürburgring Endurance Championship (VLN). Opel has also given the EXTREME breathtaking stopping power to match, with a Brembo six-piston brake system including 370 mm diameter discs up front race car. Ultra high-performance, 245/35, 19-inch tires, specially developed for the EXTREME, also play a key role and give almost as much grip as those on the race car. In addition, the chassis (spring/damper) is adjustable, just like in a real touring car racer. The pursuit of uncompromised performance continues in the design of the EXTREME’S cabin: the back seats are out and a safety roll bar is in. The driver and co-driver are perfectly positioned in specially-designed Recaro bucket seats, complete with six-point safety belts from Schroth. In the Astra OPC EXTREME, the crew doesn’t just sit in the car, they are fully integrated as part of the vehicle itself. The driver also has the tactile pleasure of gripping a superb, carbon-fiber-reinforced, suede-covered steering wheel with fine yellow decorative stitching. Opel Motorsport’s core color also dresses up the Astra OPC EXTREME elsewhere, for instance in the exclusively designed logo and as lacquer on the side sills and front spoiler lip. Apropos lacquer, the Astra GTC body format – the base model for the OPC EXTREME – ideally embodies Opel’s sculptural design philosophy. Its flowing, sculpted shapes and precise accents blend into dramatic proportions. The Astra OPC EXTREME’s multi-layer paint lacquer is combined with high-quality decal details to give a three-dimensional effect, further emphasizing the car’s clean edges, bold lines and athletic proportions. “With the new Astra OPC EXTREME we show the pure joy of driving! This study is quite simply spectacular and driving enthusiasts will appreciate its looks, which are head-turning without grandstanding. Its interior is superb and typically Opel – exciting, precise and quality-made in Germany. The EXTREME is the new top-of-the-line model in our Astra family with all the attributes of a super sporty car,” says Opel CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann. View full article -
Geneva Motor Show: The Meanest Astra You Have Ever Seen
William Maley posted an article in Opel/Vauxhall
Opel and Vauxhall are bringing the heat to the sport compact market with the introduction of the Astra OPC Extreme (or VXR Extreme). The two say this is the fastest Astra ever built and looking at the spec sheet, we have to agree. The Astra OPC/VXR Extreme comes with a 2.0L turbo-four producing 300 horsepower to the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential. Opel and Vauxhall are keeping performance figures a secret, but expect it to be quicker than the standard Astra OPC/VXR. Compared to the standard Astra OPC/VXR, the Extreme is 220 pounds lighter thanks to the extensive use of carbon fiber throughout the body. More carbon fiber is found on the dashboard, door panels, and steering wheel. The interior also features Recaro bucket seats with six-point harnesses and a rollcage. “With the new Astra OPC EXTREME we show the pure joy of driving! This study is quite simply spectacular and driving enthusiasts will appreciate its looks, which are head-turning without grandstanding. Its interior is superb and typically Opel – exciting, precise and quality-made in Germany. The EXTREME is the new top-of-the-line model in our Astra family with all the attributes of a super sporty car,” says Opel CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann in a statement. Opel says if the public reaction is good, they will put the Extreme into low-volume production. Source: Opel William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. Press Release is on Page 2 Uncompromisingly Sporty: New Opel Astra OPC EXTREME Study for low-volume production run: World premiere at Geneva Motor Show From the racetrack to public roads: Fastest-ever Astra on its way Turbo power and carbon fiber: Over 300 hp, 100 kilograms lighter than OPC Breathtaking looks: High-tech lacquer highlights sculptural Opel design Rüsselsheim. The Opel Astra OPC EXTREME that makes its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in six days is a real race-bred performance car. Developed on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, the most challenging race track in the world, it is powered by a 2.0-liter turbo engine with over 300 hp and equipped with all the key high-tech components from its racing peer, the Opel Astra OPC Cup. The Astra OPC EXTREME was developed directly from the Cup version and brings pure racing technology to the road. If public reaction is as positive as expected, Opel plans a low-volume production run for the super sporty, street-legal EXTREME. Over 300 hp will be unleashed from under the EXTREME’s carbon fiber hood. Its 2.0-liter turbo gasoline engine, with direct injection and variable camshaft phasing, is quite simply the most powerful four-cylinder unit Opel has ever produced. The all-aluminum engine is mated to a slick, six-speed manual gearbox transmitting power through a limited-slip differential. This race-proven powerplant will have an easy time of it with the OPC EXTREME, because the super sporty car is 100 kilograms lighter than a conventional Astra OPC thanks to its high-quality, carbon fiber components. Widely used in Formula 1 racing to reduce weight, carbon composite is incorporated throughout the EXTREME. This high-strength, ultra-light material is used for the aerodynamically-optimized rear wing, the diffuser, front spoiler, hood, suspension cross-bracing, the engine cover, complete wheels, rear wheelhouse ventilation and roof. The carbon wheels are 20 kilograms lighter than their aluminum counterparts. This is weight saving in a decisive area because unsprung mass is substantially reduced – much to the joy of engineers and driving fun of drivers. The inhouse manufactured carbon fiber roof is almost as light as a feather. It weighs just 2.6 kilograms, compared to a steel roof’s 9.3 kilograms, and noticeably lowers the Astra EXTREME’s center of gravity. The fenders are made of aluminum and weigh only 800 grams a piece instead of 2.2 kilograms in steel. Weight reduction in key areas greatly improves agility, overall handling and, of course, the car’s power-to-weight ratio. As a result, the street-legal EXTREME sweeps through fast curves as playfully and quickly as its racing brother in the Nürburgring Endurance Championship (VLN). Opel has also given the EXTREME breathtaking stopping power to match, with a Brembo six-piston brake system including 370 mm diameter discs up front race car. Ultra high-performance, 245/35, 19-inch tires, specially developed for the EXTREME, also play a key role and give almost as much grip as those on the race car. In addition, the chassis (spring/damper) is adjustable, just like in a real touring car racer. The pursuit of uncompromised performance continues in the design of the EXTREME’S cabin: the back seats are out and a safety roll bar is in. The driver and co-driver are perfectly positioned in specially-designed Recaro bucket seats, complete with six-point safety belts from Schroth. In the Astra OPC EXTREME, the crew doesn’t just sit in the car, they are fully integrated as part of the vehicle itself. The driver also has the tactile pleasure of gripping a superb, carbon-fiber-reinforced, suede-covered steering wheel with fine yellow decorative stitching. Opel Motorsport’s core color also dresses up the Astra OPC EXTREME elsewhere, for instance in the exclusively designed logo and as lacquer on the side sills and front spoiler lip. Apropos lacquer, the Astra GTC body format – the base model for the OPC EXTREME – ideally embodies Opel’s sculptural design philosophy. Its flowing, sculpted shapes and precise accents blend into dramatic proportions. The Astra OPC EXTREME’s multi-layer paint lacquer is combined with high-quality decal details to give a three-dimensional effect, further emphasizing the car’s clean edges, bold lines and athletic proportions. “With the new Astra OPC EXTREME we show the pure joy of driving! This study is quite simply spectacular and driving enthusiasts will appreciate its looks, which are head-turning without grandstanding. Its interior is superb and typically Opel – exciting, precise and quality-made in Germany. The EXTREME is the new top-of-the-line model in our Astra family with all the attributes of a super sporty car,” says Opel CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann. -
By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com January 16, 2013 Back in November, we reported that Opel was considering doing a high-performance OPC version of the new Adam. The Adam OPC was rumored to use a 1.4L turbocharged-four producing 180 HP and have a six-speed manual, and some other tweaks. This past week, Auto Express learned from a source that the rumored Adam OPC/VXR would use the 1.6L turbocharged-four from the Corsa VXR Nurburgring edition producing 202 horsepower. A production model is expected possibly in 2014. Auto Express is also reporting that Opel and Vauxhall are considering doing a Adam cabriolet. Unlike the Fiat 500C which uses a folding fabric top, the Adam cabriolet would use a pop-out removable roof panel. The panel would be designed to to slot into the same place as the current panoramic glass roof, thus keeping the costs down and retaining the structural rigidity. Source: Auto Express Related Story: Opel Says Goodbye To Adam EV Plans, Says Hello To OPC Plans? William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article
-
Rumorpile: More On The Adam OPC/VXR, Plus A Cabriolet
William Maley posted an article in Opel/Vauxhall
By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com January 16, 2013 Back in November, we reported that Opel was considering doing a high-performance OPC version of the new Adam. The Adam OPC was rumored to use a 1.4L turbocharged-four producing 180 HP and have a six-speed manual, and some other tweaks. This past week, Auto Express learned from a source that the rumored Adam OPC/VXR would use the 1.6L turbocharged-four from the Corsa VXR Nurburgring edition producing 202 horsepower. A production model is expected possibly in 2014. Auto Express is also reporting that Opel and Vauxhall are considering doing a Adam cabriolet. Unlike the Fiat 500C which uses a folding fabric top, the Adam cabriolet would use a pop-out removable roof panel. The panel would be designed to to slot into the same place as the current panoramic glass roof, thus keeping the costs down and retaining the structural rigidity. Source: Auto Express Related Story: Opel Says Goodbye To Adam EV Plans, Says Hello To OPC Plans? William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. -
William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com November 19, 2012 Opel has put a halt on plans of doing an electric version of the new Adam, citing sticker shock if it was to go on sale. "It was a business decision. We could not charge the customer the price needed to make it work on the cost side," said Dieter Metz, chief engineer for the Adam. Documents obtained by Automotive News Europe last year showed the company was cancelling it due to "excessively high additional investments.” Automotive News Europe also reports that the Adam EV had reached the prototype stage with an Adam using components from the Chevrolet Spark EV. In other Adam news, Evo magazine is reporting that Opel is considering an OPC version of the Adam to take on the Fiat 500 Abarth and MINI Cooper S. Power would come from a 1.4L turbo four-cylinder mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. A source tells magazine that the horsepower rating could be around 180 HP. There will also be changes to the suspension, braking, and body. If given the green light, the Adam OPC could be shown as a concept at the Geneva Motor Show next March with a production model following sometime in 2014. Source: Automotive News Europe (Subscription Required), Evo Magazine William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article
-
Opel Says Goodbye To Adam EV Plans, Says Hello To OPC Plans?
William Maley posted an article in Opel/Vauxhall
William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com November 19, 2012 Opel has put a halt on plans of doing an electric version of the new Adam, citing sticker shock if it was to go on sale. "It was a business decision. We could not charge the customer the price needed to make it work on the cost side," said Dieter Metz, chief engineer for the Adam. Documents obtained by Automotive News Europe last year showed the company was cancelling it due to "excessively high additional investments.” Automotive News Europe also reports that the Adam EV had reached the prototype stage with an Adam using components from the Chevrolet Spark EV. In other Adam news, Evo magazine is reporting that Opel is considering an OPC version of the Adam to take on the Fiat 500 Abarth and MINI Cooper S. Power would come from a 1.4L turbo four-cylinder mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. A source tells magazine that the horsepower rating could be around 180 HP. There will also be changes to the suspension, braking, and body. If given the green light, the Adam OPC could be shown as a concept at the Geneva Motor Show next March with a production model following sometime in 2014. Source: Automotive News Europe (Subscription Required), Evo Magazine William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.
