Category: Opel

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Opel Vauxhall

Astra VXR Extreme could turn fantasy into reality

Vauxhall Astra VXR Extreme

This Opel/Vauxhall Astra VXR Extreme is about to hit the halls in Geneva and while there may be more exotic cars from the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini and some unknown Euro startup manufacturer not many will be quite as cool as this.

Much like the equally awesome Renault Megane R26.R, this is a hi-po stripped out shopping trolley-turned racecar made street-ready once more. Only at this stage it’s nothing more than a concept model. It will need a favourable reaction from the public to encourage GM to sign off on a low-volume production run.

We don’t know anything specific about the Extreme’s power output, suffice to say it should comfortably top the 206kW found in the regular Astra VXR. Rumours say 300PS (220kW) should be given a serious nudge. The 2.0 litre four-pot will be mated to a 6-speed manual box and proper limited slip diff.

We do know the Extreme is 100kg lighter than its now clearly mundane donor model. The weight savings have been made in part thanks to a mix of carbon fibre and aluminium body panels. There’s a half-cage in the back in case you bin it and Recaro racing seats up front to keep you strapped in nice and snug.

Those ingredients have been complemented with a wild body kit, adjustable suspension, big brakes and 19″ alloys shod with semi-slick tyres.

Just do it!

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Opel Vauxhall

This is what we’re missing out on

Vauxhall VXR Insignia SuperSport

Opel is bringing a refreshed line up of Insignia models to Frankfurt and Vauxhall UK brings us up to speed on the VXR SuperSport. In short, it’s their go fast version of the mid-size Insignia, available as Hatch or Sports Tourer (pictured).

Of course, it’s the estate layout that’s the pick of the bunch. The warmed over Insignia packs a 325PS (240kW) punch and it can reach 100km/h in 5.9 seconds (6.1 seconds for the estate). And if Opel had the balls to stick it out in Australia for a bit longer, well, they probably wouldn’t have offered this model here anyway.

So join us for an all purpose whinge at the cool cars we sometimes miss out on in Australia. For this VXR SuperSport Sports Tourer is very, very cool.

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Opel

Opel to cease Australian operations

Opel at the 2012 Australian International Motor Show

Opel Australia has announced today that it will be ceasing its local operations. It’s been a very brief flirtation with Australia and comes just over 12 months since Opel presented itself to local buyers at the Australian International Motor Show.

Since sales commenced last year the brand has sold 1530 vehicles in Australia to the end of June, across 20 stand alone dealerships. The brand cites an inability to remain competitive with its pricing and marketing strategies as the reasons for its departure.

Opel says it will work with Holden to see if there is potential to bring Holden badged Opel products to Australia in the future.

You can read Opel Australia’s full statement after the break.

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2013 Geneva Motor Show in pictures – part 2

2013 Geneva Motor Show

You can have your fancy pants limited-edition Lambo, or your stonking new LaFerrari, even the McLaren P1; we’re not really interested. The car of Geneva, for us, is the Porsche 911 GT3. That’s the one we’d like to take home and get intimate with. And so begins the second and final part of our Geneva Motor Show image gallery. There’s over 120 new  images to see and enjoy.

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Ford Opel Renault Vauxhall Video

“Hatchbacks are just cool aren’t they!”

Ford Focus ST v Renault Megane RS265 v Opel Astra OPC

Chris Harris has just had a play with three of the hottest hot hatchbacks money can buy: the hideous yet apparently very capable Ford Focus ST, the media’s favourite Renault Megane RS265 and the Vauxhall Astra VXR (coming to Australia as the Opel Astra OPC).

True to form the outcome follows the expected script, but there are some good insights and surprises along the way (note the lap times).

It’s Harris at his best, so just sit back and enjoy the ride.

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Ford Opel Renault

Is the 206kW Astra OPC any good?

Opel Astra OPC

After seeing the Opel Astra OPC in the metal at the motor show in Sydney we’ve become very interested in the car. Frankly, having access to 206kW for a quite reasonable $42,990 will do that.

But all that power, plus a massive 400Nm of torque, going through the front wheels only—that can’t be good, can it? Opel has done its best to ensure the Astra OPC can handle its stonking power by uprating the suspension and fitting a proper limited slip diff. Has it worked?

Well, as you’ll see from the four videos we’ve found for you after the break, it’s a little bit of yes and a little bit of no. The OPC has been benchmarked against the Ford Focus ST by both Autocar and Evo, plus being sent down the strip against the Renault Megane RS 265.

Sounds like a test drive for ourselves will be the only way to find out for sure. If nothing else the Evo track test shows the Astra OPC can be a bit of a laugh.

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Motor Shows Opel

AIMS 2012 gallery: Opel

Opel at the 2012 Australian International Motor Show

Bill Mott, Opel Australia Managing Director, was proud as punch standing alongside the Astra OPC at the 2012 Australian International Motor Show. And well he might have been, for he has presented Australian buyers with the cheapest 206kW money can buy. At $42,990, plus on roads, the Opel OPC is a genuine performance bargain. It’s the perfect hero car to spearhead the brand’s Australian assault.

OPC stands for Opel Performance Centre and if it’s not immediately clear to you the letters are akin to HSV for Holden, AMG for Mercedes and so on. As noted the 2.0 litre turbocharged four cylinder in the Astra OPC has an impressive 206kW on offer, complemented by an equally impressive 400Nm. And, praise the lord, all controlled by a fair dinkum manual gearbox.

With those numbers perhaps the claimed 0–100km/h time of 6.0 seconds from the front-wheel drive hot hatch is a little disappointing, but we imagine the in-gear acceleration will be a hoot.

Enhancing the Astra OPC’s appeal is its sleek and stylish body, which comes equipped with stacks of equipment. Goodies such as 19″ alloys (optional 20″ wheels featured in photos), FlexRide adaptive chassis, heated front seats in Nappa leather, Bluetooth, satellite navigation and premium audio are all thrown in for the standard asking price.

It looks fantastic in the OPC exclusive colour Arden Blue and the 20″ rims really set it off. The order book is open now and deliveries start early next year. They’ll sell plenty!

Of course, Opel has their full range on show in Sydney and we caught the Astra and Corsa for you. Check out the pics below.

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New vehicle sales report – September 2012

FCAI banner

The monthly update from VFACTS brings word that 94,627 vehicles were sold in September, an increase of 9% (7,808 vehicles) on the same month in 2011.

Increases in the sales of hybrids helped to boost the result, so too the ongoing demand for SUVs. While government sales remain on the decline.

Toyota remains miles ahead of anyone else in overall sales, thanks to its 17,300 buyers. Mazda, though, has cracked the 10,000 monthly sales barrier for the first time (10,093) and found itself as the country’s second best selling marque last month. Holden (8,955) was demoted to third.

Year-to-date figures show 822,674 new sales have been recorded in 2012, 9.4% increase (70,546 vehicles) compared to the same period last year.

The high selling Mazda3 was Australia’s favourite purchase, with 4,276 September sales. The Toyota HiLux (3,479) was in second on the sales charts, ahead of the Hyundai I30 (3,144).

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Opel

Opel Australia to launch with 17 dealerships

Opel Insignia

Opel Australia has announced a total of 17 dealerships will carry the brand when it launches here in September. The initial dealership rollout will centre around Australia’s major metropolitan areas, with Darwin the only capital city to miss out on representation.

Bill Mott, Opel Australia boss, explains the majority of the dealerships will operate from dedicated premises.

“We are extremely proud of our Opel dealer network. Our partners include some of the nation’s most successful and well regarded dealers,” Mr Mott said.

“Their significant investment in unique, stand-alone Opel facilities is a testament to the potential they ascribe to the brand in Australia.”

Victoria will lead the country, boasting five dealerships, New South Wales will have four, Queensland three and Western Australia two. The ACT, South Australia and Tasmania will each have a single showroom.

When Opel Australia opens its doors in September it will offer the entry level compact Corsa, the recently updated Astra range and the mid-size Insignia.

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Opel

Opel Australia secures latest Astra for September launch

Opel Astra

Opel Australia has confirmed the latest iteration of the Astra will be sold in Australia when the car hits local showrooms in September. Included in the local lineup will be the versatile Tourer (wagon).

Bill Mott, Opel Australia Managing Director, says support from Germany has enabled production for Australian delivered cars to be brought forward to ensure the refreshed model comes our way. “The timing for our local launch could not be more ideal, in allowing us the opportunity to bring the freshest Astra face to market from the outset,” he said.

“It’s a clear sign of the importance placed on both the Astra in our model line-up, and our local launch overall, that production for Australia has been expedited to allow us to launch the updated Astra at the same time as Germany.”

It’s a shame that no word, yet, has come forward confirming the hot 206kW/400Nm Astra OPC for Australia. Although, we reckon the less exciting Tourer is still quite a nice thing.

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2012 Geneva Motor Show in pictures – part 2

2012 Geneva Motor Show

Here’s the second and final part of our 2012 Geneva Motor Show photo gallery, featuring manufacturers from L–Z (well V actually). Highlights include the Aventador J pictured above along with a reappearance of the stylish Mazda Takeri concept. The awesome Pagani Huayra is also on show, check the raw carbon fibre model, it looks sublime. Oh, we’d love to hear what you think of the Valmet Automotive Dawn, if it was a person it would no doubt be referred to as one weird cat.

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Motor Shows Opel Vauxhall

Geneva 2012: Vauxhall Astra VXR

Vauxhall Astra VXR

Vauxhall has just announced details of its aggressive new Astra VXR. In coupé form they have stated clearly they want the VXR to tackle the Volkswagen Scirocco R and Renault Megane RS 250 head on.

Making a good start in that battle is the VXR’s 2.0 litre turbocharged engine which produces 280PS (206kW) and 400Nm. That’s more than either of the German or French weapons.

The Astra VXR is based on the GTC but has been tuned with a view to sharper performance. A mechanical limited slip diff (remember them) and Brembo brakes make the biggest contributions. Also tweaked is Vauxhall’s adaptive FlexRide system. A standard old Sport button is not enough for this car, it has a VXR button as well. Essentially they’ve turned the damper, throttle and steering control up to 11.

They’ve taken a similar approach with the wheels by running 20″ rims as standard. A more aggressive bodykit completes the look.

On paper and in pictures this Astra VXR sounds and looks quite appealing. If you like it, best start nagging Opel Australia and help them build a case to bring the car down under.

UPDATE: Thanks to the super attentive staff at Opel Australia we can share their hopes for the Astra VXR: “As an Opel (as opposed to a Vauxhall) it would be part of the OPC range. We won’t be bringing OPCs to Australia for our launch this year, however we are chasing it for next year—not confirmed yet but we are hopeful.” Sounds promising.

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