“You can only buy this car if you know how to drive!” said the tame racing driver, who wore a subtle, yet sinister grin, after piloting the Opel Astra OPC around Killarney. The same warning was given to those who dared to wrestle the savage Opel Kadett 200ts back in the 90’s, but the OPC’s not nearly that wild.
By Bijon de Kock
The OPC has enough driving aids to make up for most drivers’ deficiencies, and then some – including IDSplus (Interactive Driving System) which includes ESP, traction control, Understeer Logic Control, ABS and Brake Assist.
The Opel Performance Centre has spent much time on the details in this car, for instance there is an oil-spray cooling for the forged aluminium-silicon pistons, revised piston rings, a pressure optimised turbocharger, an intercooler with a greater airflow rate and larger fuel injectors.
Mated with a six-speed ‘box, the OPC’s 177 kW motor delivers 320 N.m between 2 400 and 5 000 r/min, and that translates to a zero to 100 km/h time of 7.,6 seconds and a top speed of 240 km/h!
But what about the interior… Is this macho machine just tin-can brag, or can one go about the N1 to some far away weekend destination? The Astra’s roofline hampers comfort for passengers in the rear, but at the front, space is ample. The seats in the Astra feel sure and grippy, positioned nice and low…
The OPC also sports an aerodynamic kit that accentuates the Astra’s aggressive stance. A deep front airdam, substantial side skirts, enlarged rear spoiler and beefy rear bumper with centrally-mounted tailpipe set the OPC apart from its lesser brethren. Nineteen-inch alloys are optional (as if!).
The Astra OPC is seen by many as a car you choose with your heart, one that awakes the boy (or girl) racer in anyone! It is packed with character and race charm, but ride comfort is perhaps not its forte. Personal preference will determine whether you love this car, or get annoyed by it…
You can read South African circuit racing stars Hennie Groenewald and Philip Kekana’s track appraisals of the Opel Astra OPC in the January 2009 issue of CAR magazine, in which we put 18 of South Africa’s hottest hatches to the test at Killarney.
Listen to hot hatch exhaust notes.
Download wallpapers from the Track Shootout here: Batch 1, Batch 2 and Batch 3, or Batch 4.
Watch two Ultimate Hot Hatch Shootout videos
You can also view the behind-the-scenes or the Franschhoek Pass Shootout galleries.
