The Internet has been buzzing with rumors that the Astra GTC concept we saw at the Paris Motor Show last month is not in fact meant to become the next generation of Astra VXR. In fact, British sources report that the GTC concept will become the three-door Opel Astra SRi.
This means that the VXR will be even more powerful than this 300 hp Astra SRi. Those worried that the real car will not be as cool as the concept need to worry no more, as Vice president of design Mark Adams explained: “As we’ve proved with the Insignia and Meriva, we can bring dramatic cars from concept to production, and the final Astra three-door will be no exception.”
Of course some of the features will have to go, among them the superb candy-red paint that is too expensive for the road car and the huge 21 inch wheel set that will be replaced with a smaller one.
The cabin will be produced pretty much as we saw it on the Paris Show concept. Alcantara and leather on the seats will give the most high-end feel a hot hatch has had to date. However the quote about speed and beauty from Richard Bach will not make it to production... no surprise there.
Power comes from a small, twin-scroll turbocharged engine, 2.0l in displacement, paired with a six-speed manual transmission. The newly redesigned chassis should help it cope with the power increase.
With as much power as the Focus RS and more class than the VW Golf, this should become the logical choice for the hot hatch segment.
This means that the VXR will be even more powerful than this 300 hp Astra SRi. Those worried that the real car will not be as cool as the concept need to worry no more, as Vice president of design Mark Adams explained: “As we’ve proved with the Insignia and Meriva, we can bring dramatic cars from concept to production, and the final Astra three-door will be no exception.”
Of course some of the features will have to go, among them the superb candy-red paint that is too expensive for the road car and the huge 21 inch wheel set that will be replaced with a smaller one.
The cabin will be produced pretty much as we saw it on the Paris Show concept. Alcantara and leather on the seats will give the most high-end feel a hot hatch has had to date. However the quote about speed and beauty from Richard Bach will not make it to production... no surprise there.
Power comes from a small, twin-scroll turbocharged engine, 2.0l in displacement, paired with a six-speed manual transmission. The newly redesigned chassis should help it cope with the power increase.
With as much power as the Focus RS and more class than the VW Golf, this should become the logical choice for the hot hatch segment.
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