Photo: Stefan Baldauf / Robert Kah
Opel is having quite a ball in Geneva, with one of the carmaker’s main releases being the Astra OPC EXTREME, an extreme evolution of Opel’s hot hatch, destined for low-volume production.
Following the Astra OPC Cup Racer’s recipe, the car sheds weight, being 100 kg (220 lbs) lighter compared to the standard Astra OPC. It all starts from the wheels, which are made from carbon fiber, bringing a 20 kg (44 lbs) advantage. The rims are shod in tires that were specifically developed for this car. We are talking about Hankook Ultra high-performance tires, which come in a size of 245/35 R19.
The carbon fiber exterior treatment continues with the hood, wings and roof. Opel even explains that they’ve built the carbon fiber roof in-house. Apart from this largers bits, we also have a number of components that use the material. The list includes the front apron, engine cover, suspension cross-bracing, rear wheelhouse vents, as well as that appealing rear wing.
Under the hood, the 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder unit, which delivers 280 hp on the standard vehicle, was taken past the 300 hp stage. However, Opel still hasn’t released the exact output figure for the Astra OPC EXTREME. Instead, the carmaker teased us using a report from Captain Obvious - Opel said this will be the fastest road-going Astra ever.
We’ll remind you that the normal incarnation of the Astra OPC can play the 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) game in six seconds and, if the driver keeps the throttle buried, will reach a top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h).
The racing-inspired theme continues inside the car, where the driver and his passenger are welcomed with a pair of Recaro bucket seats, fitted with six-point safety belts supplied by Schroth. The rear seats have been removed in order to make room for a roll cage. Moreover, the driver is spoiled with a steering wheel that features carbon fiber reinforcements and a suede finish.
Like we said, Opel is putting the Astra OPC Extreme into production after the Swiss event, albeit in limited numbers.
Opel came up with this whole carbon fiber scheme in order to keep the Astra OPC’s image in the headlines. The hot hatch market has been on an ascending trend, with more and more carmakers injecting new technologies into the segment. Thus, the Astra needed something to stay fresh, but it was too soon for a radical change of the car, so here we are, looking at this carbon fiber release.
The carbon fiber exterior treatment continues with the hood, wings and roof. Opel even explains that they’ve built the carbon fiber roof in-house. Apart from this largers bits, we also have a number of components that use the material. The list includes the front apron, engine cover, suspension cross-bracing, rear wheelhouse vents, as well as that appealing rear wing.
Under the hood, the 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder unit, which delivers 280 hp on the standard vehicle, was taken past the 300 hp stage. However, Opel still hasn’t released the exact output figure for the Astra OPC EXTREME. Instead, the carmaker teased us using a report from Captain Obvious - Opel said this will be the fastest road-going Astra ever.
We’ll remind you that the normal incarnation of the Astra OPC can play the 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) game in six seconds and, if the driver keeps the throttle buried, will reach a top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h).
The racing-inspired theme continues inside the car, where the driver and his passenger are welcomed with a pair of Recaro bucket seats, fitted with six-point safety belts supplied by Schroth. The rear seats have been removed in order to make room for a roll cage. Moreover, the driver is spoiled with a steering wheel that features carbon fiber reinforcements and a suede finish.
Like we said, Opel is putting the Astra OPC Extreme into production after the Swiss event, albeit in limited numbers.
Opel came up with this whole carbon fiber scheme in order to keep the Astra OPC’s image in the headlines. The hot hatch market has been on an ascending trend, with more and more carmakers injecting new technologies into the segment. Thus, the Astra needed something to stay fresh, but it was too soon for a radical change of the car, so here we are, looking at this carbon fiber release.
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