Photo: CarPix
The Astra GSi is probably the first test prototype to feature steel wheels over enhanced brakes with red calipers. That's a little strange, but here it is! This hot hatch follows in the footsteps of the Insignia GSi, which already has both hatchback and wagon versions.
Thanks to the recent reveal of the hot Insignia B, we know a little bit more about how Opel now operates. The German brand seems to be content with second-rate performance cars that look good without setting any benchmarks in the segment.
As such, we're pretty sure that the Astra GSi will be powered by a 1.6-liter turbo engine, instead of the 2.0-liter that its OPC predecessor had. After all, downsizing was also the name of the game for the Insignia.
An earlier report from German media suggested the 1.6L would produce at around 300 horsepower, but we see nothing to support that here. This is clearly the production body of the car, and we noticed that the two side air intakes and about half the upper grille are actually covered up. The opening at the bottom of the grille is tiny, suggesting the radiator needs of this car aren't high.
At the back, the "exhaust pipes" are just decorative pieces of trim that hide a much smaller system. We can't rule out the right box being fake, like on the Megane GT or Octavia RS TDI.
Our ballpark estimate places the output of the 1.6-liter turbo at around 210 horsepower, similar to the Corsa OPC, making this a direct competitor for the above-mentioned Megane and the Peugeot 308 GT.
Power doesn't mean anything, of course, but we might see a "hot" Astra with a smaller engine than the MINI or Polo GTI. Funny, right?
We can't completely rule out the possibility of a 300 horsepower Astra. After all, the company is now owned by Peugeot who has a 270 HP version of the 308 GTi. But let's just give it more time.
As such, we're pretty sure that the Astra GSi will be powered by a 1.6-liter turbo engine, instead of the 2.0-liter that its OPC predecessor had. After all, downsizing was also the name of the game for the Insignia.
An earlier report from German media suggested the 1.6L would produce at around 300 horsepower, but we see nothing to support that here. This is clearly the production body of the car, and we noticed that the two side air intakes and about half the upper grille are actually covered up. The opening at the bottom of the grille is tiny, suggesting the radiator needs of this car aren't high.
At the back, the "exhaust pipes" are just decorative pieces of trim that hide a much smaller system. We can't rule out the right box being fake, like on the Megane GT or Octavia RS TDI.
Our ballpark estimate places the output of the 1.6-liter turbo at around 210 horsepower, similar to the Corsa OPC, making this a direct competitor for the above-mentioned Megane and the Peugeot 308 GT.
Power doesn't mean anything, of course, but we might see a "hot" Astra with a smaller engine than the MINI or Polo GTI. Funny, right?
We can't completely rule out the possibility of a 300 horsepower Astra. After all, the company is now owned by Peugeot who has a 270 HP version of the 308 GTi. But let's just give it more time.
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