SCOOP: New Opel Astra GTC OPC Flogged Around the �Ring

What you see here is a prototype version of the all-new Opel Astra GTC OPC, or as Vauxhall buyers in Britain will come to know it, the upcoming Astra GTC VXR, and it was spotted doing test rounds at the Nurburgring race track.
Having already revealed the mainstream models of the new and rather sporty looking in a VW Scirocco kind of way GTC, the Astra�s engineers turned their focus on the fastest and most powerful version of the series, which will look a lot like the original concept seen at last year�s Paris Motor Show.

2013 Opel Astra Convertible Spy Photos and Video Outline New Softop Model

Our spies have photographed and filmed the new Opel (Vauxhall in Britain) Astra Convertible on test in Germany. The vehicles caught testing here are early prototype models as the front doors appear to be carried over complete with their frames from the hatchback model.
Nevertheless, we are offered out first look at the open-top version of the new Astra series, which is planned to go on sale by early 2013. The most important change over the previous Astra TwinTop is the replacement of the more complicated, heavier and costly retractable metal roof with a traditional fabric hood.

Opel Officially Reveals 2012 Astra GTC, High-Po OPC Coming Next Year

This is General Motors� brand new Opel Astra GTC revealed more than two months ahead of its world premiere at the 64th International Motor Show in Frankfurt, Germany, in mid-September. The newest member of Opel�s ever-growing Astra family will go on sale across Europe including the United Kingdom where it will be available as a Vauxhall later this year. Recent reports also suggest it may come to the States under the Buick brand.
GM�s European subsidiary is confident about its new Astra GTC with Vauxhall going as far as to claim that it will �lay down the gauntlet to VW�s Scirocco and Renault�s Megane Coupe with a heady mix of dynamic excellence, dramatic design features and competitive pricing".

GM�s Opel follows in the Footsteps of Ford, Asks Bloggers to Write About the Astra GTC to Attend the Presentation

Those of you readers that have been with us for a while might remember our revealing post about Ford Motor Company�s shady marketing tactics (via its media agency) to attract attention and web traffic to the brand by asking bloggers to participate in a Ford website-linking contest and win a place in the company�s 2010 Model Year Drive event.
That said, we are no strangers to the mommy-blogger-type approach from marketing companies representing major automotive brands, but we never cease to be amazed. This time we were approached by a social media agency called Knallgrau on behalf of GM�s European Opel unit. When we received the first email, we believed it was a media / press invitation but upon our request for additional information, we discovered that wasn�t the case.
In a similar fashion to the Ford incident, the agency asked if we wanted to write about the new Astra GTC and participate in a type of contest, the winners of which will be invited to the official unveiling of the three-door hatchback at Opel�s headquarters in R�sselsheim, Germany.

SCOOP: Is this the New 2013 Opel / Vauxhall Astra Convertible?

With the new sporty looking three-door Astra GTC on its way and the Astra Sedan outlined by its sister models from Buick�s US (2012 Verano) and China (Excelle) divisions, the only body style left to complete the range of Opel�s C-segment model series is the convertible version.
Recently, our spies in Germany caught a glimpse of an Astra-based model, which appears to be the cabriolet variant of the series. While we can�t be 100 percent sure, it is clear that this Astra has a boot while the close ups reveal a more raked rear windshield line than you�d normally expect to see on a four-door family sedan.
To get an idea of what the Astra Convertible might look like, here's our artist�s impression based on the upcoming GTC model. Even though our image of Opel�s VW Golf Cabriolet contender was styled with a soft-top, it has not yet been revealed if the German company will adopt this solution or if it will continue to use the current Astra TwinTop�s retractable metal roof.

2012 Opel Astra GTC Sport Hatch is�Virtually Here: First Official Images and Video of Production Model

General Motors� Opel division is getting ready to take the wraps off the all-new Astra GTC as the company released the first official renderings and a video of the production model shown in a virtual landscape.

The new sharp looking, three-door version of the Astra, will be revealed in the flesh and in detail in just six week�s time, on June 7, well ahead of its world premiere at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show, on September 15. Both Opel and its sister company in the UK, Vauxhall, will begin accepting orders in the summer with first deliveries expected this fall.

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Irmscher Upgrades its 2010 Opel Astra Styling Kit

Longtime Opel tuner Irmscher has expanded its 2010 Astra offerings with the launch of 20-inch alloy wheels that are available in various designs and can be wrapped in 235/35 R20 tires. The new rims complement the tuner's styling package that was first introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and includes 18-inch alloys and a body kit with a new grille, front lip spoiler, rear apron with a diffuser, side skirts and a roof spoiler.

Buyers can also upgrade the new Astra with a sport exhaust system with two or four tail pipes and a suspension kit that lowers the car's ride height by 30mm for a sportier stance.



On the inside, Irmscher's offerings include a leather package for the seats, door panels and central armrests, matt aluminium door-locking pins and sport pedals.

Irmscher's take on the 2010 Opel Astra

2010 Opel Astra is still a couple of months away from showrooms but that hasn't deterred German tuning firm Irmscher, which specializes in Opel products, from being the first tuner to develop a sporty styling package for the compact hatch. There's no official announcement at the time being, but the photos reveal that the initial kit includes a front spoiler lip, side skirts, a new front grille and a rear apron that makes room for four tailpipes.

The German tuner also created specific alloy wheels that are said to be offered in sizes 18- to 20-inches. Buyers should also expect various interior treats such as aluminum pedals and unique mats along with a lowering sport kit.

GM released next generation Opel Astra

Recently, Opel�s British arm Vauxhall has released the first teaser images of the the new 2010 Astra ahead. Although Vauxhal/Opel�s pictures of both the five-door (black) and the three-door GTC (white) Astras are kinda� sketchy, expect to see an evolutionary styling seasoned with design cues from the firm�s latest model, the Insignia. The design is said to take direct inspiration from the new Insignia, which itself will become the next-gen Saturn Aura. The all-new Astra will be based on the Delta II platform with vehicles like the Chevy Cruze and Volt and feature a new range of fuel efficient engines, clever packaging solutions and trick technology like the Insignia's Front Camera System that recognizes road signs.