2013 Opel Astra OPC Review

After just six months on Australian shores, German wunderkind Opel figures its all-new Opel Astra OPC is prepared to take an instructing cut of the country's furiously focused hot-lid market.

It has a challenging situation to deal with – valued at a bullish $42,990 in addition to on-street costs, the Astra OPC is now dearer than the pined for Renault Megane RS265 ($42,640), and also tremendously cherished adversaries the Volkswagen Golf GTI ($38,990) and Ford Focus ST ($38,290).

Cost aside, the Opel Astra OPC has hauled out all stops in an offer to out-perform its rivals – constructing itself in light of the Astra GTC, however with a complete execution makeover by Opel's go-quick tuning division known as OPC (Opel Performance Center).

Gone is the GTC's 132kW/230Nm 1.6-liter turbocharged motor and in its place sits an extensively more intense 2.0-liter turbo four with 206kW and 400Nm sent to the front wheels.

Drill down past the Astra OPC's brisk 0-100km/h sprint time of 6.0 seconds and you'll likewise discover a heap of bespoke adjustments that guarantee world-class taking care of and ride.

There's a legitimate motorsport-determined mechanical restricted slip differential from Drexler, which takes a shot at the front wheels.

The Astra OPC likewise utilizes HiPerStrut front suspension, which, similar to Ford's RevoKnuckle or Renault's PerfoHub, permits the front wheels to turn freely of the suspension strut, giving more grasp and footing through corners.

The three-way versatile dampers are by ZF Sachs, and the brakes originate from the stop maestros at Brembo.

Even better, the Astra OPC picks up electro-pressure driven force directing over an all-electric framework.

Plainly, the Opel Astra OPC isn't short on accreditations: it has more power, more torque and more execution improving innovation than the greater part of its opponents – so the conspicuous inquiry is, what's it like to drive?

All things considered, it's, great.

Quicken hard (as you'll be constrained to do frequently) and the Astra is fit for tremendous point-to-point speed, while mid-extent push verges on ruthless.

Simply don't expect the typical hot-hatch soundtrack from this blown 2.0-liter motor – at any rate not above 3500rpm when the actuation note shifts from a growl to a plane like whoosh.

In any case, for this bustle the general commotion level inside the Astra's lodge is surprisingly very much quelled.

It's not without turbo slack, regardless of the sizeable dab of torque on offer between 2400-4800rpm, which means you'll have to work the apparatuses through the slower corners if pace is to be kept up.

On the off chance that there's a huge chink in the OPC's protective layer, it's the generally long-toss movements required with the six-speed manual transmission. The more straightforward, short-toss 'confine the Megane RS265 offers a significantly all the more captivating driving background in such manner.

Yet, it's on the quick, bendy segments where the Opel Astra OPC is generally capable. The controlling is pleasantly weighted and pinpoint precise, empowering snappy directional changes.

There's zero body move, so the Astra sits dead level through fast turns, asking you to continue the force longer.

In any case, give it excessively, too early, and the Astra OPC will react with a reasonable level of torque cow as the constrained slip diff battles to keep up.

The four-pot Brembos are massively competent, however require some right-foot recalibration because of their intense affectability at the highest point of the pedal travel.

Most noteworthy, however, is the ride quality. The Astra OPC drenches up miseries and busted bitumen obviously better than we anticipated from a bring forth that conveys such touchy execution while riding on low-profile 19-inch edges

Credit goes to Opel's FlexRide versatile damping framework. Drivers have a decision of three element undercarriage settings – Normal, Sport and OPC. Every mode dynamically dials up suspension firmness, controlling weight and throttle reaction.

What shocks most is that even in the track-one-sided OPC setting, the ride is for the most part agreeable – byways included.

Outwardly, the Opel Astra OPC is a treat, sitting closer to the extraverted Megane RS than the never-endingly preservationist styling of the notable Golf GTI.

Inside, it's to a great extent a contemporary issue with a lot of polished completions and delicate touch trim, lifting it well above most adversaries.

The Opel-planned Nappa calfskin seats with electrically worked supporting and lumbar modification are wonderful. Thus, as well, is the level bottomed, calfskin wrapped guiding wheel, which is cushioned for additional hold and feel.

Satellite route is standard, as are back stopping sensors, yet a back perspective camera isn't accessible even as a choice.

Tragically, natural switchgear isn't an Astra strongpoint. Take the inside stack for instance: there are extremely numerous catches and the stimulation framework controller is a practical bad dream.

Some piece of the fascination of hot-trapdoor possession has dependably been the space and common sense they offer well beyond their execution certifications, and the Opel Astra OPC is the same in such manner.

Indeed, even with the split-fold back seats in the upright position, the Astra's boot will swallow 380 liters, extending to 775 liters with the seatbacks brought down.

Back seat leg and headroom additionally demonstrated adequately obliging for generally surrounded six-foot-tall people to sit easily.

Another key draw card is the fuel productivity that accompanies utilizing little, however intense motors in lightweight lids.

The Astra OPC expends 8.1L/100km on the consolidated cycle and discharges 189g/km of CO2, bettering the Megane RS by 0.1L/100km, yet missing the mark regarding the Focus ST (7.4L/100km).

The Opel Astra OPC is an exceptionally well-rounded hot-hatch offering sledgehammer-like ‘go’ and a ride quality that should make it very easy to live with as a daily driver. But as an upstart to Australia’s hot-hatch hierarchy, the Astra OPC still has a way to go before it matches the overall focus of the Megane RS.