GM's German subsidiary Opel is alive and kicking. That's the message sent by the Astra OPC Extreme (or EXTREME, as Opel insists), which will be launched at the Geneva auto show. Powered by a 2.0-liter, direct-injected four-cylinder turbo that makes more than 300 horsepower, it is one of the sportiest cars ever to be offered by Opel.
The Astra OPC Extreme is based on the cup-racing version of the Astra OPC. In series-production trim, the OPC is a relatively civilized version of the two-door Astra GTC, powered by a 276-hp Ecotec turbo four and capable of hitting 60 mph in 5.9 seconds and topping out at 155 mph. Opel hasn’t yet provided performance figures for the OPC Extreme, but its acceleration should beat that of the regular OPC by a significant margin. It’s not just more powerful, but also shaves 220 pounds from the OPC's porky 3417-pound claimed curb weight (including the driver). The Extreme’s 2.0-liter turbo four is paired exclusively with a six-speed manual gearbox; a limited-slip differential is standard.
Significant weight savings were achieved in the Extreme by using aluminum fenders and a carbon-fiber hood, roof, suspension cross braces, front spoiler, engine cover, and rear wing. A whopping 44 pounds are saved by replacing the aluminum wheels with ones made with carbon fiber, and the OPC Extreme also loses its rear seats.
Underscoring its racing pedigree, it is fitted with a full roll cage and Recaro racing seats with six-point belts. Opel has left the dashboard alone, but there’s a carbon-fiber steering wheel covered in grippy suede. Yellow styling accents recall Opel's rally and racing cars of yore. The OPC Extreme's track-readiness is further ensured by high-performance Brembo brakes with six pistons up front, a manually adjustable suspension, and 245/35ZR-19 Hankook Ventus R-S3 extreme-performance summer tires.
The Astra OPC Extreme is not a Golf R competitor, but rather a track-ready limited-production model for European consumption only. There will even be a Vauxhall version, dubbed the Astra VXR Extreme, also scheduled to debut in Geneva.
GM fans in the U.S. can only dream of this car. We got the last-gen Astra as a Saturn, but the closest thing in the States now is the Buick Verano, and there is no room in the Buick lineup for such an aggressive sports car. A near-300-hp SS version of the Chevy Cruze—on the same Delta platform as the Astra—was considered a few years back, but canceled. Boo, GM. Boo.
