Opel will have a very intense autumn this year with the introduction of three iconic models: the revolutionary electric car Ampera with the ability to extend its autonomy, the new generation of the master of flexibility, the Zafira Tourer, and the sports compact 3 doors Astra GTC. The Astra GTC will celebrate its world presentation in the 64th edition of the Frankfurt International Motor Show, between September 15 and 25, 2011.
The new Astra GTC is presented with a sharp design and great driving skills: abroad, sculpted forms with precise accents add tension to clean and fluid Coupé lines. And, on the road, all versions of Astra GTC benefit from the front axle of premium design with hyperstruts - high performance turrets - which combine ideally with the intelligent design patented by rear axle opel with Watt Timonería, to offer stability without rival and most driving accuracy. Few among the most radical sports cars in this segment offer such a sophisticated front train architecture.
"The Astra GTC is the sports member of the Opel family," says Karl-Friedrich Strake, CEO of Opel/Vauxhall.
"It has been designed and developed at our Rüsselsheim facilities to be a very desirable sports coupe with stimulating benefits and at the same time affordable, broad and flexible. We are convinced that it will provide a breath of fresh air to the segment of compact sportsmen."
The GTC is the quintessence in design and driving dynamism of the Astra. Representing between 15 and 20% of Astra's total sales, will further reinforce the compact Opel range of great success, which has increased its market share in Europe from 8.3% in 2009, to 11.4% in 2010.
The body's muscular design is structured by sharp lines
The new Astra GTC is largely inspired by the Opel GTC Paris concept presented in the last International Motor Show in Paris. A five -seater sports compact with very attractive and impressive proportions, the Astra GTC has a unique design: it does not share any of the exterior elements with the other members of the Astra family, except the housings of the outer mirrors and the rod of the radio antenna. Six of the seven tire designs between 17 and 20 inches in diameter offered are also exclusive to the GTC.
"We wanted the GTC to be the maximum expression of the Opel design language - the sculptural art attached to German precision - and to bring together our passion for the car," says Mark Adams, Vice President of Design of Opel/Vauxhall. "However, we did not want emotion to overshadow functionality: Astra GTC is an intelligent and affordable dream car."
In their profile, the designers have maximized the tension limiting the number of lines: a fine and marked line that curves down from the front door and along the lateral stirrup that provides energy to the side of the body, and the shape of an Opel characteristic blade that is introduced in the same direction in which it appeared for the first time in the badge. A second line runs from the door handle to the back, highlighting the vehicle's sports silhouette by spreading the surfaces towards a fine cut in the marked waist line. The third line that follows the roof silhouette is finished in polished aluminum marking the window line, which guides the view towards the accentuated integrated spoiler.
The frontal clean incorporates the typical central fold of Opel and is accentuated by intense very thin front headlights in the eagle eye that incorporate the daytime lights in the form of a “wing”. These act as a parenthesis between the refined chrome bar with the logo and the dramatic trapezoidal front grill, which is placed lower to give a feeling of racing car and highlight its sporting character.
The waist is the most impressive area of Astra GTC. Its powerful design gives the car some imposing proportions and a very powerful presence on the road, highlighting its wide and low silhouette. The Pilar C line is taken to the rear and undulating towards the rear spoiler, which is ingeniously integrated in the roof line. This stands out even more for optional LED rear pilots by incorporating the elongated graphics in the form of “wing” in the pilots.
The exclusive high -tech front suspension sharpens the touch of the management
The Electromechanical chassis of the Astra GTC equips an exclusive high -tech front suspension architecture, similar to that used in the OPC badge, which improves behavioral characteristics and offers the driver the most agile steering response that is expected of a sports -looking car.
Compared to the Astra five doors, the height of the body of Astra GTC is 15 mm lower, while the support base increases slightly. Due to the longest control arms on the rear axle, the wheelbase increases by 10 mm, from 2,685 mm to 2,695 mm. Both routes are wider, with 1,584 mm (+ 40 mm) on the front axle and 1,588 mm (+ 30mm) in the rear. This allows the installation of sports tires with greater wheel diameters, which benefits both stability and the presence well adapted to the road and visual impact.
However, the greatest change is not visible to the naked eye. All versions of the Astra GTC, regardless of the motorization that equipe and its finishing level, are equipped with an additional element, usually only available in the most radical sports: the front suspension with high performance turrets (Hipperstruts). Compared to conventional McPherson Torretas of Astra, hyperstruts reduce the inclination angle of the direction pivot, geometry and axis length. The reduction of the tilt angle of the direction pivot translates into a better grip and guidance of the wheels, significantly reduces the reactions of the direction and increases the rotation capacity, offering the driver of the Astra GTC the sport touch and the most agile address response that is expected of a sports car, with greater precision and touch.
In addition, hyperstruts reduce wheel shakes, allowing larger tire diameters. This elaborate design that literally hits the car to the road ensures the fun of driving to all GTC drivers even before the most sporty versions planned for later are available.
The rear axle design combines a compound shaft with Watt Timonería. This intelligent construction, which is exclusive to Opel, has already demonstrated its multiple benefits in the Astra. At the same time that it is lighter and more compact than a multibrazo axis, it offers great comfort, excellent isolation against noise and surprising stability and comfort.
The chassis of the Astra GTC has been designed to perfectly integrate the intelligent flexride fully adaptive suspension system. This improves driving stability by providing better curves and steering behavior by automatically adapt to road conditions, curve speed, vehicle movements and driving style of each. The best road behavior and vehicle balance also improve safety in emergency situations. The Flexride system offers three different adjustments, allowing the character of the car to be changed, simply by pressing a button: the driver can choose between the balanced "normal" mode, which is completely adaptive, the most comfortable "tour" mode or the sports "sport" mode.
Three engines to start - the most sports versions will arrive soon
The Astra GTC can already be requested in Spain with an offer of three motorizations - a diesel and two gasoline engines.
The improved turbodysel Common-rail 2.0 CDTI engine with high power to 165 hp/121 kW is equipped with a diesel particle filter and six-speed manual gearbox. The new Opel Stop technology that reduces urban traffic consumption is installed as standard. The 2.0 CDTI combines excellent benefits with great efficiency. It delivers a maximum torque of up to 380 Nm thanks to the Overboost function and allows the Astra GTC to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.9 seconds. The maximum speed is 210 km/h. Combined fuel consumption does not exceed 4.9 liters per 100 km and CO2 emissions are 129 gr/km. With the 56 -liter deposit, the Astra GTC 2.0 CDTI can travel more than 1,100 km.
Start/Stop technology is also standard in the 1.4 turbo gasoline engine with 140 hp/103 kW. This engine is associated with a six -speed manual gearbox, delivering a 200 Nm motor torque and consuming 5.9 liters per 100 km (139 gr/km emissions of CO2). The gasoline offer is rounded with the 1.6 turbo of 180 hp/132 kW with six -speed manual gearbox, which reaches a maximum speed of 220 km/h.
When presented at the next Frankfurt International Motor Show, more motorizations will be offered. The most sporty versions, including the future OPC version of high performance will arrive in 2012. These sports versions will join a new version of the 1.4 Gasoline Turbo of 120 hp/88 kW gasoline and as well as the most powerful version, equipped with Start/Stop technology.
Innovative technologies improve driving and security fun
Whatever the engine, driving the Astra GTC is a unique experience thanks to its impressive chassis. Fun - like security - can be improved with a large number of innovative systems.
The second generation of the Opel Eye front chamber system benefits from improvements and greater functionalities. The traffic signal recognition system (TSR) can identify greater number of signals than before and the information provided can be extended by the navigation system. In addition to the well -known notice of involuntary lane abandonment (LDW), the camera also supports a new function of monitoring distance (FDI) that visually informs the driver about the distance with the preceding vehicle.
The new, fourth generation of the adaptive lighting system (AFL+) with Bixenon headlights will make its debut in the Astra GTC. In addition to the nine functions of the AFL - which includes the wizard of long lights that connects and disconnects the long lights depending on the presence of other vehicles - it can be improved with the intelligent lighting regulation system (ILR) that uses the Opel Eye chamber to measure the distance with the preceding vehicle and continuously adapt the short light beam. This allows continuously optimizing road lighting avoiding glare. With these ten lighting functions, the Astra GTC equips the best segment lighting system.
With a lot of style and design determined
Compared to its competitors, the Astra GTC does not compromise functionality despite its Coupé design. Not only does it offer space for five occupants in its cabin, but its flexible trunk also offers between 370 and 1,235 liters of capacity - more than 200 liters more than its competitors. The volume of holes to leave objects inside the cabin has increased by 50% on the previous generation of GTC, also partly thanks to the optional electric parking brake that releases space in the central console - exactly where the holes to leave objects are more accessible.
The design of the High Quality of the Astra GTC combines the sculpted shapes and dynamic lines, and its distinctive sporting character stands out with new upholstery, colors and decorations, both in the Enjoy version, and in Sport. In the most sports versions new premium finishes in leather will be available by mixing applications in Alcántara and Nappa. The standard sports steering wheel with the best "Grip" also highlights the fascinating character of the GTC.
To adjust to all types of drivers, the front seats of the Astra GTC offer the widest range of adjustments in the entire segment. The ergonomically improved seats with eight adjustment possibilities, four lumbar support and extensible sidewalk settings have been certified by the Independent Organization of Doctors and Experts in Agrogenomy (Aktion Gesunder Rücken EV - Action for healthy backs) are optionally available with prices that begin in the 600 euros.
The Astra GTC has been designed and developed at the International Center for Technical Development of Opel in Rüsselsheim and will be manufactured in Gliwice, Poland.
As of today, June 7, orders from the Astra GTC can be made with three engines and two levels of equipment. Prices in Peninsula and the Balearic Islands begin at 22,370 euros (Astra GTC Enjoy 1.4 Turbo 140 hp/103 kW), up to 25,475 euros (Astra GTC Sport 2.0 CDTI of 165 hp/121 kW).
Prices in the Canary Islands begin at 20,598 euros (Astra GTC Enjoy 1.4 Turbo 140 hp/103 kW), up to 24,280 euros (Astra GTC Sport 2.0 CDTI of 165 hp/121 kW).
