Opel launches high-performance OPC range in Australia

The OPC variants will sit above the regular Opel versions, commanding significantly higher prices and assuming range-topping status.

Prices will start from $28,990 (before on-road costs) for the Opel Corsa OPC, from $42,990 for the Astra OPC and from $59,990 for the Commodore-sized Insignia OPC.

Both the Astra OPC and Insignia OPC will be available from mid-February, while the city-size Corsa OPC will join showrooms in April.

Whereas the standard Opel Corsa comes in both three and five-door hatch styles with an optional automatic transmission, the OPC version is available only in three-door form, and only with a six-speed manual transmission.

There’s also a significant lift in power and torque over the regular 1.4-litre Corsa with the 1.6-litre turbocharged
Opel Corsa OPC developing 141kW/260Nm (up from 74kW/130Nm) with overboost.

As a result, acceleration times from 0-100km/h falls from 11.9secs (for the regular manual Corsa) to 7.2secs for the Corsa OPC.

Underneath the Corsa OPC also gets a unique lowered OPC sports-tuned chassis, complete with standard fit 17-inch alloys and Recaro front seats.

Outside, the Corsa OPC comes with sports body kit, rear spoiler and centrally mounted chrome exhaust tip.

The Astra OPC is based on the three-door Astra GTC Sport, but is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged direct injection engine developing 206kW/400Nm (up from 132kW/230Nm).

That’s sufficient to propel the Astra OPC from 0-100km/h in just 6.0 seconds (2.3secs quicker than the Astra GTC).

Standard features include Opel’s Flexride adaptive chassis system, 19-inch alloy wheels, six airbags, Nappa leather front sports seats with electrically adjustable bolsters, seat heating, satellite navigation with seven-inch display rounding out the highlights.

The Insignia OPC is the most powerful production car Opel has ever produced - its 2.8-litre V6 Turbo Ecotec engine developing 293kW and 435Nm of torque – enough to thrust this Insignia from 0-100km/h in 6.3 seconds.

It’s also the first Opel in Australia to get Opel’s Adaptive 4X4 technology, using a bespoke chassis developed during extensive testing at the Nurburgring.

Standard features include Brembo brakes on the front axle, Recaro front seats, leather trim, bi-xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lamps and premium audio system with seven-speakers and seven-inch colour screen.

All OPC models fall under Opel Australia’s Opel Service Plus and Opel Assist Plus customer car programs – meaning a maximum scheduled service charge of $299 for the Corsa OPC, $349 for the Astra OPC and $399 for the Insignia OPC – for the first three years or 45,000km.