|
Opel Astra OPC, Opel Insignia OPC and Opel Corsa OPC
in Australia (clockwise from front)
|
|
|
What is OPC in Opel terms?
Home >
News >
GM >
Opel
Recent new car releases ..... here
Upcoming new car releases ..... here
13th February, 2013
Opel Performance Centre cars demonstrate just how much sporty potential
and technological expertise are packed into Opel’s top line vehicles. OPC models are distinct, an expression of pure
passion for driving and a love of motor sport. These models evoke emotion and allow Opel to demonstrate its expertise in
driving dynamics and high performance.
The proof of the OPC portfolio’s success is in its sales. The first OPC car, an Astra 2.0-litre with naturally
aspirated engine developing 118 kW (160 hp), sold out all 3,000 limited edition units within four months when it was
launched in 1999. Since then more than 65,000 of these high performance cars have been sold in a variety of models,
ranging from Corsa OPC to Zafira OPC.
Opel even proved that performance and monocabs don’t have to be boring. Opel was the first brand to offer a high
performance variant on a van when it launched a 2.0-litre Turbo Zafira OPC with 141 kW (192 hp) in 2001. More than
12,000 units of that sporty Zafira were sold.
AT HOME IN GREEN HELL
Since launch Opel vehicles have broken a string of records on the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife 20.8 km track. The Astra
OPC did it first in 8:35:94 in 2005. The Zafira OPC still holds the title fastest van for its 8:54:38 time made in 2006.
Moreover, all OPC cars have passed rigorous endurance tests on the Green Hell, considered the toughest and most demanding
race track in the world.
In fact, the Nordschleife is Opel territory. It is the spot where Opel cars have endured their most rigorous testing
since the 1960s. In 2006, the Rüsselsheim (Germany) based car maker signed a partner contract with the legendary race
track and opened its own test centre directly at the "ring".
It is the ideal test spot for all Opel products – and the toughest for OPC models: The Insignia OPC underwent 10,000
kilometres of endurance testing there and passed with flying colours and no faults.
OPC MODEL HIGHLIGHTS
- 1997: Opel establishes Opel Performance Center GmbH (OPC)
- 1999: Market launch of Astra OPC
- 2001: Market launch of Zafira OPC
- 2002: Market launch of second-generation Astra OPC (2.0-litre Turbo, 147 kW/200 hp) in three-door and station wagon variants
- 2004: Launch of the OPC Line packages
- 2005: In just five years, some 20,000 OPC cars have been sold across Europe
- 2005: Market launch of current Astra OPC (2.0-litre Turbo, 177 kW/240 hp)
- 2005: Market launch of second-generation Zafira OPC (2.0-litre Turbo, 177 kW/240 hp)
- 2005: Market launch of Vectra OPC and Vectra station wagon OPC (2.8-litre V6 Turbo, 188 kW/255 hp)
- 2005: Astra OPC sets a record for compact class with a 8:35:94 time on the Nordschleife
- 2006: Market launch of Meriva OPC (1.6-litre Turbo, 132 kW/180 hp)
- 2006: 2.8-litre V6 Turbo, 206 kW (280 hp) offered on Vectra OPC and Vectra station wagon OPC
- 2006: Zafira OPC sets Nürburgring Nordschleife record as fastest van with a time of 8:54:38
- 2007: Market launch of Corsa OPC (1.6-litre Turbo, 141 kW/192 hp)
- 2007: Optional six-speed automatic transmission is added for Vectra OPC and Vectra station wagon OPC
- 2007: Corsa OPC sets record at the Nordschleife with a time of 8:47:99
- 2008: Special limited-edition “Nürburgring Edition” Astra OPC model is launched
- 2008: IDSPlus2 chassis system is added as standard feature for Astra OPC
- 2009: Astra OPC Race Camp Edition hits the market
- 2009: Market launch of Insignia OPC sedans and Sports Tourer models (2.8-litre V6 Turbo, 239 kW/325 hp)
- 2011: “Nürburgring Edition” Corsa OPC model is launched
- 2012: Opel’s most powerful Astra ever with 206kW, the Astra OPC is launched
- 2013: OPC Corsa, Astra and Insignia models launched in Australia
Stand by for additional stories in the coming week on the subject of OPC variants. The Australian release is close!
E&OE.
|
