My Driving Impressions - Opel Astra OPC

[Just_me]

In a short time I drove M5/M6, Z06 and 130i and it was time to try something different, a brand I never driven before and a brand that is not exclusive as the others. I went to the dealer and drove Opel Astra OPC and efter I return it to the dealer again I was still shaking. This is a brutal beast, full acceleration, wheelspin in first and second gear, BAM, you just hit 200km/h. The steering is nervous, the mirror in the window is big and covering my sight when I turn my head to the right. The Turbo is extremly obvious, the ketchup effect is still alive. You really have to stay focus and concentrate on the driving and grab the steering wheel. This car has 240 hp, 320 nm, FWD and Turbo. 240hp and 320nm in a little car that weight 1300 kg and using Front Wheel Drive, you can imagine how the car is to drive.
The car isnt boring to drive even if it sound like it but the car is only fun during a short time, I wouldn't spend time with the car for the rest of my life. Its a beast and you need to try your best to control the car when you push it. BMW 130i has a better power courve and easier to control, I rather take the 130i to the track than the Astra OPC. 130i is more sophisticated and easier to control,if you tried them both, you know what I talk about.

The interior in the Astra OPC is nothing special but I liked the the speedometer and the RPM counter, nicely designed. The car is equipped with two serious sportchairs, holding your body in place. I dont know if it was my seat position but the mirror was covering my sight.

My conclusion is that this is the most nervous car I driven. Its a fun for a short time but for daily-use, No Thanks.

I have a short videoclip when I pushing the accelerator and listening to the engine sound on a parking lot and it sounds like an angry bull.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-526328926951979597


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[fsandys]

I've sat in the Astra VXR (UK) and was well impressed with the seats too, really really comfortable and hugging, made me really want to drive :D

[TT]

Weird, I really didn't like the instruments in the Astra.. too simple, wrong colors and weird to have a big 40 and 80 and a very small 60 which is quite usefull most of the time around here.

I agree it's just too nervous and there is too much torquesteer, but IMO the big let down is the lack of visibility caused by the massive A pillars.. really doesn't let you push to the limit because you always worry if they are hiding a lorry/child/car/llama :roll:

Still, the "sport" button which hardens everything, especially the engine note, is damn charming :D

[Just_me]

Still, the "sport" button which hardens everything, especially the engine note, is damn charming :D

Too bad I didnt know about the button :( Is a big difference with it?
Where do I find the button?

[TT]

The button is on the center console, it was the first thing I saw and never turned it off. Throttle response is quite sensibly sharper, making it even more brutal, I think suspensions settings are slightly changed too, but the most obvious change is in the engine sound wich is much more agressive :D

[Pehtren]

The car looks really crazy and i belive you that you were shaking .... :twisted:

Nice clip, i like the sound, too bad that you didnt made one with acceleration 0-100kmh :P

Thanks for the report 8)

[No.1]

Nice write up, but a comparison with a 130i is purely hypothetical.

Theres a £10k + price difference between the cars over here, and they aren't really rivals of any sort - although i appreciate that is all you can compare it with in your experience. :bah:

Why not try out a Focus ST and report back with comparisons to the Astra VXR? 8)

[TT]

Hehe indeed the direct comparison are Focus ST, Golf GTI or Mégane Sport :D

And well, having tested them all, the ST is the one that seems the better all rounder ;) but IMO the VXR tops the Mégane as overall quality (even if the Mégane is funnier at the limit) and for the boom factor :D sadly the Golf we had was mounting silly small winter wheels, so handling wise I can't really judge it, but still, it kinda seems very far away from the ST all in all.

[Mopsdrops]

thanks for the review just_me, I was curious what you've got to say about the Astra OPC, sounds quite the same like our Vectra OPC, Astra is only a bit lighter qua sound imo, and their all fast too :P

[vakpemil]

Nice test! Everyone says the Asta OPC is a beast but I still can't believe it :mrgreen: maybe I also has to visit the local dealership :wink: the best colour tie the blue one :D

[Just_me]

thanks for the review just_me, I was curious what you've got to say about the Astra OPC, sounds quite the same like our Vectra OPC, Astra is only a bit lighter qua sound imo, and their all fast too :P

the dealer told me the Vectra OPC is easier to control and not wild as the Astra. I belive I would like the Vectra OPC better than the Astra OPC :D

Anyway; I drove M5/M6, 130i and C6 Z06 in a short time and the Opel scared me the most :lol: Incredible !!! :twisted: