- Start of an era: Opel Astra OPC with 118 kW/160 hp ready for the race track
- Turbo debut 2001: turbocharged Opel Zafira OPC fastest compact van in the world
- Lap records: OPC models are developed and set the pace on the Nürburgring
- OPC flagships today: Opel Astra with limited slip differential and Opel Insignia OPC with all-wheel drive
Debut 1999: Opel sounds in a new era with the first OPC model, an Opel Astra G with 118kW/160 hp, and bids farewell to the GSi abbreviation. |
At Opel exceptional athletes receive an abbreviation – OPC. Exactly 15 years ago, the first production model from the Opel Performance Center hit the roads. Since that day, Opel has combined its knowhow for motorsport outings with the development of performance cars for the road, guaranteeing a regular technology transfer between the world of motorsports and serial production.
“The Opel Performance Center provides our performance-hungry clients with vehicles that are irresistibly dynamic, have a sporty look and are very different from the large production models, without making any comprises on everyday usability. Our OPC models stand for outstanding performance and pure passion,” explained Opel Group CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann.
The unmistakable OPC design: “Convey the performance”
Opel Astra OPC: Specially sculpted front and rear bumpers, side skirts, an aerodynamic roof spoiler and two fully integrated exhaust tail pipes in a trapezoid shape |
Opel Insignia OPC: Designers created an archaic sabertooth appearance for the voluminous air intakes |
The new foundation for motorsports: OPC instead of GSI
Opel Astra F GSi: 2.0 16V 110 kW/150 hp |
Currently, the sporting OPC flagship is the 239 kW/325 hp Insignia OPC but the Astra OPC with 206 kW/280 hp is hot on its heels: With its compact dimensions and a more radical overall set-up the powerful Astra is almost as fast as its big brother is.
1999: Opel Astra OPC with 118 kW/160 hp leaves its mark
Based on the 100 kW/136 hp, 2.0-liter ECOTEC, the newly created OPC team built a free-revving and responsive engine that was completely different to the frugal base model. The engine befits from forged pistons, sharper camshafts, larger intake and exhaust channels along with an exhaust manifold system and optimized engine management, thus resulting in 118 kW/160 hp. An additional oil cooler and an adapted coolant thermostat ensured the correct temperature in every situation.
Volker Strycek was responsible for 2,500 Sport-Astra, necessary for homologation, produced in series. However, the enthusiasm was much bigger. Even before hitting the market the motorsport fans went mad for the Astra OPC. As a result, the number was increased to 3,000 and these had sold out after only four months.
2001: Turbocharged performance plateau
Opel Zafira A OPC 2.0 Turbo with 141 kW/192 hp, 2001 |
2002: Opel Astra G OPC: 2.0 Turbo with 147 kW/200 hp and Xenon headlights as option |
Opel Astra G OPC Caravan: 2.0 Turbo with 147 kW/200 hp - New version from 2002 |
Record hunting: At home on the Nürburgring
Opel Astra H OPC: 2.0 Turbo with 177 kW/240 hp, 2005 |
Opel Zafira B OPC: 2.0 Turbo with 177 kW/240 hp, 2005 |
Opel Corsa D OPC: 1.6 Turbo with 141 kW/192 hp, 2007 |
Nürburgring Edition: Nomen est Omen
Opel Astra H OPC Nürburgring Edition: 2.0 Turbo with 177 kW/240 hp, 2008 |
Opel Corsa D OPC Nürburgring Edition: 1.6 Turbo with 155 kW/210 hp, 2011 |
Compact class athlete: Current Opel Astra OPC with impressive performance
Opel Astra J OPC: 2.0 Turbo with 206 kW/280 hp, 2012 |
Opel Insignia OPC: All-wheel drive with Touring Car genes
Fastest Opel: The ‘Unlimited-Version’ of the 239 kW/325 hp Insignia OPC (2011) reaches a maximum speed of 270 km/h – it is faster than any other Opel |
Opel Insignia OPC is the flagship. Its turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 engine produces 239 kW/325 hp and sends 435 Nm torque to all four wheels. In order to guarantee that the power reaches the road in the best possible way, the OPC team developed an all-wheel drive based on the German Touring Car Championship experiences gathered with the Opel Calibra (International Touring Car Championship winner in 1996). With this powerful engine at its disposal, Opel Insignia OPC accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in six seconds (Sports Tourer 6.3 seconds) and achieves a maximum, electronically limited speed of 250 km/h. However, the Insignia can go even faster. The manual Unlimited-Version reaches up to 270 km/h (Sports Tourer 265 km/h).
New Opel Insignia OPC (2013): The ultimate Opel powerhouse. |
The OPC highlight of the first 15 years:
- 2013: Further development of the Opel Insignia OPC with enhanced chassis
- 2012: Astra (J) OPC with 206 kW/280 hp 2.0 liter Turbo
- 2011: Opel Corsa (D) „Nürburgring Edition“ with 155 kW/210 hp
- 2009: Market launch Opel Insignia OPC Limousine and Insignia OPC Sports Tourer (2.8 liter V6 turbo with 239 kW/325 hp)
- 2009: Market launch Opel Astra (H) OPC Race Camp Edition
- 2008: IDS Plus 2 chassis as standard for Opel Astra (H) OPC
- 2008: Limited special edition Opel Astra (H) OPC „Nürburgring Edition“
- 2007: Opel Corsa (D) OPC sets small car lap record of 8:47:99 minutes on the Nürburgring Nordschleife
- 2007: Market launch of the Opel Corsa (D) OPC (1.6 liter Turbo with 141 kW/192 hp)
- 2006: Opel Zafira (B) OPC sets van lap record of 8:54:38 minutes on the Nürburgring Nordschleife
- 2006: Introduction of the Opel Meriva OPC (1.6-liter-turbo with 132 kW/180 hp)
- 2005: Opel Astra (H) OPC sets compact class lap record of 8:35:94 minutes on the Nürburgring Nordschleife
- 2005: Market launch of the Opel Vectra (C) OPC and Vectra Caravan OPC (2.8 liter V6 turbo with 188 kW/255 hp)
- 2005: Second generation of the Opel Zafira (B) OPC (2.0 liter turbo, 177 kW/240 hp)
- 2005: Market launch of the Opel Astra (H) OPC (2.0 liter turbo with 177 kW/240 hp)
- 2005: 20,000 OPC vehicles sold throughout Europe in only five years
- 2002: Market launch of the second Opel Astra (G) OPC-Generation (2.0 liter turbo with 147 kW/200 hp, three-door and Caravan variants)
- 2001: Introduction of the Opel Zafira (A) OPC (2.0 liter turbo with 141 kW/192 hp)
- 1999: Market launch of the Opel Astra (G) OPC (2.0 liter naturally aspirated engine with 118 kW/160 hp)
No comments:
Post a Comment