Holden treads on HSV toes

Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) has admitted the resurrection of some of Opel’s hottest OPC models as Holden-badged VXR vehicles will make its future more difficult.

Holden today announced it will reintroduce the Astra OPC hot hatch and Insignia OPC sports sedan, both of which were axed along with the stand-alone Opel brand last August as Holden models in the first half of 2015.

The move not only makes it more difficult for HSV to produce its own version of the Astra but prevents HSV from using the VXR nameplate, which graced the go-faster Clayton company’s version of the previous Astra coupe.

HSV chief Tim Jackson said he was aware of Holden’s plans, but admitted that confirmation of the 2015 Holden Astra VXR makes any potential Astra-based model more of a challenge for HSV.

“They’ve got their plans in place so that’s all exiting,” he said. “From our perspective it’s still a model we certainly have interest in and the fact that Holden’s done it is either a good thing or a bad thing depending on your point of view.

“Our business has always been to enhance Holden product and the opportunity to enhance that vehicle from our perspective is still open.”

Asked if that meant an even hotter Astra than the 206kW VXR, which is already one of the world’s most powerful front-wheel drive production cars, Jackson said: “Without defining exactly what the product is, yes, that would be the plan.”

However, the HSV boss admitted Holden’s confirmation of the Astra VXR is a double-edged sword for HSV, which may find it more difficult to justify the investment in a hotter Astra, given the price and expected popularity of Holden’s own VXR.

Opel’s discontinued Astra OPC was priced from $42,990 – the same price HSV charged for its previous-generation Astra VXR, which was discontinued in September 2009.

“It’s here and homologated. The negative side is it’s already a great car, which ups the challenge for us to make it better and to establish a business case,” he said.

Of course, a hotter Astra than the VXR is technically feasible, as evidenced by the Astra OPC EXTREME(pictured), which Opel revealed at the Geneva motor show in March.

Now in limited production in Europe, the most fearsome Astra is 100kg lighter and 18kW more powerful than its donor car, powered by a 224kW 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four.

Inspired by the Astra Cup race car that competed in the Nürburgring Endurance Championship in 2013, the Astra OPC EXTREME features a roof, bonnet, 19-inch wheels and suspension bracing made from carbon-fibre, aluminium front wings and rear seats replaced by rollbars.

There are also Brambo brakes, quad exhaust outlets, a rear diffuser, extended front splitter, a massive carbon-fibre roof spoiler and serious bonnet venting, while the drive is channelled to the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission and limited-slip differential.

Inside, the OPC EXTREME offers Recaro bucket seats with Schroth six-point safety harnesses and a carbon fibre-reinforced, suede-covered steering wheel.

A replacement for the current Astra is due by 2016, but it remains unclear whether Holden will import mainstream or performance versions to be sold alongside its locally-built Cruze hatch and sedan, which expected to be facelifted next year.

Jackson would not comment on the potential for HSV models based on the homegrown Cruze or Commodore, which will cease production in 2017, or the Opel Insignia, which will also return with Holden and VXR badges next year.

That could cause similar issues for HSV, which is known to have previously tested V6-powered all-wheel drive sedans based on the same Epsilon II platform as the Insignia and Malibu.

Nor would he discuss any potential plans for HSV-tuned versions of the Malibu, Barina or Opel Corsa – which is also due for renewal, but will not join the Holden range next year.

“We don’t talk about future product opportunities but we are always talking to Holden about future opportunities for us to work together,” Jackson said.

As we’ve reported, HSV has committed to a future beyond the Commodore in 2017, perhaps using Chevrolet vehicles as a basis.

The expectation is it will continue to modify GM-sourced vehicles, potentially including turbocharged versions of the Cruze, the Chevrolet Camaro and Corvette, possiblel future iterations of the Commodore-based Chevrolet SS and even Cadillacs like the rear-drive ATS and CTS, which are already produced in right-hand drive.