Opel Astra OPC 2013 Review

Price Guide (recommended price before statutory & delivery charges): $42,990?
Options fitted to test car (not included in above price): Premium Lighting Pack $2000
Crash rating: Five-star ANCAP
Fuel: 95 RON PULP
Claimed fuel economy (L/100km): 8.1
CO2 emissions (g/km): 189
Also consider: RenaultSport Megane Cup (from $42,640); Volkswagen Scirocco R (from $47,990)

What we liked:
>> Communicative chassis
>> Mid-range grunt
>> Strong brakes

The Opel Performance Centre (OPC) enhanced Astra adds serious levels of mumbo to GM Euro brand's über sexy three-door runabout. Set to take on established hotties like RenaultSport Megane and Volkswagen Scirocco R, the Astra OPC has enough attitude to give its rivals a right good kicking -- and give buyers another option in the hard-fought hot hatch-cum-coupe segment.

Adding a larger capacity engine (2.0 versus 1.6 in Astra GTC Sport models) with ample turbo assistance, FlexRide 'mechatronic' active damping system, quick-thinking multi-plate mechanical LSD, and high-performance HiPerStrut front suspension coupled with stiffer springs and bushings, the Astra OPC certainly hauls along. And with monster 355 x 32mm cross-drilled Brembo discs grabbed by four-piston callipers, there’s no lack of stopping power either.

The direct injected and turbocharged four-cylinder develops 206kW at 5300rpm and 400Nm between 2400-4800rpm. That’s around 25 per cent more than the previous model (sold here as the HSV Astra VXR until 2009) but with fuel consumption trimmed to 8.1L/100km (previously 9.2) and CO2 emissions to 189g/km (down from 221).

On test we managed 10.1L/100km.

The figures add up to a blistering straight-line acceleration figure of six seconds to 100km/h and a top whack of 250km/h (electronically limited). There’s enough twist to break traction, even in the dry -- the 19-inch rubber smoking effortlessly through the first two ratios when the electronic nannies have their heads turned.

The three-mode FlexRide damping system also tweaks the throttle response in its higher settings (Sport and OPC), and is livelier when driven without the assistance of stability and traction control. The chassis is communicative enough to provide the driver with the feedback required to keep the Astra OPC on the straight and narrow, while the electrically-assisted steering is unfazed by torque steer to any large degree.

The cockpit is suitably sporty, especially where the heavily bolstered 18-way adjustable buckets seats are concerned. Though we can’t help but note that some of the switchgear feels plasticky, and the HVAC and infotainment interface fiddlier than it has any right to be.

There’s enough gadgetry here to keep most punters happy (nav, climate, cruise, seat heaters, et al), though the Bluetooth function lacks audio streaming. It’s a shame considering the stereo is quite good, and be looking for your tunes when the fun roads stop and the bassy exhaust note begins to drone.

Other downsides include a tight entry and egress aperture and slippery faux metal pedals. The gearshift throw could be shorter and synchro a little tougher on first.

A capable all-rounder, the Astra OPC is just as happy plodding around town as it is at full song -- a song that’s not too dissimilar to a Dyson with a bad case of ‘roid'-rage.

Tramp the throttle and the whooshing through induction and exhaust plumbing drown any hope the engine has of being heard as the speedo needle swings quickly into speeds best saved for the track.

Opel’s OPC Astra is a spirited performer with go-get-'em cornering confidence that should see it pinch crucial sales from its rivals. Well priced and seriously understated, the Astra OPC is well worth a test drive.

Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site…