Opel confirms Insignia and Corsa OPCs for Oz

Opel Australia has announced two more new hard-charging OPC high-performance models will join the already-confirmed Astra hot-hatch in Australia early next year: the Corsa OPC and the Holden-powered V6 turbo Insignia OPC.

Holden's export 2.8-litre ECOTEC V6 engine forms the heart of the Opel Insignia OPC flagship, with a twin-scroll turbocharger contributing to a very healthy 239kW/435Nm output.

The Insignia OPC will also be the first all-wheel drive Opel to arrive in Australia, making it more than a match for Subaru's hottest Liberty models and Volkswagen's V6 4Motion Passat CC and sedan models.

Engine power is diverted to all four wheels via Opel's "adaptive 4X4 technology" which makes use of a Haldex coupling system to transfer power to the rear wheels. Fitted with a standard six-speed automatic transmission, the mid-size OPC sedan can accelerate to 100km/h in 6.3 seconds and its chassis - including its HiPerStrut front suspension set-up - was calibrated during extensive testing at the notorious Nurburgring road circuit in Germany.

Riding on 19-inch alloy wheels (20s are optional), the largest OPC model gets Brembo brakes and a more aerodynamic body kit. Inside the cabin are upgraded Recaro front seats, black headlining, OPC, sill plates, an OPC sports steering wheel and gearshifter and various other sporty touches such as new instrument panel graphics.

The third high-performance OPC model that has been confirmed for Australia is the three-door Corsa OPC, which is driven by a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol inline four-cylinder engine that belts out 141kW/260Nm. That will see it compete with light-size hot-hatches such as the Volkswagen Polo GTI, Skoda Fabia RS and upcoming Ford Fiesta ST and Renault Clio RS200.

Like the Insignia, it gets bigger 17-inch wheels, a body kit, upgraded suspension and Brembo front brakes. The interior also features Recaro bucket seats, a sportier interior fitout and new features like daytime running lights, adaptive headlights and rear parking sensors.

General Motors' German brand Opel was relaunched in Australia in September 2012 with three models - the Corsa light hatch, Astra small hatch and wagon and Insignia sedan and wagon, and all three will now have range-topping OPC halo models to shine the spotlight on the brand.

OPC's relationship with Opel is equivalent to HSV's with Holden - it takes everyday passenger cars and makes them faster and sexier.

The first hot-shoe Opel to be confirmed for Australia, the three-door Astra OPC coupe, will arrive in March priced at $42,990.

Its 2.0-litre turbo-four outputs no less than 206kW/400Nm coupe, making it the most powerful Astra ever and the most powerful in the small hot-hatch class. With claimed 0-100km/h acceleration of just six seconds, the Astra OPC is also the quickest Opel.

The Astra OPC will be bookended by its high-performance cousins soon after, with the hi-po Corsa and Insignia variants expected to be priced under $30,000 and around $50,000 respectively, although at this stage Opel has not announced pricing.

Opel Australia Managing Director, Bill Mott, was upbeat about the confirmation of the new top-end OPC sports models, saying both the Corsa and Insignia were must-haves.

"OPC has always been on the top of our local wish list and we’re very excited to confirm that when the Astra OPC arrives in March, it will be joined by the Corsa OPC and Insignia OPC," he said.

Mr Mott said the response for the Astra OPC since its confirmation at the 2012 Australian motor show has been positive, and is likely to have helped secure its brothers-in-arms in this country.

"Since we confirmed the Astra OPC at the Sydney show, dealers have reported back strong customer enquiry with many customer orders being placed already," said Mr Mott.

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