My driving impressions Opel Astra OPC and I'm still shaking

Just_me · 05-24-2006, 01:28 PM

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 and I'm not saying this because Im a BMW fan, 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.

Here is the video and what the cat sound like. Hot or not?
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4 pictures.

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Andaluz · 05-24-2006, 01:45 PM

Thanks a lot for the review. Just_Me You are simply awesome...the best threads on the GCZ.

I remember the last time I drove an "Overpowered" FWD car.

It was a Cadillac Seville STS with FWD and 300 Bhp.

One of the worst handling and road holding cars I've ever driven. So much for GM's "Standard of the World" brand...

Only an idiot would have the idea to make an FWD car with 300 Bhp and combine with a soggy suspension. The damn thing understeered and rolled badly when going around corners and it was unbelievably twitchy on the wet.

No wonder Cadillac flopped in Europe.

Just_me · 05-24-2006, 01:53 PM

Thanks for the warm words Andaluz.

Like I said it was a fun car during the time I had it. The salesman asked me why I was smiling when I came back

I talked to the salesmen about Vectra OPC that I also wanted to drive but it wasn't one available today. Vectra OPC is using 255hp, and sharing engine with Saab 93 Aero and he told me the Vectra isnt nervous and eaiser to drive than the Astra. The turbo is more hidden in the Vectra.
I'm coming back next month to try the Vectra OPC.

BMW_Dude · 05-24-2006, 02:39 PM

Looks like you had an enjoyable time!

All the reports I have heard about this car is it's way overpowered, and just too much for FWD cars, although it's very fast! For me, I'd go for a Golf GTI, 197bhp is plenty of power in a FWD!

Thanks for the report, look forward to the Vectra one!

Just_me · 05-24-2006, 02:50 PM

their is a kit for Astra OPC, 340hp/480nm. Must be a nightmare to drive

BMW_Dude · 05-24-2006, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just_me

their is a kit for Astra OPC, 340hp/480nm. Must be a nightmare to drive

340bhp, so another 100bhp, that's just insane, the power of an M3 in an Astra!

I wonder how much it costs and what the performance it like with it!

Zonda · 05-24-2006, 04:14 PM

130i for me. You just can't have a FWD car with more than 200hp, it's just not meant to be that way.

Just_me · 05-24-2006, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zonda

130i for me. You just can't have a FWD car with more than 200hp, it's just not meant to be that way.

well, not all FWD powerful cars behave like Astra OPC. the Astra was over the top

Zonda · 05-24-2006, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just_me

well, not all FWD powerful cars behave like Astra OPC. the Astra was over the top

Well. Imo all cars with more than 200hp should be RWD. It's ok up to 250(Like Golf R32) as long as they're sorted. Apparently the Astra wasn't that sorted.

Just_me · 05-24-2006, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zonda

Well. Imo all cars with more than 200hp should be RWD. It's ok up to 250(Like Golf R32) as long as they're sorted. Apparently the Astra wasn't that sorted.

the salesmen said the Vectra was better. I will try the Vectra in a month (hopefully) I will come back with impressions