Our spied snapped the forthcoming Astra VXR testing last week – and now we have our first look at the GTC on which it will be based.
Discovered on Opel’s official Facebook page, this image is the first we have seen of the undisguised production version of the 3-door Astra. Vauxhall first hinted at what to expect from the VXR model with the Astra GTC concept at the 2010 Paris motor show, but without the concept car touches and hot-hatch add-ons, the GTC appears rather less dramatic.
While the picture only shows the rear of the car, we can see that the bodywork and mirrors have been carried across almost unchanged for production – but the lights, wheels and bumpers have all been toned down.
The Astra GTC will feature the same range of petrol and diesel engines as in the 5-door hatch, while under the VXR’s bonnet there will be a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol powerplant pushing out close to 300bhp. This will ensure Ford Focus RS-rivalling performance, and leaves space underneath for a possible warm hatch with similar figures to today’s VXR-badged Astra.
UK sales of the Astra GTC will begin in late 2011. For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express
