Like we said before, it was a matter of hours before the first pictures of Opel’s brand new Corsa OPC or Vauxhall’s Corsa VXR if you prefer, showed up. Basically, there was a European embargo that ended when the clock struck 12 and the date changed to the 3rd of January. No Cinderella showed up but, that's how the story goes.
To be put against the hottest European mini GTI’s like Renault’s 197 Hp Clio RS and Seat’s 180Hp Ibiza Cupra, the Corsa OPC is Opel’s first serious attempt at the category. It sure has the looks with that super-aggressive bodykit that includes front and side air dams, Gallardo style 18’’ rims, race-style door mirrors and of course, the triangular exhaust placed at the centre of the rear bumper which also features a diffuser. Interior-wise, the OPC gets a Recaro bucket seats and a… Golf GTI inspired flat-bottomed sports steering wheel.
Corsa OPC’s running gear comes from the Meriva OPC. The 1.6-litre turbocharged engine produces 190 Hp (in the Meriva OPC it delivers 180 Hp) and 192lb ft of torque. According to Opel / Vauxhal, the Corsa OPC/ VXR does the 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) sprint in 6,8 sec reaching a top speed of 225 km/h (140 mph). Thus meaning that on the papers, it’s a tad slower than its Astra OPC bro (0-100 km/h in 6,4 sec) but marginally faster than the Renault Clio RS (0-100 km/h in 6,9 sec).
The OPC also gets a revised suspension with new damper and spring settings and a new ESP system. Its public debut will be made at the Geneva Show in March with sales starting in Europe around April. And no, there are no plans to import it in the US as a Saturn…
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