Opel Corsa OPC: Nürburgring Edition Spy Shots

Here are some spy shots of what is believed to be the Opel Corsa OPC Nürburgring Edition special.

Based on the standard OPC, this should basically be the Corsa version of the Astra-based 2008 Nürburgring Edition model. That means it'll most likely come with the standard Corsa OPC's 192-horsepower (141 kW) / 170 lb-ft (230 Nm) turbocharged 1.6 liter mill and extra add-ons.

Other baubles to expect are upgraded Brembo brakes, Recaro leather seating, carbon-look decor for the interior, unique lightweight wheels, and maybe even a tuned suspension.

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Categories: Opel, Opel Corsa, Opel OPC, Opel Scoops, Scoops, Vauxhall

Reader Scoops 2010 Opel Astra Test Car in Michigan

This past weekend, eagle-eyed Carscoop reader Thomas Czarny picked up these shots of a heavily disguised 2010 Opel Astra hatchback prototype in a shopping mall parking lot in Traverse City, Michigan. The test car was fitted with manufacturer license plates and sported a GMPT (General Motors Powertrain) Engineering Vehicle sticker on the front windshield.

We're fully aware of the fact that new cars go through all sorts of tests in various places around the world including markets where they will not be sold, but we also know that GM is preparing an Opel Astra based small sedan for Buick which is scheduled to go on sale in the States by the end of 2011.

Earlier this year, our spy photographers snapped the Buick four-door sedan along with a five-door Astra prototype sporting Buick's corporate waterfall grille while undergoing testing in Germany.

Although the five-door model is said to be under development for Buick's Chinese market line-up, we can't entirely rule out the possibility that GM may also be considering the hatch for the U.S. where it would compete against the VW Golf and Mazda3.

This naturally brings us to the question, in addition to the sedan model, should GM also enhance Buick's U.S. range with a rebadged version of the 2010 Opel Astra hatchback?

Kudos to Thomas Czarny for the Scoop!

Categories: Buick, Buick Astra, Buick Scoops, GM, Opel, Opel Astra, Opel OPC, Opel Scoops, Scoops, U Spy

More Reader Spy Shots: Kia's Small MPV Snapped in the Czech Republic

Carscoop readers Vladimir Pekulas and Jan Mlejnek bagged these shots of Kia's forthcoming mini-MPV on the highway near Mlada Boleslav in the Czech Republic. If you take a closer look at the pics after the jump, you'll see that the man sitting in the passenger's seat of the Kia test car retaliated against our readers by taking or pretending to take, photos of them also... But anyways, let's refresh our memory on Kia's new model which has yet to be named.

The five-seater MPV is in effect the production version of Kia's No3 Concept study that was shown for the first time in Geneva earlier this year. The Korean automaker's retort to the likes of the Honda Jazz, Opel Meriva and Citroen C3 Picasso uses the same architecture as the Kia Soul and Hyundai i20.

It is anticipated that the small MPV's engine range will comprise of 1.6-liter petrol and diesel units, both producing an output of 126HP, while certain markets may also receive a 115HP 1.6-liter diesel along with a range-topping 2.0-liter gasoline engine making 142HP.

Kia will most probably swoop the covers off the mini-MPV at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September with European sales set to start before the end of the year. Like the European market Cee'd, the MPV will be produced at the Hyundai Group's new plant in the Czech Republic.

"Děkuji" Vladimir Pekulas & Jan Mlejnek for the pics!

Categories: Kia, Kia Soul, Opel OPC, Opel Scoops, Scoops, U Spy

Opel Insignia OPC in Sports Tourer Form Spied Completely Undisguised!

If you were in any doubt that Opel and consequently, its British arm Vauxhall, was readying an estate version of the recently introduced Insignia OPC, here's the proof that you've been asking for. Carscoop's secret agent hit the jackpot with the Insignia OPC Sports Tourer snapping the car without a single trace of camouflage. Naturally, the German firm's Audi S4 Avant contender comes with a similar sports outfit to the sedan featuring a new front end with two large vertical intakes and a specific rear bumper with dual integrated exhausts.

The profile photos also show a roof spoiler and a new set of wheels. Like the sedan, the Insignia OPC Sports Tourer will ride on 19-inch alloys shod in 245/40 high performance tires while 20-inch lightweight forged wheels with 255/35 tires will be available as an option.

As you probably have already guessed by now, under the skin you'll find the same hardware used in the Insignia OPC sedan. In other words, a four-wheel drive chassis mated to a 2.8-liter V6 fitted with a twin-scroll turbo that generates an output of 325 horsepower and 400Nm or 295-lbs/ft of torque. Power is channeled to all wheels through a six speed manual gearbox. As with the sedan, the transmission is coupled to an electronic limited-slip differential (eLSD) that can feed torque to individual wheels.

A sportier suspension set up and beefier Brembo brakes with cross-drilled discs complete the changes.

Since it's almost certain that the Insignia OPC Sports Tourer will be a bit heavier than its sedan sibling, don't be surprised if you see slightly worst acceleration figures. For the record, the OPC-ized Insignia saloon hits the 100km/h mark in 6.0 seconds (0 to 60mph in 5.8 seconds). Top speed should remain the same at 250km/h or 155mph (electronically limited).

(The black colored Insignia pictured below is an OPC prototype scooped near the 'Ring)

Categories: Frankfurt Motor Show, Opel, Opel Insignia, Opel OPC, Opel Scoops, Scoops, Vauxhall

VIDEO: Opel Insignia OPC Unleashes its 300HP+ on the Nurburgring

While not as powerful as the BMW M3 Sedan, the new Opel Insignia OPC with its bi-turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 engine that is slated to develop anywhere between 300 and 320HP could give Audi's S4 sports sedan a good run for its money. The high-performance version of the Insignia which is due to be officially revealed this month, also comes with GM's latest all-wheel drive system featuring an electronically-controlled, rear limited slip differential.

In this new spy video -courtesy of Car Magazine- the Insignia OPC was caught in action on the Nurburgring race track. Once you have finished watching the video, click here for more details and high-res photos of the Insignia OPC.

Categories: Opel, Opel Insignia, Opel OPC, Opel Videos, Scoops, Vauxhall, video

2010 Opel Insignia OPC: Barely Camouflaged Prototype Spied on the 'Ring

What could very well turn out to be an economical alternative to the Audi S4 sports sedan, the new Opel Insignia OPC, was caught here by our spies virtually undisguised during test runs on the Nurburgring race track. The new high-performance Insignia that is due to make its world debut at the Frankfurt motorshow this fall, is powered by a modified version of GM's twin-turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 that is said to crank out somewhere in the range of 300 to 320 horsepower.

And how will the Insignia put all that power on the road, we here some of you ask? Well, for starters, unlike its front-wheel drive Vectra OPC predecessor, the Insignia OPC sports an advance all-wheel drive system. Additionally, from what our sources tell us, the OPC will also feature the Saab 9-3 Turbo X's electronically-controlled, rear limited slip differential (eLSD) which can transfer up to 40% of torque to whichever (rear) wheel has more grip.

Opel's engineers will also spice up the Insignia's brake and steering wheel system as well as the suspension to further improve the car's handling.

On the outside, the high-performance Insignia justifies its OPC moniker with a restyled nose that draws its inspiration from the GTC Concept Coupe plus a new rear bumper that houses a diffuser as well as the twin tailpipes, chunkier side sills, a discreet boot lid spoiler and of course, a new set of alloy wheels shod in beefier tires.

We don't have any shots of the car's interior, but expect to see the same upgrades as with any other OPC model, meaning a sportier trim combined with front bucket seats, a thicker rim for the three-spoke steering wheel and a revised instrument panel.

The new Insignia OPC is due to arrive in Opel and Vauxhall dealerships during the fourth quarter of the year.

Categories: Opel, Opel Insignia, Opel OPC, Scoops, Vauxhall