A new motorsports-derived edition of the Opel Astra OPC (or Vauxhall Astra VXR for Britain) named “Extreme”, will make its world premiere at the 84th Geneva Motor Show in March. It promises to be the manufacturer’s fastest and most hardcore version of the Astra series yet.
The new Astra OPC Extreme has its roots in last year’s Astra Cup racecar that competed in the Nürburgring Endurance Championship. Unlike the Astra OPC X-treme Concept shown in 2002, of which only one was built, this one will enter a low-volume production run in the very near future.
The stripped-out Extreme makes use of carbon components to further reduce its weight compared to the 276hp (280PS) Astra OPC launched in 2012, and will incorporate an integrated safety structure, racing seats and six-point seatbelts.
On the outside, the Astra OPC Extreme sports a new body kit that includes a big roof wing, different bumpers and side skirts, with the car riding on bespoke wheels and featuring quad exhaust pipes.
GM’s European brand did not release info on the car’s powertrain specs, but it is expected that it will offer at least 300hp, which combined with the lower weight, should improve upon the standard model’s 0 to 60mph (96km/h) time of 5.9 seconds and top speed of 155mph (250km/h).
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