September 2008


Opel Astra GTC: Compact Talent

• Captivating: “Perhaps the most exciting Opel Astra ever”
• Economical: 1.3 CDTI and 1.4 TWINPORT in ecoFLEX league
• Exclusive: Panorama windshield for unique sense of space and visibility

Rüsselsheim. On the market since March 2005, the Astra GTC (Gran Turismo Compact) has been singled out by the specialist automotive press as “perhaps the most exciting Opel Astra ever”. The three-door GTC’s engine range includes 12 engines (output range of 90 to 240 hp) and has a top speed of up to 244 km/h. The top-of-the-line model is the exclusive high-performance Astra OPC. It boasts distinctive design features such as sporty proportions, slimline silhouette, arched sloping roofline and pronounced front and rear tapering. These elements combine with the lowered front to give the GTC its sleek design. The expressively styled body is completely newly designed – only the hood and front fenders were taken over from the five-door Astra sedan. The successful model’s uniqueness is underlined by a world exclusive feature: the Astra GTC Cosmo comes standard with a panorama windshield that stretches back to the B-pillars and creates a completely new sense of visibility. Additional GTC highlights include adaptive IDS^Plus chassis with electronic Continuous Damping Control (CDC) and AFL headlamp system with dynamic curve light (Adaptive Forward Lighting).

New in model year 2009

Until now, only the Astra GTC 1.3 CDTI with 66 kW/90 hp carried the ecoFLEX badge. With the start of the new model year, Opel awards this seal to the most economical and low-emission engines in a model line for every fuel type. This offers customers easier orientation as they search for particularly environmentally friendly engines. The 1.4 TWINPORT with 66 kW/90 hp now also joins the ecoFLEX family; in comparison to the competition, it is a leader in fuel efficiency and cleanliness. The Astra GTC OPC now comes with the IDS^Plus2 chassis. New options include the SolarProtect heat-absorbing glazing (darkly tinted) for the rear.

Design and packaging

With its dynamic appearance, the Astra GTC model sets itself apart from its competitors without making any compromises in terms of everyday functionality. It has the same wheelbase as the sedan, and thanks to a lower seating position the headroom in the sporty GTC is only reduced slightly. In addition, the GTC has a generous and practical luggage compartment volume of 340 liters. The rear bench seat back can be split and folded forward for more flexible use of interior space.

The Astra GTC’s interior boasts surfaces with a high-quality look and feel. Distinctive design elements include the prominent center console and additional chrome rings around the air conditioning and radio controls. The top Cosmo variant features décor trim and inlays made from luxurious piano lacquer. The badge on the tailgate of the Astra GTC ecoFLEX models reflects their exceptional fuel-saving qualities.

Passive safety

The Astra GTC boasts high levels of safety. The consumer protection organization Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Programme) awarded the Astra GTC’s basis – the five-seat Astra sedan – the highest rating of five stars for adult passenger protection. With a total of 34 points, Euro NCAP classified the bestseller as one of the safest vehicles in the compact class. The Astra also achieved very good results for child protection, with four stars and 39 points.

The Astra GTC’s standard SAFETEC safety package includes thorax/pelvis side airbags in both front seats. These complement the two front airbags and the head curtain airbags that stretch along the entire length of the interior in the left and right roof pillars. Both outer rear seats come with ISOFIX mountings for child seats.

Equipment and extras

The six Astra GTC equipment lines feature comprehensive standard equipment. Highlights include:
Astra GTC – Radio remote control central locking, heated power exterior mirrors, power windows in front, height and reach-adjustable steering wheel, power steering,
height-adjustable driver’s seat, reading lamps in front and rear, front seats with Easy Entry function, split rear bench seat back
Astra GTC Edition (in addition to Astra GTC) – Air conditioning, stereo CD-Radio, leather steering wheel, Automatic Lighting Control (ALC), photochromatic rear-view mirror, automatic center console lighting, rear Park Pilot, 16-inch design wheels
Astra GTC INNOVATION (in addition to Astra GTC Edition) – AFL bi-xenon curve light, Electronic Climate Control (ECC), on-board computer with Check Control System
Astra GTC Sport (in addition to Astra GTC Edition) – IDS sport chassis, leather sport steering wheel, sport seats in front, aluminum sport pedals, on-board computer, stereo
CD-Radio CD 70 Navi, ECC, 16-inch alloy wheels
Astra GTC Cosmo (in addition to Astra GTC Edition) – Panorama windshield, comfort seats, fog lamps, IDS sport chassis (1.6 turbo and 2.0 turbo), on-board computer, stereo CD-Radio CD 70 Navi, ECC, 16-inch alloy wheels
Astra GTC OPC (in addition to Astra GTC Sport) – 2.0-liter turbo engine with 240 hp, IDS^Plus2 chassis, fog lamps, Recaro sport seats in front, fabric/leather upholstery, keyless Open & Start entry system, special OPC parts (including exhaust system, brakes, radiator grille, roof spoiler, bumpers and door sills), 18-inch alloy wheels

In addition to the Innovation packages 1 to 4, the Astra GTC is also available with over 50 options, including up to 18-inch light alloy wheels (OPC; 19-inch) and a selection of infotainment systems up to the stereo CD-Radio with DVD-supported navigation system and 6.5-inch color info display.

Chassis and active safety

The Astra GTC delivers pronounced agility and precise handling with a high level of driving safety. The basis for this is provided by the IDS (Interactive Driving System) chassis with McPherson front axle, patented torsion-beam rear axle, as well as (compared to the five-door model) more progressive spring suspension and dampers with a body lowered by 15 mm. The GTC comes standard with ESP^Plus, Traction Control TC^Plus, front and rear disk brakes, ABS, Cornering Brake Control (CBC), brake assist and electro-hydraulic power steering.

The optional IDS^Plus chassis with electronic Continuous Damping Control (CDC) is also available. This integrated chassis control system, in which the control units and sensors of ESP^Plus, ABS and CDC exchange data constantly, was introduced to the compact class for the first time in the Opel Astra. GTC owners also benefit from IDS^Plus when it comes to driving fun: a touch of the SportSwitch activates the sport mode, resulting in more direct suspension, steering and gas pedal response. The OPC version now comes with the IDS^Plus2 chassis as standard, which ensures even better driving dynamics thanks to shorter adaptive damper response times.

Engines and transmissions

A range of six gasoline and six diesel units with displacements from 1.3 to 2.0 liters and power outputs from 66 to 177 kW (90 to 240 hp) is available for the Astra GTC. The 1.6-liter gasoline unit (85 kW/115 hp) with continuous variable camshaft phasing and the 132 kW/180 hp turbo version with overboost function are all equipped to meet future exhaust emission standards. This is also true for the two 1.7 CDTI common-rail turbo diesels with 81 kW/110 hp and 92 kW/125 hp. The 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX with 66 kW/90 hp boasts the most impressive fuel consumption in this model line, requiring just 5.1 liters of diesel per 100 km. The transmission range includes five and six-speed manual gearboxes, automated Easytronic five and six-speed manual transmissions (also for the ecoFLEX models), as well as four and six-speed automatics.

Quality and economic efficiency

The Astra GTC meets the highest standards in quality, reliability and service life.
Owners profit from long service intervals and reduced maintenance volume, which help minimize operating costs. The excellent value retention, which has been confirmed by assessment institutes, is ensured by the extensively galvanized body with a 12-year anti-perforation warranty. A further customer benefit is that Opel offers a two-year new-car manufacturer's warranty for the Astra GTC that goes far beyond the mandatory guarantee.

Opel Astra GTC: Facts and figures

Timeline

• September 2004: World premiere at the Paris Motor Show
• March 2005: Market launch in Germany
• March 2005: World premiere of Astra OPC with 240 hp, two-liter turbo engine at Geneva Motor Show
• August 2005: 1.9 CDTI ECOTEC unit with 74 kW/100 hp and 1.3 CDTI ECOTEC engine with 66 kW/90 hp introduced; maintenance-free diesel particulate filter standard for all 1.9 CDTI engines
• November 2005: Market launch of Astra OPC; new 1.8 ECOTEC with 103 kW/140 hp; maintenance-free diesel particulate filter also standard with 1.3 CDTI ECOTEC units
• Fall 2006: Six-speed Easytronic transmission available with 1.3 CDTI unit;
  1.8 ECOTEC available with four-speed automatic gearbox
• February 2007: Enhanced new edition, new 1.6-liter gasoline and 1.7-liter CDTI engines
• September 2007: Premiere of Astra GTC 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX at the IAA
• Spring 2008: Introduction of INNOVATION equipment line
• May 2008: 10 millionth Astra celebration in Bochum
• August 2008: Introduction of 1.4 ecoFLEX variant

Highlights

• Maintenance-free diesel particulate filter standard with all diesel engines
• Numerous innovative high-tech features including the adaptive IDS^Plus chassis system with electronic Continuous Damping Control (CDC) and AFL bi-xenon headlamp system (Adaptive Forward Lighting) with dynamic curve light
• World-exclusive panorama windshield creates new sense of spaciousness and visibility
• October 2005: OPC wins “sport auto” compact car comparison test
• June 2006: GTC triumphs over Mercedes C 180 K in “Auto Strassenverkehr” magazine
• December 2006: GTC named “best-looking compact coupé available” in “Auto Bild” comparison test
• January 2007: 2^nd place in “Best value 2007” and low defect rate in TÜV Report 2007
• Most popular equipment variant in Germany in first half of 2008: Edition
• Most popular engine in Germany in first half of 2008: 1.6 ECOTEC (85 kW/115 hp)