Opel OPC, 15 years of driving fun

The performance vehicle division of Opel is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year.

We are talking about OPC, which has produced the wildest, most powerful and most fun creations of the lightning bolt brand.

This special section began back in 1999 with the launch of the first Opel Astra OPC. Available only as a 3-door, the first Astra OPC featured numerous cosmetic add-ons that gave it a much sportier look than usual. Notable were its 17″ BBS-signed alloy wheels, specific Bilstein suspension, Recaro seats and prominent rear spoiler.
Of course, it wasn’t just about looks: under the bonnet sat a highly tuned engine.

With a displacement of two litres and four cylinders, its naturally aspirated engine received “goodies” such as forged pistons, more aggressive camshafts and an improved exhaust, allowing it to reach 160 CV.

Following the initial success of the Astra, Opel decided to expand the range of OPC performance vehicles further, so two years later the Zafira OPC hit the market, the first Opel OPC with a turbocharged engine. It offered no less than 192 CV, which, according to Opel itself, made it “the fastest compact MPV in the world”. Of course, it came with a highly personalised exterior and an interior with sporty touches.

Subsequently, new models joined the OPC family, such as the Vectra / Vectra Caravan OPC and even the Meriva OPC, as well as the Corsa OPC. Currently, the Opel OPC range consists of three models: the Corsa OPC, which is about to receive a major update, the Astra GTC OPC, and the Insignia OPC, the only one with a V6 engine and over 300 CV, offering 325 CV that allow it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 6 seconds, thanks also to an intelligent all-wheel-drive system.

Source: Opel