Opel unveils the Astra TCR to compete strongly next season

Opel has just unveiled the new Astra TCR, the car designed to take part in TCR Series competitions. It was presented during the launch event of Touring Car Racing at the Jules Tacheny circuit in Mettet, Belgium. This model has been designed to compete in both short sprint races and longer-distance events, such as the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, with the same technical setup, which offers teams considerable savings in resources.

The 2.0-litre turbocharged engine delivers 325 CV of power and a peak torque of 420 Nm, a unit well suited to a car weighing 1,200 kg and optimised for track competition. The engine is coupled to a six-speed sequential race gearbox that sends all the power to the front wheels. The twin-plate metal clutch also features an automated double-declutching system that helps create stability when downshifting.

To control that power, the Opel Astra TCR uses brakes with 378 mm discs and six-piston calipers at the front, while at the rear there are 265 mm discs with two-piston calipers. The balance between the two brake systems can be adjusted by the driver from the cockpit.

The chassis is fully adjustable, with a highly effective damping system. The aerodynamic package of this race car includes an adjustable front splitter and a rear spoiler which, for cost reasons, are identical on all TCR models. Electronic aids such as ABS and ESP are also not permitted, so the car does not need to be fitted with them.

The Opel Astra TCR is homologated by the FIA and meets the requirements this body will introduce from 2017, such as a 100-litre fuel tank, so it is ahead of the curve and will not need further modifications. It was developed in partnership with its usual partner for this type of conversion, Kissling Motorsport. Performance tests will take place at the end of this October. Deliveries will begin in February, with a starting price of 95,000 euros plus the applicable VAT.