Opel Performance Center (OPC) was a division of the German automobile manufacturerOpel, initially set up as a subsidiary in 1997.[2] The main focus of OPC is the development of performance derivatives of the Opel range, such as the hot hatch Corsa OPC and Astra OPC.
The OPC name is also used in some motorsport activities such as the VLN.[3] In the United Kingdom, where Opel vehicles are sold under the Vauxhall marque, the VXR name is used instead.[4] Former DTM racer Volker Strycek is managing director of Opel Performance Center.[1]
Opel Performance Center GmbH was established in 1997.[2] The first OPC car was an Astra G launched in 1999.
Prior to OPC models, Opel used the Grand Sport Injection (GSi) designation in the mid 1980s and the end of the 1990s for its high performance and hot hatch derivatives. Opel has offered many GSi models, e.g. the Manta B GSi, Kadett E GSiorAstra F GSi. The last vehicle with the GSi moniker was the Corsa C GSi, which was offered in the Opel model range until 2004. After three years, Opel decided to use the GSi moniker for the Corsa D in 2007.
With the Insignia B OPC Line being discontinued in 2022, the OPC sub-brand will be replaced by GSe, which now stands for Grand Sport electric.[5][6]
The retail versions developed by OPC are sold under the Opel brand, as special versions of the standard Opel vehicles. They are typically painted in a bright shade of blue, called Arden Blue (though other colours are available too).[7] Their competition in Europe are, e.g. the ST versions of Ford's European range and Volkswagen's GTI and R range. In the United Kingdom, Vauxhall's versions of OPC models are badged as VXR.[8]
OPC has developed the following special versions of Opel vehicles:
1998–2004 Opel Vectra – a version of the sedan and hatchback.
1999–2004 Opel Astra G OPC – a version of the three door hatchback and five door station wagon (Caravan) Astra G[broken anchor] which has a 2.0 litre engine with 118 kW (158 hp; 160 PS) and a 2.0 litre turbo engine with 147 kW (197 hp; 200 PS).[9]
2001–2006 Opel Zafira A OPC – a version of the Opel Zafira A compact MPV which has a 2.0 litre turbo engine with 141 kW (189 hp; 192 PS).[10]
2005–2011 Opel Astra H OPC – again, based on the three door Astra, this time the three door hatchback (GTC) version of the Astra H[broken anchor].[11]
2005–2010 Opel Zafira B OPC – a version of the Opel Zafira B compact MPV.
2005–2008 Opel Vectra C OPC – a version of the Opel Vectra C five door liftback (GTS) and five door station wagon (Caravan).[12]
2006–2010 Opel Meriva A OPC – a version of the Opel Meriva mini MPV.[13]
2007–2014 Opel Corsa D OPC – a version of the Opel Corsa D three door hatchback, which has a 1.6 litre turbo engine with 141 kW (189 hp; 192 PS).[14]
2009–2017 Opel Insignia OPC – a version of the Opel Insignia five door liftback, four door saloon and five door station wagon (Sports Tourer) which has a 2.8 litre V6 turbo engine with 239 kW (321 hp; 325 PS) and standard all wheel drive.
2012–2015 Opel Astra J OPC – a version of the Opel Astra GTC compact sports car which has a 2.0 litre turbo engine with 206 kW (276 hp; 280 PS).[15]
2014–2019 Opel Corsa E OPC – a version of the Opel Corsa E three door hatchback.
2002 Opel Corsa OPC – a very production ready version of the three door Opel Corsa C that, however, never made it to production.[17]
2003 Opel Vectra OPC – contrary to the commercial Vectra OPC, this one was based on the pre facelift Vectra GTS and was powered by a tuned 1.9 CDTI engine.[18]
2004 Opel Astra High Performance Concept – a study version of the later 2005 Opel Astra H OPC, but painted in "power red".
In November 2012, Opel announced the formation of the "Astra OPC Cup" at the 2013 VLN. In racing configuration, the Astra OPC is equipped with various carbon fibre components and makes 300 hp (224 kW; 304 PS) and 400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft) of torque.[21]
^ abcDan Mihalascu (2013-05-25). "OPC Boss Volker Strycek Drives and Talks About the Astra OPC". Carscoops. Carscoop & Carscoops. Archived from the original on 2017-11-23. Retrieved 2013-08-13. To remind us of all these numbers and provide new interesting information on the Astra OPC, Opel had the boss of its OPC performance division, Volker Strycek, talk us through the most important features of the hot Astra.
^ abc"Opel Performance Center: 10 Anos de Pura Paixão" [Opel Performance Center: 10 Years of Pure Passion] (Press release) (in Portuguese). Adam Opel AG. 2009-09-15. Archived from the original on 2016-08-15. Retrieved 2013-08-10. 1997: início de actividade do Opel Performance Centre GmbH (OPC)
