Vauxhall is ready to go head-t0-head with the likes of the Volkswagen Scirocco and Renault’s Megan Coupe as they revealed the Astra GTC ahead of schedule. Preorder forms are already available and this newly redesigned mid size sport coupe will be shown off at the world famous Goodwood Festival of Speed in July. This debut is months ahead of the previous debut date of this fall’s Frankfurt Auto Show.
The GTC will be the third Astra body to ride on the new Delta platform. The only exterior elements that the coupe shares with its hatchback and sport touring siblings are the door handles and roof aerial. The most recent pictures of the GTC look very much like the previous concept pictures which give it a low slung, wide stance. “The GTC is a high-profile addition to the Astra range and one that’s sure to appeal to anyone who loves cars and driving,” said Duncan Aldred, Vauxhall’s Managing Director.
Besides its looks, the GTC has undergone massive developement for its suspension. Borrowed from the high performance (and rather heavy) Insignia VXR, the GTC’s front suspension is Vauxhall’s HiPerStrut system. The strut/spring set up is designed to work perfectly with the UK’s unique road quality and the rear is a compound crank with a Watt’s link set up. Compared to the Astra hatchback, the GTC rides 15mm lower and wider in both the front and rear by 40mm and 30mm respectively. Vauxhall’s adaptive FlexRide dampers will be employed and will offer drivers control over shock stiffness.
The first wave of GTCs will be offered with a choice of four engines. Three will be gas powered, with the top of the line being a 1.6 liter turbocharged inline four with 178 horsepower. A smaller turbocharged 1.4 liter will offered in two horsepower trims (118 or 138 horsepower) as well as a 163 horsepower 2.0 liter diesel. The 58 mpg CDTi diesel GTC will hit 60 mph in about 8.7 seconds and cruise to a top speed of 130 mph. Later in 2012 is when the true hot rod is scheduled to debut: the GTC VXR. Talk is still in the air as to what will power the next VXR, but there is no doubt that it will be a true speed demon.
