Here's another loose end from last week's 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show: The bright yellow Opel three-door hatchback, the Astra GTC, we kept walking past in Hall 8 might actually come to the U.S. We'd figured GM was done with Americanizing compact hatchbacks after the Saturn Astra experiment -- not to mention Buick is just about to launch the Verano sedan, which uses the same basic platform architecture as the Astra GTC.
Nevertheless, in a briefing with media and analysts at Opel's Russelsheim, Germany, headquarters after the show, Opel's Karl-Friedrich Stracke observed, "I could easily see it as a Buick."
It's unclear exactly which engine(s) a U.S. version would use, but a 177-hp 1.6-liter four-cylinder is the top gasoline engine offered in Europe right now. A high-performance OPC motor is in the works, though, and hot Astras have used forced induction in years past.
More interesting to us is the Astra GTC's adoption of the HiPerStrut suspension design a la Regal GS to control torque steer. The GTC also has a lowered ride height and a wider track than other Astras. There'd be no reason to do all this if more power wasn't in the pipeline. If anybody's listening, the 2.0-liter Regal GS motor would suit us just fine. Other ideas?
firstwagon says:
06:41 PM, 09/22/11
Instead of calling it a Buick whatever, why not just call it an Opel Astra?
Just like calling it a Saturn doomed a good car, so would calling it a Buick. People who like Buicks won;t like this car and people who might consider an Opel would not look at Buicks.
Since brands are just badges these days leave the Opel badge on it.
altimadude05 says:
10:04 PM, 09/22/11
Gentlemen (and some Ladies), I give you the new Chevrolet Corsica Euro!
powell_jr says:
05:26 AM, 09/23/11
Hey Buick, I'm 25, middle class, car enthusiast...I'm your target market. If you want our demographic bring this to the USA. This is what we want.
ed124c says:
06:44 AM, 09/23/11
I really don't want a 3 door hatch, but it sure is purty. Of course, it has the same curse as most of the new hatches-- poor rear visibility. (That photo showing the wide-wide rear glass doesn't fool me. The bottom photo clearly shows a mammoth C pillar and a narrow rear window.)
GM imported Opels in the 60s and 70s-- and they were branded "Opel". And they were sold in Buick dealerships. It would not be a precedent to offer this car as an Opel.
Ed's autobiography-- Part 87:
I owned a new '72 Opel 1900 coupe-- later named "Manta". It is my third favorite car, behind my current car and my '66 Corvair Corsa convertible. However, the Opel ranks first in "gutsy", by crawling up the Rocky Mountains with two people, a full trunk and a camper in tow. The hydramatic transmission didn't fry while the car painfully, slowly climbed to 7,000 feet in low gear at 20 mph. I wonder how many of the 75 horses I lost as we climbed higher and higher.
dillworth says:
06:51 AM, 09/23/11
do it
csubowtie says:
11:59 AM, 09/23/11
It's a great looking car, but if they are bringing it over as the performance variant, why bother with a lousy 2.0? GM already has a killer FWD engine, so do the hi-po car correctly and drop in the Cobalt SS's engine. Then it would go from looks good, to freakin BADASS!
solicama says:
06:00 PM, 09/23/11
Someone saw the girl's arm??
dillworth says:
03:53 PM, 09/24/11
thats a sharp looking hatch right there.
avonni says:
06:13 PM, 09/24/11
GM, listen - I will buy this. But only in the 2-door hatch configuration as shown. Please do not chicken out and only offer the US market a 4-door hatch after teasing with this. There are already plenty of family wagons out there.
litewerk says:
11:37 PM, 09/27/11
This definitely looks pretty good to me. From what I can see, like the interior as well as the exterior. Sure looks pretty sporty. Especially great in that shade of yellow.
@ed124c
Yeah, back about 1979, a buddy of mine traded in his 1973 Monte Carlo, which he bought used, for a brand new Opel from Buick. Was a pretty decent little car for the period of the fuel crisis back then.
wjtinatl says:
06:57 AM, 01/10/12
I liked this car when it was here as a Saturn, weak powertrain and all. Why not bring this here and compete with the GTI, Focus ST, etc? Drop in the Regal GS motor and 6-speed, change the speedometer to MPH and LEAVE EVERYTHING ELSE ALONE! Cloth Recaro's, a sunroof and no Navi/Leather/Infotaiment to drive the price up. At 25k with the customary Buick 4/50k warranty, I'll buy the first silver or black one that lands at my local Buick dealer, as long as it beats the Focus ST to market!