Opel’s Handsome New Astra GTC Revealed, Taunts Us from Abroad [Updated] « New and Used Car Listings

Opel’s Handsome New Astra GTC Revealed, Taunts Us from Abroad [Updated]

GM’s European Opel division has unveiled the sharp new three-door version of its compact Astra hatch, dubbed the Astra GTC. The latest Astra’s predecessor was sold in the U.S. as the three-door Saturn Astra, and while that was a nice looking car, it had nothing on this racy little number. The new generation positions the GTC between traditional three-door hatches like the Volkswagen Golf and more coupe-like models, from the Hyundai Veloster to the not-for-us Volkswagen Scirocco.

The new GTC shares its underpinnings with the upcoming Buick Verano (and therefore much with the Chevy Cruze). Specs should be announced as we get closer to the GTC’s June 7 launch date, and we will get time behind the wheel shortly thereafter. At some point, Opel will build a hot OPC version of the GTC, likely packing 240 hp or more from a turbocharged four-banger.

While we’d love to see the GTC come to the States, the odds are slimmer than a celebutant. Chevy even said recently that a Cruze SS is off the table, leaving the Buick Verano‘s eventual 220-hp turbocharged GS model as one of our few hopes for a sporty compact from GM on these shores.