Performance Review: Vauxhall-Opel Astra OPC GTC VXR 2.0 Turbo - [2012]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Vauxhall-Opel Astra Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Vauxhall-Opel Astra OPC GTC VXR 2.0 Turbo is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2012. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and the 2013 W-Motors Lykan HyperSport 3.7L Twin Turbo.This particular Vauxhall-Opel Astra has a 1998cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Astra shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Astra's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1550 kgs (3417 lbs) this makes the Vauxhall-Opel Astra OPC GTC VXR 2.0 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 5.5 V8 C8 or the give or take 50kg.

The Vauxhall-Opel Astra shares the same bhp with the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 1998cc 16V St4 engine produces 276 bhp (205 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 295 lb-ft (399.9 Nm) @ 2500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Vauxhall-Opel Astra you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2010 Audi A3 RS3 Sportback 2.5 Turbo (203.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Vauxhall-Opel Astra.

The Vauxhall-Opel Astra has a Power to weight ratio of 178.0 bhp per ton and 190.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2012 Astra competing with the 2010 Audi A3 RS3 Sportback 2.5 Turbo (203.0 bhp per ton) or the 1998 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo V GSR (202.9 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Vauxhall-Opel Astra generating around 190.3 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2015 Audi A3 RS3 Sportback 2.5 Turbo (215.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2015 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport SVR 5.0 V8 Supercharged (214.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.0 secs, this made the Vauxhall-Opel Astra OPC GTC VXR 2.0 Turbo as fast as the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (5.80 secs) the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (5.80 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 DSG (5.80 secs) the or the 2017 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 280 (5.80 secs). This Vauxhall-Opel Astra OPC GTC VXR 2.0 Turbo is also faster than the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic (5.90 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic Wagon (5.90 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.90 secs) the and the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 280 (5.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Astra and the 2013 Volvo S60 T6 3.0 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Vauxhall-Opel Astra on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.24 secs @ 96.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2013 Volvo S60 T6 3.0 Turbo (14.18 secs), the 2009 Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.0 R DSG (14.20 secs), and the 1998 Subaru Impreza 2.0 Turbo UK - Classic (14.20 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2012 version of the Vauxhall-Opel Astra OPC GTC VXR 2.0 Turbo has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2012 Astra equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2012 Vauxhall-Opel Astra OPC GTC VXR 2.0 Turbo then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2012 Astra Rivals List.

A Brief History of Vauxhall-Opel

Car Comparison