ITALY - Opel launches the new racing Astra with a 2.0 litre turbocharged engine pumping out 330hp, its gonna be quick.

• Preview version with 330 hp for the championship TCR

• You can take part in speed events and competitions over longer distances

• The first cars will be delivered to the team at the end of February 2016 

During the presentation of the international championship TCR (Touring Car Racing), which took place on the circuit Jules Tacheny in the Belgian city of Mettet, Opel showed a preview of the new touring car designed for this competition. 

Opel Astra TCR is distinguished by modern technology and for effective safety equipment, while remaining close to the production version. 

This car will enable Opel to compete in the competitions of speed and in the longer (like the 24 Hours of Nürburgring) without having to make technical changes to the vehicle.

Astra 5-door mounts an efficient 2-liter turbo engine capable of delivering 330 hp and a maximum torque of 420 Nm (both defined by the Regulation), thus ensuring propulsion more than enough for a vehicle with a curb weight of only 1,200 kilograms. 

Power is transferred to the front wheels through a sequential gearbox six-speed racing with paddles on the steering wheel. Grip is guaranteed by the twin-disc clutch in sintered metal. An automatic dual disengagement ensures stability when inserting a lower gear. 

This racing car is braked by 378 mm discs and 6-piston front calipers, while the rear discs are 265 mm with 2-piston calipers.The pilot is able to modulate the balance of braking from the driving seat.

The frame is fully adjustable and is equipped with shock absorbers, modern designs. 

Central to the attitude of the vehicle is the efficient allocation aerodynamics with front splitter and adjustable rear spoiler offered as standard for cost reasons, and therefore identical for all models TCR. Electronic assistance systems like ABS and ESP are not allowed.

To allow teams to use the Opel Astra TCR for several years without having to make technical changes, the car is offered with features that the International Automobile Federation (FIA) declare compulsory only as of the 2017 season as the tank safety 100 liters.

The commitment of Opel in Touring Car Racing Series is part of a long tradition in tourism competitions, studded with many successes. 

The "Customer Racing" has always been a fundamental pillar of Opel motorsport commitment in many European countries beside the direct participation in the German Touring Car Championship (DTM) or national championships like the Super Tourenwagen Cup (STW). 

The concept of the TCR goes perfectly with this philosophy which makes this powerful touring cars, looking charming, close to production models available and affordable, the TCR is the wishes of the teams involved.

The TCR offers Opel an excellent platform to present the new model of volume in a competitive environment in the markets concerned. 

The different national championships, obviously including the new German series TCR (TCR ADAC Germany), which will be organized under the control of ADAC, a long-time partner Opel, and the European Championship are the competition area ideal for Opel and professional teams. 

A vehicle TCR can compete with the same approval in the national championships and continental, as well as globally in TCR International Series. 

Astra TCR was developed in close cooperation with Kissling Motorsport Bad Münstereifel, a long-time technology partner of the German company. 

The first tests will take place by the end of October. A limited number of TCR Opel Astra will be given to some teams selected from next February. The vehicle approved to compete will have a competitive cost, amounting to € 95,000 (plus VAT).