Astra GTC Paris and new VXR8

Joe T · 21 Mar 2011 at 12:57

Not sure how many of you have seen these cars in the flesh as yet, so I took some pictures this morning:

Astra GTC Paris Concept:

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21 inch wheels!

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New VXR8:

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The lighting was hard work on the VXR8, so apologies for that!

The VXR8 feels quite roomy and comfortable inside. Should be a good car.

ajstan · 21 Mar 2011 at 13:05

That astra looks really cool!

Draeger · 21 Mar 2011 at 13:09

The Astra looks quite good but they have wrecked the looks of the new VXR. Looks rancid, especially in that yellow. And those wheels........what were they thinking about??!!!. :eek:

ins0mn1ac · 21 Mar 2011 at 13:09

How come the VXR has Holden on the wheel but Vaux badges on the body? way cooler badge they should just use that

peterattheboro · 21 Mar 2011 at 13:10

Astra looks good. Much better than the Focus.

So what's GTC then? A replacement for VXR or one step down?

The wheels are comically large though.

Witor · 21 Mar 2011 at 13:11

Whats the VXR equivalent (if there is...cant recall one actually..) in Opel-speak..GTC?

Joe T · 21 Mar 2011 at 13:21

peterattheboro said:
Astra looks good. Much better than the Focus.

So what's GTC then? A replacement for VXR or one step down?

The wheels are comically large though.

The GTC is the new 3dr hatch. The concept car is of course blinged up a bit, and will probably be fairly close to what the next VXR will look like.

Firestar_3x · 21 Mar 2011 at 13:24

Astra looks along the same lines of the VW Scirocco.

Looks good!

DAIR · 21 Mar 2011 at 13:24

Holden GTS/VXR8 still looks crap imo!

Django x2 · 21 Mar 2011 at 13:30

There have always been GTCs in recent ranges of Corsa, Astra particularly. More often in Opel guise though

tigerstyle · 21 Mar 2011 at 13:31

DAIR said:
Holden GTS/VXR8 still looks crap imo!

they've stuck too much bling onto the original design, that just doesn't fit!

Begbie · 21 Mar 2011 at 13:32

I like that!!

Joe T · 21 Mar 2011 at 13:35

Lucero said:
There have always been GTCs in recent ranges of Corsa, Astra particularly. More often in Opel guise though

Do you mean OPC?

DAIR · 21 Mar 2011 at 13:50

tigerstyle said:
they've stuck too much bling onto the original design, that just doesn't fit!

Agreed.

It's all too OTT for me!

Fr0dders · 21 Mar 2011 at 13:52

deleted said:
How come the VXR has Holden on the wheel but Vaux badges on the body? way cooler badge they should just use that

VX have taken the decision this year not to hide the HSV badging.

all of the original HSV badging remains apart from the bonnet / boot badge which was done as a token gesture.

DAIR · 21 Mar 2011 at 13:53

Joe T said:
Do you mean OPC?

I think GTC is what we (in the UK) would call the SRi.

Anyway, more OFFICIAL info regarding the GTC can be found here -

http://www.vxronline.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?114745-Astra-gtc

DAIR · 21 Mar 2011 at 13:55

MrLOL said:
VX have taken the decision this year not to hide the HSV badging.

all of the original HSV badging remains apart from the bonnet / boot badge which was done as a token gesture.

You sure about that?

As far as I know that particular VXR8 came straight from down under.... The VXR will carry the VXL logo and not the Holden one!

Fr0dders · 21 Mar 2011 at 13:55

on another note i'm not a fan of the GTS wheels as used on this years VXR8.

Much prefer the clubsport wheels

http://www.hsv.com.au/galleries/hsv/eseries2_clubsportr8/ClubsportR85.jpg

Fit a set of them and fit something resembling last years rear bumper and we'd have a winner !

Fr0dders · 21 Mar 2011 at 13:57

DAIR said:
You sure about that?

As far as I know that particular VXR8 came straight from down under.... The VXR will carry the VXL logo and not the Holden one!

I'm not so sure now. I read this

http://www.vxronline.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?125607-Look-whats-just-arrived

More specifically Post 25 & 29

http://www.vxronline.co.uk/forum/sh...just-arrived&p=1717362&viewfull=1#post1717362
http://www.vxronline.co.uk/forum/sh...just-arrived&p=1717379&viewfull=1#post1717379

although having said that, at the time i took it to mean for them all. But you're right it could be just for the first two in the UK.

Joe T · 21 Mar 2011 at 14:07

More info on the new GTC here: http://www.vauxhallproductforum.co.uk/articles/3283.pdf

The GTC is the replacement for the Sport Hatch (which was the old 3dr). It will come in a number of trim levels.