What the new model lacks in finesse next to the brilliant GTi it attempts to makes up in gadgetry. On the dash there is a little button marked ‘Sport’, touch it and the car boosts it’s power output, beefs up the suspension and sharpens the steering and throttle response (in the auto it adjusts the gear ratio), which is nice.
Think of it as a poor man’s steering wheel mounted ‘M’ button from a BMW M5 or 6, although unlike the hot Beemers it doesn’t add another 107 bhp but a decent kick none the less. The button is also found on sportier five door Astras.
GTC stands for Gran Tourismo Compact and it is the latest variation of the family favourite that up until now has only been available in five door and estate versions.
Unfortunately my test car didn’t feature the GTC’s main talking point the interesting and optional 1.5 metre extended windscreen. When I first saw the car at the Paris motor show the option certainly looked worth ticking.
The glass screen extends to above the driver’s head thus making the front of the cabin very airy, I only have one concern about this novel piece of design and that’s its replacement cost should it be damaged so maybe check with your insurance company to see if the usual free windscreen cover still applies.
The GTC is sturdy and according to Opel should score five in NCAP crash tests.
The side profile is perhaps the most controversial as the glass line indicates a very curvy rear yet the roofline continues further back than seems ‘organic’ (if you know what I mean). The end result is acceptable headroom for rear seat passengers and like most cars a compromise between function and form.
Opel is keen to point out the GTC is not just a five-door body less a couple of doors (a not so subtle dig at the GTi). My test car was shod with gorgeous 18 inch alloys and had many a modified Civic owner looking on enviously.
The Belgian built GTC uses the same platform as the standard hatchback. It also has the same wheelbase (distance between the front and rear wheels) as the hatch but shares only its bonnet and front bumper with the five-door family car.
The coupe is 4% more aerodynamic thanks to the reduction in frontal area and lower height.
The boot can hold a modest 380 litres. Throughout Europe 13-16% of Astra sales will be GTCs.
The Fiat/GM developed engine range is comprehensive with some excellent diesel and petrol units from 1.4 litre petrol (€23,445) upwards. Opel is only releasing sporty GTCs in Design, SXi and SRi specification.
My two-litre six-speed turbocharged petrol SRi (€30,695) unit proved effortless to use and a joy when safe overtaking was required. Despite the huge rubber getting the power down to the road can be a challenge on damp roads.
Inside the Opel family dash is present as is the idiosyncratic stereo and control stalks. The indicator takes a slight flick of the lever to turn it on for three flashes while a more deliberate movement turns it on until the steering wheel cancels, while the wipers work the same way with each flick taking the speed up to the next level.
The GTC is a ‘grower’ in the looks department and entertaining but not as much fun as a VW GTi.
- Michael Sheridan
