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Opel Performance Center

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Opel Vectra OPC on display in Berlin

The Opel Performance Center (abbreviated as OPC) is a subsidiary of General Motors' German Opel subsidiary, founded in 1997 to oversee Opel's motorsports activities and develop performance versions of Opel vehicles. It performs a similar role to Holden's HSV unit, but it is even more similar to Ford's American Special Vehicle Team. The OPC operates as a separate German GmbH, based in Rüsselsheim (Opel's home town).

OPC commercial models

The marketable vehicles developed by the Center are sold under the Opel brand, as special versions of the standard Opel vehicles. They are typically painted in a peculiar shade of blue (though other colours are available too) and are marked quite obviously "OPC". Their main competition in Europe are perhaps the ST versions of Ford's European vehicles.

As of 2006, OPC has developed the following special versions of Opel vehicles:

  • 1999 Opel Astra OPC - a version of the three-door hatchback Astra B (G) (out of production now)
  • 2001 Opel Zafira OPC - a version of the Opel Zafira A compact minivan (out of production now)
  • 2002 Opel Astra Caravan OPC - a station wagon ("Caravan") version of the abovementioned Opel Astra (B) OPC (out of production now)
  • 2005 Opel Astra OPC - again, based on the three-door Astra, this time the GTC version of the Astra C (H)
  • 2005 Opel Zafira OPC - a version of the Opel Zafira B compact minivan
  • 2005 Opel Vectra OPC - a version of the (facelifted) Opel Vectra C GTS (5-door body style)
  • 2005 Opel Vectra Caravan OPC - a station wagon ("Caravan") version of the abovementioned Opel Vectra (C) OPC
  • 2006 Opel Meriva OPC - a version of the Opel Meriva small midivan
  • 2007 Opel Corsa OPC - sport compact based on 2006 Corsa. 1,6 turbo and 192 HP.

OPC concept cars

Over the nine years of existence, OPC presented the following concept cars:

  • 2001 Opel Astra Coupe OPC X-Treme - based on the DTM V8-powered version of the Opel Astra Coupe
  • 2002 Opel Corsa OPC - a very production-ready version of the 3-door Opel Corsa C that, however, never made it to production
  • 2003 Opel Vectra OPC - contrary to the commercial Vectra OPC, this one was based on the pre-facelift Vectra GTS and was powered with a tuned 1.9 CDTI engine
  • 2004 Opel Astra High Performance Concept - a study version of the later 2005 Opel Astra OPC, but painted in "power red"

External links

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