The brand new Opel Astra OPC TCR broke cover at Mettet, Belgium, during a TCR event that was attended by a large number of manufacturer representatives, promoters, teams, drivers and journalists.

The German car was at the centre of the attention and Opel Motorsport Director Jörg Schrott proudly presented the company’s new baby: “This is a prototype that we will use in the next days for the final aerodynamics tests. The following step will be the track testing, probably in Southern Europe in order to find favourable weather conditions. Our aim is to complete the technical development as soon as possible and be able to make the first contingent of ten cars available for sale by the mid of February. The plan is to have another twenty cars ready by the end of May.”

Talking about the participation in the different TCR series, Schrott explained:“Our priority are the International Series and ADAC TCR Germany, but we are also interested to extend the Opel presence in the other national championships in Europe. We are currently talking to a few teams with which we wish to establish high level partnerships; we will support them with a technical package, but they must be able to help in further technical development and to perform at a competitive level.”

The selling price of the Opel Astra OPC TCR has been fixed at 95000 euros plus VAT, including sequential gearbox with paddle-shift and the 100-litre fuel tank that will permit its participation in the long distance races.