Opel celebrates 15 years since it first introduced the OPC performance division, as a replacement for the old GSI unit, which had a long history and impressive cars under its logo.
The OPC department was co-founded with Volker Stricek, former motorsport champion, who dedicated its entire career for a performance car, since then.
When the Astra G replaced the Astra F in 1998, the Opel bestseller was a huge step ahead. “The car was a long way away from being suitable for motorsports. As there were no plans for a GSI version, both a competitive powertrain and a corresponding chassis were missing. So we sat down – inside only one year we developed and tested our debut model, the Opel Astra OPC 1,” explained Strycek.
Numerous Opel OPC models followed and could hit the normal roads, in some cases immediately after setting new lap records on the Nürburgring.
The first generation Opel Astra OPC had 160 hp with the help of an engine based on the 100 kW/136 hp, 2.0-liter ECOTEC.
Volker Strycek was responsible for 2,500 Sport-Astra, necessary for homologation, produced in series. However, the enthusiasm was much bigger. Even before hitting the market the motorsport fans went mad for the Astra OPC. As a result, the number was increased to 3,000 and these had sold out after only four months.
This was the start for a succesful range, that now includes the 325 hp Insignia OPC, followed by the Astra OPC with 280 hp.