Opel OPC performance models likely

[Vectracious]

If i told you a Vauxhall Astra VXR is similar money, in the UK, to a A250 AMG what would you say?

That Australian consumers get shafted big time when it comes to what we pay for the big 3 German luxury brands compared to the rest of the world.

[benzino]

yeah... I guess that's where Opel will have their advantage as the "budget" German

[ChrisMaz]

And this is where the Stigma of "Budget" comes into play.

[benzino]

Exactly, but I don't think it will be as detrimental as the stigma attached to Hyundai compared to Toyota, Mazda, Honda (the budget option compared to the big 3 but asian not german)... but I guess opel never had the excel... hahahahaha

only time will tell, but I think they are in the right slot, under $30k they will sell like hot cakes

[rjastra]

only time will tell, but I think they are in the right slot, under $30k they will sell like hot cakes

I hope you are right... but I don't think they will. Unless they can get an Astra model ON THE ROAD for <23K then they are rooted. Why do you think Holden still sticks that boat anchor 1.8L under the bonnet of the Cruze? To get a low price model on the market.
They have no answer to the Golf GTI or Polo GTI... both of which make up a large (25+%) of overall Golf/Polo sales at a higher margin.

[Wraith]

ZF (i think) has a new 8 speed and 9 speed torque converter based autos out specifically designed for FWD. In the long run I can see DSGs being phased out, in city cars, for these. They are smooth, compact and cost effective. Buyers, especially the USA, don't like the way DSG gearboxes work.

Completely agree on that re. the new 8sp family of ZF autos, just look at the performance times of both the new 1 and 3 series BMW's fitted with that box, the excellent acceleration times and economy numbers are mainly due to that new 8sp auto...



If i told you a Vauxhall Astra VXR is similar money, in the UK, to a A250 AMG what would you say?

The hot hatch market here is very competitive. If a M135i is going to be 68K+ORC then a A250 wont be 60K

Thank you for pointing that out, I've been trying to explain the very same thing

Alot people here are interested in the new OPC AJ or possibly a RS250 Megane or a Golf Gti or R, the price range of those vehicles including the best seller of them all ATM the Gti is line ball with the new A Class range up to the A250 fitted with the AMG kit which will be the range topper of the petrol variants, MB have purposely priced the A Class to directly compete with the VW Golf range, there's also going to be an A220-CDI which is rumoured to include AWD.

The AMG A45 is going to be in the same class as the Audi RS3 and 135i hatch and those vehicles will cost between 70-100k and are in another league anyway compared to the Gti and OPC Astra