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People, today we're in Mallorca, Spain to test the Opel Astra GTC.
Unfortunately the weather isn't too good.
This brings some advantages because now we can test some of the cars features pretty well.
The first test has started, because the fricking blower is still activated.
We needed the blower because the air conditioning isn't able to keep the car "fog-free".
So the windshield blur’s from time to time.
Mallorca's advantage is that it's roads are quite winding.
This means that we can test the GTC quite well.
The chassis is completely different compared to the normal Astra.
For instance the HiPer Strut front suspension that is also installed on the Insignia OPC.
This is a standard installation on the Astra GTC.
This resulted in a much better handling compared to the five-door version.
We're driving the best model currently available.
It's the gasoline version with 180 bhp.
Not a real cruiser so to speak.
In order to keep it going on these mountain roads I need to shift quite a bit.
That's some criticism but it's overruled right away.
Because next year, the Opel Astra GTC OPC...
... actually the Astra OPC because for some reason they removed "GTC" out of the name.
It's going to be great...
... this suspension added by a additionally installed OPC alignment.
It's going to be fun.
The lighting used by the Insignia is also installed on the Astra GTC.
This system, that works with Opel Eye, has been improved.
It's function is to turn off the main beam when there is oncoming traffic...
... and when the traffic has passed it turns the main beam back on.
The lights turn together with the steering wheel.
And this works quite well.
It's got a nice lighting-kit.
Sublime.
Yesterday evening at the press-conference there was a chap from Opel that "new stuff about cars".
He told us to sit in the backseat because there is "loads of space back there".
I don't know their criterion for "loads of space"...
... but on terms of headroom I don't fit back there, and I'm not that tall.
Competition: VW Scirocco?
That's the only one, can't seem to think of any others.
The comparison lies in the looks, which I find are nicer on the Scirocco.
Should you buy an Opel Astra GTC?
If you want to buy an Astra, then yes.
There has been put way more thought into this car, it handles much better.
And the looks are better compared to the five-door.
And if children need to sit in the backseat, you can just put the front seats forward.
It's not that hard.
If you're going to buy an Astra, buy a GTC.