Opel's Hot GTC Paris Concept: Live Photos and New Video Trailer

Meet the star of Opel's Paris Motor Show stand and probably one of the best looking concepts of this year's show, the GTC Paris Concept that will spawn next year's three-door Astra model.

Even though the mainstream variants of the production Astra GTC will lose the muscular bumpers, LEDs and tall 21-inch wheels of the design study, it's safe to say that what you see here is more or less what you'll get when the car arrives in Opel and Vauxhall showrooms across Europe in 2011.

For those wanting something closer in looks to the concept, there's good news as the flagship OPC model is expected to keep most of the styling features including the chunky bumpers.

The same goes for the GTC Paris Concept's direct injection and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 290-horsepower that strongly hints at the specifications of the Golf R / Scirocco R-rivaling Astra GTC OPC model, which is also due in late 2011.

For full details on Opel's Paris Show attention-grabber, hop over to our previous story here.

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READ MORE - Opel's Hot GTC Paris Concept: Live Photos and New Video Trailer

Holden's HSV Considering 286 hp Twin-Turbo Cruze to Compete With Focus RS

When Holden axed its Opel-sourced Astra small car in Australia in 2009, it also dealt a death blow to Holden Special Vehicle's wicked 177kw (237 hp) / 320Nm VRX hot hatch. Now the high performance brand is searching for a replacement for its entry level model, setting its sights on the Daewoo / Chevrolet-sourced Cruze.

In the event that Opel does come to Australia as a stand-alone brand, HSV is looking for its own hot hatch to go up against the likes of the Focus RS and Subaru WRX, and the Australian developed Cruze 5dr hatchback is on the cards.

In a recent interview with news site GoAuto, HSV Managing Director Phil Harding confirmed that HSV was investigating a performance version of the Cruze:

"I am not saying we are doing it, but we are looking at it. We would be silly if we didn't."

Mr. Harding also stated that the proposed model would have to fit in with HSV's brand image, delivering performance, driving pleasure and style.

"I am not going to screw with the brand by getting it wrong," he added.

The Cruze may use the same 213kw (286 hp), 2.0 L twin-scroll turbo-four destined for the upcoming Opel Astra OPC / Vauxhall Astra VRX in late 2011. As both the new Astra and the Cruze are based on GM's Delta II platform, it would be a comparatively simple job to transplant the engine from one to the other. When asked about this, Mr. Harding was dismissive:

"We are looking at a couple of options."

The Cruze may also need suspension upgrades and front end modifications to handle the expected FWD torque steer, as its torsion beam rear suspension is not as sophisticated as the independent rear setup on competitors like the Focus RS.

The Cruze hatch will follow its sedan sibling into production at Holden's Elizabeth plant in the second half of 2011, with a wagon variant possible in the future.

By Tristan Hankins

Source: Go-Auto

Opening photo: Carscoop Artist's Impression of a Holden Badged Cruze Hatchback

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Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback Show Car

READ MORE - Holden's HSV Considering 286 hp Twin-Turbo Cruze to Compete With Focus RS

Hot Hatch Smackdown Poll: Ford Focus ST vs Opel GTC

With both the Ford Focus ST and Opel GTC set to debut in Paris, the hot hatch world is astir. If you're in a "global" market and interested in going fast on the cheap, these are looking to be two serious contenders.

The big difference here is shaping to be extra output in a traditionally showy hot-hatch package, or a sleek and sophisticated ride with potentially less power. But first, a joke: what would a diesel Ford Focus ST be called? Think about it.

On to the point: it boils down to either a world-hot hatch from GM or Ford. To make it even simpler for the numbers-geeks, here are the basics (feel free to read all the deets in our previous Paris posts on the Focus ST and Opel GTC, you fiends): output is looking to be 250 horsepower for the ST and possibly well over the 250HP mark for the OPC version of the GTC (Opel has not yet released output numbers). Both show cars are equipped with 2.0-liter turbocharged fours.

While the ST is likely to appear in the States in one form (ST) or another (SVT), there's still no word on whether or not the GTC could appear here (Buick's mini-Lexus fighter, anyone?).

However, that's neither here nor there at the moment. The big question for our readers is this: would you be more interested in the boy-racer Ford ST or a more conservative (and possibly Buick in the States) Opel GTC? Vote your hearts out in the poll below.

Which hot hatch do you like more?

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Opel GTC Paris Show Car

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Ford Focus ST Paris Show Car

READ MORE - Hot Hatch Smackdown Poll: Ford Focus ST vs Opel GTC