2011 Opel Astra GTC launch

anotherlostie · 12-08-2011 07:38PM #1

Does anyone know when this car (previously known as the sports hatch) is being launched in Ireland? I sent an e-mail to Opel Ireland but didn't get a response. I know they are in the showrooms in the UK and can be pre-ordered for September, but there seems to be v little information regarding Ireland. There's also only one 2.0L diesel engine released in UK and no Ecoflex - do Opel normally add to the engine range at a later stage?

bazz26 · 12-08-2011 09:05PM

Given our affinity for low motor tax and cheaper VRT then more than likely there will be smaller capacity diesel versions launched here. I would expect to see a similar line up to the 5 dr hatchback. After all the GTC is pretty much just a 3 dr hatchback version, be it a sleeker sportier designe. So expect to see 1.3 and 1.7 diesel versions and possibly a 1.6 turbo petrol. No idea on launch dates but given the time of year when new car sales peter out I'd image Opel Ireland will be gearing up for a launch of around October/November in time for January deliveries.

Only an educated guess though. BTW have you rang a few dealers?

johnos1984 · 12-08-2011 09:50PM

No doubt just like the last model they will all be the basic engine with a few shiny bits added on.

demixed · 12-08-2011 10:32PM

its on the vauxhall website, so cant be far away here.

Bodhan · 13-08-2011 12:12AM

If the Corsa I had the misfortune of driving recently is anything go to by we'll be having the poverty spec version here.
I hate small diesels e.g. 1.2 muck

Topper Harley · 13-08-2011 01:53AM

bazz26 wrote: »

Given our affinity for low motor tax and cheaper VRT then more than likely there will be smaller capacity diesel versions launched here.

I'd agree that they're the likely engines but I wouldn't exactly say we have an affinity for low motor tax, such a thing doesn't exist in this country, at least not compared to the UK. If we had the same motor tax rates as the UK and people still chose small diesel engines then you could say we have an affinity for low motor tax.

johnos1984 · 13-08-2011 08:24AM

Bodhan wrote: »

If the Corsa I had the misfortune of driving recently is anything go to by we'll be having the poverty spec version here.
I hate small diesels e.g. 1.2 muck

You must not of reviewed it very well as it's a 1.3:D

W.Shakes-Beer · 13-08-2011 10:24AM

The new GTC looks fantastic!

bazz26 · 13-08-2011 02:18PM

Topper Harley wrote: »

I'd agree that they're the likely engines but I wouldn't exactly say we have an affinity for low motor tax, such a thing doesn't exist in this country, at least not compared to the UK. If we had the same motor tax rates as the UK and people still chose small diesel engines then you could say we have an affinity for low motor tax.

But we do. Look at the amount of new diesel cars sold here since the new Co2 based tax system was introduced in 2008. Diesels have the lowest motor tax with most costing €104/156 per year. People in their droves are out buying diesel cars now who never had a diesel car before or had the need for one. Also do a search on this forum for threads about help me find a new car, one of the first criteria mentioned in the thread is that it has to 08 or newer and diesel to avail of cheap tax. I sold my car privately last year and from most of enquiries the most common question was "how much does that cost to tax?".

Also look at pre 2008 car sales, the majority of models sold here like the Golf and Focus were all the poor entry level underpowered 1.4 litre models, not because they were good but cause they were the cheapest to buy and tax compared to the UK where the biggest sellers in the Golf/Focus were the 1.6 petrol. Same with BWM prior to the Co2 system they brought a 316i here with a 1.6 engine because it sold well due to the motor tax system here, the 316i was not offered in most other markets.

Berty · 13-08-2011 02:24PM

I liked the look of the Vauxhall Astra GTC and on this thread I just opened up Opel.ie and found this

http://www.opel.ie/microsite/astragtc/#/home

"Soon, very soon" but at least you can register for it and be one of the first to know.

Either way German is not too hard a language to figure out so try the German website version http://www.opel.de/content/dam/Opel/Europe/germany/nscwebsite/de/01_Vehicles/01_PassengerCars/New_Astra_GTC/01_ModelOverview/03_Presilisten/astra_gtc_katalog_v2.pdf

Page two on this link has 4 different petrol engines and 1 diesel engine http://www.opel.de/content/dam/Opel/Europe/germany/nscwebsite/de/01_Vehicles/01_PassengerCars/New_Astra_GTC/01_ModelOverview/03_Presilisten/astra_gtc_preisliste_07062011.pdf

German Opel Models and German Prices(just to piss us off when we get Paddywhacker pricing

1.4 100ps €19,900 lowest price for the Edition Model
1.4 Turbo 120ps
1.4 Turbo 140ps
1.6 Turbo 180ps €26,050 Highest Price for the Innovation Model

Diesel

2.0 CDTi 165ps €27,855 Highest price for the Innovation Model

anotherlostie · 13-08-2011 05:46PM

Cheers for the info on the microsite (the register button redirects to Vauxhall, where the car is already in the showrooms but maybe Vauxhall do Opel Ireland marketing now?). I like the look of the car, do a lot of driving so looking for a diesel but not going to pay the guts of €28000 - German prices too! - for that 2.0L. Might go and look at the new Focus instead.

Topper Harley · 13-08-2011 10:37PM

bazz26 wrote: »

But we do. Look at the amount of new diesel cars sold here since the new Co2 based tax system was introduced in 2008. Diesels have the lowest motor tax with most costing €104/156 per year.

I don't dispute that at all, let's just say I'm agreeing with you in an entirely unusual way. Those same small engined diesels that so many people are buying to get the €104 tax per year will cost someone in the UK from £0-30 per year and at the other end of the spectrum, a car that will cost €2100 per year here, would cost £460 per year in the UK. So while we do attempt to get lower rates of tax, it's still not low. Someone driving around in a 1.3L diesel should be given a grant rather than taxed. Wishful thinking I suppose.

But recently, while I was investigating a future possibility of moving to England for work I was thinking I'd probably bring my car over with me until I realised that it would be affordable for me to get a 3.0L BMW Z4 Coupe there, something which I could only dream of here.

2011 Opel Astra GTC launch

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