Our spies have photographed and filmed the new Opel (Vauxhall in Britain) Astra Convertible on test in Germany. The vehicles caught testing here are early prototype models as the front doors appear to be carried over complete with their frames from the hatchback model.
Nevertheless, we are offered out first look at the open-top version of the new Astra series, which is planned to go on sale by early 2013. The most important change over the previous Astra TwinTop is the replacement of the more complicated, heavier and costly retractable metal roof with a traditional fabric hood.
This is General Motors’ brand new Opel Astra GTC revealed more than two months ahead of its world premiere at the 64th International Motor Show in Frankfurt, Germany, in mid-September. The newest member of Opel’s ever-growing Astra family will go on sale across Europe including the United Kingdom where it will be available as a Vauxhall later this year. Recent reports also suggest it may come to the States under the Buick brand.
GM’s European subsidiary is confident about its new Astra GTC with Vauxhall going as far as to claim that it will “lay down the gauntlet to VW’s Scirocco and Renault’s Megane Coupe with a heady mix of dynamic excellence, dramatic design features and competitive pricing".
Opel will soon bring the total body count of the new Astra range to three with the presentation of the sporty Astra GTC, also known as the Vauxhall Astra in Britain, that will join the already available five-door hatchback and the recently revealed, Sports Tourer estate.
Even though we'll have to wait for the Paris Motor Show in October for the official unveiling of the GTC, we can give you a glimpse of the sporty looking three-door Astra as two prototype models were caught on film during testing in Germany.
As you can see in the video after the jump, the first camouflaged Astra GTC features a single tail pipe at each corner of the rear bumper and beefy tire/alloy combos, suggesting it's a turbocharged model, quite possibly, the rumored GSi that's said to be fitted with a more potent version of the 1.6-liter turbo delivering a little over 200HP.
Turbocharged or not, the Astra GTC looks far sportier and more dynamic than the current three-door model. And even though it is based on the five-door model, Opel's design team has given the GTC a lower, almost coupe-like roofline as well as sharper profile thanks to the pronounced crease above the rear wheelarches.
The three door model is also expected to get unique tail lights and possibly even a reworked fascia.
Judging by the spy shots and video, we wouldn't be surprised if Opel targeted the Volkswagen Scirocco with the new GTC - let's not forget that VW's "coupe" is in fact a three-door model also.
The basic engine lineup will be shared with the five-door Astra ranging from a 1.4-liter naturally aspirated four-pot to a 180HP 1.6-liter turbo petrol and a 160HP 2.0-liter turbo diesel, while as we noted before, there's talk in Germany about a 200HP+ GSI version to close the power-gap with the OPC / VXR variant. The latter will most likely continue with the same or an upgraded version of the 240HP 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four found in the current OPC.
The new Astra GTC will make its way to European showrooms in early 2011. Now, how many of you think that GM ought to bring it as a new Buick over here?
These latest spy shots show a lightly camouflaged version of the forthcoming Opel Astra Sports Tourer. The station wagon variant will be the second addition to the new Astra family after the five-door hatchback. It will be followed by a three-door hatchback, a coupe convertible and a four-sedan model that will be sold in the States as a Buick - see the scoop here.
Stylistically inspired by the larger Insignia Sports Tourer, the Astra Estate is evidently longer than its hatchback brethren which should translate to a more cavernous and practical boot.
The estate will use the same engine line-up as the five-door hatch, which means a petrol range stretching from a 1.4-liter naturally aspirated four-pot up to a 180 horsepower 1.6-liter turbo, and a comprehensive diesel range that tops out with a 160HP 2.0-liter CDTi.
The Opel (Vauxhall in Britain) should arrive in European showrooms in autumn of 2010.
We still don't know the name of Buick's all-new small sedan that will take its place right under the 2011 Regal in the carmaker's line up, but these latest spy shots from Germany give us our best look to date of the upcoming compact-sized model's exterior and interior design.
And if the styling looks familiar that's because Buick's baby sedan is in essence the North American version of the upcoming Opel Astra sedan.
From what we gather by looking at these revealing spy shots, the only differences worth mentioning aside from the badges concern Buick's signature waterfall grille and possibly, the styling of the tail lights.
As with the 2011 Buick Regal and the Opel Insignia, the small sedan's interior is identical to that of the recently revealed Astra hatchback.
There are no surprises under the sheetmetal as Buick's Opel-sourced model uses the same Delta II platform found on the Chevy Cruze.
Even though it's too early to know specific details about the powertrain options, we reckon that Buick's compact sedan will probably be offered with a similar engine range to the Cruze including a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-pot, and quite possibly, the Astra's more powerful 1.6-liter turbo with 180 ponies.
The big questions, is how U.S. consumers will receive Buick's smallest proposal that will compete head on with the VW Jetta and its like, especially after the failure of Saturn's version of the Astra.
Of course, the are many significant differences between Buick's and Saturn's Astra, the most important being that the Buick is based on the new and not the previous generation Astra, it will come with more powerful and modern engines and that it's a four-door sedan and not a five-door hatchback.
Using an official sketch that was revealed at Buick's Los Angeles Auto Show conference last December as a canvas, GMI (GM Inside News) forum member "Mr. Burns" created a fairly realistic rendering of the firm's forthcoming small sedan that's expected to be heavily based on the Opel Astra.
The new four-door saloon that will make use of the same Delta II platform as the Chevrolet Cruze, will take the place of the Opel Insignia-based 2011 Regal sedan as Buick's entry-level offering in North America while it is also expected to replace the current Excelle in China.
The VW Jetta sedan should be considered one of the most closest rivals to the as of yet unnamed "baby" Buick model.
Though details still remain scarce, it is believed that the engine range will include the same 140HP 1.4-liter turbo four found in the Cruze while it's also possible that GM may add the Opel Astra's more potent 1.6-liter turbo with 180HP in the mix.
Chances are that we'll get to see the new Buick model arriving in the States sometime next year.
Nevertheless, we are offered out first look at the open-top version of the new Astra series, which is planned to go on sale by early 2013. The most important change over the previous Astra TwinTop is the replacement of the more complicated, heavier and costly retractable metal roof with a traditional fabric hood. 
