Look at the first official picture of the Opel Astra OPC in Europe and the Vauxhall Astra VXR in Britain.

Power of the hot Astra is derived from a new 2.0-litre turbocharged direct injection four-cylinder engine capable of 280-horsepower that are channeled to the front wheels via 6-speed manual gearbox and a specially developed mechanical limited slip differential.

GM’s European division said that the Astra OPC / Astra VXR can reach a top speed of 250km/h but did not give out a 0-100km/h sprint time.

The hottest Astra OPC / VXR also benefits from a raft of bespoke chassis mods including Brembo brakes and a retuned suspension with the firm’s fully adaptive FlexRide system that features three settings: Normal, Sport and VXR/OPC, with the latter promising more focused stages of damper, throttle and steering control.

The interior gains a pair of scrumptious sport bucket seats with embossed logos in the backs, a flat-bottomed and thick-rimmed sports steering wheel and upgraded instrument panels.

Good news for Astra fans. The spies have filmed the new Opel (Vauxhall) Astra Convertible on test in Germany.

The 2013 Opel Astra Convertible 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.

The test models are heavily based on the freshly revealed Opel Astra GTC sport hatchback featuring a longer rear end to improve the car’s looks and increase the available space for the rear passengers and the luggage compartment. Inside, the Astra Convertible will have room for four passengers with individual seats.

Opel will most likely tease the Astra Convertible with a near production concept model either in Frankfurt this fall or in Geneva next spring.

The Astra 2.0 CDTI 160HP has been added to the Opel Astra’s European lineup and comes equipped the ecoFLEX package, which includes Start/Stop functionality. Already available for the Astra 1.3 CDTI, the package is offered as an optional extra for the 2.0-liter diesel hatchback and Sports Tourer models in combination with the six-speed manual transmission.

The ecoFLEX technology lowers fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, especially in city traffic, where the Astra 2.0 CDTI hatchback can save up to 0.8 liters per 100 kilometers, equal to a 13 percent reduction over the standard model without the package.

In the combined cycle, the Astra 2.0 CDTI hatch has a rating of 4.5 liters/100 km, 0.4 liters less than the “normal” model. CO2 emissions are also down from 129 to 119 grams per kilometer. When fitted to an Astra Sports Tourer, the ecoFLEX package lowers average fuel consumption by 0.4 liters/100 km to 4.7 liters/100 km, while also reducing CO2 emissions from 134 to 124 g/km.

Other than the Start/Stop system, the package includes the CleanTech Combustion Technology for the 2.0 CDTI unit, which promises clean combustion while also reducing engine noise by means of adjusting fuel injection to the combustion process in real time. As with the 1.3-liter ecoFLEX model, the 2.0-liter version sports an active aero shutter incorporated in the front grille and refined underbody aerodynamics.

The ecoFLEX Technology Package for the Astra 2.0 CDTI adds €300 ($425) to the standard car’s price in Germany. By spring 2012, Opel wants to offer 34 car/engine combinations with the ecoFLEX technology, including all Astra diesel and petrol models with manual transmission.

EDS tuner house from Germany has launched an impressive package for the most powerful version of the Astra with the 180HP 1.6-liter turbocharged engine.

The comprehensive engine tune includes a variety of modifications such as a new Garret GT28 turbocharger, ECU optimization, sports exhaust system, a new manifold, and other goodies that double the 1.6-liter unit’s output to a whopping 360-horses and 480 Nm or 354 lb-ft of peak torque.

The tuner also adds a Quaife differential lock, a new sports clutch kit, high performance perforated brake discs with 8 calipers and a sports suspension together with 20-inch wheels that are shod in Pirelli P Zero 235/35ZR20 tires up front and 275/30ZR20 at the back.

The exterior modifications are kept to a minimum and include new upper and lower grilles finished in black, side sills and a rear apron that houses a diffuser and the quad tail pipes.

Irmscher, the German tuning house, has now upgraded the Opel Astra Sport Tourer variant. Irmscher starts by upgrading the station wagon’s looks with the addition of a front spoiler, new upper and lower grilles in a honeycomb design, side skirts and a roof spoiler.

The car’s suspension is also dropped by 30mm while the kit is rounded off with larger alloy wheels available in various designs and sizes 18- or 20-inches. More parts are expected to be released at a later date.

Opel has unveiled its new 2011 Astra. The 2011 Astra Sports Tourer wears the brand’s trademark nose and sculpted sheet metal, but throws in an arching roofline for good measure. Inside, buyers can look forward to a set of snappy folding seats in the rear Opel claims should help make the car appealing to both families and small businesses looking to haul goods.

Power comes from either an uber-thrifty 95-horsepower mill or a more robust 180-pony lump, and a total of three transmissions are available – a five-speed manual, six-speed manual and six-speed automatic. The company says that European buyers can expect to see a start/stop system land on its 1.3-liter turbo-diesel engine in the Astra Sports Tourer as well.

See above at the new estate version of the new Opel / Vauxhall Astra which has been spotted in testing at the Nurburgring.

The new Opel Astra Sports Tourer will be shown this summer with a Paris Motor Show debut to follow in autumn 2010. The Astra Sports Tourer looks like a smaller version of the Opel Insignia station wagon boasting a more raked roofline and a less boxy / conservative shape than the current model.

Engine options for the Astra’s station wagon model will mirror those offered on the five door Astra, so expect 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 lineup topping out with a 160HP 2.0-liter CDTi.

The Opel Astra Sports Tourer will be the second model to be added to the new Astra’s range. It will be followed by a sportier-looking three-door hatchback, a coupe convertible and a four-sedan model that will also be sold in the States as a Buick.

Vauxhall has adding to the allure of the current version of the Astra VXR with the presentation of a limited production model called “Arctic Edition”.

Only 500 units of the Astra’s Arctic Edition are offered in the UK with prices set at £23, 595 on the road.

All are painted in Olympic White with a contrasting black painted roof, mirror covers, front V-grille and tailgate trim. Each Arctic Edition also gets £1965 worth of options including heated leather Recaro front seats, tinted glass and Black 19-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels.

In addition, for the first time on a VXR product, customers can also specify their Arctic Edition with the Panoramic Windscreen that costs £920.

There are no changes under the hood with the Astra VXR Arctic Edition featuring a 240HP 2.0-liter turbo engine that propels the hot hatch from 0-60mph (96km/h) in 6.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 152mph or 244 km/h.

GM’ british arm Vauxhall is celebrating the retail launch of the all-new 2010 Vauxhall Astra. The first customers today received the keys to their cars.

In Great Britain, the new Astra hatchback is available with five petrol engines ranging from an 87 h.p. 1.4-litre to a 1.6-litre turbocharged unit, while diesels span from 1.7 CDTi to 2.0 CDTi form. Prices will start from £15,675.

The Vauxhall said that British plant will build the new Astra for all European markets.

British Vauxhall sold more than 900 police Astras in the UK last year. Police departments throughout the UK will be able choose from three ‘high visibility’ livery options -half, three-quarter or full. The police-spec Astras are equipped with LED lightbars that available in three different widths, while all PTT (Push-to-talk) 999 and at-scene functions have been incorporated into the steering wheel.

The police Astra can be ordered with all communication equipment already installed along with a large 8.4-inch mobile data terminal screen incorporated into the dashboard.