The term “lifetime” can be a little vague and confusing. Naturally, it isn’t meant for YOUR entire life, but a significant amount of time during the car’s existence (in this case, repair costs will be covered on cars with fewer than 160,000 Km or 100,000 miles). As with a lot of warranties, major mechanical and electrical systems (engine, transmission, steering, wiring/fuses) will be covered; wear-and-tear items, as expected, will not be.

While 160,000 Km may seem like a pretty standard warranty to us over here in the States where most of us drive a good bit, Europe has significantly better mass-transit. Significant? You bet, considering that a 100,000 mile warranty over there could very well be a good long while. Maybe not a lifetime, but certainly a long time.

Opel sales and marketing chief Alain Visser had this to say: “We are not even considering abandoning our campaign…Like every guarantee offer, ours also has conditions and these conditions are presented very clearly…Despite threats and some bad PR we do believe that a lifetime guarantee with no time-limit is the strongest statement we could possibly make — even if it does have some footnotes.”

Look at the first spy photos of the new three-door Opel Astra in OPC trimaround that was caught near the Nurburgring.

The Astra OPC could get 27 % more power courtesy of a 296 bhp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. It is having large Brembo brakes which can be seen through the wheels, as well as cross-drilled discs. It looks like having dark tinted lenses over the headlamps.

The spies say Volker Strycek was behind the wheel of the test vehicle. Strycek, 52, a former DTM race series champion, currently leading the Opel Performance Center (get it, OPC) for several years.

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.

The all-new Opel Insignia OPC will be equipeed with a 325-horsepower 2.8-liter turbocharged V6 engine and an adaptive four-wheel drive system with an electronic rear limited slip differential. Opel claims that its Insignia OPC reaches a top speed of 250 km/h and sprints from 0 to 100km/h in six seconds The Opel Insignia OPC (Vauxhall Insignia VXR) will make its debut on May 7 at the Barcelona Motor Show.

Each dealer would pay 150 euros into the fund from profits on each Opel’s car they sell over the next 3 years in return for a stake in a Opel company.

GM Europe is asking European governments for help to finance a 3.3 billion euro cash shortfall. The OPel has said it is open to discussions on partnerships or equity positions.

Opel’s dealers have 125,000 employees and they are responsible entrepreneurs who want to preserve these jobs as well as their investments.