The day that Opel/Vauxhall got Jeremy Clarkson's respect.

[Kowalski]

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Three years later and the Astra still looks stunning.

 

[Giannis]

The Astra GTC... I have driven the five door version, and it was the 1.4l engine. The car has all the good intentions, but the engine power was not enough for this car! But there are some Opels nowadays that really deserve Clarkson's and also ours respect!

 

[Kowalski]

The Astra GTC... I have driven the five door version, and it was the 1.4l engine. The car has all the good intentions, but the engine power was not enough for this car!

1.4 is a slug. But then again, with the notable exception of the Golf 1.4 TSi, tell me which other compact family hatchback powered by a nromally aspirated 1.4 engine, actually goes well?

But there are some Opels nowadays that really deserve Clarkson's and also ours respect!

True. Here some examples of Opels (Vauxhalls) that deserve immense respect:






You could argue the VX220 is a Lotus, and the Monaro and VXR8 are Holdens.

Surely. But Vauxhall actually realized there was no point making the normal VX220 the same as the Lotus Elise. They had to make it better...so they did. The VX220 Turbo handles better and it's faster than the Lotus Elise.

Vauxhall also brought (very) cheap RWD, V8 power from Australia to Britain...props to Vauxhall!

The VXR8 offers Audi RS4 pace and performance for Vauxhall money, only 38K. I would take the VXR8 over a BMW M3...specially that now Vauxhall offers a Supercharger conversion that can kick the power up from 420 to 540 Bhp.

A 540 Bhp Vauxhall?! And for 45K...Now that's more like it Vauxhall!

 

[Giannis]

1.4 is a slug. But then again, with the notable exception of the Golf 1.4 TSi, tell me which other compact family hatchback powered by a nromally aspirated 1.4 engine, actually goes well?

The Megane is kinda fun with the 1.4, but the rest of the car is crap...

True. Here some examples of Opels (Vauxhalls) that deserve immense respect:

last three pics don't load for me, but the first one was a real E39 M5 killer at it's time!

I don't recall what models the VX220 and VXR8 are (i am tired ), but i def. know the Monaro which is a great great car! I remember JC was blown by this car!

Vauxhall also brought (very) cheap RWD, V8 power from Australia to Britain...props to Vauxhall!

That is the best desicion Vauxhall has ever made! It is a shame that Opel doesn't import those cars here under the Vauxhall brand name! They could sell a lot!

The VXR8 offers Audi RS4 pace and performance for Vauxhall money, only 38K. I would take the VXR8 over a BMW M3...specially that now Vauxhall offers a Supercharger conversion that can kick the power up from 420 to 540 Bhp.

A 540 Bhp Vauxhall?! And for 45K...Now that's more like it Vauxhall!

Those cars would definitely give an M3 a run for it's money!