Jalopnik to GM: Having a few cars people would pay full price for seems like an interesting way to run your little car company, doesn t it? Then why not bring the new Opel Astra Twin Top — the one you re offering to our friends in the UK — to the American market? And don't hand us any crap about platform economics or market research findings. We haven't had our half-caf soy latte frapp with a shot of anise oil yet.
Set to be introduced at the Frankfurt motor show next month, and released to the motoring public in spring 2006, the four-seat Astra TT sports a three-part steel hardtop that can retract in 30 seconds — using principles of a science engineering types like to call "kinematics." Opel will offer a range of gas engines, including a turbocharged, 2.0-liter Ecotec, pushing 200hp, that can reportedly bring the coupe to a top speed of over 143 mph (a 150hp Common Rail Diesel which might come in handy with oil now at over $61/barrel — is an option). A golf bag—devouring trunk, with 200 liters of cargo space even with the top down would be perfect for weekends in Palm Springs (or at a driving range in the Bronx). Enough with the deeply discounted Malibu Classics already.
Related:
Saab Plant Loses GM Midsize Car Production Job to Opel [internal]