Irmscher Opel Astra i1600 with Upgraded 200HP 1.6-liter Turbo

These are the first photos of Opel specialist Irmscher's new Astra i1600 hatchback that boasts a beefier turbocharged gasoline engine and a cosmetics package, among its other modifications.

Based on the most-powerful version of the new Astra, the 1.6 Turbo, the German tuner's engineers squeezed out an extra 20HP and 65Nm of torque from the four-cylinder petrol unit boosting output to 200HP and 295Nm or 217.6 lb-ft.

Irmscher's package also bundles a sport suspension that lowers the car's ride height by 30mm and a choice of 18- or 20-inch alloy wheels in beefier sport tires, which help give the Opel a meaner stance.

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SCOOP: New Opel Astra Sports Tourer Caught on Film

The estate version of the new Opel / Vauxhall Astra has been spotted doing the rounds at the Nurburgring.

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

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Vauxhall Astra VXR Nürburgring Crash with Videos

Some guy in a Vauxhall Astra VXR Nürburgring Edition went to the notorious Nordschleife to try to live up to the name on the side of his car and made a booboo. Hey, no sweat, these things happen all the time.

People get a little antsy in the pantsy, lose their concentration, and wreck their car. The real point of interest here is the potential costs involved (other than that of a damaged car and pride).

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Steinmetz Spiffs Up New 2010 Opel Astra

Opel tuning specialist Steinmetz introduced some tasteful mods for the new Astra hatch at this week's 'Tuning World Bodensee 2010'. These include a front spoiler and a rear wing plus new upper and lower front grilles finished in black.

Other tuning options include a new lowering kit that brings the compact hatch 30mm (1.2 inches) closer to the road and two 19-inch alloy wheel designs, both of which run on tires size 235/35 R19.

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U.S. Patent Drawings of 2012 Buick Excelle Sedan

If these U.S. patent drawings of Buick's forthcoming entry-level compact sedan are anything to go by, then the North American version of the car will be identical to the China-market 2012 Buick Excelle that was recently caught on film without any camouflage whatsoever.

We don't know if GM will keep the 'Excelle' nameplate for North America, but we do know that the General is planning to bring the car to the States in 2011.

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Vauxhall Presents Astra VXR 240HP Arctic Special Edition

The Astra VXR (OPC for the rest of Europe) will soon be replaced by an all-new model based on the next generation of the firm's C-segment hatch, but for now, Vauxhall is adding to the allure of the current version with the presentation of a limited production model called "Arctic Edition".

Only 500 units of the Arctic Edition are offered in the UK with prices set at £23, 595 on the road, or £720 more than the standard Astra VXR.

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GM Shows Off Astra Police Car at HOSDB Exhibition

The recent Home Office Scientific Development Branch (HODSB) show saw General Motors' Vauxhall division displaying its new generation Astra police vehicle that is offered for UK and overseas law enforcement officials.

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