The new Astra might not (yet) have a hot hatch variant in its lineup, but Opel has joined forces with German specialist XS Carnight to create a prototype based on the plug-in hybrid model to showcase its tuning potential and inspire the enthusiast community. The electrified Astra XS show car with the typical Opel Motorsport livery rides on a bagged suspension and 20-inch wheels.
The highlight of the Astra XS is the fitment of a Grinds air suspension and height sensors by ‘Carstyle me’, combined with stock shock absorbers. This allows the showcar to be lowered to the ground on demand, offering a “bagged” look which is popular amongst the tuning community.
See Also: Opel Astra Makes Its Best Hot Hatch Impression Thanks To Irmscher
The wheel-arches are filled up completely with the new 20-inch forged wheels from RVNT Forged. They are shod in ultra-low profile tires, with Opel suggesting they were fitted “for display purposes only”. The stock model is available with wheels up to 18-inches in diameter, and up to date, only Irmsher has offered dedicated aftermarket 19-inch wheels for the Astra.
The tuner did not add a bodykit to the Astra which retains the stock bumpers. However, they painted the car in high-gloss white, contrasted by black accents. Finally, a set of motorsport decals by Opel Accessories with yellow, silver and gray colors have been added to the profile and on the windscreen. The donor model is the Ultimate edition, equipped with the adaptive Intelli-Lux LED Pixel Light headlights, a digital Pure Panel cockpit with dual 10-inch screens, and the sports seats.
The plug-in hybrid powertrain of the Astra remains unchanged. It consists of a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine, an electric motor, and a 12.4 kWh lithium-ion battery, just like many other Stellantis models based on the EMP2 architecture. The combined output is 178 hp (133 kW / 180 PS) and 360 Nm (266 lb-ft) of peak torque, transferred to the front axle through an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Surprisingly, XS didn’t use the more powerful PHEV that delivers a combined 222 hp (165 kW / 225 PS).
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The Opel Astra XS will be exhibited at the XS Carnight “20 Years of XSCN” event in Berlin, Germany on July 29-30, and at Lake Wörthersee, Austria on September 17. Opel says that the project in collaboration with XS Carnight will help them sharpen their image in the tuning community.
