We ogled the curvaceous Opel Astra GTC at Frankfurt, but this is the one we’ve really been waiting for: TheOPC version. Standing for Opel Performance Center, “OPC” is similar to the Honda ”Type R” or BMW ”M” nomenclature, although not nearly as well known. The 2012 Astra OPC could change that in a hurry.

GM’s European division has really done a number on the compact hatchback to make it worthy of the badge, dropping a turbocharged, 2.0-liter four with direct injection underhood. The 280-horsepower engine is also good for 295 lb-ft of torque, and GM says the Astra OPC can do all of 155 mph. Like the Astra GTC, the OPC uses the HiPerStrut front suspension with adjustable dampers, steering and throttle, thanks to the FlexRide control system. But the top-of-the-line Astra model adds a limited-slip front differential to help control all that turbo torque. Brembo brakes, special front and rear fascias, dual exhaust, performance seats, a special steering wheel and new instrumentation round out the OPC package.

The Astra OPC will also be sold as the Vauxhall Astra VXR in the U.K.

Of course, the first question any of us here in the States have is, “Will we get it?” To which the answer is, per usual, not likely. If we do get any version of the Astra, it’s much more likely to be the GTC, which could potentially be sold as a coupe version of the Buick Verano. Read the entire press release after the jump.

For those that remember it, the secretary-special two-door CLC hatchback, built on last-generation C-class bits and pieces, was rather embarrassing for Mercedes-Benz. It was a dumpy thing, but at least Daimler was smart enough to not even attempt selling it in the States.

Thankfully, the decidedly easier-on-the-eyes C204 C-Class Coupe has just arrived, and we’re getting this hot toddy. So what took Stuttgart so long to bring us this no-brainer variant of the C-Class? Were they worried about coupe clutter between the CLC- and E-Class? Too many two-doors, too soon? Funnily, we asked, and all we heard back were sheepish “We were waiting for the mothership to come around and give us the go-ahead for this car” comments.

The 2012 Opel Zafira Tourer has broken cover ahead of its Frankfurt Motor Show debut. Sporting what Opel calls a blend of “functionality and wellness,” Opel hopes the Zafira will land at the top of the MPV heap.

To that end, Opel has weighed the people mover down with features and made its interior extremely adaptable. According to Opel, the third-row seats still fold flat to the car’s floor, but now work in concert with second-row seats that can be folded and moved around the cabin at will. The second row now features three independent seats, as opposed to a bench, and each seat can slide back and forth over a total of 210 millimeters.

Underneath the Zafira’s sleeker, redesigned skin, the car’s wheelbase and track width have both grown by a few inches to make people hauling a more comfortable, more stable and safer operation. The suspension has been reworked, too, to be lighter and less intrusive, giving the Tourer more interior space.

Sending power through the improved chassis are three 2.0-liter CDTI diesel options. The four-cylinder diesel mills come in 110-, 130- and 165-horsepower options. If you must have a gas powerplant, the Zafira carries either a 120-hp, 1.4-liter ECOTEC four banger or a 140-hp version of the same powerplant. No matter what engine you choose, you can have either a six-speed stick or six-speed automatic. To hear all the goods straight from the horse’s mouth, check out Opel’s press release after the jump, where you’ll also find a video.

Between the New York Auto Show, the Shanghai Motor Show and Top Marques Monaco, there’s a major motor expo happening on each of three continents. But the latest model you see here wasn’t unveiled at any one of them.

What you’re looking at is the hottest hatch to come from Opel. It’s called the Corsa OPC Nürburgring Edition, and it means business. To start with, the Opel Performance Center (think of it as General Motors of Europe’s AMG) has tweaked the 1.6-liter turbo four from 192 horsepower to 210 and boosted the torque count from 170 lb-ft (196 on overboost) to 184 (206 on overboost).

To cope with the added twist, OPC’s fitted a multi-plate mechanical limited-slip differential. They’ve also added Bilstein suspension components and Brembo brakes, recalibrated the ABS, traction control and stability management systems. On the outside, they’ve mounted new 18-inch alloys on 35-series low-profile rubber and a new front spoiler, dual-tipped stainless-steel exhaust and the requisite special badges.

The result is a Karousel-charging 6.8-second sprint to 60 and an Autobahn-crunching 143 mph top end. Only 500 examples will be offered, with two new colors (Grasshopper green and the above-pictured Henna red) joining the catalog for this special edition. Follow the jump for the full press blast and scope out the trio of images in the gallery below for a closer look.

In its current form, the 325-horsepower Opel Insignia OPC (you know, the car that the upcoming 255-hpBuick Regal GS was supposed to but sadly won’t replicate) will carry speeds of up to 155 miles per hour before its electronic nannies kick in and prevent your speedometer’s needle to climb any higher. But since European buyers are able to take their cars onto the unrestricted Autobahn, Opel has now created a special version of the OPC – dubbed ‘Unlimited’ – that removes its top-end cut-off.

With its electronic limiter removed, Opel says that the Insignia OPC will reach speeds as high as 168 mph. This new top speed only applies to OPC sedans fitted with the automaker’s six-speed manual transmission.

Unlimited models are visually distinguished by blue Brembo brake logos, as well as a revised tachometer and speedometer. Opel says that a special edition of the Unlimited OPC with a matte black wrap is also in the works. Buyers will also automatically be enrolled in an OPC performance driving training course at the automaker’s proving grounds in Dudenhofen, Germany, where they will learn how to properly manage the driving dynamics of this delicious performance sedan.

If you ask us, 155 mph is plenty fast, especially for a public road like the Autobahn. But if you’re on a closed track with a long straightaway, that added 13 mph will no doubt come in handy. Click past the jump for Opel’s official press release.