The flagship of the range is designed to deliver hot driving excitement with style. It is a threedoor-only version and comes with mirrors, front fog-lamp surrounds and centre exhaust tailpipe, all of which have a triangular design. The strong front and rear bumpers are unique to the model and the side skirts and angular roof spoiler give a muscular design. The grille is mesh and 18" alloys are optional.

The interior has Recaro sports seats and a race-car style flatbottomed steering wheel. Drilled alloy pedals, black trim and special fascia dials make the car look as special inside as it does outside.

Power comes from a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine, developing 192PS, which gives a 0-100km/h acceleration of just 6.8 seconds and a top speed of 225km/h. Like the Mervia OPC, it comes with an 'overboost' facility which can increase the torque output to a maximum of more than 260Nm.

The power is kept in check with a sports chassis and a specially tuned ESP system, along with updated brakes and suspension. A variablyassisted power steering, which alters the weight and feel of the wheel depending on the way the car is driven, is included in the package.

Despite its hi-tech performance the OPC should be a reasonably affordable car to run. In mixed driving, Opel say it will return 7.9l/100km. The new model will make its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Prices will be announced nearer to the date.