In Vauxhall's case, the new Corsa Black & White Limited Edition model combines a glacier white bodywork with black 17-inch twin spoke alloy wheels and detailing, topped off with a black sapphire roof.
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.
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.
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).
The kit, which includes the same style decals that flow from the Corsa's headlamps right the way along its sides with a pair of matching mirror caps as the German-market model, is available from Vauxhall retailers for �149 fully fitted and including VAT.
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Based on the standard OPC, this should basically be the Corsa version of the Astra-based 2008 N�rburgring Edition model. That means it'll most likely come with the standard Corsa OPC's 192-horsepower (141 kW) / 170 lb-ft (230 Nm) turbocharged 1.6 liter mill and extra add-ons.
Other baubles to expect are upgraded Brembo brakes, Recaro leather seating, carbon-look decor for the interior, unique lightweight wheels, and maybe even a tuned suspension.
The Opel/Vauxhall Insignia has won the European Car of the Year 2009 (COTY), an accolade conferred by a panel of 59 automotive journalists from 23 countries.
To be eligible for COTY, a car must be launched within the past 12 months and must be available in at least five European countries. The judging panel reviewed criteria such as design, safety, handling and performance. Other important factors considered were technical innovations and value-for-money. The competition�s first stage was in October 2008, when jurors voted and short listed seven finalists from a field of 37 contenders. From these 7 finalists, the COTY panel of judges then voted a second round to pinpoint the overall winner.
Points garnered by the Opel Insignia for COTY 2008 were 321, while the Ford Fiesta was just short of one point of a tie, at 320. Third place went to the VW Golf Mk6 with 223 points. The other COTY finalists were the Citroen C5 with 198 points, Alfa MiTo scored 148 marks, Skoda Superb managed 144 points and Renault Megane registered 121 points.
