From 3rd to 13th March, the Geneva International Motor Show was held for the 86th time. At an exposition area of more than 100,000 square metres, world-famous car manufacturers showcased their latest creations, rarities and fancy concept prototypes.

One of them was the new Opel Astra TCR that was launched by Opel Motorsport as early as 2015. Despite its touring car guise, the racing car specially designed for the new TCR category never loses its closeness to its production brethren. The Opel Astra TCR will be racing in different national TCR series, such as the ADAC TCR Germany, as well as the global TCR International Series and will be represented by three cars in the International Series and four cars on the grid of ADAC TCR Germany. The 2015 International TCR Champions, Italy’s team Target Competition, also will contest the 2016 season with the Opel Astra TCR. Compared to its production sister, the Opel Astra TCR was modified according to the TCR regulations. This means that it's wider than the production car and features modified bumpers, fenders, and side skirts. A significant characteristic of the Opel Astra TCR is its streamlined body that promises the highest aerodynamic efficiency at the high speeds that are common in motor racing. Pattern for the customer-sport vehicle was the Opel Astra K that also was launched at the 2015 IAA.

The Opel Astra TCR captivates with its powerful, highly efficient 330bhp two-liter turbo engine featuring a maximum torque of 420Nm. The engine has the engine code B20NHT. The capacity of its oil cycle amounts to a massive six litres – perfect for the use of the high-performance engine oil RAVENOL RSS SAE 10W-60, that was produced on the basis of esters and poly-alpha-olefins for state-of-the-art petrol engines. The predecessor of the engine, the A20NHT, used in the well known Astra-J, meets just as it's not so powerful sibling A20NFT (used in Opel Astra, Zafira and Insignia 4x4 and representing the GM Family II) the European emission standard Euro 5, while the newer B20NHT comes with the Euro 6 designation.

The power is transferred via the sequential 6-speed racing gearbox Sadev ST82-17, provided by the French gearbox and power-train experts, that will be lubricated by RAVENOL Racing Gear Oil, a gear box oil proven in many years of motor racing and designed on the basis of PAO and a special additivation that will make for a performance-adequate lubrication. When it comes to the electronic power steering, based on the version of Astra K, the system will be filled with the special hydraulics oil RAVENOL SSF Special Power Steering Fluid, that will make for a good wear protection and guarantees outstanding thermal stability at the same time.

Opel and RAVENOL's Partnership

Since 2015, RAVENOL have been technology partner of Opel Motorsport. As early as the 2015 season, the logos of the German Premium Lubricant manufacturer accompanied the ADAC Opel Rallye Cup, the rally cup with the biggest number of competitors, as well as the three works Opel ADAM R2 the reigning champions are going to contest the hard-fought 2016 Junior Rally European Championship with. RAVENOL and Opel Motorsport consistently are working on enhancing the Opel racing cars and their optimum supply with high-quality engine, gearbox and hydraulic oils.

With the new Opel Astra TCR, Opel launched an impressive new touring car for the customer sport that certainly will be put under the microscope by many motor-racing enthusiasts.

There are just weeks left until the Opel Astra TCR debut: the first rounds of the 2016 TCR International will be held in early April in the support program of the Bahrain Formula One GP and Germany’s national version, the ADAC TCR Germany, will be kicked off at Oschersleben on the 16th/17th of April. 

Picture source: Opel Motorsport