According to the English automotive journal, AutoCar, the German GM car builder is preparing a sport hatch version of the popular Opel Astra->ke1220, a sort of VXR version. No matter what badge it wears, the hot hatch should make an auto show debut sometime in 2011. The vehicle’s head designer, Malcolm Ward said that the factory hot rod “will be a very dramatic execution and very, very close to the sketch. Think about the current three door then think about where the new car will go."

The designer’s hope is to take advantage of improving the car’s aerodynamics and take full advantage of the added benefits. A lower coefficient of drag means that the VXR can use the power it is already creating to the fullest. With less resistance pushing the Opel through the air at high speeds, this VXR will accelerate faster and get better gas mileage than a brick shaped version.

The new model will feature a chopped roofline and have a much lower Cd. than any previous VXR. The front bumper has been angled to push air past the turbulent wheels and down the sides of the car. The design team included some very attractive sculpted areas surrounding the rear lights. The modeling is supposed to reduce the high pressure area that gathers behind the hatchback, cutting drag. The aerodynamicists should know, the design was perfected over 600 hours of wind tunnel testing. This kind of 21st century thinking is already transforming the shape of cars, at least Opel want to do it with some style.

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