Race-ready 242kW Holden Astra

Mazda has done it with the MX-5, Toyota is doing it in Australia with the 86, and now GM's European arm, Opel, will launch its own customer race series in 2016 with the Astra TCR.

Opel has released two sketches of the Astra TCR race car, which will make its debut at the 2015 Frankfurt motor show in Germany from early September, powered by a 242kW/410Nm 2.0-litre engine.

Not unlike the three-door 206kW, $40,000 Astra VXR available in Australia wearing Holden badges, the new race-ready five-door TCR hatch will form the basis for a three-tiered series.

The "three-pillar concept" comprises national and continental championships along with a global TCR International Series and the beauty of it all, says Opel, is that all categories have the same technical regulations. The Astra TCR race cars appear to employ plenty of aero aids including a large rear wing, deep front splitters and rear diffuser, along with a wide body kit. 

"Touring car racing has always been an important part of Opel," said Opel Group CMO Tina Müller.

"The philosophy of the new TCR series corresponds to our idea of customer racing. We want to give ambitious privately owned teams a platform for exciting sport at reasonable costs," said Müller.

What these 'reasonable' costs are remains to be seen and Holden is yet to confirm or deny any local activity.

"Opel's Astra TCR program looks very exciting however we have no announcements to make at this time," said Mark Flintoft, Holden product communications manager.

"Holden has recently launched the exciting Astra VXR sports hatch and is committed to continuing to leverage GM's global product portfolio to provide the best vehicles for our customers," he added.