Longtime Opel tuner Irmscher has expanded its 2010 Astra offerings with the launch of 20-inch alloy wheels that are available in various designs and can be wrapped in 235/35 R20 tires. The new rims complement the tuner’s styling package that was first introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and includes 18-inch alloys and a body kit with a new grille, front lip spoiler, rear apron with a diffuser, side skirts and a roof spoiler.

Here we have the fastest Opel built by the tuning company Steinmetz, the street legal Opel Insignia Sports Tourer OPC. Setting a new top speed record of 287.4 km/h, the new Opel Insignia accomplished this staggering number in October during a test run at the Nardo ring in Italy. The track in Italy allows the driver to reach the cars maximum speed, without ever having to turn the wheels, thanks to its large 12 kilometer oval circuit. Tuning the performance outside the engine bay, Steinmetz installed a custom aerodynamic kit that included new front and rear spoilers, side skirts, and a new front grille. The Opel Insignia also received a sport suspension kit, along with 20-inch lightweight alloy wheels, and a few extra chrome features for the exterior.

The first official photos of Opel’s high-performance Insignia OPC are finally out in the open. The new sports sedan from GM’s European unit that will be sold in the UK under the name Vauxhall Insignia VXR has been designed to compete against the likes of the Audi S4 and its ilk. However, it is expected that the Insignia OPC will be priced lower than most of its rivals. The top-grade Insignia comes with a specially modified version of GM’s 2.8-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine that produces a satisfying 325HP and 400Nm of torque channeled to all four wheels.

In spite of media stories alluding to General Motors reconsidering the performance divisions of its brands, Opel seems to have the go-ahead for the Insignia OPC. Granted there was no official word on this regarding Europe’s Opel Performance Centre (OPC).

After patent leaks and a fantastic job by spy photographers, Opel has officially unveiled their version of the Chevrolet Volt called the Ampera.

Unlike the Holden Volt which was relieved last week, the new Ampera features unique styling which has a definite Euro-flair. The exterior is dominated by a futuristic design that has an interesting boomerang headlight arraignment, sleek aerodynamics, and a bold Opel grille. From the rear, the Ampera has a sporty design that features a large horizontal chrome bar that ties together the taillight units, twin vertical outboard slots, and bold looking trim where a diffuser would normally reside.

The Opel Ampera is meant to be the European version of the Chevy Volt. Provided that GM and Opel survive long enough to execute that conversion and get either of those models to market.

Here’s a teaser image of the Ampera as it will be debuting on March 3rd (for two press days) at the Geneva motor show. (The show opens to the public on the March 5th).