General Motors' Opel subsidiary will tease the next-generation Astra three-door hatchback this week with a sporty concept dubbed the GTC Paris. The concept joins the redesigned Astra Sports Tourer on Opel's stand at the 2010 Paris Auto Show.

The three-door, five-passenger GTC Paris concept is powered by a turbocharged direct-injection 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 286 horsepower and is equipped with stop/start technology to enhance fuel economy. The engine drives the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox and a limited-slip differential.

While the Astra is no slouch in the handling department, engineers decided to beef things up by installing a FlexRide suspension and a compound crank rear axle with a Watt's link. The latter "...better supports lateral forces on the suspension while cornering. It also makes the car dynamic and agile without compromising on stability and comfort."

Coming close on the heels of the new generation Astra Sports Tourer, which will also debut at the Paris motor show, the GTC Paris is the next bold step of a newly shaped Opel line-up.

Inspiration for the concept was partly derived from a quote from Richard Bach's famous novel, Jonathan Livingston Seagull "...and the speed was pure beauty." This phrase is embodied throughout the character of the car with dynamic sweeping lines, beautiful sculptural surfaces, and a wide muscular stance. This three-door compact is bold yet pure and is very iconic in presence. The GTC Paris is conceived to be the obtainable dream car delivering German engineered precision and innovation, matched with eye-popping design.

Opel has released images of its new Agila minicar, which is set to debut in Frankfurt this September. Replacing its slow selling Wagon R+ based predeccessor, the Agila will be based on its Suzuki Splash cousin (twin might be right). The Agila has grown in every dimension, thanks to the new platform it rides on. The design isn't groundbreaking, but that's enough for the consumers they're targeting.

The Agila will be available in three different powertrain choices at launch: 1.0L 56hp petrol, 1.2L 86hp petrol, and a 1.3L 75hp turbodiesel. Two gasoline engines make their world premiere in the new Opel Agila. Supplied by cooperation partner Suzuki, they share the same design - aluminum cylinder block and head, as well as two overhead camshafts.The entry-level unit is the almost one-liter, three-cylinder gasoline engine. The four-valve unit produces 65 hp (48 kW) and has a top speed of 160 km/h. The 1.2-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine produces 86 hp (63 kW), accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in less than 12 seconds and has a top speed of 174 km/h (values for five-speed manual version). This engine is now optionally available with a four-speed automatic transmission - an especially attractive alternative for city driving.The Agila will go on sale next spring in Europe.