Opel Astra GTC turbo: Opel's sizzling GTC

Not only is it chilli hot, it is also awesome looking.

And if you don't believe me, pull up outside your favourite sushi bar or restaurant and park it next to a VW Golf GTi, or a Ford Focus ST, Megane Sport or a MINI Cooper S.

Sorry girls, no competition.

What makes the GTC so appealing is that it is a chic all-rounder, beautifully finished and furnished and with more safety features than the number of yellow and red cards dished out during the Soccer World Cup.

A pretty bum is always a pretty sight, whether on humans or cars, and this nifty new Opel has an exquisite derriere. As good as you will find on any Clifton beach. The reason I mention it is because it is this section of the car that other motorists will see the most of out on the road.

But I digress. Let's slide in behind the small multi-function steering wheel. Wriggle into the contoured race-car styled seat, click in the seat belt, start her up and let's go.

And go it can, with wild abandon, its responsive 2.0-litre engine shrieking in tune with the rev counter as you blitz through the silky slick six-speed box all the way up to 234 km/h. On the way there it will do the 0-100 km/h dash in just over 7 seconds.

Sling it through a couple of U-pipe corners or floor it through a couple of fast, sweeping bends and you will be ready to write out a cheque for the R235 530 this beauty demands.

Still not entirely convinced? Then I suggest you look for the magic Sport button. It's small and sits unobtrusively with lots of other gauges, knobs and dials on the centre console.

Press that and see what happens. Suddenly the engine, brakes, accelerator and steering all become split-second responsive. It's a palm-sweating, heart-thumping way to find out exactly why they call these cars pocket rockets!

By now you are probably revved up enough to go and kick a GTC's tyres at your nearest Opel dealership, so just a quick summary of what other nice goodies you will find on this car: - 18 inch alloys riding on big, broad rubber, aircon, a pumping sound system, really snazzy drilled-metal pedals, the option of a jaw-dropping panorama windshield which stretches all the way to the B-pillar, a spacious boot, traction control, ABS brakes with EBD, CBS (cornering brake control), power steering, cruise control, fully adjustable racing-style steering wheel, electric windows and mirrors, immobilizer, alarm and… ENOUGH ALREADY, you've got the message.

Park the GTC outside the pub and you will have enough to talk about all night. And it will impress the hell out of your friends and associates. And the opposite sex. And your boss.