It isn’t often that a manufacturer launches a vehicle and then revises its power output downwards. Well, that’s what happened with the Kadett 200tS, a fearsome version of the Opel compact which gave new meaning to the term ‘hot hatch’. With 160kW and 280Nm there was nothing like it 15 years ago. Today they aren’t huge numbers for a 2.0 litre turbo, though Opel fans will be quick to remind anyone who’ll listen that a current Golf GTI only makes 147. The point of course is that the Opel weighs nigh on 200 kilograms less than the modern equivalent and while turbocharging was not quite in its infancy back then, it was a lot more basic. So too was engine management, and tyre and chassis technology. So, simply put, the 200tS was a beast.
Torque steer in gears one and two could be fearsome. With a limited-slip differential, you had to be very careful which way the wheels were pointing, especially if the road was anything less than perfectly dry and flat. It was a bit like taking a deranged Staffordshire for a walk down a road where there’s a cat atop every garden wall ...
It was better in the higher gears and if you fed the power in judiciously as the road straightened, you could really slingshot from corner to corner, neck muscles straining to free one’s hairstyle from the headrest. You couldn’t let your guard down for an instant. Of course, it did depend on what preload settings – there were apparently three – were used inside the limited-slip differential. Like the Superboss, the tS had a final drive unit from Gemini Transmissions, the company founded by South African engineering genius Andre Verwey. Based in the United Kingdom by then, he supplied the LS units to Getrag, who then fitted them to their six-speeder (reluctantly, it must be said) and shipped them to South Africa. The deal was that all gearbox repairs would be done on an exchange basis, with broken units returned to Germany. Getrag would not even supply Delta the special tools required for stripping the ’boxes. Early cars experienced overheating problems however, and from mid-1994 advertising and brochure material appeared listing outputs of 151kW and 285Nm. Though outwardly similar, cooling efficiency was improved but at the cost of a few kilowatts.
In my Drive! magazine days I tested the original car and I remember Mike Briggs collaring me at Goldfields Raceway and as a Delta works driver taking umbrage at our road test. He said we were too critical of the torque steer. His frame of reference though was that of a race driver in his prime – at that stage he was piloting the Astra touring car after an unsuccessful sojourn in the Calibra Wesbank racer. Ah, the Calibra, a car to which the 200tS owes if not its birthright, then more than a nod of acknowledgement. Engine internals are virtually identical to those of the Turbo version, but the drivetrain of the Kadett/Astra 200tS was local and two key aspects – the intercooler installation and the engine management – were researched, developed and manufactured right here. That’s why the car has almost no turbo lag, and why it is such a pleasure to drive at normal pace. Rolf Mentzel, who was closely involved with the early stages of the project, remembers regularly driving from Port Elizabeth to Bosch’s high-tech facility in Brits. Development cars were in such short supply that they couldn’t leave one there permanently.
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I still own a 200iS and
I still own a 200iS and frequently visists nelspruit and durban but this car has never letted me down no matter how hard i floor the pedal but the engine keep on calling and i like driving at night thats why i can do the dirty work easily. and back in homeland we call it IGUNDANE (the rat) for its speed from light to light
200ts dream car
I drive a 1999 200is, The TS is a Legend in a league of its own. as a kid chilling with the big boys.....Even Bmw's feared the TS Robot to Robot.
Self proclaimed Str8 six racer Namibian Petrol head
gents all in all i have driven most my life flat six cyl engines tilll the guy that came to my town in tsumeb around 2007 that dude white 200ts drove my suped m3 to [filtered word] met an opel from that day iam still looking for one to tweak myself in original condition respect voorsprung !!!!
I got one
Opel had to have balls of steel to make this car. That C20LET on the 200is chassis is way too much for this car.Why we never got the fourwheel drive calibra, i can never understand. I got a TS, get offers all the time but not interested. Why would I be, cos its truly an understated monster. That, and the fact that theres only 87 left.
OPEL SUPERBOSS AND OPEL KADETTE 200TS
I OWN AN OPEL SUPERBOSS AND OPEL KADETTE 200TS, THESE ARE STILL THE BEST CARS IN MY COLLECTION, THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN SMASHED AND STILL IN MINT/ORIGINAL CONDITION. MT SEAT LEON CUPRA AND MY SUBARU WRX DON'T EVEN COMPARE TO THESE CARS.... OPEL WAS THE BEST. I HOPE THEY GET BACK TO THAT STANDARDS :)
I would buy one if I could.
but it's impossible to import one from South Africa because the value of taxes. Just importing through other European country, but it's not easy. What a shame to live in Portugal.
OPEL JUST ROCKS
I would still like to get my hands on one!!! :-) It killed many cops in Pretoria back in the days - and they say cops can drive! OPEL POWER
Wonderful Opel!
A wonderful car plenty of character! I wonder why Opel S.A. has only 2 models to offer. Where are the wonderful Insignia and the Zafira MPV?
Aah, the 200 TS
I fisrt fell inlove with cars when i read a review of it in either Cars or Topcar, cant remember. This is my first love. I have never driven it. My uncle owned the 200IS and from that performance I could only imagine how great it must be to drive a 200ts.
Greatest Opel Ever
I have owned Opels before and the 200TS by far outshines the rest, even amongst the new hot hatches around, the TS can still hold its own 17 years later....
Dont be silly
I am with the opel club sa online.There ia alot of ts owners,and the ts is highly rated.If you are looking for one there are enough availiebonline at gumtree and so on.Most in mint condition,as people who own these love them and bought them for a reason in the first place.I had the fortune to help somebody sell their ts astra,only 90 000km on the clock.Its a beast,and like you saw,i had almost no turbo lag at all,making it even faster and more enjoyable to drive.From the leather seats,the abs,the 6 speed gearbox it just adds to a super sweet driving experience,you dont want to climb out of it.Its up to the driver though to drive save,its not the car.
OPC Amen!
I drive an 07' Astra OPC and i have had a Golf 4 Gti,Subaru WRX and Civic V-tec and let me tell you i have never had such a nice car as the OPC,yes torque steer is rather apparent but you don't have to rape it to get power.It's got enough torque to get you going at low revs and i love the IDS system. OPC amen!!
What a car
What a car !! I live in Portugal and I had an Astra 1.4 Sportive that was almost equal to Astra 200ts. I'm a true fan of 200ts. Although the steering wheel is on the right side, I would love to have one. In Portugal the 2000 GSI 150 hp was very famous, as well as the Calibra Turbo. Is there any 200ts club ?
Anyone selling the TS?
My name is Oscar and please, anyone selling the TS, I want it. My number is 0729025086 or 084 954 7273. I am based in Johannesburg.
Brochure Kadett 200TS
Hello,
I am Arnold from the Netherlands.
Was wondering if there where brochures of the Kadett 200TS.
Because i collect car-brochures.
Greatings
ur email address
ur email address please...
will send u the CAR magazine write up
coffin on wheels
I still have one, I understand what you guys are saying about the car, you did have to have an acute driving sense to drive one, but I you think about, what can you buy to day for R129000 that can do 250km/h has aircon power steering electric windows etc.... I grew up driving that car, it is still one of the best feelings I get, when I get behind the wheel. It still nice to know that a car that is now some 12 years old can still eat a 'Scoobie snack' from light to light. ha ha!
Coffin on wheels
I wonder how many Kadett and Astran TS models have survived.
I consider these turbocharged models to be extremely dangerous, because there were no driver aids like ABS, airbags or traction control fiited. Moreover, torque steer was a real problem, as is usually the case with front-wheel-drive cars with this much power.
All this means that many of these cars must have been invloved in accidents (some of them probably fatal), and that not many of them are still on the roads today. At least the more recent Astra Turbo Coupe (a stunning car; one of the best-looking Opels ever after the 1900 GT and the Manta) and OPC are easier to handle. No thanks, I would rather not try to tame one of these beasts, even though I have completed an advanced driving coure. The Kadett and Astra 200ts models are coffins on wheels, end of story.
coffin on wheels?
The Opel Kadett and Astra Ts both came out standard with ABS and was two of the safest cars of its time. It all depends on who's driving. This car gives an exhilirating drive and like the Superboss is a South African Legend. These cars will always be remembered, end of story
Coffin on wheels
Daantjie - have you driven an Astra OPC... when you're on the biting edge - the understeer will catch you unawares. I take your point about the TS - however, ANY car is only as dangerous as the person behind the wheel.
i own a 200ts i know it from
i own a 200ts i know it from new its dun 64 000 and has had no damage at al its never even touched another car its got a 168kw at the wheels it snacks in first and second but its an amazing car around a track and it beat a new leon coupra buy 1 second with 4 people in the and the couper is poshing out 240kw wel thats wat he said. its al up to the driver and i got the car 2 prove it.
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