Great in concept and when working perfectly, but let down by age-related reliability and repair costs.
SPS is an interesting footnote in steering history. It proves Opel was trying to engineer genuine driver engagement before the industry went numb. But it is not a classic great system like Honda’s NSX electric power steering or BMW’s hydraulic M racks. It is simply "very good for a family hatchback of its era." opel sps
As speed builds, the system aggressively reduces assistance. At 130 km/h (80 mph) on the Autobahn, the steering becomes heavy, direct, and reassuring. There is no "wandering" or nervousness. This gives the driver genuine confidence. The weighting feels linear and predictable — it does not suddenly drop off, but progressively firms up. Great in concept and when working perfectly, but
While SPS is good, it is not "sporty" in the sense of a BMW E46 or a Honda Integra. The transition between low-speed and high-speed assistance, while smooth, can feel slightly artificial. Some drivers report a "dead zone" just off-center at medium speeds (50-70 km/h) where the steering feels light but not communicative. But it is not a classic great system