Box Autos

The Opel Astra line-up is off to a flying start: With its new sedan variant, new state-of-the-art powerhouse engines and assistance systems plus fresh design, the brand is enhancing its successful, award-winning compact bestseller and is making the new Astra line-up even more sporty and diverse. A sharper exterior and interior appearance underscores the sportiness and technical strengths of the compact car line. With the new sedan, the five-door variant, the Sports Tourer station wagon and the three-door GTC coupé as well as its high performance OPC version, the diverse Astra line-up is now complete.

The claim to offer the most emotional execution of Geman engineering in the hotly contested compact segment is supported by new state-of-the art engines that as of now and during the next six months will expand the already diverse performance spectrum of the Astra powertrain offer. The new Astra OPC which can already be ordered with its 2.0 turbocharged direct injection gasoline engine promises lots of fun behind the wheel. With an output of 206 kW/280 hp and maximum torque of 400 Newtonmeters, the Astra OPC is not only the most powerful Astra ever – and with an output of 200 Nm per liter the king of torque in the compact class. It is also the fastest Astra ever, as the top speed of this powerhouse coupé is 250 km/h and it can sprint from standstill to 100 km/h in just 6.0 seconds.

The fastest diesel Astra ever can be ordered starting in the fall: The new 2.0 BiTurbo CDTI with 143 kW/195 hp output and an impressive 400 Nm of torque is already known from the Insignia, but now for the first time introduces the sophisticated sequential BiTurbo engine technology complete with a twin-cooler system in the Astra line-up. Powered by two turbochargers that work together, this engine enables excellent performance combined with low fuel consumption in the Astra five-door, the Sports Tourer and the GTC. These three different body styles provide a choice of a high performance diesel models that is unparalleled in the compact segment.

Opel can also announce enhancements to its already existing 1.4 liter turbocharged gasoline unit with 103 kW/140 hp. This engine is now equipped with an overboost function that temporarily gives the vehicle an extra 10 percent burst of torque from 200 to 220 Nm which is very useful when overtaking for example.

Full spectrum – from 99 g/km CO2 ecoFLEX to high performance OPC variant

On the powertrain side, the new Astra line-up is able to satisfy an extraordinary array of customer wishes, from the most fuel efficient Astra ever, the 1.7 CDTI ecoFLEX (81 kW/110 hp and 96 kW/130 hp) with only 99 g/km CO2 (3.7 l/100 km) to the strongest diesel-powered Astra with its new 195 hp BiTurbo CDTI engine and the most powerful Astra in history, the new Astra OPC with 280 hp. Not forgetting the recent launch of the 1.4 turbocharged LPG versions (103 kW/140 hp) at the start of 2012, the powertrain offer of the Astra line-up is one of the most diverse in the compact segment. Furthermore, early next year the range will benefit from the introduction of the new SIDI (Spark Ignition Direct Injection) ECOTEC gasoline engine generation with a 1.6 liter displacement and turbocharging, providing not just ultra-efficient fuel consumption but also a very comfortable drive in the upper output level of up to 200 hp.

New assistance systems expand broad offer of innovative technologies

Further highlights which help to elevate the technical standards to an even more advanced level are also to be found in the field of driver assistance systems. Many premium technologies that have had their debut in the Insignia and the Zafira Tourer are now also available for the new Astra line-up for even more safety and comfort. These include the second generation Opel Eye front camera with the enhanced traffic sign assistant (TSA II), lane departure warning (LDW), following distance indication (FDI) and forward collision alert (FCA). These systems issue warnings to help prevent critical situations for example when the driver is distracted or loses concentration.

Other assistance systems include the rear view camera, advanced park assist that identifies spaces and aids with parking, as well as a side blind spot alert and a radar-based adaptive cruise control (ACC) with automatic collision imminent braking (CIB) which works in the range of 50 km/h to 180 km/h. The radar-based ACC helps the driver maintain the selected speed by automatically accelerating or decelerating while keeping a pre-set safety distance to the vehicle ahead.

The new systems complement the already existing broad Astra offer of innovative technologies, some of which are unique in the compact segment, while others are rarely found among competitors. These include the latest generation of intelligent adaptive forward lighting (AFL+) with bi-xenon headlamps and a host of sophisticated lighting functions, including high beam assist, dynamic curve light, cornering light, and variable light distribution that automatically adjusts according to prevailing conditions, including even the weather.

FlexRide for best possible ride and handling, HiPerStruts in all Astra GTC and OPC

On top of the already dynamic driving characteristics of the Astra, customers can opt for Opel’s intelligent mechatronic FlexRide system which adjusts automatically to the prevailing driving conditions and offers three modes: Standard, the comfort-oriented “Tour” mode and the more active “Sport” mode.

For sportier ride and handling, the Astra GTC and OPC models feature HiPerStruts (High Performance Struts) on the front wheel suspensions. The HiPerStruts improve grip, increase cornering power and significantly reduce torque steer allowing drivers to get the most out of the Astra’s performance.

For added comfort, ergonomic seats are offered in all Astra models. The AGR certified seats (Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V) are easy on the backs of the driver and front passenger.

The FlexFix bicycle carrier system which is exclusive to Opel is fully integrated in the rear bumper where it disappears like a drawer when not in use. The clever onboard system of the latest generation allows the Astra Sports Tourer to transport up to four bikes at a time. The five-door version can take up to two-bikes.

The Panoramic windscreen invented and patented by Opel reaches all the way to the middle of the car roof and thus gives the driver and all passengers in the Astra GTC and OPC models an extraordinary visual, space and driving experience. In contrast to other glass roof solutions, there is no transverse spar that reduces visibility.

Fresh Astra design with more sporty and upmarket accents

The Astra five-door and the Sports Tourer have been given a fresh face that is even more, sporty and upmarket than before. This also applies to the new four-door Astra sedan. The Opel design team concentrated on the front by giving it a more pronounced lower grille inspired by the design of the recently launched Astra GTC, featuring a grille mesh with a more technically precise design. The upper grill of the five-door, Sports Tourer and the four-door sedan has been given a more prominent wing-like chrome bar with three-dimensional visual depth to it. The new chrome bar has turned up tips, is more centered and appears to be floating in the grille. By adding black inserts to the headlamps, the entry level “Essentia” and the “Enjoy” trim levels have been given a more sporty design execution of the lights. LED daytime running lights are now also available with standard halogen headlamps.

At the rear, the license plate pocket of the Astra five-door has been sculpted in a new way creating more visual width. In both the five-door and the Sports Tourer, there is a new chrome strip in the bumper just below the license plate pocket that also adds to the impression of width.

The new BiTurbo high performance diesel variants of the five-door, Sports Tourer and GTC have been given an even sportier and sharper exterior appearance which varies from model to model. The front fascia of the BiTurbo Astra body versions (GTC, Sports Tourer and 5-door) underscore the cars’ high performance and more aggressive nature. The upper grille has a similar shape as the one used on the Astra GTC, however the front bar is always in body color and the five-door sedan and Sports Tourer BiTurbo models feature the new wing-shaped bar across the grille. The lower air intake area has also been given a sporty design treatment: the area where the central grille merges into the outer grille has been sculpted in a shark-fin like shape, making the car appear more aggressive than a conventional Astra. The whole side window surrounds of the five-door and Sports Tourer BiTurbo models are executed in chrome, but in the case of the GTC Biturbo the lower window insert is black. At the rear, two exhaust tail pipes and a more prominent rear bumper shape, give the BiTurbo models an added muscular stance.

Inside the cabin, the Astra five-door, the Sports Tourer and the four-door sedan have been made sportier, more lively and varied by using new fabrics, colors, décor moldings with new glossy paint. In the case of the BiTurbo models, JetBlack colored fabrics or leather are combined with Magic Red in the edge of the seats. Magic red stitching and seams in the seats, door inserts and the gear shifter boot add to the sporty atmosphere of the interior. A new flat bottom leather steering wheel and special floor mats with red surrounds are other sporty components of the BiTurbo cabin.

Astra customers can now also benefit from new wheel designs. New 17” alloy wheels come as standard in the Sport trim level and there are two new optional 18” and 19” alloy wheels, both with a 5-double spoke stylish design. In addition, a new sporty multi-spoke wheel alloy-style cover makes its debut in the Astra.

Astra continues Opel’s compact success story

With the greatly enhanced new Astra line-up Opel is building on the success of its bestselling compact car that won numerous awards including the prestigious German Golden Steering Wheel (2009) and was recently recognized with the best rating in the 2012 DEKRA used car quality report.

The Astra model family, which has been available to order since June, is a key component of the brand. Around a third of all Opel cars sold are Astras. Opel is now into its tenth generation of vehicles in the compact segment and its fourth Astra generation which has gained more than 700,000 customers across Europe. Thanks to its five-door Astra launched in the fall of 2009, followed by the Sports Tourer a year later and the three-door GTC Coupé (late 2011). This means that the Astra is the European number three (Germany: number two) in the sales ranking in the largest vehicle segment in Europe which makes up around a quarter of the entire marketplace.

Prices for the new Opel Astra line-up start at 16,770 euro (recommended retail price in Germany including VAT) for the five-door, 1.4 liter gasoline 64 kW/87 hp Astra entry level “Essentia” version. The new four-door Astra sedan with a 1.4 liter gasoline engine 74 kW/100 hp can be ordered from 18,270 euro (same conditions as above).