Opel unveiled the all-new sixth-generation Astra. The story of Opel's bestseller began 30 years ago with a descendent of the famous Kadett. The German manufacturer is now starting a new chapter with the all-new Astra: the small class vehicle is available with electric propulsion for the first time.
As a plug-in hybrid, Opel will offer the new Astra in two performance levels. Other variants have highly efficient gasoline and diesel engines mated to friction-optimized six-speed manual and eight-speed automatic gearboxes.
The new Opel Astra also serves as a design statement for the company. Energetic as never before, with transparent, tight surfaces stripped of extraneous components and the new Opel Vizor as the brand face. Opel demonstrates with the following small class generation that Astra is poised to establish a new era.
This year, the new Opel Astra will be sold as a sporty five-door with a low-slung appearance and greater capacity than its predecessor. Its length of 4,374 mm and breadth of 1,860 mm place it in the compact sector's sweet spot.
Despite a significantly expanded wheelbase of 2,675 mm (+13 mm), the new Astra is just 4 mm longer than the previous model, thanks to a particularly short front overhang. Despite its strong, confident posture, the new Astra's practical trunk with adjustable floor still provides 422 liters of baggage capacity for the driver and four passengers.
The next generation was conceived and developed in Opel's Rüsselsheim headquarters, where production will begin this autumn. The newcomer, like its predecessor, offers improvements to the small class that buyers previously only knew from more costly vehicles. The new Opel Astra, for example, can transform darkness into day: the latest version of Opel's flagship Insignia's adaptable Intelli-Lux LED Pixel light, with 168 LED components, dominates the small and midsize market segments.
The inside of the new generation Astra has seen a time shift. Analog instruments are a thing of the past with the Pure Panel's all-digital design. Instead, the latest human-machine interface (HMI) with new, current visuals provides clients with a more pure, intuitive experience. Passengers may use the new Opel Astra's extra-wide touchscreens to manage it like they would a smartphone. Opel designers and engineers have made great efforts to ensure that the driver receives all required information and helpful operational options while not being overwhelmed with unnecessary data or functions. Furthermore, critical settings like climate control may still be accessed by physical switches and buttons.
Typical Opel is also the new compact class model's exceptional seating comfort. The in-house created front seats are AGR ("Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V.") approved and, thanks to their excellent ergonomics, are incredibly comfortable, especially on long travels. In addition, the driver is assisted with cutting-edge technology such as the head-up display, the Intelli-Drive 2.0 support system, and the Intelli-Vision 360-degree cameras.
"The all-new Astra — the birth of a new Blitz!" With stunning design and cutting-edge technology. Electrified and extremely efficient for the lowest possible emissions, a new age begins. The Opel Astra is meticulously crafted down to the slightest detail. "We are convinced that the next generation Astra will be another bestseller and draw many new consumers to the brand," said Michael Lohscheller, CEO of Opel.
"The new Opel Astra marks the thrilling next stage in our new design execution," says Mark Adams, Vice President Design. "With its dramatic Vizor front face, powerful muscular wheel arch blisters, and sheer surfacing, the new Astra exudes a sporty, confident demeanor. The interior also takes a big stride forward. The new Pure Panel's powerful driver-oriented cockpit with seamless glass appearance will provide our consumers with an entirely new emotional experience."
The same German perfection can be seen throughout the inside, with the highlight being the latest version of the Pure Panel, which initially debuted in the Opel Mokka. This spacious digital cockpit (optionally completely glazed) has two 10-inch screens that are perfectly incorporated in a horizontal configuration – along with the driver's side air vent. Furthermore, the lack of a cowl over the screens is due to a shutter-like covering that prevents upward reflections in the windscreen, which further improves the high-tech functioning and atmosphere.
The Pure Panel delivers the optimal equilibrium between digitization and intuitive operation, free of distracting optical stimuli and without the need for sub-menus, by reducing physical controls to a bare minimum in the form of carefully made keys. There is no need for wires, either, because the new generation of multimedia entertainment systems with linked services – which can be managed via natural language, voice control, and touch – are standardly connected to wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via compatible smartphones.
The new Opel Astra is built on the third iteration of the highly adaptable EMP2 multi-energy architecture, with Opel DNA integrated from the beginning. The steering and lateral rigidity of the chassis – McPherson strut suspension in front, torsion bar in the back – are optimized for excellent yaw control (damping of the movement around the horizontal axis). The new model provides tremendous stopping power when braking and stays stable in both bends and straight lines. The new Astra's torsional rigidity is 14% higher than that of its predecessor.
The design of the new Opel Astra also features the most advanced automatic driver assistance technologies. Furthermore, the system includes four body cameras, five radar sensors, and ultrasonic sensors. In Intelli-Drive 2.0, cameras and sensors are integrated with e-horizon connectivity, extending the range of the cameras and radar. This allows the Intelli-Drive to adjust the speed in bends, offer speed suggestions, and conduct semi-automatic lane changes; hands-off recognition on the steering wheel guarantees that the driver is always engaged.
The Astra's position as a bearer of modern technology continues in lighting and seating, which are traditional areas of competence for the Opel brand. The previous model was a pioneer in introducing adaptable matrix light in 2015. The following version is now bringing the latest lighting advancement to the compact market sector for the first time – Intelli-Lux LED Pixel Light. This cutting-edge technology currently available on Opel's Grandland SUV and Insignia flagships have a segment-leading 168 LED components.
The new Opel Astra's AGR seats are the finest in the small class, with various modifications ranging from electronic tilt to electro-pneumatic lumbar support. They even feature ventilation, massaging for the driver, and rear and front heating with Nappa leather trim. Seats with elegant Alcantara detailing are also offered.
The new Opel Astra will be offered with a plug-in hybrid electric drive and highly economical petrol and diesel engines from the start of sales, electrifying Opel's small class car for the first time in the brand's history. The power ranges from 81 kW (110 hp) to 96 kW (130 hp) for the petrol and diesel models and up to 165 kW (225 hp) for the plug-in hybrid variations. The petrol and diesel engines come standard with a six-speed manual transmission. An eight-speed automatic transmission is an option on the more powerful engines.
Opel will begin accepting orders for the new Astra this October. The first buyers will receive their vehicles early next year. @via Opel.
