Stylish new Astra on the way in September

The new Opel Astra will arrive in Ireland in September.

In terms of styling, it  complements the attractive curves of the Insignia and, says Opel, with a sporting and elegant design, together with build quality, it is set to become "a core product in the Opel Astra line-up".

The new Astra features what Opel describes as advanced technologies and highest standards and provides wider choice for prospective customers in the  mid-size segment. With the  new four-door saloon, the five-door hatchback, the Sports Tourer and the nippy  GTC coupe, the line-up of Opel’s top-seller Astra is complete.

At the start of sales in Ireland, customers can initially choose between six engines for the new Astra saloon: three petrol units 1.4i (100hp), 1.6i six-speed automatic (115hp), 1.4 turbo (140hp) and three diesel engines ranging from 95hp to 130hp.

Two Astra saloon 1.7 CDTI ecoFLEX models with Start/Stop system and further efficiency enhancing technologies combine powerful outputs of 110 hp or 130 hp with low diesel consumption figures of  3.7 litres per 100 kilometres. This is equivalent to only 99g/km CO2 emissions.

In addition to this broad power-train range, early next year the new Astra four-door will benefit from the launch of Opel’s new SIDI ECOTEC four-cylinder petrol engine generation with 1.6 litres displacement, turbo-charging and spark ignition direct injection.

The new Astra saloon (Length/Width/Height: 4,658/1,814/1,476 mm) has a wheelbase of 2,685 mm and provides generous interior space. Its separate boot compartment offers 460 litres of volume - 90 litres more than the five-door model. By folding the 60:40 split rear bench flat the luggage volume can be increased up to a maximum of 1,010 litres.

The car has a very stylish and sleek silhouette. The roofline arcs gently over the passenger area and descends in a sweep through the steeply raked rear screen to the sculpted aerodynamic lip at the end of the short rear deck. And because the raked C-pillar stretches so far back into the rear deck area, it visually conceals the size of the trunk.

The feature line running through the door handles becomes more defined towards the rear, creating a muscular 'shoulder' effect below the base of the C-pillar and the rear deck.

The rear is characterised by the steeply raked rear screen, the integrated deck spoiler, and the broad sweep of the sculpted bumper. The design of the tail lights echoes those of other Astra models, and the crease which links them adds width and avoids any impression of bulkiness.

The lamps also have an inner wing shape for the taillight function that continues the Opel brand signature.

Opel's Vice President of Design, Mark Adams, says Opel believes that the new Astra four-door saloon is the “best proportioned and most stylish saloon currently available in the compact segment.”

Customers who wish to make their Astra four-door visually even more attractive, can choose from a wide offer of wheel designs of sizes up to 19 inches.

The car comes with an array of technological highlights – some are unique, some are unusual for the segment.

The Advanced Forward Lighting (AFL+) with bi-xenon headlamps and a host of sophisticated lighting functions including variable light distribution, curve light, cornering light and high-beam assist greatly enhance active safety.

The adaptive FlexRide chassis system automatically adjusts damping to the prevailing driving conditions and gives the driver the choice between three different modes – Standard, the comfort oriented Tour mode and the more responsive Sport mode.

The highly ergonomic seats that are easy on the back are available for the driver and the front passenger.

In addition, there are several infotainment systems including the  Navi 900 sat-nav with the routes of more than 30 European countries and a digital travel guide stored on an SD card.

"This new Astra represents a massive opportunity for Opel in Ireland, where there is considerable demand for compact saloons. Its a stylish more affordable solution to many four-door saloons in the mid-size segment,” commented Dave Sheeran, Managing Director Opel Ireland.