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New Opel Astra: Sculpted and engineered for the compact class.

The new Opel Astra brings new momentum to the European compact class.

15 Sep 2009

Spirited: Athletic sculptured design promises a thrilling driving experience
Agile: New mechatronic chassis raises bar in class for handling and comfort
Efficient: Clean and powerful engine range lowers carbon footprint
Upscale: Exceptional technologies and innovations in the compact class

Re-energizing Europe’s compact car segment

The new Astra brings many comfort and safety features to the compact class that the Insignia first introduced to mid-sized cars. Exceptional technologies like an all-new mechatronic chassis, the most advanced lighting system, a front camera that recognizes traffic signs and seat technology with the best ergonomics will be available.

New Opel Astra - Opel’s New Design Language Reinterpreted

Opel’s new design language reinterpreted for the compact class

The new Opel Astra brings into the compact class its own interpretation of the brand’s award-winning design language of combining sculptural artistry with German precision first seen in the Insignia. Its strong coupé-like silhouette and stylish details add to a new handsome look. Elegant proportions give it a strong, cab-forward silhouette, with a steeply-raked windshield and falling rear roofline, adding visual excitement to the traditional hatchback format.

New mechatronic chassis system and Watt’s link in rear axle

The Opel Astra’s chassis has been developed as a mechatronic system that fully integrates mechanical functions and electronic controls. The new Astra retains the fun-to-drive character of the previous model, with significant improvements in steering response and ride comfort. Opel engineers are the first to combine a compound crank rear axle with a Watts link. It makes the car dynamic and agile without compromising on stability and comfort. FlexRide adaptive suspension, a rarity in this class, offers the driver three settings – standard, Sport and Tour – while continuously adapting to changes in driving style and cornering speed.

Clean engine line-up reduces emissions by 12 percent

The new Astra will launch with a complete line-up of eight engines ranging from 70 kW (95 bhp) to 132 kW (180 bhp), perfectly illustrating Opel’s philosophy of providing drivers with affordable, real-life efficiency.

The Astra’s line-up of powertrains with manual transmission provides impressive performance and overall cuts CO2 emissions by more than 12 percent compared with the current generation. The average fuel consumption of the diesel engines is 4.6 l/100 km and only 6.1 l/100 km for the gasoline line-up.

New Opel Astra - More Innovative Technical Features Introduced

More innovative technical features introduced to the compact class in the new Astra:

A new generation of bi-xenon Advanced Forward Lighting (AFL+) that changes its intensity and reach to suit prevailing driving and road conditions.

The Opel Eye front camera system, which recognizes road signs and warns the driver when the car inadvertently departs from its lane.

Ergonomic Sport Seats can extend 280 millimeters in length to accommodate long legs.

FlexFloor, moveable trunk floor which enables easy stowage of a wide variety of cargo.

FlexFix, Opel’s innovative bike-carrier, is integrated behind the rear bumper and offered as an option on the new Astra hatchback.

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