The sixth generation of Opel’s evergreen Astra has arrived in showrooms around the country, sporting the new Opel Vizor grille and new surfacing.
Of course Opel is now part of the larger Stellantis group so the Astra shares a lot with the recently launched Peugeot 308, although the two are distinctly different.
Initial engine choices include a 1.2 litre petrol and 1.5 litre diesel options, ranging between 110bhp and 130bhp. A 180bhp plug in hybrid will follow, with a further 225bhp variant coming on stream later.
Both automatic and manual gearboxes are available although if you want a manual, it’s not available on all models and reading between the lines it may not be too long before the Astra is auto only, following an increasingly popular trend.
We had a brief drive of the new car at the Irish launch and it’s a comfortable drive with plenty of interior space for the family.
The cockpit is an all new affair with clear instrumentation and dominated by two 10inch horizontal displays, which are standard across the range. Although there’s a touchscreen, naturally, there are plenty of buttons to control functions, which is much safer when driving. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto can be operated by voice or touch controls.
Three trims are available: SC, SRI and Elite, with the range starting from €27,995. Standard kit across the range includes those touchscreens, cruise control with speed limiter, lane keeping, intelligent speed adaption, climate control, comfort front seats, DAB radio, 16” alloy wheels and front and rear parking sensors.
SRI trim, which starts from €31,995 offers niceties including adaptive cruise control, keyless entry, heated steering wheel, dual zone climate control, folding mirrors, half leather, heated AGR driver seat with lumbar adjustment, 17” alloy wheels and 360 degree panoramic camera.
Elite starts from €34,995 and brings Nappa leather seats with massage, ventilation and memory, 18 way adjustment for the driver’s seat and AGR seat for the passenger along with 18” bi-colour diamond cut wheels.
