Opel have released full details of their all new, sixth generation Astra, a car that has its origins as the Kadett.
The new car features Opel’s new Vizor design and will come with petrol, diesel and for the first time, plug in hybrid powertrains.
We won’t see the car here in Ireland until early next year, but customers can order the car from Autumn of 2021.
The Astra will launch as a five door with much more interior space than the outgoing model. Even though it’s only 4mm longer, it has a longer wheelbase and it also offers 422 litres of luggage space.
The design of the Astra follows on from the styling of the recently launched Mokka, Crossland and Grandland models with the new Opel emblem stretching across the front of the car, making it look even wider. At the rear, the Opel badge doubles as the catch for the tailgate, which is made of a composite material.
Inside, the instrument panel is dominated by a digital cockpit featuring two 10 inch displays which employ a shitter like arrangement instead of a hood to reduce windscreen reflections.
Key settings, including climate control can still be operated by physical buttons and there’s wireless CarPlay and Android Auto capable of being operated by voice control or touch.
The seats are certified by the Campaign for Healthy Backs, with the front seats 12mm lower than before, which is great to see, considering that most car makers are going for higher and higher seating positions. Both electric tilt and electro-pneumatic lumbar support are on offer as well as heating, ventilation and massage functions.
Now that Opel are part of the PSA Group, the new Astra is based on the EMP2 platform and the new car’s chassis is 14% stiffer than before which benefits both ride and handling.
The latest driver assistance systems are also available with four cameras, five radar sensors and ultrasonic sensors all being employed to bring the most advanced safety features to the fore.
The new car also makes use of the latest developments of LED lighting, straight from the Insignia, with 168 individual LED lights which can be controlled independently for the best possible vision at night.
Petrol and diesel models will range from 110bhp to 130bhp with the plug in hybrid variants offering up to 225bhp. A six speed manual gearbox is standard with the option of an eight speed auto on more powerful models.
The new Opel Astra is set to arrive early next year.
