Officially Official: 2010 Opel Astra revealed ahead of Frankfurt debut
by Damon Lavrinc on May 13th 2009 at 2:58PM 
2010 Opel Astra - Click above for a high-res image gallery
After yesterday's impromptu internet unveiling of the 2010 Opel Astra, General Motors has finally let the details out on its next-generation compact before its official debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September.
The 2010 Astra's design is inspired by the Opel Insignia, sporting all-new sheet metal that takes cues from its mid-size sibling and packages it into a smaller, more fluid shape. The fascia, headlamps and rump remain true to Opel's new design direction, along with the sculpted sides and cab-forward greenhouse.
The same Delta 2 global platform used on the Cruze and Volt underpins the new Astra, measuring in at 174 inches, with a wheelbase that stretches 2.8 inches longer than the outgoing model. The "wing and blade" design employed on the exterior carries through to the interior, and joins ergonomic seats and the new Opel Eye front camera system, which recognizes road signs and warns drivers if they veer out of their lane.
Buyers abroad have the choice of eight different engines, including four CDTI common-rail diesels with displacements ranging from 1.3- to 2.0-liters and outputs between 95 and 160 hp. Another four gasoline-powered mills, with displacements between 1.4- and 1.6-liters, doll out between 100 and 180 hp along with a new turbocharged 1.4-liter that replaces the outgoing naturally aspirated 1.8-liter and puts out 140 hp and 14% more torque, while lowering fuel consumption.
The wraps come off the five-door Astra later this year, while a four-door sedan, three-door hatch and a two-mode hybrid variant are expected to debut in 2010. Sales should begin towards the end of 2009, and although Saturn's future is all but sealed in the States, we wouldn't be surprised to see the General import the Astra to the U.S. to finally provide a credible contender to the Mazda3. All the details, along with a video of the Astra, are available below the fold.
Gallery: 2010 Opel Astra
PRESS RELEASE
New Opel Astra: The First Class Compact
- Upscale: Exceptional technologies and innovations in the compact class
- Spirited: Athletic sculptured design promises a thrilling driving experience
- Agile: New mechatronic chassis raises bar in class for handling and comfort
The next generation 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.
"Opel's unique expertise of making new technologies accessible in compact cars is really highlighted with this tenth generation. In addition, the new Astra carries the spirit of the Insignia into the compact segment with unprecedented passion and commitment to excellence," says Alain Visser, Vice President of Opel.
At 4.42 meters, the new Astra offers increased passenger space and wellness in both the front and rear thanks to a 71 mm longer wheel base. Its slim and sleek body is designed for maximum efficiency in close collaboration between the designers and aerodynamic engineers who put the car through 600 hours of testing in a wind tunnel.
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. The brand's new design language – sculptural artistry combined with German precision – is now seen in a different way.
"The design themes introduced in the Insignia, like the wing and the blade, have been given a fresh interpretation in the Astra, because it's important that each Opel model has its own personality," says Mark Adams, Vice President of Design, General Motors Europe. "This is why you see double wings in each of the rear lights and a dynamic inverted blade on the flank that visually connects to the powerful movement of the rear window and C-pillar."
The interior uses the same wing and blade design cues as the exterior, creating harmony inside and out. A special effort, too, has been made to add multiple flexible storage solutions.
"Opel's mission to make high tech innovations accessible has proven to be successful in the Insignia. We've set ourselves an even more ambitious goal in bringing most of these features to the compact segment with the new Astra," says Hans Demant, Managing Director of Opel.
Developed in Rüsselsheim, Germany, the Opel Astra also comes with an all-new chassis. Its longer wheelbase combines with wider tracks and a new rear axle construction to further enhance agility and stability with no compromise to comfort.
The Opel Astra's chassis has been developed as a mechatronic system that fully integrates mechanical functions and electronic controls. Like the Insignia, it can come with the clever Opel FlexRide electronic driving system, a rarity in this class, which offers the driver three settings – standard, Sport and Tour – while being fully and continuously adaptive to changes in driving style and cornering speed.
Other innovative technical features introduced to the compact class by the new Astra:
- A new generation of bi-xenon Advanced Forward Lighting (AFL+) that changes its intensity and reach to suit prevailing drive and road conditions using nine different lighting functions.
- The Opel Eye front camera system, which recognizes road signs and warns the driver when the car inadvertently departs from its lane.
- Ergonomic front seats, developed for optimal back support and safety.
The CDTI turbo diesel line-up includes four common-rail, multiple injection units from 1.3 to 2.0 liter with outputs ranging from 70 kW/95 hp to 118 kW/160 hp. All are equipped with a Diesel Particulate Filter. An ecoFLEX version with particularly low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions will naturally be part of the program.
The four gasoline engines with 1.4 and 1.6 liter give a power bandwidth from 74 kW/100 hp to 132 kW/180 hp. A new, downsized 103 kW/140 hp 1.4 Turbo replaces the current naturally-aspirated 1.8. Thanks to exceptional high-tech features in this displacement range, the 1.4 Turbo develops 14 percent more torque yet maintains sensibly lower fuel consumption.
Grounded in the compact class tradition Opel initiated in 1936 with the first Kadett, the Astra has consistently made the top-three list of Europe's best-selling compacts – a segment which accounts for 27 percent of the total car market. Astra sales make up a third of all Opel/Vauxhall purchases, for an average volume of nearly 500,000 units per year.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Kitko 3:04PM (5/13/2009)
This is a "corporate marketing", target customers are other car manufacturers and pretty much anybody willing to invest into Opel's operations.
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BoxerFanatic 3:08PM (5/13/2009)
That is what I was wondering... I thought Opel was up for sale, as is Saturn in the US...
So exactly what customer is this for.... you're right, other car companies looking at buying opel as a whole.
Maybe Opel's new buyers will make a nice new Opel GT sports car, and bring it to the US... But I am not holding my breath.
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Sea Urchin 3:11PM (5/13/2009)
What if this was sold as a Chevy in USA right now?
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Aprime 3:14PM (5/13/2009)
I would hate to see that car with a gold bowtie on it.
Bloke 3:21PM (5/13/2009)
The car wasn't developed by Opel - it was developed at Opel by GM Europe. The Vauxhall version was simultaneously press-released today as well. The UK gets one less petrol engine than the continent at this juncture: a 1.4 litre non-turbo, 1.4 turbo, and 1.6 turbo petrol variants. In addition, there are four turbodiesel units: a 1.3, 1.7 and two 2.0 variants - the former two from the Corsa and latter two from the Insignia. The 1.7 diesel ecoflex and a petrol-electric hybrid arrive next year.
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schneider 3:22PM (5/13/2009)
Nice Vibe!
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Henry 3:22PM (5/13/2009)
So what you’re saying is that barring the recession, this is the new SATURN ASTRA.
@$*!%# recession!
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Swede 3:33PM (5/13/2009)
Time to trade in the old one. Also, indicators in the foglights, way cool.
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Iridium 3:36PM (5/13/2009)
It is a nice car. It lacks a certain punch though. Put a Hyundai badge on it and it would look right.
Opel is a cool company. A real Opel GT would be a fantastic car to have back in the USA aling with the Astra which is a perfect replacement for the 1900 Cadet.
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akboss302 4:03PM (5/13/2009)
Re: "...finally a contender for the Mazda3"
While it may not be up to the fit and finish levels of the Mazda3, I'd buy a current Astra before I bought a new Mazda. Better warranty (isn't GM offering 5 years comp. now?), huge incentives, cheaper insurance, better on gas, etc. In Ontario they're offering 0% financing for 60 months, most manufacturers only offer 0% for 36.
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Kitko 5:14PM (5/13/2009)
Well, as far as I know, Opel offers only a 2-year warranty in most EU countries.
Mazda gives you one year more (3 years or 100,000 km). Europeans tend to drive much less than Americans in three years so if you're not high-mile commuter or travelling salesman, 3 year or 100K arrangement tends to work better in warranty sense.
Bloke 6:16PM (5/13/2009)
Opel offers a two year warranty but beginning with the Insignia, bumped that up to six years. It also offers a twelve year anti corrosion warranty on all models.
Vauxhall offers a three year warranty in the UK which is fairly standard (even the likes of Hyundai only offer five year warranties here), in addition to a six year anti-corrosion warranty.
The Inland Revenue considers average annual mileage here to be between 12K-18K miles per annum, the same as the IRS does in the States. The big difference is that Americans tend to vacation more via road trips, whereas Europeans usually fly instead.
Jens 4:05PM (5/13/2009)
A reasonable facsimile of a Mazda 3 from a company with an uncertain future. It would take a lot of incentives to entice someone to buy the Astra over its competition. The Mazda 3 (hopefully soon to be Mazdaspeed 3) and the Subaru Imprezza WRX are simply much better buys... from companies that won't likely disappear before the warranty runs out.
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Bloke 4:10PM (5/13/2009)
You don't need to worry. North America is highly unlikely to see the mk6 Astra, and in Europe it will go on sale, regardless of who owns Opel - because this is a GM Europe product. And in Europe, it doesn't need to worry about small-bit players like the Mazda 3 or Subaru Impreza, either: it needs to worry about its key rivals - Golf, 308, Focus, Bravo, Auris and Megane.
Kevin 4:05PM (5/13/2009)
Hmmm... they stole my Impreza's headlights.
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Kalle 4:14PM (5/13/2009)
Damn good looking Opel. I wonder if this will end up in the US in some guise.
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happyfun86 4:28PM (5/13/2009)
Great looking car. Just stick the LNF in there and you've got yourself a winner. The only problem is that the only rebadge that wouldn't destroy that good-looking front end is Saturn, and of course that's not gonna happen. I'd rather GM keep this in Europe than for them to muddle the front end with an ugly Chevy split grille.
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Brem 4:38PM (5/13/2009)
I hope Chevrolet bring it here to South America like the old one!!! I want it!!!
I was saving for a Mazda 3 but it was a totally disappointment, and Subaru was worst with its Impreza. Even Mitsubishi was a failure with its Lancer I think. Definitely Opel has a winner with this model.
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macroceli 5:00PM (5/13/2009)
Very nice looking
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egon 5:31PM (5/13/2009)
Imported as a Saturn would be fine, but not Chevy.
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