Opel pulls the wraps off the 2010 Astra's interior
by Damon Lavrinc on Jun 18th 2009 at 11:01AM 
2010 Opel Astra - Click above for a high-res image gallery
Although we're still a few months away from seeing the 2010 Opel Astra in the flesh at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the automaker has released a bevy of interior images of its new compact hatch following the reveal of the fully redesigned exterior.
The new interior takes a huge stride beyond the current model's drab yet functional environment, with upgraded materials and a completely reworked center stack housing controls for the sat-nav, HVAC and infotainment systems. It's mildly mobile phone-like and you wouldn't be alone seeing shades of the new Ford Fiesta in the Astra's center console.
Additionally, there's a redesigned glovebox with removable compartments for pens and coins, an optional compartment under the passenger seat and ambient lighting piped into the door handle surrounds, gear lever recess and center stack.
Based on the new Delta platform that underpins the Chevrolet Cruze, the new Astra will be available abroad later this year, packing a host of gasoline and diesel powerplants with outputs ranging from 100 to 180 hp. Make the jump for the release, along with a groovetastic video of the Astra's new insides.
Gallery: 2010 Opel Astra
PRESS RELEASE
The New Opel Astra: Sporty with a Touch of Elegance
- Opel's dynamic design language newly interpreted for the compact class car
- Driver-focused interior combines drama and warmth
- High quality components and materials match upscale execution
The exterior of the new generation Astra, which debuts in September at the IAA in Frankfurt, boasts a strong cab-forward, fluid silhouette. Inside, high quality materials and a total re-think of the design add to the excitement of driving a compact car. Moreover, Opel has added innovative extras – higher quality materials, more storage, improved seats and safer bumpers – to give the Astra comfort, health and safety features not usually seen in the compact class.
"The design of the new Astra takes all the best Opel has to offer and delivers it to the compact class," says Mark Adams, Vice President of Design for GM Europe. "We have built a five-door hatchback that is as beautiful as it is safe, comfortable and practical."
Exterior design gives Opel philosophy a new twist
Designers have given Opel's new philosophy an interpretation fitting for the compact class using the same wing and blade styling cues first introduced on the mid-sized Insignia. Sculpted into the side panels of the new generation Astra, the blade sweeps rear ward and upward, connecting with the side window line, giving the car balance and harmony. Eagle eye-shaped headlamps that encompass the prominent signature wing daytime running lights give the Astra face a low, sporty character.
A graceful flowing silhouette connects the muscular shoulder lines with an expressive rear to make it sporty yet elegant. On the front fascia, the next generation Astra re-interprets the new Opel face by using the small upper grille to frame the new Opel logo, while emphasizing the bigger, bolder lower opening so as to create a sportier look.
Inside, design cues used to create driver-focused styling
Echoing the flowing forms of the bodywork, the hallmarks of the interior are sweeping lines and shapes that are executed with care. Interior designers achieve that, for instance, by creating bold, dynamic shapes that use materials intelligently. Everything drivers and passengers touch has been given a refined, high quality feel. In addition, Opel has created two new progressive interior color and trim combination – Spice Red and Ocean Blue – especially for the Astra.
The interior also continues Opel's recurring wing and blade motifs. In this execution, the blade theme is expressed in details like the shape of the door grab handles and the trim for gearshift molding and steering wheel. The wing design cue is immediately evident in the warm, inviting wraparound instrument panel that embraces front seat occupants. It arcs across the cabin into the top of the door moldings.
Health, safety and comfort added via storage, seats and bumper improvements
The Opel Astra has added practicality through greatly increased storage and clever solutions for a compact class car that include a mini glove box on the driver's side and a drawer under the front passenger seat.
New, high quality seat technology brings added comfort and help to backs. In addition, safety was a major consideration in design. A new, intelligent bumper is intended to minimize damage in front and rear collisions, reducing injury to pedestrians and passengers and saving money in repairs and insurance.
Execution matched by great components and perceptual quality
Opel designers and engineers believe quality execution also must be matched by what the customer sees and feels. Such perceptual quality is particularly important in the interior, where the appearance and tactile properties of all materials must be on a par with their high standard of fit and finish.
The quality of the materials used in the new Astra is evident in such things as the grained, soft-touch surfaces, the textured panels, the quality of the décor, the chrome trim elements, and the feel of operating buttons and switches.
Quality in execution, quality in the materials used and quality as perceived by the customer add up to the new Astra's upscale appearance. Together they deliver the sculptural artistry and German precision of Opel's new design language.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
phelan 11:06AM (6/18/2009)
hey, it looks like an Audi in there!
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sulebon 11:06AM (6/18/2009)
Wow that is a very nice interior, the center stack reminds me of the Genesis Coupe though...
Problem with GM (before anyways) seems to be they have great looking interiors but when it hits productions the quality seems lacking (think new Malibu).
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zamafir 11:07AM (6/18/2009)
It should remind you of their other products too, that center stack, the placement of the ac vents, everything is about as basic as their new interior design language gets - which is a good thing, a default interior on par, if not better than, their Japanese rivals.
Sam 11:30AM (6/18/2009)
It's not a GM product its a Vauxhall/Opel one. Anything that has come out of Europe has always been better built than US.
dave1w41 11:42AM (6/18/2009)
I don't really understand the crack about the interior on the Malibu.. There's nothing wrong with the production interior - it's better than most in the class and may be best-in-class.
dave1w41 11:42AM (6/18/2009)
Better designed maybe... Better built - not on your life. Cadillac Catera comes to mind.
From My Cube 12:08PM (6/18/2009)
looks like the volt interior
zamafir 12:09PM (6/18/2009)
"It's not a GM product its a Vauxhall/Opel one"
Which is why it looks damn near identical to this design language:
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/12/x10ar_ct002_opt.jpg
I'm not sure you could make a convincing case that the Opel shot above is any different, if not drastically different than this domestic GM interior. Both are damn near the same when taking into account the disparity between class of cars.
Mr.Oak 12:22PM (6/18/2009)
You're full of crap. Why did you think the original Saturn Astra failed here? Interior was garbage. I have ridden in some pretty trashy european cars in my day. Fiat, Simca, Renault, Citroen.
You ignorant european hacks. Open\Vauxhall was and until the sale becomes final, GM companies. I ought to know my family's first car was a '59 Vauxhall Cresta.
Bloke 1:20PM (6/18/2009)
"I ought to know my family's first car was a '59 Vauxhall Cresta."
Ah well, that makes you a complete authority then on the matter. I myself have owned a number of Vauxhall/Opel products over the years too.
Vauxhall and Opel are both GM subsidiaries, although a reorganisation of GM in the UK recently made Vauxhall a subsidiary of a subsidiary of GM.
The mk5 Astra's interior was hardly garbage. It was very well screwed together and used good quality materials. However, it was also very teutonic for many tastes, and especially so in America where faux wood and chrome trim are still the preferred materials when people can get their hands on it.
zamafir 1:48PM (6/18/2009)
@Bloke, just ignore him, he's taken my angry poster mantle and must now grumpify the comments. Hell, who was he even replying to with such angst?
@ and "" are your friend Mr. Oak :).
falcon5768 2:31PM (6/18/2009)
@Mr.Oak No you idiot, it failed here because GM sucked at advertising Saturns (does anyone even remember a Saturn Astra commercial?) brought it over slightly overpriced for the segment because of exchange rates, and Americans in general have HORRIBLE taste which is why they drive fugly Japanese cars designed for their grandmothers, and not real drivers or big hulking SUV that are about as utilitarian as a coupe and get 5 mpg.
Rochester, NY 11:07AM (6/18/2009)
Seriously, does everything have to be outlined? It's like a coloring book.
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Luis 11:10AM (6/18/2009)
I agree - a few accents here and there add a touch of class. Outlining everything in cheap silver plastic looks cartoonish.
Kitko 11:10AM (6/18/2009)
Seriously, put more buttons on the central console.....
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Taglane 11:22AM (6/18/2009)
Please please please. Tell Honda that.
Judy Zik 11:34AM (6/18/2009)
Not only that let's make a bunch of them the same size so it will be easy for a driver paying attention to the road to hit the wrong one. Bizzare button overload was one of the things that ruined the previous Astra for me.
akboss302 11:52AM (6/18/2009)
My thoughts exactly. The more I see button-flooded dash layouts, the more I understand iDrive. I know its a pain, but keep the technically detailed stuff in a computer somewhere and have a few knobs and switches for the basics. Remember when GM had the stereo's with the Equalizers on the dash? There was like eight little faders for sound control.
Gary 11:11AM (6/18/2009)
One word: nice.
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Who 'Dis? Who 'Dat? 11:15AM (6/18/2009)
Very nice.
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