Rendered Speculation: Vauxhall Astra droptop to get more rakish
If you're like us, you can't help but smile at the breathless optimism and certainty that the folks at Auto Express have for not-yet-released models. The latest car to catch their rendering artist's eye is the forthcoming Vauxhall Astra droptop. According to AE, the new convertible Roadster variant will forgo the rear seats of the current TwinTop and instead adopt a more rakish two-seat design. The folding metal roof will reportedly integrate a pair of rollover fairings in its tonneau cover, and tighter overhangs with more aggressive ground effects.
Interestingly, AE claims that the Astra Roadster will not get a VXR performance variant, but it will receive the hot hatch's 2.0-liter turbo engine, reportedly good for 270 bhp and a 0-60 mph time in six seconds. Lesser engines will apparently include a 1.4-liter turbo giving 150 bhp and a 170 bhp 2.0-liter CDTI diesel.
Due to General Motors selling off Vauxhall and its twin brand Opel to Magna, the likelihood of seeing such a model Stateside would appear to be even slimmer than normal. Either way, the U.K. publication says the world will have to wait a while for the topless Astra, as the automaker will first roll out the five-door, followed by the three-door and wagon models and later an MPV. Only after the rest of the lineup is revealed will Vauxhall break out the suntan lotion.
[Source AutoExpress]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Swede 8:10PM (6/23/2009)
lol a left hand drive Vauxhall
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RayJ 8:27PM (6/23/2009)
Man I love everything Opel! I wish GM could have held on to control of them past this recession.
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jon 9:15PM (6/23/2009)
that is pretty sexy
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BGJ 9:09PM (6/23/2009)
"Due to General Motors selling off Vauxhall and its twin brand Opel to Magna"
Maybe you missed the part that GM owns 35%, Magna owns 20%, and Russian owned bank Sberbank owns 35%. In reality Magna owns a minority stake in the new Opel, but all 3 entities will have some control over future operations.
This convertible is complete speculation at this point since the global compact program that Astra comes from does not have any convertible models. Although it doesn't mean Magna couldn't engineer it on their own for Opel.
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blah 1:21AM (6/24/2009)
If you have read the articles properly, you will notice that even though Sberbank owns a large share, they have no interest in managing the company. Instead Magna is the one responsible for managing Opel. So, even though Magna may not own the most shares, but its definitely the one in the captain's chair.
Russ 8:41AM (6/24/2009)
And the other 10%?
FindYourAuto.Net 12:24AM (6/24/2009)
hmmm, does this mean an update to the Saturn too?
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Jakesnake1294 3:00AM (6/24/2009)
umm... I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but......
FindYourAuto.net 11:08PM (6/24/2009)
Eh, Just when they were beginning to look great.
sonic the plumber 6:09AM (6/24/2009)
I find it highly unlikely Opel/Vauxhall will be the only ones in the mid-size CC class to go for two seats when their rivals from Ford, Peugeot, Renault, Volkswagen, Volvo and possibly KIA/Hyundai in the next few years would be selling four-seaters. t would be an uncharacteristic brave move from the company.
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Hmmm 6:53AM (6/24/2009)
It was also my opinion... but I don`t know why my first comment didn`t come out. I was asking here if I haven`t read the article properly (since English is not my native).
Because all the rest make four seaters... But if I`m right they don`t make the little Tigra any more (2 seats hardtop), so maybe they`ll make this as a Roadster version. Even if it`s not the same size/class as the little model. But again, didn`t some of these online magazines write about a Corsa convertible? (and I`m asking, not guessing...)
Hmmm 6:52AM (6/24/2009)
I didn`t understand (English is not my native language...) is there going to be also an Astra convertible like the current one? What I mean with the back seats... Because they are calling this one a roadster. And say this one is going to have 2 seats. Does this mean that the roadster will fight with the VW Bluesport, TT and the rest of 2 seaters, and the "standard" convertible will fight the 307CC, Eos, Audi A3 convertible...?
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The Other Bob 8:25AM (6/24/2009)
"Due to General Motors selling off Vauxhall and its twin brand Opel to Magna, the likelihood of seeing such a model Stateside would appear to be even slimmer than normal."
GM doesn't own Toyota, but shares the Vibe and Matrix. Chrysler doesn't own Nissan, but had plans to share cars and trucks the same goes for the Chrysler/Mitsubishi pare up.
Just because GM no longer owns all of Opel does not mean they won't share cars. This car would make one cool Buick.
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RayJ 10:30AM (6/24/2009)
True but the likely hood is much lower. They said we would get the new Astra as a Buick but did not mention in what form. Who knows if that will happen now.
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Bloke 1:43PM (6/24/2009)
"Due to General Motors selling off Vauxhall and its twin brand Opel to Magna, the likelihood of seeing such a model Stateside would appear to be even slimmer than normal."
As if the current mk5 Astra Twintop would have ever seen the light of day in the States!! Americans complained about the pricing of the regular Astra hatch because of forex fluctuations; the Twintop would have easily been priced in VW Eos territory in America - way too much money for most Saturn buyers.
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