The Opel Astra notchback sedan has completed its round-the-world trip. General Motors has based its latest compact on the Delta II platform. Designed by its studios in the U.S. and Asia, it was first sold as the Chinese-market Buick Excelle GT and then in the U.S. as the Buick Verano. Now it
The Opel Astra CC suffers from the same ailment as other small, hardtop convertibles like the Renault Megane and Peugeot 308 cc: an ungainly backside. Stowing a tin roof that needs to cover four people inside a small car just blows things up in the rear. That's why the head of General Motors design in Europe says that the next Astra cabrio won't be a hardtop, but return to cloth.
A more engaging driving experience should always be considered a wonderful thing, and it's clear from the Astra GTC that Opel agrees. The compact hatchback has its sights set squarely on the Volkswagen Scirocco, and it's clear the two cars share a common design ideology. Low and sleek, the Astra GTC has been styled to provide enthusiasts with
The Opel Astra 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX five-door hatchback is already a fuel miser, but with the addition of an optional start-stop system, the Astra now sips even less diesel. Opel claims that, when equipped with start-stop, the ecoFLEX's CO2 emissions drop from 109 grams per kilometer down to 104 g/km and fuel economy jumps from 47.6 miles per
2010 Vauxhall GTC Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery
Opel GTC Paris – Click above for high-res image gallery
Opel at the 2010 Paris Motor Show – Click above for high-res image gallery
2011 Opel Astra Sports Tourer – Click above for high-res image gallery
2011 Opel Astra Sport Coupe spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery
The first images of the new three-door Opel Astra have turned up and the new hatch appears to be shaping up to be even more attractive than its predecessor. The prototype appears to have a more steeply raked windshield than the five-door currently available in Europe and China where it's badged as a Buick and sold under the Excelle nameplate.
Opel/Vauxhall Astra SportsTourer spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery
Like many other Opel/Vauxhall models across the range, the new Astra is getting a low-CO2 version to compete in the green market. Named ecoFLEX, the new Astra uses an updated version of the 1.3-liter CDTi engine that was co-developed with Fiat and produces 95 horsepower. This engine, along with the usual refinements to aerodynamics, higher gear ratios and low-rolling resistance tires, h
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For the past two and a half years, readers here at ABG have come to know Frank Weber as the leader of the team working to transform the Chevrolet Volt from a wild-eyed concept to viable production car. Weber was the Global Chief Engineer for electric vehicles at GM during his time working in the U.S. A couple of weeks ago, GM announced that Weber would return to Germany to take a h
2010 Opel Astra - Click above for high-res image gallery
2010 Chevy Spark - Click above for a hi-res image gallery
Now that the current version of the Astra is going to be replaced, perhaps it's time to remember the previous generation. This model didn't make it to the States but was quite popular in Europe. Back in 2002, and before the outburst of the "green" and "eco" labels, Opel was pioneering the "Eco" brand image. With the Opel Astra Eco4, it had a very interesting addition in the lineup. The car's rec
