Opel has presented the new Astra, the sixth generation of the model launched 30 years ago as a descendant of the famous Kadett. With the new Astra, the German manufacturer now opens a new chapter: for the first time its compact model is available with electrified engines. It will be offered as a plug-in hybrid with two power levels of 180 or 225 horsepower. The new Astra will also arrive in 2023 in a 100% electric version.
“This model represents the brand’s styling manifesto,” says Mark Adams, Opel’s head of design. Dynamic, with sharp, taut surfaces, a detox of superfluous elements and the new face of the brand, the Opel Vizor, the unique front end element that contains LED headlights and logo. It will be launched this year in a sporty 5-door version with a lowered appearance, while later it will also be declined in the Sports Tourer station wagon variant. With a length of 4,374 millimetres and a width of 1,860 mm, the car is only 4 millimetres longer than the previous model: this is due to the shortened overhangs, while the wheelbase has increased by 13 millimetres to 2.67 metres. Athletic and streamlined, the Astra is defined by a few lines and a few edges of character here and there.
“The new Opel Astra represents the exciting next step in our new design,” said Mark Adams, Vice President Design. “With the bold Vizor front face, strong wheel arches and sharp surfaces, it boasts a bold, sporty and confident personality.” A revolution that also involved the entire cabin, revised in design, material quality and content. Everything revolves around the Pure Panel, the element that starts from the A-pillar and arrives at the center of the dashboard containing two slim 10″ displays for the instrumentation and infotainment system. “It’s a setup that will give our customers a whole new emotional experience,” Mark Adams continues.
The new Opel Astra is built on the EMP2 platform of the Stellantis group, the same, for example, that we find at the base of the Peugeot 308. An architecture that allows the installation of all types of engines: in addition to electrified engines, the German sedan will also feature gasoline and diesel engines.
