Stylish new Opel Astra saloon on the way
Padraic Deane
The new Opel Astra saloon will go on sale here in September. Opel says this latest addition features a sporting, elegant design and refined build quality, and is set to become a core product in the Opel Astra line-up, writes Padraic Deane.
The Opel design team has given the new Astra saloon a stylish and sleek silhouette. It features a sporty and stylish design combined with balanced proportions.
The new Astra saloon has a wheelbase of 2,685mm and provides generous interior space. Its separate boot compartment offers 460 litres of volume - 90 litres more than the five-door model. By folding the 60:40 split rear bench flat, the luggage volume can be increased up to a maximum of 1,010 litres.
From launch here customers can initially choose between six engines for the new Astra saloon: three petrol units 1.4i (100bhp), 1.6i six-speed automatic (115bhp), 1.4 turbo (140bhp) and three diesel engines ranging from 95bhp to 130bhp.
Opel Ireland tells us two ultra-efficient Astra saloon 1.7 CDTI ecoFLEX models with start/stop system and further efficiency enhancing technologies combine powerful outputs of 110bhp or 130bhp with diesel consumption figures as low as 3.7 litres per 100 kilometres. This is equivalent to only 99g/km CO2 emissions.
In addition the company told us its broad power-train offer will see the new Astra four-door benefit from the launch of Opel’s new highly efficient, powerful and refined SIDI ECOTEC four-cylinder petrol engine generation early next year. This has 1.6 litres displacement, turbo-charging and spark ignition direct injection.
Dave Sheeran, managing director Opel Ireland, told the Advertiser: “This new Astra represents a massive opportunity for Opel in Ireland, where there is considerable demand for compact saloons. It is a stylish more affordable solution to many four-door saloons in the mid-size segment.”
Featuring advanced technologies and highest standards, the new Astra saloon is an elegant and efficient alternative for customers in the mid-size segment. With this new four-door saloon, the five-door hatchback, the sports tourer and the racy GTC coupe, the latest addition completes the Astra line-up.
