Opel Astra range gets more style and substance

Opel is hoping to build on the success of its big selling compact car with the introduction of the newly updated Astra range.

Combining its unmistakable German character, the new Astra range features a sharper exterior and interior appearance which underscores the sportiness and technical strengths of the compact car line. With the new saloon, a five-door variant, the Sports Tourer, the three-door GTC coupé, as well as its high performance OPC version, the stunning Astra line-up is now complete.

The Astra model family is a key component of the brand. Around one third of all Opel cars sold are Astras. Now into its fourth generation, the Astra has gained more than 641,000 customers across Europe.

Opel has also enhanced its already existing 1.4 litre turbocharged petrol unit with 103kW/140bhp. This engine is now equipped with an over-boost function that temporarily gives the vehicle an extra 10 per cent burst of torque from 200 to 220Nm, which is very useful when overtaking for example.

There is also a full spectrum of power units options available. New state-of-the art engines that will now and over the next six months expand the spectrum of the Astra powertrain line-up. These range from 99g/km CO2 ecoFLEX to a high performance OPC version.

And the new Astra OPC is not only the most powerful Astra ever but also the fastest: the top speed of this powerhouse coupé is 250km/h and it can sprint from standstill to 100km/h in just 6.0 seconds. With its 2.0 turbocharged direct injection petrol engine, an output of 206kW/280 bhp and maximum torque of 400Newton-metres, the Astra OPC promises lots of fun behind the wheel. Orders for the Astra OPC will commence in August in Ireland.

And next year the Astra range will benefit later on from the introduction of the new spark ignition direct injection ECOTEC petrol engine generation with a 1.6 litre displacement and turbocharging, providing not just ultra-efficient fuel consumption but also a very comfortable drive in the upper output level of up to 200bhp.

Further highlights which help to elevate the technical standards can be found in the field of driver assistance systems. Now many premium technologies that have had their debut in the Insignia and the Zafira Tourer are also available for the new Astra line-up adding to the renowned safety and comfort of the Astra.

The Astra five-door and the Sports Tourer have been given a fresh face that is even more sporty and upmarket than before. This also applies to the new four-door Astra sedan. The Opel design team concentrated on the front by giving it a more pronounced lower grille inspired by the design of the recently launched Astra GTC, featuring a grille mesh with a more technically precise design.

Inside the cabin, the Astra five-door, the Sports Tourer and the four-door sedan have been made sportier, more lively and varied by using new fabrics, colours, decor mouldings with new paint.

Dave Sheeran, managing director at Opel Ireland, told the Advertiser: “The Opel Astra is one of our core products here in Ireland and the new range presents a diverse but highly competitive, efficient and innovative offering for customers. The design has been further updated and sharpened and presents the most striking emotional execution of German engineering to date.”