Car Fule

The refresh of the Opel range continues. After renewing its little Corsa in 2019, the lightning brand is tackling another of its bestsellers by offering a sixth generation at the Astra.

Technical cousin of the new Peugeot 308

As expected, this new iteration of the German compact is the technical cousin of the new Peugeot 308. Like the latter, it rests on the EMP2 platform of the Stellantis group. However, this does not change its size, still set at 4.37 m, for a width of 1.86 m and a trunk volume of 422 liters.

On the other hand, as with the lioness, the silhouette of the Astra evolves radically and becomes more athletic with taut lines, marked wings, a long hood and a large glazed surface. The dynamism is further accentuated by a steeply sloping C-pillar and a roof spoiler.

The new style of Opel

For the rest, the Astra remains a real Opel. With his own style. It resumes indeed the new face of the brand, the Opel Vizor, inaugurated on the recent Mokka. At the rear, the lights are sharper than ever and the name “Astra” appears spelled out in the center of the tailgate.

On board, the same story goes. The Astra is making its revolution. The interior is again modeled on that of the new Mokka. On the menu : clean dashboard and large digital panel consisting of two 10-inch screens. One for the instrument cluster and the other for the infotainment system (Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatible). The physical buttons are almost completely gone. There are only a few left, dedicated to a handful of essential elements such as air conditioning for example.

https://twitter.com/Opel/status/1414842029029433344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

The first electrified Astra!

Completely new in its technique and in its style, the Astra 6 is also from a mechanical point of view. Thanks to the EMP2 platform, it is indeed the first Astra to be electrified. She can ship the same plug-in hybrid engines than the third 308 of the name, with powers announced at 180 and 225 hp.

Under its hood there are also original PSA petrol and diesel units of 110 and 130 hp, with 6-speed manual transmission as standard and optional 8-speed automatic transmission (electrified on plug-in hybrids).

A high tech Astra

Finally, the car is full of high tech equipment by offering a jumble of a semi-autonomous driving system called Intelli-Drive, a large head-up display, long-range blind spot detection, the Intelli-Vision 360 camera. ° for easier parking, extended recognition of traffic signs, rear cross-traffic alert and active lane positioning, which keeps the car in the middle of its lane.

Opel also promises a Latest generation Intelli-Lux LED Pixel Light with 168 LED elements.

Production and order opening in fall 2021

The new Astra will no longer be produced in Poland (at Gliwice) and in the United Kingdom (at Ellesmere Port) as it is currently but on its original land, in Germany. More precisely within the historic Opel factory in Rüsselsheim, in the center of the country. A homecoming for the compact since the model had already been assembled locally between 2009 and 2015.

The production will start in the fall. The order book will open at the same period while the first deliveries will start in early 2022.

Initially offered in 5 doors, the new Astra should subsequently also be available in a Sports Tourer wagon version, like its predecessors.

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