Model Revision: Opel Astra Relies On Sportiness

2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 05:39

Two and a half years after its market launch, the Opel Astra is being revised. The exterior of the compact class model not only relies on more dynamism, but also has new and more efficient engines.

Around two and a half years after its market launch, the Opel Astra is being redesigned. In addition to the external appearance, the engine range and assistance systems are particularly affected by the changes. There is also a new entry-level model at a particularly low price.

The lifting can be recognized, among other things, by the newly designed front, where the ends of the chrome radiator clasp are bent upwards like wings. There are now black inserts in the headlights. The stern was also slightly redesigned. The changes affect the five-door and station wagon as well as the newly introduced notchback sedan. With the recently launched three-door GTC, everything remains the same.

Opel Astra receives 2.0-liter biturbo

A new addition to the engine range for all body versions from autumn is the 2.0-liter twin-turbo diesel with 143 kW / 195 PS, which is already known from the Insignia, and completes the top of the diesel range. Opel has not yet given any prices. The 1.4-liter turbo gasoline engine with 103 kW / 140 PS has also been revised and has an overboost function that briefly increases the torque by 20 Nm to 220 Nm. Otherwise, the well-known gasoline and diesel engines with outputs from 64 kW / 87 PS to 206 kW / 280 PS remain in the range. At the beginning of 2013, a new generation of 1.6-liter gasoline direct injection engines with turbocharging and superior performance will be launched.

“The new Opel Astra family is taking off. We are increasing the variety of models and the range of highly efficient engines and innovative assistance technologies. We have modernized and refined the design,”said Opel boss Karl-Friedrich Stracke.

New to the assistance systems are the reversing camera, parking assistant and blind spot warner. For the first time, adaptive cruise control is also being offered, which uses a radar sensor to keep the distance to the vehicle in front constant and automatically brakes in an emergency. The front camera with traffic sign recognition, lane departure warning, distance display and collision warning has also been revised.

New entry variant

The particularly inexpensive “Fun” equipment line is intended to boost sales of the compact series. It is available for all petrol engines and offers, among other things, air conditioning, 17-inch wheels and heated exterior mirrors. The price list starts at 14,990 euros for the 64 kW / 87 hp base model. Compared to the previous entry-level price, this means a saving of 3,190 euros. And last but not least, the ore competitor VW Golf is also brought at a distance, which costs at least 16,975 euros in the variant with 59 kW / 80 PS.

With the revision and the new notchback sedan and OPC variants introduced at the same time, Opel wants to boost sales of its most important series. From 2013 a new convertible will also help. In the course of the year so far, the Rüsselsheim-based company was able to sell around 31,500 Astra units across Germany and thus occupy second place in the compact class sales charts. However, market leader VW Golf is way ahead with around 107,700 new registrations. (AG / SP-X)