RPMGO.com (former Auto Unleashed)

The new Opel/Vauxhall Astra officially unveiled

Posted: 13 May 2009 07:24 AM PDT

After last month we showed you the first official photo of the new Opel/Vauxhall Astra, today we got the official press release and more photos of Opel’s new car. Like we noticed before, the new generation’s styling is heavily influenced by the new Insignia, fact confirmed by Opel officials. "We're continuing with the same premium design cues as the Insignia, inside and out of the car," said Mark Adams, Vice President of GM Europe Design. "However, the main design themes, like the wing-shaped light signatures and the blade, needed an individual execution to avoid 'cloning' the model ranges. This is why, for instance, you see twin wings in the rear lights and a reversed blade on its flanks."

The new Astra is larger than the current generation, with a 4.4 metre-length body, an all-new chassis with a 71 millimetre-longer wheelbase, wider tracks front and rear feature, as does a new rear axle design, which not only improves stability and agility, but also increases passengers’ comfort. The new Astra also comes equipped with the FlexRide system, which offers drivers three damper settings (standard, sport and tour) while being fully adaptive to changes in driving style and cornering speed.

Unique in this sector will be the Astra's optional, latest generation AFL (Adaptive Forward Lighting), which features bi-xenon lighting that changes its intensity and reach to suit prevailing road conditions. A similar system was introduced on the Insignia, and is now recognised as one of the most advanced systems available.

The highlight of the new Astra's powertrain lineup is the introduction of an all-new, 140 hp turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol unit. Beside this engine, three further petrol engines, which range from 100 hp to 180 hp, and four diesel engines ranging from 95 hp to 160 hp will be available.

"The only part of the Astra which isn't new is its name," said Andy Gilson, Vauxhall's Marketing Director. "And that name currently accounts for around 30 per cent of all Vauxhall's car sales, with the five-door hatch taking 60 per cent of those sales alone – so it's important to lead with this body style. Not only is the Astra a crucial new model for Vauxhall, but we're confident that its blend of dynamic design, new-to-class technology and immense driver appeal will attract an even broader spectrum of buyers in this sector."

Photo Gallery: The new Opel/Vauxhall Astra