Opel (Vauxhall in the UK) has chosen to reveal pictures of its new subcompact hatch in all its glory, ahead of its scheduled world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Clearly influenced by the new Insignia, the sixth generation Astra hatch is based on GM’s new Delta platform, that also underpins the Chevy Volt and Cruze models. The new Astra also comes with a new set of engines including 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol units.
Unlike VW’s rivaling Golf VI, with its design language that keeps evolving from previous generation models, the new Astra features a new design and judging by the photo’s, it will be a head turner. Its up to date and clean looks combine a sleek and sporty shape, with the latest Opel styling cues such as the characteristic scalloped side blades and the Insignia-inspired headlights.
Buyers of the new Astra will be able to select from a broad selection of petrol and diesel engines. Aside from an entry-level 1.4-naturally aspirated engine and the Insignia-derived 1.6-litre turbo with 134kW, the Astra’s petrol range will also include GM’s new 1.4-litre turbocharged unit. It will be offered with outputs ranging from 89kW to 104kW and torque values of 175Nm to 200Nm. General Motors says that the 1.4 turbo engine will deliver fuel savings of up to 8 percent compared to the naturally aspirated 1.6 and 1.8-litre engines that it will replace.
The diesel range comprises of 1.3-litre, 1.7-litre and 2.0-litre turbocharged units ranging from 70kW to 119kW, while Opel also plans to introduce an ecoFLEX version with low CO2 emissions and improved fuel economy sometime in 2010.
Depending on the market, the five-door Astra will go on sale in Europe this winter. It will be joined by the sporty three-door GTC Coupe and the more practical station-wagon in late 2010 - early 2011, followed by a four-door sedan model and a coupe-cabriolet with a retractable hardtop.
