Jump to content
News
Reviews
Discussons
Activity
Create New...
Close

Vauxhaull/ Opel Astra Caught Undisguised

Z-06

By Z-06
in Opel/Vauxhall

 Share

Recommended Posts

Z-06 Newbie

Z-06

Posted
Posted

Linkity

Opel Astra Spotted by Autocar Spies

This is the first picture of the new Opel Astra, captured for the first time completely undisguised.

Spotted at a GM testing facility in Germany, by Autocar spies the car in the picture is a styling model, but it shows how the new Opel Astra will look when it goes on sale at the end of this year.

The new Opel Astra's true window line is visible for the first time, as are the rear lights and the real shape of the rear window. Until now we've only seen heavily disguised Opel Astras on test.

Underneath the Opel Astra uses GM's new Delta platform, shared with the new Chevrolet Cruze and destined for al GM's mid-size cars including the Chevrolet Volt and Opel Ampera.

Unlike the current Astra's chassis, which is a reworked version of the previous car's platform, this one is all-new and should offer greater refinement and better handling.

The suspension layout is the same, however, with MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam at the rear.

Inside, the dash and centre console are heavily influenced by the Insignia, with a three-dial instrument binnacle and the same wraparound dash that curves the dashboard into the door trims.

Opel's Ellesmere Port factory, where the new Astra will be built later this year, has already been fitted out with the tooling and production lines needed to manufacture the car.

[source: Autocar]

cire Newbie

cire

Posted
Posted

So far this car looks like it will be one good looking compact hatchback. If GM is going to give Buick different Astra variants it should revive the Skyhawk and Skylark model names. The Skyhawk name would be applied to the 3-door and 5-door. The Skylark name would be applied to the sedan and wagon. I can't wait to see the entire car undisguised; I bet it will look incredible.

PurdueGuy Newbie

PurdueGuy

Posted
Posted

Oh boy, undisguised photo! Oh wait, they failed to get the front or rear in the photo. Hard to judge just looking at an incomplete side view, but so far it just looks like the current Astra, but with softened lines.

MyerShift Newbie

MyerShift

Posted
Posted

Ugh! No, no, no.

I absolutely hate the rear of the greenhouse.

It's all Mazda3, Pontiac Vibe, Subaru Impreza ME TOO!

cire Newbie

cire

Posted
Posted
Ugh! No, no, no.

I absolutely hate the rear of the greenhouse.

It's all Mazda3, Pontiac Vibe, Subaru Impreza ME TOO!

I do agree that this car is following some modern trends in hatchback design, but I think GM can trump all three of the cars you mentioned if they nail the front/rear styling and the cars detailing. The 2010 Mazda3 has bizarre front/rear design elements. The Impreza's front/rear design elements are hopelessly bland and boring. The Vibe's front/rear design elements are okay, but somewhat dated. If GM can avoid making any of these mistakes with the Astra's front/rear design (Hint to GM: stick to the elements that make the Insignia so attractive), then they will have the best looking compact hatchback by a large margin.

regfootball Community Regular

regfootball

Posted
Posted (edited)

impreza - sucks

mazda3 - garish

vibe - rice

the interior is where this astra will shine.

imagine this car with the 260hp DI ecotec and a six speed manual....YES!!

Edited by regfootball
Robert Hall Veteran

Robert Hall

Posted
Posted
Well, it will have cup holders this time. :smilewide:

Yeah, that's a weak point of the current model..it seems the Germans just don't take cupholder design seriously enough.

ZL-1 Newbie

ZL-1

Posted
Posted
i think the new astra has some of the megane design in it.

To me Astra's sides look smoother. The greenhouse seems to have the a similar rounded shape.

Z-06 Newbie

Z-06

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Don't like the weels. What I want to see is the GTC, that's the one I'd be interested in...

Here is what autozeitung has rendered about the GTC. The magazine says that the GTC will come under the name Calibra and Opel is in the process of resurrecting the Ascona name too.

regfootball Community Regular

regfootball

Posted
Posted
My daughter will be getting the new Astra ...

in what country?

so WHEN IS THE NEW ASTRA hitting the US? that is key. I need to know if i am to give up an on 08 or 010 and wait for the new one. Or just get three jobs and save up for a SHO. Other relevant question, will we at least get a performance version.....? this time? turbo 260hp with 6 speed manual is what i want.

Robert Hall Veteran

Robert Hall

Posted
Posted
in what country?

so WHEN IS THE NEW ASTRA hitting the US? that is key. I need to know if i am to give up an on 08 or 010 and wait for the new one. Or just get three jobs and save up for a SHO. Other relevant question, will we at least get a performance version.....? this time? turbo 260hp with 6 speed manual is what i want.

Knowing GM, the new Astra will probably be here by 2013 or so..with only the smallest engines.

ZL-1 Newbie

ZL-1

Posted
Posted (edited)
Here is what autozeitung has rendered about the GTC. The magazine says that the GTC will come under the name Calibra and Opel is in the process of resurrecting the Ascona name too.
So the Ascona would be the Astra sedan (entry-level Buick in the US and China) and the Calibra would be the GTC's successor (Buick Riviera? Or is that blapshemy?). Interestingly, I read that the Renault Megane sedan might get a different name.

On a funny note for those who know Portuguese, they would have to change the Ascona's name here again, because of all the jokes that were made around the Ascona name in Portuguese! :lol:

Edited by ZL-1

Join the conversation

You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing


×
×
  • Create New...

Hey there, we noticed you're using an ad-blocker. We're a small site that is supported by ads or subscriptions. We rely on these to pay for server costs and vehicle reviews.  Please consider whitelisting us in your ad-blocker, or if you really like what you see, you can pick up one of our subscriptions for just $1.75 a month or $15 a year. It may not seem like a lot, but it goes a long way to help support real, honest content, that isn't generated by an AI bot.

See you out there.

Drew
Editor-in-Chief

I've whitelisted
Continue without support

Write what you are looking for and press enter or click the search icon to begin your search