We know very well that the compact class is extremely important for all car manufacturers. They are well aware of this at Opel, which celebrates 90 years of compact models this year. There used to be a Kadett, while for many years Opel has represented the Astra, which is available as a hatchback, but also as a station wagon called the Sports Tourer. They were presented at the beginning of the year at the car show in Brussels, and now we had the opportunity to drive them at the international presentation that was held in our Šibenik. Although Opel is part of the Stellantis Group, they point out that they are extremely proud of the fact that the updated Astra was designed, developed and manufactured at Opel’s headquarters in Rüsselsheim.
Design changes are already visible when looking at the front of the vehicle. The well-known Opel ‘lightning bolt’ is located in the central position on the even narrower and more precisely designed Opel Vizor. Thus, after it was first presented on the Grandland SUV, it is now lit up on the Astra as well. The front end design integrates elements of the Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo model that bring to series production the first features of the concept car shown at the IAA Mobility show last fall. There’s also a new look for the 17- and 18-inch rims, which complement the new Kontur White and Clover Green metallic colors. The latter green color is intended only for the wagon edition. By the way, there are seven vehicle colors on offer.
The front part of the vehicle is also decorated with new lights. These are award-winning Intelli-Lux HD lights with more than 50,000 light elements. This is a feature that is available as an accessory. Although I have not driven the Astra at night, they supposedly illuminate the road excellently, and I have no doubts about that. This advanced high-definition light technology not only ensures that other road users are not dazzled, but also reduces eye strain on us as drivers. The system detects traffic signs and reduces the intensity of the LED light to prevent the glare from the signs from blinding us. Intelli-Lux HD lights are part of the standard Ultimate trim level.
I also find news in the passenger cabin. The changes are visible on the cockpit and screens. The great news is that ergonomic Intelli-Seats are now available on every model. They are characterized by a special recess in the middle of the seat that reduces pressure on the coccyx. The patented ergonomic feature of the Intelli-Seat therefore ensures a relaxed ride even on long journeys. From the GS trim level onwards, the driver’s seat also bears the AGR (Aktion Gesunder Rücken eV / Action for a Healthy Back) approval mark.
It’s a good thing that the cockpit and user interfaces have become even clearer, more precise and more intuitive. There are new visualizations and screen layouts that look more contemporary, and more importantly the driver can now read them much easier. Green innovations bring numerous materials and surface structures that emphasize the economical use of resources. Namely, the steering wheel is covered with vegan materials, and the optional seat covers are made of a special monomaterial ReNewKnitTM that looks like high-quality brushed leather. Opel points out that they have tried to satisfy as many requests as possible from previous customers with the revised Astra. Accordingly, they stopped using piano black surfaces on which even the slightest dirt is visible.
Customers are offered a choice of three equipment packages and four versions of the drive system. The starting level is Edition, which is followed by GS and Ultimate. These latter two can be recognized by the fact that the roof is not in the color of the vehicle, but is contrasting – black. The interesting thing about the modified Astra is also behind the rear door, where there is an element like the legendary Kadett D.
The most affordable is the diesel, which starts at 29,490 euros. It is a well-known 1.5-liter model with a power of 96 kW / 130 hp equipped with an automatic transmission. The second option is one thousand euros more expensive, and it is a 1.2-liter hybrid with 107 kW / 145 hp, whose power and torque are transmitted with the help of an eDCT gearbox. The third option is the plug-in version, which boasts a much larger hybrid drive battery. Instead of the previous 12.4 kWh, there is now 17.2 kWh, from which the electric motor that works in cooperation with the 1.6-liter gasoline engine is charged. This powertrain brings more power, and in addition there is an increased range. The electric range in the city exceeds 100 kilometers.
The top of the range is the fully electric version. The 115 kW / 156 hp Astra Electric now comes with a 58 kWh battery. It means that it has 4 kWh more than before, and this also influenced a slight increase in weight by 5 kilograms. Astra Electric offers three levels of recuperation, and the novelty is V2L charging of electrical devices with a power of 3.6 kW. So now the electric Astra has the ability to reach up to 454 kilometers, according to WLTP, which is approximately 35 kilometers more than before.
One of the good characteristics of the station wagon Astra is in the luggage compartment. Thus, the Astra Sports Tourer offers a luggage space of up to 1,634 liters. In addition, the backrest of the rear seat u can be flexibly folded in a ratio of 40:20:40. By the way, the hybrid edition has a double bottom of the trunk, and in the caravan model it is possible to place objects that are a meter wide, but also as long.