New Astra Unveiled

MOTORLOON1993

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 26, 2008
Messages
829
Location
Rotherham, South Yorkshire
https://pic.armedcats.net/m/mo/motorloon1993/2009/04/09/0000000..........bmp
https://pic.armedcats.net/m/mo/motorloon1993/2009/04/09/00000000...bmp
https://pic.armedcats.net/m/mo/motorloon1993/2009/04/09/000000..bmp
https://pic.armedcats.net/m/mo/motorloon1993/2009/04/09/0000000000.bmp
:D
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/235174/new_astra_unveiled.html

It?s the shock of the week ? this is the first official picture of Vauxhall?s new Astra! In a measure of the desperation that the company faces, this image of the company?s new compact family car has just arrived at Auto Express without any warning at all, completely out of the blue!

The new Ford Focus rival has finally broken cover in five-door form ? although there?s also a striking three-door variant and a Sport Tourer estate version on the way too.

As you can see, it?s clear from this image that it?s taking much of its inspiration from its big brother, the Insignia. It boasts a sporty look with a low nose and high tail, mixing a sleeker version of the Insignia?s nose along with the same stylish kick along its flanks.

Set to go on sale before the end of the year, the new model will be based on troubled parent company General Motors? Delta platform ? which recently made its debut on the Chevrolet Cruze.

Longer by 100mm and wider too, with a 2.7m wheelbase (up 86mm), the new Astra will protect its occupants better in the event of a crash and will offer more space inside than the current car. It will also take a leap forward on quality, with more stylish version of the Insignia?s cabin.

There will be a host of new small fuel efficient engines too, including a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol turbo and a range of 1.3, 1.7 and 2.0 litre CDTi turbodiesels, with Ecoflex versions boasting CO2 emissions of less than 120g/km.

The flagship Astra VXR three-door will boast a sporty look with a coupe-style body and a diffuser-style rear bumper arrangement. It will get a 270bhp version of the current 2.0-litre turbo engine.

Other variants will include a Sport Tourer estate model which will boast class-leading boot space thanks to a body that?s some 20cm longer than that of the five-door hatchback. The Astra range will also spawn a new seven-seater Zafira too, going on sale in 2012.

For the full low-down on the new Astra plus first official pictures of the Insignia VXR performance variant, make sure you get your copy of Auto Express, on sale April 15th.



Text from Auto express

Sorry for the low quality pics if you want to :shakefist: then :shakefist: at Auto express.
 
I was watching the an old ep of TG on SBS last week and wasnt this the Astra they said they wanted instead of the current one?
 
From the profile shot the back end looks too much like a SEAT Ibiza. Also, the rear legroom looks pitiful.


A rather clear case of "Do not want".
 
It's just not as revolutionary for Opel/Vauxhall as the current one was. But it's understandable that they want to play it safer considering the current auto crisis. It seems that more and more manufacturers are going Toyota's way of building bland cars for everyone. And for some reason the side reminds me of the Hyundai i30
 
pitiful rear legroom is an all round Astra problem... this one looks rather nice I must admit, although the interior is a bit iffy...

I like how they did this release of pictures out of NOWHERE though

did find some renders on how the other models will look like :

media_l_892983.jpg

estate version

media_l_892984.jpg

VXR / GTC sporty version
 
i like

and if it's anything like the current one, for it's price, it'll be good car
 
Really need better shots to make a call on the interior. The exterior's nice though - the front has a bit of aggression to it, though the side profile at the rear is all a bit too familiar - and no, I'm not saying they copied anyone, just that the window line seems to have become the in-thing with five door hatches. It'll be interesting to see what the three-door is like.

I wouldn't read anything into how little rear legroom there is in that shot - the front seats are probably pushed all the way back, whereas normally for those shots they're pushed a long way forward to make the rear look roomier - I would expect the rear room to be class standard.
 
That VXR/GTC render has serious Peugeot-syndrome. :|
 
At least we'll have good looking police cars now.
 
Well after the Insignia I think this will be a great car. Hopefully they'll sort out the under-torquesteer fest like they did with the Vectra... By changing it in every way.
 
Higher quality pictures (no they're not big, your monitor is small)

https://pic.armedcats.net/k/kn/knarkas/2009/04/09/Astrafram_www_big.jpg
https://pic.armedcats.net/k/kn/knarkas/2009/04/09/Astra_sida_www_big.jpg

Me like!
 
Last edited:
I wouldn't read anything into how little rear legroom there is in that shot - the front seats are probably pushed all the way back, whereas normally for those shots they're pushed a long way forward to make the rear look roomier - I would expect the rear room to be class standard.

i think rear leg room could be a bit better, everytime someone sits in the back, i have to shift my seat to the front...

and it needs less chrome in the interior, i hate the sunlight reflecting in the door handles, seatbelt buckles, and dancing on my dash
 
Last edited:
i think rear leg room could be a bit better, everytime someone sits in the back, i have to shift my seat to the front...

Interesting - I'm 6'1", and I can sit relatively comfortably behind my normal driving position. I wouldn't want to spend hours back there (even if there was acres of room the very limited view out the side windows would become annoying), but for an hour or so it would be fine.
 
So long, Opel. It was nice knowing you.

Somehow, I can't see the new Astra saving Opel from going bankrupt.
 
Its all gone a bit Honda Civiceeeee. OK but I agree on the rear legroom - do these guys know that they are in a contest with a Focus which has more than adequate rear space?
 
Top