Opel Astra 2013 News

Opel has revealed its revamped Astra hatch ahead of the model’s Frankfurt motor show debut in September.Following the recent return of the current Astra GTC and VXR to Holden showrooms, an Australian version of the new bread and butter could also be on the cards, and if it were to be sold as a Holden it would likely share showroom space with the next-generation Cruze, a car which occupies a very similar space in the small car segment. The next-gen Cruze is set to be available only as a sedan initially, leaving room for a mid-size hatch in the Holden range.Styling will be another factor to differentiate the Astra from the Cruze, with the new European model offering a sharp and athletic design with well-defined lines. The Astra boasts an aggressive look with a heavily contoured front end, blacked out C-pillars and slick head and taillights. Similarly, the interior looks to feature upgraded materials compared with the sixth-generation Astra which was sold in Australia by Opel until it pulled the pin in 2013. The button-heavy layout of the outgoing Astra has also been replaced by a much cleaner design with an eight-inch touchscreen display featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. The Astra boasts an aggressive look with a heavily contoured front end, blacked out C-pillars and slick head and taillights.Despite being physically smaller in almost every way than its predecessor, Opel claim the new Astra actually carries more interior volume with an additional 35mm of rear legroom. The seventh-generation model is 50mm shorter and 26mm lower with a 2mm shorter wheelbase than the car it replaces. The reduction in size combined with a brand new lightweight architecture result in a car that’s up to 200kg lighter than the one it replaces. The new body shell alone accounts for almost half of the weight loss, while clever subframes, axles and suspension components account for further reductions. Opel has confirmed three engines thus far for the new Astra, including a 70kW 1.6-litre turbodiesel, a 77kW 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol and a 107kW/250Nm 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol. Buyers will have a choice of either a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox. In a segment first, the new Astra will also be fitted with LED matrix headlights which automatically distribute light depending on the situation to improve safety. Other features available include traffic sign assist, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, forward collision alert, eighteen-way adjustable driver’s seat with massage function and heated rear seats. The new Opel Astra will also form the basis for the next-generation GTC and VXR hot hatches which are likely already on Holden’s agenda. If the seventh-generation Astra hatch does make it to Australia, it will likely go on sale in the second half of 2016.

The Euro-built hatch - previewing at the Australian International Motor Show - will compete with Volkswagen's Scirocco R and the RenaultSport Megane RS265 for the premium performance hatch role and Opel is promising a high level of specification in the car to justify an expected mid-$40,000 price.The car has been widely expected as the hero model in the Opel range and with a class-leading 206kW/400Nm from a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, it shouldn't disappoint. Opel is stating a 0-100km/h time of six seconds flat for the two-door coupe, which is based on the sportily styled Opel Astra GTC.Beyond the engine, exterior changes include side skirts and deeper front and rear bumpers, a pair of trapezoidal exhausts, 19-inch alloy wheels and a limited-slip diff that helps the "HiPerStrut" front suspension improve roadholding for the front-wheel drive car A bespoke Brembo braking system, headlined by ventilated 355mm front discs help slow the hatch down. The system was tested in a 10,000km high-speed endurance run on the Nurburgring track in Germany, so it should survive the worst Australian drivers can throw at it.Opel says the Astra OPC will lap the ‘Ring in a staggering 8 minutes and 35 seconds. That time is within 30 seconds for the record 8min08sec time set by the recently launched Megane RS265, but the Renault doesn't have the same level of creature comforts as European-spec OPCs, giving the Opel an edge in the luxury stakes.The OPC also uses a variable three-mode "FlexRide" damper system, running Standard, Sport and OPC settings. Sport stiffens the dampers to improve control, but it is the OPC mode that gets interesting. Here, the system improves throttle response, sets the dampers to their maximum level and reduces improves roll. The instrument lighting changes from white to red in OPC mode to remind the driver they've truly entered hot hatch territory.Opel will release pricing and specification closer to next year's launch, but those at the motor show should take a long, hard look at the display car. 

This month’s Australian International Motor Show will be the host of two new marques in the Australian automotive industry. European manufacturer Opel will be utilising the Motor Show as part of its official launch strategy into the Australian automotive industry, where the Australian public will be able to see and experience its entire range. A wide number of variants from Opel’s three-model strong range of vehicles will be on display, consisting of the eagerly anticipated Astra, the medium-sized Insignia and the Corsa city car. Opel also has an extra surprise in store for the Australian public, with details to be announced closer to the Show. Also making its official Australian International Motor Show debut and offering local motorists a new choice in performance luxury will be Japanese manufacturer, Infiniti. Just over a month ago, Infiniti officially re-entered the Australian automotive market with the release of its first two model ranges, the FX performance crossover variants and the Infiniti M sports sedan. These will also be joined on stand by the Infiniti G37 coupe and convertible, giving the Australian public their first look at these two vehicles ahead of their official on-sale in December. “It is always a momentous occasion in Australian automotive history when a new manufacturer makes its debut and this year, we have not only one, but two, giving Australian motorists more choice and options,” said Russ Tyrie, Event Director. “I feel very proud that both Opel and Infiniti will be exhibiting at the Australian International Motor Show as part of their launch strategies in Australia which demonstrates not only their commitment and recognition of our local automotive industry, but as well, the importance and significance of the Motor Show to this industry.”  The 2012 Australian International Motor Show will be held at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour and will open daily at 10am from October 19 to 28.  

The new Cabrio is testing at the Nurburgring ahead of its 2013 motor show preview, but sales in Australia are unlikely before early in 2014.The big different for the Astra Cabrio, says Carparazzi, is a two-part retractable hardtop rather than a conventional canvas roof. Here some time in 2014 at around $50,000.

The prestige GM Europe brand looks set to debut late next year as it talks about product for that timeframe, trailing off as the subject of Australian export timeframes for upcoming models is raised.Opel vice president for business and product planning Frank Weber won't commit to anything hitting our shores beyond the three-pronged debut with Corsa, Astra and Insignia."The only thing I can say is that we will start Australia with Corsa, Astra and Insignia, beyond that what we add depends on how it is developing and relative to the Holden portfolio," he says.Anyone who bought a Holden small car before Korean vehicle sourcing took hold might be tempted, with the Corsa's ancestors imported here as the Holden Barina.  The Astra's sales credentials in Australia are strong, but the Insignia and anything to follow are the unknown quantities.The company unveiled the Zafira concept at the Geneva motor show - a car that has a brief Australian history as a Holden - but that, Meriva, Agila and any plans for a pair of small SUVs are all listed as under consideration."All are under study, because it only makes sense to come to the market with a certain portfolio size and where you also different from what Holden has," he says.  Despite talking of avoiding conflict with the Holden range, there's a potential clash in the small SUV segment looming.Opel plans for its compact SUV strategy involve the Opel version of the Captiva, called Antara.  There's also plans for a second - smaller - SUV that might appear at the Frankfurt motor show prior to a 2012 production debut."The small SUV has a lot of potential in a lot of markets, many people still like and are interested in SUVs, robust and high seating, but now it has to be socially compatible as well.""We will have an Antara successor and a car that is smaller than that, dedicated SUV but they will have efficiency and car-like behaviour, the Opel Antara is currently Korean built but the replacement is yet to be decided," he says.Mr Weber says Opel was watching developments in the Australian market, which he suggested has an interesting mix, tending towards larger cars but with a European influence and growth in the smaller segments that could fit Opel's plans."In Europe there is a (small car) market developing looking for style and individualisation, we're talking about a new project called "Junior", a city car."Mr Weber says the four-million-plus unit European small segment - which includes models like the Polo and Fiesta - is developing a need for vehicles with more character."Something different, younger, more character, stylish with a robust driving behaviour, short but not narrow.  It's next to Corsa, under four metres, a foot shorter than Corsa - Junior is a four-seater, based on the Corsa platform and will also bring in an electric-only battery version, built in Germany and will be in RHD," he says."It is a very different, attractive car - we have added three cars to the portfolio that are image-enhancing and emotional, Junior is one of those cars - Opel character, young and different, with volume potential but an image generator as well," he says.Other vehicles that Mr Weber outlined - but stopped of short of confirming for arrival in Australia - include a production version of the Astra GTC show car from Paris Motor Show and a four-seater convertible to replace the Astra droptop, which could be linked to the rumoured return of the Calibra coupe."When you look at the emotional products, there's also emotion attached to four-seater coupe like the Calibra, a car like this could make sense, we are studying it.  I think coupes and convertibles are always a bit connected, aren't they? Theoretically, because of the dramatic rooflines there's a natural connection," he says.While the brand has history in Europe there's little in the way of brand awareness for Opel in Australia, but suggestions of a handicap on that front are brushed aside by Mr Weber, as is the need for any localisation tuning of Opel product.Mr Weber also joined the list of car company executives firing barbs at the Australian authorities over range-extender and battery-electric cars, infrastructure and subsidies in relation to the Opel Ampera's chances of joining the Australian line-up."Australia is one of those undecided markets for electric cars, I have not seen signals of extreme or very serious support.  You need clear signals for your planning horizons - US, Canada, UK, France, Netherlands, Denmark - that there is clear support to establish an electric market in a country," he says.Mr Weber believes there is room in the Australian market for Opel and Holden, although using a comparison with petulant toddler sibling rivalry to illustrate some of the concerns that Holden may have had over the Opel plans."All of our product decisions are made at a global level, not Opel versus Holden, the GM portfolio decisions are made at a global level - Holden is represented at global product decision meetings," he says."When you look at market and volume potential, there is room I think in Australia for something beyond Holden."