Opel have release more details on the much anticipated new Astra which is set to mark a new era in Opel’s history land in Ireland this October. Based on a completely new vehicle architecture, the Astra is driven by the latest generation engines and includes the latest in-car connectivity with the latest generation IntelliLink system and Opel OnStar. The new Astra will start from just €19,995. “The new Astra is a quantum leap in technology, efficiency and design. It’s is not only lighter, more aerodynamic, agile and more efficient than ever before, it is also safer, more comfortable and stylish. It’s the best Astra that we have ever produced and we are sure that it will prove popular with customers in Ireland, said Dave Sheeran, Managing Director, Opel Ireland.
The star of the new Astra range is a new three-cylinder 1.0 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo petrol engine with 105hp. It produces as little as 96g/km of CO2 (Tax band A2 with annual road tax of €180) when combined with Opel’s automated manual gearbox Easytronic 3.0 and consumes just 4.2 litres per/ 100km, making it one of the most efficient cars in its class. The completely new 1.4 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo petrol engine will also make its debut. This four-cylinder unit is available in Ireland with 150hp and delivers maximum torque of up to 245Nm. It simultaneously brings less weight into the car thanks to its all-aluminum construction. Depending on the output, fuel consumption can be reduced to 4.9 litres /100 km (114 g/km CO2 – Tax band A4 or annual road tax of €200). Opel’s famous whisper diesel, the 1.6 CDTI, is available in two outputs with 110hp and 136hp that offer maximum torque of 320 Nm and CO2 emissions that are below 100g/km. The current efficiency champion of the new Astra family is the 110hp variant, with fuel consumption a mere 3.4 litres (90 g/km CO2 and tax band A2 or annual road tax of €180).
Three transmission types are available for the new Astra: five and six-speed manual transmissions, the automated manual transmission Easytronic 3.0 which is offered with the 1.0 Turbo ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo petrol engine. A low-friction six-speed automatic transmission is also available with a 1.6 CDTI (136hp) diesel engine.
The next generation Astra is the first new Opel model that will be available with Opel OnStar from launch. OnStar is available 365-day-a-year at the push of a button. If an airbag deploys, Opel OnStar agents will be alerted automatically and can contact emergency services if needed. Other services include vehicle diagnostics and destination download, roadside assistance among others. High speed Wi-Fi connection for up to seven devices will follow in Ireland in 2016. The latest generation IntelliLink infotainment systems will celebrate their debut in the Astra which connects smartphones to the car via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Each system builds off of the features smartphone users rely on most. The intelligent IntelliLux LED® matrix light in the new Astra is another absolute first in this segment. It enables driving with glare-free high beams outside urban areas. In addition, Astra owners can look forward to a host safety, driver assistance and comfort systems which are again available in this segments for the first time. The next generation Opel Eye front camera premieres in the new Astra and features significant improvements:
· Traffic Sign Assist combines camera-based images and information from the embedded navigation system to deliver more accurate driving recommendations.
· Lane Departure Warning features Lane Keep Assist with automatic steering correction in case a driver unintentionally veers out of lane. Functions related to keeping a safe distance to vehicles ahead are enhanced as well.
· Forward Collision Alert warning the driver of potential dangers now also features reflective LED in the windshield in addition to the acoustic signal and the pop-up icon. If the driver’s reaction to an alert is not sufficient, the system now boosts the braking (Integrated Brake Assist) or automatically brakes the vehicle (Autonomous Emergency Braking), thus helping avoid or lessening the severity of crashes at relatively low speeds (above 8 km/h and below 80 km/h – at speeds below 40 km/h, it can even perform full braking).
· Advanced Park Assist makes it possible to park the car automatically at the push of a button, while the Rear View Camera is activated once reverse gear is selected.
The role model for the new Astra was the visionary Monza Concept presented at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. The new Astra follows this vision rigorously. Depending on the model and trim level, it will be up to 200kgs, and at the very least 120kgs lighter than its predecessor. New vehicle architecture plays a major role in the weight reduction. The design of the new Astra clearly depicts the efficiency at the heart of the car. The evolution of the Opel design philosophy ‘Sculptural Artistry meets German Precision’ ensures that the new Astra conveys a lighter, more athletic appearance. With a total length of 4.37 metres, the new Astra is 50mm shorter than its predecessor while the width has been reduced by 5mm. In combination with newly crafted seats, passengers in the rear can look forward to an additional 35mm legroom, improving travel comfort and sense of space. And the driver can enjoy 22mm of additional headroom. Leaner dimensions have had an impact on aerodynamics and efficiency, with the new Astra boasting a drag coefficient of 0.285.
At the front, the Opel design team wanted to make the new Astra look as wide as possible to give it a powerful and lower stance. The most significant design cue is the ‘breakthrough’ C-pillar, which creates the impression of a floating roof while simultaneously stretching the car visually, making it look lower and giving it an innovative design characteristic. The dramatically sculpted rear deck lid graphically links the rear tail lamps to create a leaner, wider and lower impression, underlining the Astra’s core efficiency. The interior of the new Astra features gracefully sculpted shapes combined with premium materials and functional clarity: switches and controls are all reduced to an absolute minimum, supporting the efficiency and ease of use that is at the core of the Astra. The location of the infotainment system was carefully selected to ensure both an ideal view to the display as well as easy reach and use.
There will be four trims available on the new Opel Astra in Ireland with standard features including:
· S model from €19,995: Bluetooth® hands-free phone connectivity, audio streaming, Aux-in and USB ports, air conditioning, remote control central locking, comfort front seats, hill start assist plus LED Daytime running lights
· SC (over S) €21,495: New generation IntelliLink system with 7 inch colour touch screen plus steering wheel mounted controls with 16-inch alloy wheels.
· SRi (over SC) € 24,495: Opel OnStar system, rain sensitive wipers, automatic lighting with tunnel detection, sports style front seats. A Driver assistance pack is also included featuring: Lane departure warning with lane assist, traffic sign recognition, following distance indicator, forward collision alert with autonomous emergency braking, front fog lights, plus 17-inch twin spoke alloy wheels
· Elite (over SC) € 25,995: Opel OnStar system, electronic dual zone climate control, rain-sensitive windscreen wipers, automatic lighting control with tunnel detection, leather heated front and rear seats (inc. ergonomic sports style front seats), six premium speakers’ front fog lights, plus 17-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels.
