Press Release
New Edition of Successful Model
- New engines: More power with lower consumption
- New styling: Accentuated dynamic look
- New equipment: More options for personal customization
- New chassis electronics: Trailer Stability Assist even safer
With new, more economical engines, a refined look, enhanced technology and an expanded equipment range, the new edition of the Opel Astra is available at dealerships from February 2007 at a practically unchanged, affordable price starting from 16,160 euros. The whole Astra family benefits from the model update, from the five-door and station wagon variants to the sporty three-door GTC and dynamic, elegant TwinTop cabrio-coupé. The new Opel Astra made its world premiere at the Bologna Motor Show in December. With about 1.3 million units sold since its market launch in March 2004, the third-generation Astra plays a leading role in the fiercely competitive compact segment and in European sales statistics. The bestseller will now be available with a range of eleven different engine versions, producing between 90 and 240 hp.
"The Astra is our number one volume model and of considerable importance, having successfully asserted itself in an extremely fierce, competitive market. We naturally put a great deal of care and attention into the new edition. As a result, one of the most attractive and successful cars is now of even greater value and significance. Noticeable plus-points for customers such as refined performance, economy, comfort, safety and looks will help solidify the Astra's position in Germany and Europe."
Carl-Peter Forster, President GM Europe
New look: Accentuated design for stronger model and brand identity
The upcoming Astra sets itself apart from the competition with an even more exciting, sporty look and sends a new signal in its segment. The design team further honed the distinctive face that was presented with the third-generation Astra in 2003 at the IAA and met with a positive response from customers and automotive specialists alike. Thanks to the evolutionary concept, it is still clearly recognizable as a member of the family, and designers were also able to sharpen both model and brand identity. Integrated organic elements such as the sharply drawn "eyebrows" above the imitation air intakes serve as a blueprint for future Opel models. Above these crafted features, the bumper is integrated into the Astra's dynamic V-shaped front.
The dominant radiator mask also adds to the confident look. This impression is enhanced in the five-door and station wagon models by the widened upper chrome crossbar with integrated Opel logo. The distinctive decorative elements reduce the gap to the hood, as well as taking the characteristic crease and continuing it to the radiator grille vanes, which are also chrome-plated.
"The gentle downward sloped tapering of the vanes and grille frame give the Astra a muscular appearance, and even when parked it appears raring to go. With its athletic proportions and aerodynamic bodyline, the Astra reminds you of the stance of a sprinter in the starting blocks."
Friedhelm Engler, Astra Chief Designer
The headlamp housings in stylish chrome look also convey an additional sense of quality. The Astra Sport, as well as the versions with xenon or curve and cornering light are recognizable by their dark-tinted headlamp housings.
Other features of the new edition Astra include the front bumper with integrated impact protection bars (five-door and station wagon models) as well as tail lights in 3-D block design (five-door model), which already make the GTC's rear so eye-catching. The Astra station wagon features flowing, practical roof rails in aluminum look. The Astra GTC now boasts a honeycomb grille that highlights its sporty look even further.
Opel milestones in engines: Did you know that …?
… As early as 1908, racing sport was the trailblazer for series production at Opel? The 8.6-liter engine in the "33/60 hp" touring car model was based on the 7.8-liter four-cylinder racing car with start number 3 B. In the 1907 Hessian "Kaiserpreisrennen" race, Opel driver Carl Jörns won the prize for "Best German car". As a result, Opel became a purveyor to the court.
… Opel presented a technological sensation of the time at the French Grand Prix in Amiens in 1913? It centered on a four-liter four-cylinder engine with 16 valves and overhead camshaft, which powered a vertical drive shaft. The engine produced 110 hp and had a top speed of 170 km/h. This made Opel one of the first automakers in the world to combine an overhead camshaft with four-valve technology.
… At the beginning of 1914, Opel produced a car with the largest engine displacement in its model history? The "Über-Auto" with 12.3-liter displacement was based on the Grand Prix car of 1913. Carl Jörns won over 200 prizes and cups at numerous international events with the 260 hp "Dampfhammer". "I never really took the car to its limit," he said later. "But it must be capable of 250 km/h."
… Opel presented the ideal people's car in 1931 with the 1.2-liter model? The engine block of the newly constructed "silky smooth" four-cylinder unit (22 hp at 3400 rpm) was fixed by rubber at four points. Three crankshaft bearings further improved running smoothness.
… The Opel Kadett success story began in August 1962? Its lively 1-liter, four-cylinder engine with overhead camshaft (40 hp) ? nicknamed little sewing machine ? helped the lightweight car achieve respectable driving performance.
… A modified Opel GT with a 2.1-liter four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine (95 hp) set 20 international records in June 1972? A short time later, the Opel Rekord D made its debut. Its 60 hp, swirl-chamber diesel engine derived from a test vehicle was the first diesel unit in an Opel passenger car.
… Opel started a new chapter in motor sport with the Kadett E GSi 16V in 1988? Its 2-liter 16V engine (150 hp), which helped the series-production vehicle to reach 217 km/h, served as the basis for the extremely successful Formula 3 engine with catalytic converter and well over 200 hp.
… in 1992, the Calibra became the first Opel with a turbo gasoline engine? The Calibra had a 2-liter 16V (204 hp) engine and featured a permanent four-wheel drive system. Its top speed was 245 km/h.
… In spring 2000, a completely newly developed 2.2-liter four-valve gasoline engine made its series production debut in the new Astra Coupé? The 16V engine was the first European version of the ECOTEC four-cylinder generation, which featured both an alloy cylinder head and crank case. The engine produced 147 hp and already met the stringent Euro 4 emission standard, first valid in 2005.
… The Opel fuel-cell concept car, HydroGen1, set eleven international records in 2001? Powered by pure hydrogen, the Zafira covered 1386.906 kilometers in the 24-hour test marathon in the Arizona desert.
… Opel broke new ground with its monovalentplus concept, available since 2001? The 1.6-liter, low emissions engine is optimized for natural gas operation and today helps the Zafira CNG and Combo CNG achieve extraordinarily low operating costs.
… Opel introduced two new gasoline engines (1.0 and 1.4-liter) with innovative TWINPORT technology in the new edition Corsa in 2003? Fuel-savings reach up to 23 percent. The 1.3 CDTI ECOTEC engine also made its debut in the Corsa. Thanks to innovative multi-injection systems, the smallest four-cylinder common-rail turbo-diesel engine in the world requires only 4.5 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers.
… In November 2003, Opel set a world record for a diesel passenger car with innovative TWINTURBO technology? For the first time, engineers succeeded in making a two-stage turbocharger for a diesel passenger car.
A 1.9-liter CDTI TWINTURBO engine with 212 hp was used in the Vectra OPC concept car, which was suitable for everyday use. The output per liter of 112 hp set a top mark for a diesel engine.
