2016 Opel Astra – 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show Live

15/09/2015 - 22:35 opel astra, Vauxhall Astra, Opel, 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show Riza Rizvi

30,000 orders already bagged by Opel.

The 2016 Opel Astra has made its public premiere at the 2015 IAA in Frankfurt. It features a sportier design, more efficient platform, new engine lineup, and will start arriving at dealerships from October.

The new Astra is based on the D2XX platform from the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze, is up to 200 kg lighter than the outgoing model (depending on the variant). Opel says the body shell alone has witnessed a weight reduction from 357 to 280 kg. The length has decreased to 4.37 meters which is 5 centimeter less than its predecessor, the overall height has also been reduced by 2.6 centimeters to 1.46 meters.

Design wise, the Astra borrows many elements from the Monza Concept that was seen at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. The front gets a wide grille with the Opel Blitz at the center of the two chrome slats and the LED headlamps that appear to be flowing in to the radiator grille. The sides get a rising beltline, prominent shoulder line and black C-pillar giving the roof a floating appearance. The rear gets angular wraparound tail lights and a roof-mounted spoiler.

The interior is actually more spacious than the outgoing model. The cabin features a three-spoke multi-function steering wheel, twin-pod instrument cluster and the centrally mounted Intellilink infotainment system. The system has Android Auto / Apple CarPlay connectivity and 4G hotspot too. The dashboard as well as the center console and door trims receive chrome embellishments. European versions will get Opel’s OnStar connectivity and service assistant from launch.

Powering the base variants of the Astra will be a choice of 1.6-liter four cylinder turbo diesel engines tuned to produce either 95 hp, 110 hp or 136 hp, a 1.0-liter three cylinder turbo petrol engine with an output of 105 hp, and a new 1.4-liter turbocharged gasoline unit available in two power states: 92 kW/125 hp or 110 kW/150 hp and up to 245 Nm maximum torque.