Opel has consistently told anyone willing to listen how the Opel Monza concept would be a key influence in its future offerings. While the Monza itself may be poised for a return down the road, today, the 2016 Opel Astra has been officially unveiled with plenty of trickle down styling cues.
However, first, and foremost, the 2016 Opel Astra’s exterior footprint is smaller, yet roominess improves inside thanks to clever engineering. The all-new architecture has reduced the 2016 Astra’s curb weight by up to 441 pounds, depending on which powerplant resides under the bonnet. The win-win situation creates the most agile, frugal and lean on-paper Opel Astra to date.
Regarding the engine offerings, Opel will offer the latest generation in petrol, and diesel, engines. The 1.0-liter three-cylinder Ecotec turbocharged engine, producing 105 hp, sits as the pint-sized powerplant, and a 1.6-liter CDTI engine, producing 95 hp, will cover those yearning a diesel configuration. Though, Opel says the highlight of the 2016 Astra engine choices is a new 1.4-liter Ecotec direct-injection turbocharged four-cylinder. The aluminum architecture is said to reduce weight while returning 145 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque early in the power band. In fact, the aluminum engine block alone weighs 22 pounds less than the steel block of the current 1.4 turbo.
Moving right along to the exterior design of the 2016 Opel Astra, the compact hatch has cleaned up well. The Monza show car cues are evident in the new “Sculptural Artistry meets German Precision” design philosophy. Opel says athletic traits, rather than muscular cues, were an inspiration to the exterior design. Lines are sharper, creases run throughout the sheetmetal and a crafty c-pillar gives the impression of a floating roofline. Frankly, the design is quite refreshing.
Despite a shortened wheelbase, nearly 1.5-inches of legroom has been added inside the 2016 Astra, something rear-seat passengers will certainly enjoy. They’ll also enjoy what Opel calls its “highest-quality interior yet.” Designers aimed to transfer the athletic exterior appearance to the interior, with a clear, clean look. Control and toggle button clutter has been reduced, and a large touchscreen sets up camp as a driver information center in the center stack.
The 2016 Astra will not be short on technology. As detailed previously, the 2016 Astra will be the first Opel to arrive with Opel OnStar, as well as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support. New IntelliLux Matrix headlights have been engineered as an LED solution to traditional headlamps, providing the greatest light capacity seen on any road-going Opel. Not to mention, this LED matrix system sports a much longer lifecycle than halogen or Xenon lighting. Â This latest 2016 Astra even supports Mayback like creature comforts with massaging, ventilated, heated and width-adjustable seats.
Opel has announced the 2016 Astra as “the road to Opel’s future.” With a road laid out like this, it should be a bright, sunny cruise.
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Comments
I’m sure it will be sold as a Buick here in the states soon.
Hope the verano comes with the massagers. But again is it me or is everyone following the Nissan Murano For the 3/4 pillar?
I wonder if the saloon model will be sold again in the UK, & if it dose if it will be called Belmont.
idont see enything monza consept but maybe something flextream consept but ok.
at first sight, we can say that it is not the worst. Now he just escapes to compete. However, some of the competitors remaining in the new models come out immediately. Anyway, this is not easy.
very tough and difficult is the car world of today,
Buick Avenir´s interior design yeahh….
Just slap a Buick badge on it and call it a Skyhawk.
black shark on roof i dont understand. no paint money or? paint black this shark but this is just not painted plastic. this shark not cool today enymore. but ok. this is one thing…..
Maybe it’s a pre production thing and it will change? We can only hope.
Curious to see if some shoppers have that “who shrunk my Astra” response as happened with the 2013 Malibu.
The European market isn’t as focused on size and Opel claims greater interior space but visual perception is everything. A certain segment of shoppers must have bought the outgoing model because of and not in spite of the vehicles size. GM is going against the global grain here.
Personally, I like the current Astra better from a visual standpoint. This upcoming Astra is certainly nice, especially the width and floating roof but it looks Chevrolet.
Come on Holden Astra 2016!!
This should be sold here now. It makes the cruise etc. look like a knock off
this is not pre production. this is final product. but i think to at options is roof shark black bainted or body color or this simple plastic shark. this is not big deal but interesting vhat happend this options.
this is first car and pictures. this car not top options- no panoram roof and so on. must to wait. OPC-LINE options to
I can only wish that this will be rebadged as a Buick, and in the immediate future.
@Michael: the sedan version of this car has already been presented in April as the 2016 Buick Verano at the 2015 Shanghai Motor Show. See http://media.gm.com/media/cn/en/buick/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/cn/en/2015/april/0419_verano.html
Look at image 2 in above linked press release, and compare the front of the new Opel/Vauxhall Astra.
It could be more successful as a Chevrolet. This was designed as a Fiesta fighter for Europe and China–markets in which Opel, Vauxhall and Buick compete with Ford, not Chevy. Astra with sell as a bargain Holden in Oz, and challenge both Fiesta and Mazda 3 for sales.
In the US, this car will be overpriced and sell in small quantities as a Buick.
Converting this Astra into a Chevrolet will be easy and only require changes to the front and rear facada given the neutral character lines and design of the vehicle.
This beautiful car with cheapen Buick but enrich Chevy.
camon men. ford figther ahhaaa. i dont want to be ford figther. i want vw figther or up up level. who wants they go and figth ford who cares. i want to go up up up . ford is good but nothing what i want or what helps grow up and up.
my dreams is vw figther or better. big dreams. we must dreams then we can win . when we dont dreams then we dont win to. dreams better cars.
buick and chevy is gm cars to dont figth eachother. be a friends buick and chevy figth others manyfactures cars and killing them
It looks great on the outside and awesome on the inside, especially for a car in this price range. Nice lines and small things like the lighting to give it an upscale look. And it’s supposed to lose a lot of weight too. Hopefully the buying public will see what a great car this is and help gain some market share.
GMNA could take some interior styling tips from Opel. I really like what they were able to do with a budget vehicle. Especially the infotainment.
Also need to get more LED styling with the headlights for GM cars in the states. Vehicles that have it are MUCH more noticeable. Most buyers could give a crap about HP and torque.
GMNA could take tips from Opel in every way.
I almost wish GM would just allow Opel to take over GM given Detroit’s half measures regarding design and styling.
I was hoping one of the options for the digital speedometer as the regal insignia, and can be ordered. but perhaps should be optional, or later in any other version of the Astra.
they could have an old digital speedometer and a menu just to put the new Astra, and it would be a major success in the classroom. insignia old system to the new Astra.
However, GM and Opel will also continue to weird things and deeds which are difficult to understand. that’s why they are doing so. as shown on the picture speedometer.
could be something newer. more modern and innovative. down and think about the others.
this not to bad but we need something new and better and so one. use news elements this spidometer LED or i dont know something new, better and ……………..
I believe that the digital speedometer vw golf Immediately
For North America, this car is a bad match for Buick as it was designed with Ford and VW competition in mind.
With little effort, a little body work, this Astra would be an ideal Chevrolet hatch.
I dislike varients, so would pass on this being a Cruze hatch, and could see this car standing on it’s own as a Chevy Astra (or GM could revive an older nameplate such Grand Am or Cutless.)
I just don’t see this fantastic car fitting in well or selling in an volume as a Buick.