No, it's not an April 1 lie — not least because it's September — or even a prank we're playing on you. Although you may not even realize it, the Opel Astra It has just been effectively updated and the news is many and significant!
But not abroad… You'll even need a magnifying glass, or, at least, extra attention, to find the differences compared to the model still on sale.
This is because Opel decided to launch a kind of challenge like "Where's Wally?" and, novelties on the outside, they are nothing more than a new metallic bar on the front grille with continuity in the optics — which can now also be in 13W LED —, minor touches on the rear bumper… and that's it!
In this way, new and much more important, are the “hidden” changes that made the Astra improve its aerodynamics, which, on the Sports Tourer, now has a coefficient of resistance (Cx) of 0.26. of the van, along with the hatchback, two of the models with the lowest aerodynamic resistance in the segment — says Opel…
What's new inside? There we go…
Inside, the same policy, with the renewed Astra presenting an entire environment practically unchanged, well built, with the same overall pleasant materials, a correct and comfortable driving position, sufficient space in the rear seats and luggage compartment… and with new features on the equipment — that's exactly what you read… news!
Inside, it is most likely that the fully digital instrument panel, the Pure Panel, will make its presence felt.
Basically, the renewed Astra announces a total reduction of 21% in CO2 emissions, according to Opel
Seeking to keep up with the advance of times, the new Astra range now features new front and rear exterior cameras. The front, more powerful, thanks to a new processor, and therefore already capable of detecting pedestrians (an asset for the autonomous emergency braking system), while the rear, available with the infotainment system Multimedia Navi Pro, displaying greater sharpness.
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Still on the infotainment systems, three new options to choose from — Multimedia Radio, Multimedia Navi and Multimedia Navi Pro —, all of them compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and, in the case of the Navi Pro version, with a touchscreen 8″ — not the biggest in the segment, to be sure, but at least it's still functional and intuitive.
With new layouts, these systems can also be operated via voice, while, in front of the driver, the instrument panel can now be digital, albeit partially.
Finally, the well-known eCall emergency call system is now available, in addition to, in the more equipped versions, a smartphone induction charger and a new BOSE seven-speaker hi-fi system.
“So what was it for, the renovation?…”
None of that!… Don't stop reading. The real news, the real news, is under the bonnet, that is, engines and transmissions.
New engines and transmissions, by Opel, not PSA.
Designed with the assumed objective of helping to position not only the Astra, but mainly Opel itself, within the emission limits that should come into force as early as January 2020 — they basically impose 95 g/km of CO2 as an average in the ranges of car manufacturers — the renovation now presented ended up leading to an extreme measure: the disappearance of all engines hitherto available on the Astra, replaced by a new set of more efficient and cleaner engines.
Main characteristics of the new engines, which are not PSA but Opel, as their development started before the acquisition of Opel by the French group: both petrol and diesel are all three-cylinder, turbocharged, and with low cylinder capacity . Since, in the case of the Portuguese market, the offer passes, in terms of gasoline, to a 1.2 and 1.4, with, respectively, 130 and 145 hp of power and maximum torque of 225 and 236 Nm.
Already on diesel, a 1.5 l, announcing 122 hp and 300 Nm of torque ; or 285 Nm, when with automatic transmission.
For the rest, there are also new transmissions, with all engines that can be used, both manual and automatic. Although, from the factory, only the 1.4 Turbo comes with a CVT box, while the 1.5 Turbo D is graced with the biggest new feature: an all-new nine-speed automatic transmission.
Speaking of consumption and emissions, the 1.2 Turbo 130 hp and six-speed manual gearbox announces, already according to the new WLTP standard, fuel consumption averages of 5.6-5.2 l/100 km, with emissions of 128-119 g/km of CO2; while the 1.4 145 hp turbo and CVT gearbox (allows simulating gearbox with seven ratios), promises consumption of 6.2-5.8 l/100 km and emissions of 142-133 g/km of CO2.
About the 1.5 Turbo D of 122 hp , equipped with a six-speed manual transmission, announces consumption of 4.8-4.5 l/100 km and emissions of 127-119 g/km CO2, values that rise, respectively, to 5.6-5.2 l /100 km and 147-138 g/km CO2 when in the presence of the nine-speed automatic transmission.
Basically, the renewed Astra announces a total reduction of 21% in CO2 emissions, according to Opel.
Chassis and brakes also updated
And because the news doesn't end here, a mandatory reference also for the improvements made to the chassis, starting with more direct steering, new shock absorbers and a Watt parallelogram rear axle.
Note also for the adoption of a new braking system. Entitled EBoost , this new system promises not only more efficiency (three times more, to be precise), but also a greater feeling on the pedal, as well as a contribution to reducing emissions — that's right, in reducing emissions, more precisely, 1 g/ km of CO2, already according to the WLTP standard.
Driving? meeting the needs
Having scrutinized all the news, it's time to get into the driving that, in the new Astra, basically appears… in line with what it was in the past. Which, let the critics be disappointed, can only be considered positive!
In short: straighter, with the set always very well controlled and revealing a firmer and more informative step than properly comfortable — we were, without a doubt, keen to put the Astra to the test on more degraded floors, but… —, and thanks also to the new direction, showing good adaptation to speed, with a good relationship with the curves.
As for the (effectively) new engines, we were particularly pleased with the 122 hp 1.5 Turbo D, with early availability and momentum, albeit also a little loud. Although also helped by a nine-speed automatic transmission, competent in managing the capabilities of the small block.
As for the 1.2 Turbo with 130 hp, it seemed to us, despite the greater power, a solution more suited to more relaxed rhythms, taking advantage especially of the very linear rise in regime. Also because, supported by a simple but pleasant six-speed manual gearbox, consumption is not particularly worrying, with averages just above 6 l/100 km; higher result than the 4.6 l/100 km we got with the 1.5 Turbo D on the same mountain course, it's true, but still nothing scandalous.
From 26,400 euros
With a range made up of three equipment levels — Business Edition, GS Line and Ultimate — the new Opel Astra also doesn't bring significant news in terms of prices, when compared to its predecessor.
Announcing itself to the Portuguese with a slight increase, translated into an entry price, in the case of the five doors, from 24 690 euros — price for the 130 hp 1.2 Turbo version with six-speed manual gearbox and Business Edition equipment level. Speaking of the 122hp 1.5 Turbo D with manual transmission, Business Edition, it starts at 28,190 euros.
All prices for the renovated Opel Astra
Orders can be placed as of next week, with the first units to be delivered, predictably, in November.
Opel Astra (and Kadett) Vans — a story that spans decades