With the premiere of the all-new 11th generation Opel Astra only a few week, the Rüsselsheim-based company previewed the compact hatchback with official photos of the camouflaged prototype and details on its ongoing development program. Real-world testing of the new Opel Astra began last winter, and now it has reached the final stages of development and fine-tuning before the production version rolls out this month.
Testing included a visit to the frozen Swedish Lapland with temperatures reaching -30 degrees, in order to optimize traction on slippery surfaces (stability control, traction control, and ABS) and make sure the temperature management (heat rejection, coolant flow, etc), heating, ventilation, and air conditioning work well under these circumstances even during warm-up. Cold-weather testing was also useful for the lithium-ion batteries of the plug-in hybrid variant.
Then came the “torture” sessions on the Dudenhofen Test Centre where the engineers tested the car’s ADAS systems and high-speed performance, ensuring “Autobahn-proofness”. Opel also used its own Electro-Magnetic Compatibility laboratory in Rüsselsheim to ensure electronic systems don’t suffer from interference when exposed to electromagnetic emissions. Finally, real-world testing took place on the Rhine-Main region close to Rüsselsheim. As a reminder, the new Astra is based on Stelantis’ EMP2 platform which also underpins the Peugeot 308 and DS 4 models. It will be offered with a 1.2-liter petrol engine, a 1.5-liter diesel, and two plug-in hybrid powertrains. Those will combine a 1.6-liter petrol engine with one or two electric motors moving the front or all four wheels.
Design-wise, the new Opel Astra has similar proportions and window-line with its Peugeot 308 sibling. However, it has different body panels incorporating Opel’s latest design language. At the front, we find Opels’ visor, first introduced by the new Mokka, with more elongated Matrix-LED headlights integrated with the black grille. The body is more muscular compared to the previous generation with slim LED taillights creating a visual connection between the two generations. Inside, we already know from the recent teasers that the Astra will have the “Pure Panel” cockpit comprising of a digital instrument cluster and a central touchscreen allowing for the reduction of physical controls.
We will get our first look at what is hiding under this bright yellow camouflage in a few weeks, at the official premiere of Opel’s new C-Segment model.
