Opel confirmed the upcoming Astra-e fully electric variant for 2023, during the model’s premiere in Rüsselsheim, as part of their strategy to become a fully electric brand in Europe by 2028. The all-new sixth generation of the Opel/Vauxhall Astra was first unveiled in July 2021, and initially, Opel announced it would be offered in petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid powertrains.
The Opel Astra is based on the EMP2 architecture which also underpins the Peugeot 308, and the DS 4 siblings. At first, it was believed that this platform wasn’t designed to support BEV variants but it seems that Stellantis managed to fit a larger battery and electric motors transforming it to the pure electric e-VMP architecture. The Astra-e will expand Opel’s BEV range next to the Rocks-e heavy quadricycle, Corsa-e supermini, Mokka-e B-SUV, Combo-e Life, and Vivaro-e Life passenger vans. The Rüsselsheim-based company is also offering an electric commercial vehicle range including the Combo-e, Vivaro-e, and Movano-e, all based on Stellantis underpinnings.
Like the aforementioned models, the 2023 Astra-e will carry over the styling of the regular Astra which comes with the Opel Visor at the front (a single panel covering the grille and the matrix LED taillights) and a sculpted body. Inside, it will retain the Pure Panel cockpit comprising of a 10-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen, plus all of the latest ADAS systems. In the future, the Astra-e could also get an OPC/VXR version with a more focused suspension setup and likely slightly more aggressive styling.
As a reminder, in terms of ICE-powered variants, the Opel Astra is available with the turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder petrol engine producing 108 hp or 128 hp, and the 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel also producing 128 hp. The plug-in hybrids combine a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with a single electric motor for a combined output of 178 hp or 222 hp and an electric range of up to 56 km thanks to the 12.4 kWh battery. Deliveries are expected to start in early 2022 for the ICE-powered and plug-in hybrid variants of the Opel Astra, and in 2023 for the fully electric Astra-e. Besides the five-door hatchback bodystyle, Opel will also offer the more practical Astra Sports Tourer that will be unveiled shortly.
