Opel has quickly reacted to the leaked Opel Astra 2016 photos and has released full details and more images of its all-new compact hatchback. Opel has revealed its revamped Astra hatch ahead of the model’s Frankfurt motor show debut in September.
The new Opel Astra 2016 is slightly smaller on the outside but bigger on the inside. Based on the same platform that underpins the 2016 Chevrolet Volt, Opel engineers have managed to shave a significant amount of weight from the Astra’s relatively small frame. Depending on spec, the new Astra will be between 264 pounds and 485 pounds lighter than the model currently sitting in Opel showrooms.
Based on an all-new lightweight vehicle architecture, the new Opel Astra 2016 is equipped with latest generation engines and offers features previously only reserved to higher segments. Astra will have a host of diesel and gasoline engines available, depending on what part of the globe it’s being sent to. Some of the highlights include a new 1.4-liter direct injection turbo that will generate 145 horsepower and will also allegedly be supremely fuel efficient. The all-aluminum block is as least 22 pounds lighter than its steel counterpart, adding to the Astra’s mission to shed the extra bulk.
The significant weight reduction is mainly due to the new platform, as the bodyshell weight alone was reduced by 20 percent from 357 to 280 kilograms. Chassis-related measures shaved another 50 kilograms off the Astra’s weight, with the end result being improved agility and driving comfort. Opel says the new model is “more responsive, corners better and gives a much more direct overall driving experience.”
The new Astra will be offered with petrol and diesel engines with a displacement of up to 1.6 liters, ranging from 95PS to 200PS. All diesel units have 1.6 liters and start from 95PS, while the petrol offer starts with the 1.0 Ecotec Direct Injection Turbo with 105PS.
The exterior features a design inspired by 2013’s Monza concept, particularly at the front. The headlights will eventually be available with Matrix LED technology, allowing owners to drive at night with the high beams left permanently on. Inside, there’s a clean design with a large, touch-screen display in the center stack and a secondary display in the instrument cluster. There are a number of premium touches, too, such as accent stitching, leather trim and metal inlays.
With a length of 4,370mm, the Astra is almost 50mm shorter than its predecessor, while the height of 1,460mm is also 26mm smaller. Unusually, even the wheelbase has been reduced by 20mm, but Opel says the amount of space inside has actually increased.
As a result, rear-seat passengers have an additional 35mm legroom, while the distance between the front and rear seats is larger than before. The reduction in size has had an impact on aerodynamics and efficiency, with the new Astra having a drag coefficient below 0.30.
Opel is really proud of the fact that the new Astra offers technologies and innovations from higher segments, such as the new personal connectivity and service assistant Opel OnStar. The system offers customers a broad range of safety and comfort services including automatic alert in case an airbag deploys and the 4G LTE mobile Wi-Fi hotspot.
The new generation of the IntelliLink infotainment system will also debut in the Astra with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. For the first time in the C-segment, the new Astra will be offered with the IntelliLux LED matrix headlights. Other safety, driver assistance and comfort systems include Traffic Sign Assistant and the Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning along with Following Distance Indication and the Forward Collision Alert with Collision Imminent Braking.
source: motorauthority.com | digitaltrends.com | carsguide.com.au | leftlanenews.com | carscoops.com