Rüsselsheim/Istanbul. Opel’s elegant four-door Astra sedan makes its world premiere at the Istanbul Motor Show (November 3 #8722; 12, 2006), becoming the fifth model in the bestselling Astra range alongside the five-door hatch, station wagon, three-door GTC and cabrio-coupé TwinTop variants. “This motor show is the largest in this region, and Turkey is also one of the most important sales markets for the classic compact sedan,” says Alain Visser, Executive Director, European Marketing for Opel. The new model features a range of two gasoline and two diesel engines with output between 90 and 140 hp, and will go on sale in fall 2007.
Opel continues a tradition with the new Astra notchback model, as the first two Astra generations were both available with four doors and a large, separate luggage compartment. The Astra sedan will be produced in Gliwice, Poland, an ideal location to serve the Central and Eastern European markets for which the car has been primarily developed. The predecessor notchback model, Astra Classic, will also continue to be built there. The new model was developed at General Motors Europe’s International Technical Development Center in Rüsselsheim, in cooperation with General Motors Brazil. Traditional four-door notchback sedans also play an important role in Brazil, the largest South American market.
The new sedan boasts the Astra’s progressive, proportionally balanced design, dynamic lines and characteristic driving dynamics, together with high safety reserves. The new model's designers adopted the long wheelbase from the station wagon (2703 mm) for generous space in the rear and a large luggage compartment. With a length of 4618 mm and luggage compartment volume of 500 liters, the 1754 mm wide and 1458 mm high four-door sedan is positioned as an upper-end family car.
Powertrain and chassis: Four engines, pronounced agility and high safety reserves
Four state-of-the-art ECOTEC gasoline and diesel engines are available for the four-door Astra, with displacements of 1.3 to 1.8 liters and output from 90 to 140 hp. The top-of-the-line 1.8-liter, 140 hp gasoline engine with variable camshaft phasing promises plenty of driving fun.
The transmission range includes one manual five-speed and one six-speed manual gearbox, a four-speed automatic, as well as an enhanced automated Easytronic manual transmission.
The Astra offers top agility and precise handling with high levels of driving safety, the basis for which is the IDS chassis (Interactive Driving System) with McPherson front axle and patented torsion-beam rear axle. Standard safety features in all Astra variants include front disc brakes, ABS, Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Brake Assist, as well as Electro-Hydraulic Power Steering (EHPS).
Equipment highlights: Advanced technology in compact class
The Astra sedan meets the needs of discerning customers with its extensive range of standard equipment. It also offers optional technological highlights from the Astra's extensive equipment range, such as bi-xenon headlamps, Hill Start Assist (HSA), the electric heater “Quickheat” and rear Park Pilot.
The new Astra model is available in three equipment lines: Essentia, Enjoy and Cosmo. The Essentia already boasts important safety features ex works, including front and side airbags as well as ABS. Comfortable and practical standard details include central locking, front power windows, and the 60:40 split rear bench seat back. The Astra Enjoy offers even more extensive standard equipment, including air conditioning, height-adjustable driver’s seat and CD-radio CD 30. The top-of-the-line Cosmo model distinguishes itself with additional high-quality equipment features such as 16-inch alloy wheels, center console in piano lacquer finish and a leather steering wheel.
The newest addition to the Astra family can be further personalized with a selection of four equipment packages:
Light and Visibility (windshield wipers with rain sensor, automatic photochromatic rear-view mirror, Automatic Lighting Control ALC)
Winter (heated seats in front, headlamp washer system)
Seat Comfort (adjustable lumbar support for driver’s seat)
Leather Seats (in addition to Seat Comfort package: front sport seats, heated seats)
As an alternative to air conditioning, which is standard from the Enjoy variant, automatic air conditioning and Electronic Climate Control (ECC) with air quality sensor are available. The extensive range of infotainment systems is typical of the Astra, with equipment that includes a navigation system or MP3 capability. A mobile phone console with Bluetooth interface and voice control is also available, as well as a Twin Audio system that provides separate entertainment in the rear.
Market: Up to 65 percent of all compact cars are notchbacks
The Opel retail network in Central and Eastern Europe has grown from 320 contracted dealers in 2002 to 380 in 2006 and provides the same high standards of customer service as elsewhere in Europe. The new Astra sedan will be an important addition to the line-up in the strong, thriving markets in this region. 67 percent of Turkish customers who purchase a compact class car, for example, choose a notchback model. In Russia, this figure is 65 percent, while Poland and Southeastern Europe each have a total of around 15 percent. With a share of approximately five percent, this body variant plays a less significant role in the compact class in Western Europe.
Opel continues a tradition with the new Astra notchback model, as the first two Astra generations were both available with four doors and a large, separate luggage compartment. The Astra sedan will be produced in Gliwice, Poland, an ideal location to serve the Central and Eastern European markets for which the car has been primarily developed. The predecessor notchback model, Astra Classic, will also continue to be built there. The new model was developed at General Motors Europe’s International Technical Development Center in Rüsselsheim, in cooperation with General Motors Brazil. Traditional four-door notchback sedans also play an important role in Brazil, the largest South American market.
The new sedan boasts the Astra’s progressive, proportionally balanced design, dynamic lines and characteristic driving dynamics, together with high safety reserves. The new model's designers adopted the long wheelbase from the station wagon (2703 mm) for generous space in the rear and a large luggage compartment. With a length of 4618 mm and luggage compartment volume of 500 liters, the 1754 mm wide and 1458 mm high four-door sedan is positioned as an upper-end family car.
Powertrain and chassis: Four engines, pronounced agility and high safety reserves
Four state-of-the-art ECOTEC gasoline and diesel engines are available for the four-door Astra, with displacements of 1.3 to 1.8 liters and output from 90 to 140 hp. The top-of-the-line 1.8-liter, 140 hp gasoline engine with variable camshaft phasing promises plenty of driving fun.
The transmission range includes one manual five-speed and one six-speed manual gearbox, a four-speed automatic, as well as an enhanced automated Easytronic manual transmission.
The Astra offers top agility and precise handling with high levels of driving safety, the basis for which is the IDS chassis (Interactive Driving System) with McPherson front axle and patented torsion-beam rear axle. Standard safety features in all Astra variants include front disc brakes, ABS, Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Brake Assist, as well as Electro-Hydraulic Power Steering (EHPS).
Equipment highlights: Advanced technology in compact class
The Astra sedan meets the needs of discerning customers with its extensive range of standard equipment. It also offers optional technological highlights from the Astra's extensive equipment range, such as bi-xenon headlamps, Hill Start Assist (HSA), the electric heater “Quickheat” and rear Park Pilot.
The new Astra model is available in three equipment lines: Essentia, Enjoy and Cosmo. The Essentia already boasts important safety features ex works, including front and side airbags as well as ABS. Comfortable and practical standard details include central locking, front power windows, and the 60:40 split rear bench seat back. The Astra Enjoy offers even more extensive standard equipment, including air conditioning, height-adjustable driver’s seat and CD-radio CD 30. The top-of-the-line Cosmo model distinguishes itself with additional high-quality equipment features such as 16-inch alloy wheels, center console in piano lacquer finish and a leather steering wheel.
The newest addition to the Astra family can be further personalized with a selection of four equipment packages:
Light and Visibility (windshield wipers with rain sensor, automatic photochromatic rear-view mirror, Automatic Lighting Control ALC)
Winter (heated seats in front, headlamp washer system)
Seat Comfort (adjustable lumbar support for driver’s seat)
Leather Seats (in addition to Seat Comfort package: front sport seats, heated seats)
As an alternative to air conditioning, which is standard from the Enjoy variant, automatic air conditioning and Electronic Climate Control (ECC) with air quality sensor are available. The extensive range of infotainment systems is typical of the Astra, with equipment that includes a navigation system or MP3 capability. A mobile phone console with Bluetooth interface and voice control is also available, as well as a Twin Audio system that provides separate entertainment in the rear.
Market: Up to 65 percent of all compact cars are notchbacks
The Opel retail network in Central and Eastern Europe has grown from 320 contracted dealers in 2002 to 380 in 2006 and provides the same high standards of customer service as elsewhere in Europe. The new Astra sedan will be an important addition to the line-up in the strong, thriving markets in this region. 67 percent of Turkish customers who purchase a compact class car, for example, choose a notchback model. In Russia, this figure is 65 percent, while Poland and Southeastern Europe each have a total of around 15 percent. With a share of approximately five percent, this body variant plays a less significant role in the compact class in Western Europe.
