Sleeker, advanced sedan makes its world debut

The new Opel Astra made its world premiere in Frankfurt last week.
This model is nothing less than a quantum leap for the compact class in terms of efficiency, connectivity and premium features, packed in a new, athletic design.
Entirely created from a white sheet of paper, the lightweight-design Astra is powered exclusively by the newest-generation of engines from Opel.
It features numerous safety and assistance systems that are unrivalled or even make their premiere in this class, such as the groundbreaking glare-free IntelliLux LED matrix light system.
Lighter, more frugal and agile while offering even greater comfort and is up to 200 kg lighter than the outgoing model, mainly due to its completely new vehicle architecture.
The result of this weight reduction is improved agility and driving comfort. The Astra powertrain line-up also plays a big role in this enhanced driving experience. Each new Astra features a completely new engine with outputs ranging from 70 kW to 147 kW. The petrol engine with a displacement of up to 1,6 litres combine the highest efficiency with excellent responsiveness, running smoothly and with a low noise generation. The all-new 1.4 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo engine makes its premiere in the Astra.
This four-cylinder unit with weight-saving all-aluminium design delivers 92 kW or 110 kW and up to 245 Nm maximum torque of which the latter will be available in South Africa. Depending on the output version, consumption in the combined cycle decreases down to 4,9 litres per 100 km. The three-cylinder 1.0 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo engine with 77 kW is the most frugal engine in the petrol line-up, with consumption that can be as low as 4,2 litres per 100 km.
The Opel design philosophy ensures that the new Astra conveys a lighter, more athletic appearance. In front the newly designed double grill bar and radiator grill flow seamlessly into the sharply defined matrix headlights.
The rear-seat passengers benefit from a whopping 35 mm more legroom than before. The number of knobs and buttons has been reduced to a minimum and most infotainment functions is transferred to the touch screen.
The control ergonomics remain outstanding while clarity has been dramatically improved. The award-winning IntelliLink infotainment system is located in the middle of the centre console, where the driver has an excellent view of the display and ideal access to its operation.
The new generation AGR (Campaign for Healthier Backs) certified premium ergonomic seats offer additional comfort with their unique combination of side bolster adjustment, massage and memory function as well as ventilation.