These are the first reportedly official images of the new Vauxhall Astra, which is due to go on sale towards the end of this year.
Although the new Astra has been spotted testing numerous times in the run-up to its launch date, these pictures - which were first published on an Italian website - show the production-ready car for the first time.
As well as an overall increase in length compared to the current Astra, these pictures show the new generation car will adopt new headlight and tail cluster designs, as well as a more upright tailgate, a redesigned front end with new corporate grille, and a more rounded rear-end shape.
Inside, the new Astra features a large touchscreen infotainment system, and the same instrument cluster display already seen on the new Corsa.
Vauxhall is understood to be giving the next-generation Astra a “decisively upmarket” appeal, as General Motors’ loss-making European arm struggles to break even. Previous test mules have also been spotted performance testing at the Nürburgring. Autocar has already driven the new Astra in prototype form.
General Motors planners are placing an emphasis on the Astra’s exterior quality, fit and finish. It is also timing the launch of the new model to take advantage of the company’s all-new powertrain line-up.
The launch of the new Astra should emphasise GM’s strategy of trying to climb out of Europe’s middle-market blood bath.
The biggest clue to the look of the new Astra came with the Monza concept, unveiled at the Frankfurt show in September 2013. According to General Motors Europe (GME) sources, the Monza’s grille shape, bluff nose and large bumper air intakes all point to the face of the new Astra, particularly the sporting versions.
The aluminium strip that runs off the roof and into each tail-light cluster is expected to be a stylistic signature of the new Astra. It reflects the overarching design theme for future Vauxhalls and Opels: making the cars look more sophisticated and more expensively constructed.
Partly inspired by the success of Audi in building cars that excel in exterior fit and finish, GME wants to capture some of this sheen as it tries to push the Opel and Vauxhall brands upmarket.
The first signs of this new design policy can be seen on the facelifted Insignia, with extra exterior brightwork, such as the large chrome flash on the tailgate and large, heavily chromed radiator grille. Elements of that policy can also be seen on the new Astra.
The new Astra is expected to be based on a refreshed version of today’s well regarded Delta platform. As well as a five-door hatchback, the range will again include a three-door coupé and a long-wheelbase estate. Benefitting from new materials and construction methods, the new Astra is likely to offer a significant weight saving over the current car.
The new Astra will benefit greatly from GME’s all-new engine and transmission families - areas in which, company engineers admit, GME has lagged behind rivals.
Three new engine families (which include 13 individual petrol and diesel units) will be on stream by the time the new Astra arrives.
One of the most interesting options for the Astra will be a new 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbo petrol engine. Good for 114bhp and 124lb ft of torque from well below 2000rpm, the engine is already offered in both the Adam and the new Corsa.
Just as important to the Astra is a new six-speed manual gearbox. In 2013, when GM announced the new 1.6-litre diesel engine, the company admitted that its real weak point was manual gearboxes, partly because the basic design principle dated from the 1970s. The new transmission is said to weigh just 37kg and puts an emphasis on smooth shifts and a short lever action, both issues with today’s gearboxes.
Aside from making the new Astra more attractive than today’s car, it needs to overtake the Ford Focus and look towards annual sales of at least 250,000 units in Europe.
Vauxhall-Opel must also be able to increase the average transaction price for the 2015 Astra, which is the reason for making the car look more sophisticated and upmarket. Increased margins on the car are probably more crucial for loss-making GME than simply boosting sales figures.
A public debut for the new Astra at the Frankfurt motor show in September is likely.
Read more:
2015 Vauxhall Astra prototype review
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