Vauxhall will introduce an all-new version of the Astra Sports Tourer early next year,
Based on the same General Motors D2 platform as the new Astra hatchback, the Sports Tourer will rival the likes of the Ford Focus Estate and Volkswagen Golf Estate.
From these spy shots, it's clear the new estate will use the same front-end styling as the regular hatchback at the front but features an elongated rear end with a larger load bay.
Inside, the Sports Tourer's cabin fixtures and fittings will be lifted wholesale from the hatchback, as will its infotainment services and safety technology.
Engines will also mirror those found in the hatch. They include a 99bhp naturally aspirated 1.4-litre petrol unit, a turbocharged petrol 1.4 with 148bhp and a 1.6-litre diesel with 109bhp. A higher-output twin-turbo diesel is planned to go into the Astra early in 2016, so is also likely to be available in the Sports Tourer.
The new Sports Tourer is expected to offer more room inside than the current car - achieved through clever packaging and optimising the use of materials. The current Astra Sports Tourer offers 1550 litres of load space with the rear seats down and 500 litres with them in place.
As with the hatchback, the new Sports Tourer is expected to be considerably lighter than its predecessor. If the weight saving of up to 200kg achieved on the hatchback can be replicated for the estate, expect the new Sports Tourer to weigh in at just under 1800kg.
Although prices won't be announced until closer to the car's launch, the new Astra Sports Tourer is expected to cost slightly more than the current car, which is priced from £16,480. The new Astra hatchback starts at £15,295.
Read more:
2015 Vauxhall Astra 1.4 Turbo prototype review
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