Exciting looking, fun to drive and with a host of features new to compact cars, the new Opel Astra will celebrate its world premiere at the Frankfurt International Motor Show (September 13-21, 2003). Opel’s new design language, featuring clear lines, well-balanced proportions, taut surfaces and precision-crafted details, defines the appearance of the third generation Astra.
“The new Astra symbolizes the dynamics of the Opel brand as no other volume model has done before. With its expressive design it makes a bold statement in the compact segment. Since we are already strongly represented here by the Zafira and Meriva, we were able to emphasize individuality and emotion even more in the styling of the Astra. This sets us clearly apart from the competition,” says Opel Chairman and Managing Director, Carl-Peter Forster, to the positioning of the all-new model range.
The technological highlights of the third generation Astra include the adaptive suspension system IDSPlus (Interactive Driving System) with Continuous Damping Control (CDC). The optional IDSPlus system comes with a special sport mode providing performance driving characteristics, which can be activated at the push of a button. Additional state-of-the-art engineering includes the AFL (Adaptive Forward Lighting) headlamp system, offered for the first time in this segment, automatic headlamp activation, which turns the car’s lights on automatically in the dark, and new TWINPORT gasoline and common rail turbo-diesel engines.
The new five-door Astra will go on sale in spring 2004, followed later by a station wagon variant and a sporty three-door. Initially five gasoline and three turbo-diesel engines will be available with displacements ranging from 1.4- to 2.0-liters and power outputs of 80 to 200 hp. All the engines are state-of-the-art ECOTEC four-valve units and meet the Euro 4 exhaust emission standard. New are the 1.9-liter CDTI diesel (150 hp) and the 170 hp 2.0-liter turbo gasoline engines. Like the 200 hp 2.0 turbo, they are coupled as standard to a new six-speed manual transmission. Opel is also offering a five-speed manual gearbox, an automatic and a further developed “Easytronic” automated manual transmission.
Balanced proportions characterize the design of the new Opel Astra. The high shoulder-line, the strong wedge shape, pronounced wheel arches and clear-cut window graphics are all a part of Opel’s new design language. The bold face features a wide grille with a horizontal crossbar and three-dimensional, clear-glass headlamps. Attention to detail can also be seen in the large rear lamps, which for the first time have a special light-scattering, “translucent” technology. The curved roof-line, combined with the tapering front and rear overhangs, the long wheelbase (2.61 meters) and the wide tread, all work together to give the new Astra a sleek appearance. In addition the new Astra, for the first time, features 18-inch light-alloy wheels available direct from the factory.
Opel Design Director, Martin Smith says, “With the third generation Astra we are showing the particularly dynamic and expressive side of Opel’s new design language. This also applies to the Astra’s interior where clear, taut surfaces dominate, harmonizing with the exterior. Correspondingly there is a high level of visual and textural quality in the surface materials and forms.” A special styling cue is the crease in the hood, which is carried over into the interior on the clearly arranged center console. The new Astra offers more passenger space than its predecessor, thanks to its slightly increased overall dimensions (around 14 centimeters longer, two centimeters wider and four centimeters higher).
Particularly agile handling and high levels of active safety were the development objectives for the new Astra’s IDS chassis. The suspension features McPherson struts and a subframe at the front, and a torsion beam with double-walled, U-shaped profile at the rear. The state-of-the-art design used in the new Astra not only retains all the advantages of a conventional torsion beam axle – such as minimal space requirements, low weight and high camber control – it can also be precisely tuned to the specific requirements of different variants within a model range.
A major highlight optionally available with the new Astra is the adaptive IDSPlus suspension system with Continuous Damping Control (CDC). The basis is a new electronic architecture with three CANBUS systems (Controller Area Network). Thanks to CDC, the dampers react in real time to variations in the road surface or driving style and adjust themselves automatically to the prevailing conditions. Additionally with the IDSPlus system, the Astra’s driver can switch over to a sport mode that regulates the damping characteristics as well as the response of the accelerator pedal and the power assistance of the electro-hydraulic steering. In connection with the automatic and Easytronic transmissions the gears are also selected at higher engine speeds.
Text and photos courtesy of Adam Opel AG
