!NEW! Light, Lighter – New Opel Astra

• Consistent lightweight design: Five-door model up to 200 kilograms lighter
• Engineered from white sheet of paper: Every component trimmed to highest efficiency
• Compact: All-aluminum engines and interior concept save more weight
• Intelligent architecture: More space in slimmer shell

Consistent lightweight design: New Opel Astra is up to 200 kilograms lighter than its predecessor

Lighter, more frugal and compact while offering more generous interior space – everything about the new Opel Astra follows the maxim of highest efficiency. All components and design features are aligned to this touchstone, resulting in intelligent packaging à la Astra. The next generation of the compact bestseller that makes its premiere at the IAA in Frankfurt (September 17 – 27) is based on an all-new lightweight architecture, its body is noticeably slimmer and it is driven by powerful, weight- and CO2-optimized all-aluminum engines. All told, the new Astra is up to 200 kilograms lighter than its predecessor.

Consistent lightweight design: The new vehicle architecture

The visionary Monza Concept presented at the 2013 IAA was the role model for Opel’s eleventh compact class generation. Every component of the study reflects the efficiency maxim. The new Opel Astra already consistently realizes this vision: depending on the model and trim level, it is up to 200 – but in any case at least 120 – kilograms lighter than its predecessor. The new, thoroughly slimmed down vehicle architecture plays a decisive role in this weight loss: the bodyshell (body-in-white) and structure alone are over 20 percent lighter, down from 357 to 280 kilograms. Another 50 kilograms were saved in the design of chassis components: high-strength and ultra-high-strength lightweight steels, more compact subframes as well as modification to the front and rear suspensions all contributed to this end result. In addition, engineers decided against full underbody paneling to further optimize the aerodynamics of chassis and drivetrain elements, resulting in a double advantage: lower weight and reduced production costs that enable more attractive price structures for customers.

Bodyshell weight alone was reduced by 20% from 357 to 280 kilograms

Further size- and mass-optimization measures include shorter front and rear overhangs, as well as the up to 25 percent lighter exhaust system which saves around 4.5 kilograms on this part alone. The smaller wheels and tires weigh up to 11.5 kilograms less. The same is true for the brakes: as the system has less mass to decelerate, a more compact design weighing 10 kilograms less was possible – while delivering even better braking performance.

Lose the weight: Engines make their contribution

Another plus on the efficiency side is the new-generation engines. They distinguish themselves with their compact and ultra-efficient design: for instance the new 1.4 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo engine making its premiere in the Astra weighs much less than current comparable units. Its aluminum engine block alone is ten kilograms lighter than the cast-iron block of its predecessor. Thanks to their compact design, the newest-generation, ultra-modern transmissions save just as much weight.

All-aluminum: New 1.4 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo with central direct fuel injection will be available in the new Opel Astra in two outputs, 92 kW/125 hp and 110 kW/150 hp.

Reduced weight also leads to noticeably higher agility. The new Astra is more fun to drive than ever before – while saving fuel and CO2 emissions. The newcomer with the 1.0 Turbo and Easytronic 3.0 combination is one of the most economical and cleanest gasoline models in its segment. The 77 kW/105 hp three-cylinder unit reduces consumption in the combined cycle to 4.2 liters per 100 kilometers and CO2 emissions to an exemplary 96 g/km.

Lose the weight: Light all-aluminum engines like the highly efficient 1.0 Turbo make their important contribution to it.

The interior was also put through a fitness program. Take, for instance, the seats: after five years of detailed work, the development team presented compact class seats that are more functional and comfortable, while featuring more of a space- and weight-saving design than ever before. State-of-the-art packaging calculation methods enable this, as do lighter polyurethane foams and ultra-high-strength steels that are built in under the robust seat upholstery. So the new Opel Astra seats in front and rear are a total of around ten kilograms lighter than in the previous model.

Intelligent packaging: Lighter, more compact yet more spacious

Intelligent packaging: New Opel Astra is lighter, more compact yet more spacious than its predecessor.

The new Astra generation not only looks more sophisticated and athletic, it is also more compact. With a total length of 4.37 meters, the five-door hatchback is almost five centimeters shorter than its predecessor, its height of 1.48 meters is 2.5 centimeters smaller and its width has been reduced by 0.5 centimeters to 1.81 meters. These dimensions also have a positive effect on the vehicle’s weight. At the same time, interior space is more generous. Together with the newly designed, lighter and more compact seats, rear-seat passengers now benefit from 35 millimeters more legroom than before. This puts the five-door model in first place ahead of all the competition. Distance between the first and second rows has been increased by 1.5 centimeters, greatly enhancing traveling comfort and sense of space. The same is true for upper-body freedom of movement for passengers in both front and rear seats. Especially in terms of headroom, the new Opel Astra sets standards in its class: the driver has 2.2 centimeters more headroom than in the predecessor. So the new Opel Astra successfully squares the circle: it is lighter and more compact while offering more space and comfort than before.

!NEW! All-New Opel Astra K: Outstanding Aerodynamics for Best Efficiency

• Most streamlined Astra ever: exemplary drag coefficient of 0.285
• Clever design: more compact dimensions reduce drag
• Attention to detail: rear spoiler, C-pillar and underbody optimized
• Increased efficiency: great aerodynamics meet latest generation engines 

Increase in efficiency: All-New Opel Astra K – great aerodynamics meet latest generation engines.

Lighter, more frugal and more agile – the new Opel Astra K represents a quantum leap in the development and targets maximum efficiency. Its design and vehicle architecture also set standards in aerodynamics and continue a traditional Opel strength – when the Kadett E GSi was introduced in 1984 it was the most streamlined hatchback in the world with a cd value of 0.30. Outstanding aerodynamics are closely linked to economical fuel consumption and climate-friendly CO2-emissions – another long-time Opel strength.

Most streamlined Astra ever: Exemplary drag coefficient of 0.285.

A decisive advantage of the new Astra is that it is much more compact than its predecessor is. It is around 2.5 centimeters lower and 0.5 centimeters slimmer, including the more slender wheels. But to make the vehicle as streamlined as possible, precision and attention to detail were also necessary. The engineers paid special attention to the roofline, the C-pillar and the construction of the underbody. The result speaks for itself: the new compact class Opel is amongst the elite of the most streamlined models in its class with a drag coefficient of 0.285.

In perfect shape: Opel engineers paid special attention to the roofline, the C-pillar and the construction of the underbody of the new Astra K.

“We have made the new Astra more aerodynamic than ever before. The drag coefficient values beat the best values achieved by its predecessor across the board. We gained some important knowledge from the tests we conducted in the ultra-modern wind tunnel of Stuttgart University who we have been working with for many years,” said Reiner Weidemann, Head of the Opel Aerodynamics department. “This helped us make the new Astra the most streamlined compact class car ever produced by Opel.”

Design and vehicle architecture: setting standards in aerodynamics

Clever design: The engineers decided to let the roof of the new Opel Astra K flow out gently to the rear to avoid any drag.

Leaner, smarter and more innovative than ever before – the new Astra epitomizes highest efficiency and demonstrates the next evolutionary stage of Opel’s design philosophy “Sculptural artistry meets German precision”. From an aerodynamics point of view, this means: the new Astra has a drag coefficient of 0.285 with its athletic and dynamic appearance along with the numerous measures taken above and under the outer shell. The new Astra has a total length of 4.37 meters and is roughly five centimeters shorter than its predecessor is. The height has been reduced by 2.5 centimeters to 1.48 meters and the width reduced by 0.5 centimeters to 1.81 meters. These dimensions also have a positive impact on the overall drag, with a cross sectional area of around 0.642 square meters (compared to 0.770 square meters for its predecessor), and thus on fuel efficiency.

In the wind tunnel: The delicate rear spoiler serves as an effective separation edge that cuts the airflow at the top without creating any disturbing wake turbulences.

However, the art of the exemplary aerodynamic performance is down to attention to detail. The engineers decided to let the roof flow out gently to the rear to avoid any drag. The delicate rear spoiler serves as an effective separation edge that cuts the airflow at the top without creating any disturbing wake turbulences. Even the C-pillar with its small edges was designed to split airflow more efficiently than was the case for the previous Astra, thus reducing drag.

Attention to detail: The Rear spoiler and the C-pillar of the new Opel Astra K have been optimized.

The engineers managed to achieve further improvements by overhauling the design of the underbody. Opposed to many competitors, Opel specifically decided not to look to a full underbody paneling. Instead, all parts were examined and reworked to ensure better airflow. The underside of the car now has airflow-optimized structures and battery attachment, the new rear axle now sits higher compared to the previous Astra, thus no longer providing an obstacle for the air flowing under the car. These measures all play a key part in the exemplary aerodynamics. Expressed in cold figures, the most eco-friendly version of the previous Opel Astra had a drag coefficient of 0.325. The basic version of the all-new Opel Astra has an outstanding drag coefficient of 0.285. Even the automatic diesel of the new generation with 18 inch wheels easily beats the most streamlined version of the predecessor with a drag coefficient of around 0.31. And that is not all – an even more aerodynamic and frugal ecoFlex version is planned for the future.

Double efficiency: improved aerodynamics meet latest generation engines

The conscious decision not to use a full underbody paneling also means less weight and consequently lower fuel consumption along with reduced production costs. Advantages that have a positive impact on the price – something that can be passed on to the customer.

Combined with the fact that every new Opel Astra will be propelled by an engine of the latest generation with outputs ranging from 70 kW/95 hp to 147 kW/200 hp customers can look forward to a win-win-win situation. All of the new generation engines combine strong performance and economical fuel consumption with outstanding responsiveness while at the same time offering smoothness and low noise levels. For example, with the 1.0 liter turbo and Easytronic 3.0 the new Opel Astra is the most fuel-efficient and eco-friendly gasoline-engined car in its class (4.2 l/100 km in the combined cycle, 96 g CO2/km). That is efficiency à la Astra.