25 Years Ago: Launch of Opel Astra G

• Spring 1998: Completely newly developed second generation Astra reaches customers
• Safety first: With DSA chassis, ESP, H7 headlights and fully galvanized body
• Powerful into 2000s: Opel Astra OPC, Astra V8 Coupé and Astra OPC X-treme
• Opel Astra today: Latest generation debuts plug-in hybrid and battery-electric variants

In 1991, Opel presented Astra F as successor to Opel Kadett and marked start of a new chapter in company’s success story in the compact class. Opel Astra F became an absolute bestseller and the most-produced Opel model of all time. Successor, launched in 1998 had all the best prerequisites to continue the success of its predecessor. Opel Astra G was rolled out with many innovations: It was the first Opel with a fully galvanized body. In addition to 30 percent higher light output of  transparent H7 headlights, active driving safety was provided by newly developed DSA (Dynamic Safety Action) chassis. In addition, customers could choose from a wide range of body variants. And Opel Astra G also displayed its performance car potential in the following years as a powerful Opel Astra OPC and as an Astra V8 Coupé, which competed in both German Touring Car Masters and 24-hour race on Nürburgring.

Opel Astra G thus has many parallels to latest generation Astra. With it, Opel has opened another, completely new chapter of its compact class success story. Current Astra not only impresses with its bold and clear design including the characteristic Opel Vizor brand face and fully digital, intuitively operated Pure Panel Cockpit. Winner of  “Golden Steering Wheel 2022” 1 is also electrified for first time: with powerful plug-in hybrid variants and the battery electric Opel Astra Electric coming soon. Locally emission-free range-topping Opel Astra GSe (fuel consumption according to WLTP 2: 1.2-1.1 l/100 km, CO2 emissions 26-25 g/km; each combined) shows how particularly dynamic driving fun can be combined with a sense of responsibility.

Rüsselsheim goes Hollywood: From development to market launch of Opel Astra G

Given big shoes Opel Astra G had to fill at end of 1990s, it is no surprise that development process of car was ground-breaking. Repeating success of predecessor was paramount for Opel. That's why  development team decided to look for some completely new inspiration when planning second Opel Astra generation. Film “Jurassic Park”, which had already become a huge box office hit, proved to be a great help for designers. Opel Astra G had little to do with dinosaurs themselves – rather team used a computer-aided design program called ALIAS, which was originally developed for computer-animated films such as the Hollywood blockbuster. With help of software, designers could create new model in a virtual, three-dimensional computer world.

In the spring of 1998, Opel Astra G was launched as a three and five-door hatchback and an estate – all with a coupé-like design. Four-door notchback saloon, coupé, Astravan commercial vehicle and the convertible followed shortly afterwards ensuring that all important body styles were covered. All-new second generation Opel Astra shone with its own design including then-characteristic trapezoidal grille, a dynamic wedge front with windscreen pulled forward and an extended roof line as well as a high belt line and a coupé-like appearance on three-door model. This was also reflected in best-in-class aerodynamic drag coefficient of 0.29.

Outstanding overall package: DSA chassis, fully galvanized body and ample space

Comfort and safety had the highest priority during development and Opel Astra G was characterised by dynamic chassis and drive technology as well as almost doubled torsional and flexural rigidity thanks to use of high-strength steels. All this combined with intelligent lightweight construction measures, so that the vehicles - combined with powerful, efficient engines - offered a lot of driving pleasure.

DSA chassis, which was newly developed, played a part in the active driving characteristics. It also ensured maximum driving stability in critical situations such as braking on different road surfaces. “With Opel DSA chassis, the front wheel with the better grip offers controlled manner toe-in, causing a counter-steering effect and thus counteracting the tendency to yaw,” stated Rüsselsheim-based carmaker at time. Safety chassis also combined comfort with agile and safe handling – even with a full load. From 1999, introduction of ESP further increased safety. And patented Pedal Release System (PRS), which protects against serious foot or leg injuries in the event of an impact, was also standard in every Opel Astra G.

1998 Opel Astra also set standards in its segment when it comes to interior spaciousness. The wheelbase, which is around ten centimetres longer than on its predecessor, allowed for more space, especially more head and knee room in rear. In hatchback variant, luggage compartment volume increased to 370 litres while Opel Astra estate boasted up to 1,500 litres. At same time, Astra G made a "quantum leap in terms of quality", as Frankfurter Rundschau at time confirmed. Main contributors to this improvement include high-quality interior materials along with low noise and vibration levels. Above all, however, body, which was fully galvanized for the first time, ensured an increased quality impression and high value.

Competition ambitions: Opel Astra G as OPC and V8 Coupé

At same time,second Astra generation showed that it could do much more than just master everyday tasks perfectly. It became a popular piece of sports equipment – and thus aroused the emotions of particularly ambitious drivers. Almost at the same time as Astra G was introduced, Opel Performance Center, or OPC for short, was launched under direction of Volker Strycek. First model from performance professionals was 1998 Opel Astra OPC with 118 kW/160 hp. Four years later, team showed that much more is possible with the further refined Astra OPC, which could reach speeds of up to 240 km/h. Further developed version had 147 kW/192 hp under bonnet – and was available both as a three-door model and as an estate.

But that's not all: Starting in 2000, Opel also got involved in German Touring Car Masters with the specially developed Opel Astra V8 Coupé – and immediately took second place in championship with high-tech racing car. More competitions followed, such as legendary 24-hour race at Nürburgring. And at 2001 Geneva Motor Show, Opel presented sports car as a 326 kW/444 hp Astra OPC X-treme concept, which promised top acceleration from zero to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and could be driven on normal roads.

Opel Astra and Astra GSe today: Outstanding driving pleasure – with responsibility

Opel is once again tapping into this sporty heritage with current Astra – in a contemporary, future-oriented and above all responsible way. New top-of-the-range Opel Astra GSe 2 and Astra Sports Tourer GSe 2 are powerful, dynamic - and electrified. Because today GSe stands for “Grand Sport electric”. Models of the new Opel sub-brand offer everything that sporty but also responsible drivers desire: top performance, a sporty chassis and an electrified drive for locally emission-free driving. All this combined with a stunning design.

In addition, just like their Astra siblings, they come with numerous state-of-the-art technologies that make driving more relaxed and that customers previously only knew from higher segments – such as the latest version of the adaptive, glare-free IntelliLux LED Pixel Light with a total of 168 LED elements. Interior of the latest Astra generation is just as ground-breaking. With the fully digital Pure Panel, all analogue displays disappear. Instead, state-of-the-art human-machine interface (HMI) offers an intuitive operating experience with an extra-wide touchscreen. Opel developers attached great importance to the fact that the driver receives all necessary information and has direct access all useful operating options, but is not burdened with superfluous data or functions. Important settings such as air conditioning can still be set directly with just a few adjustments of controls.

Outstanding seating comfort is also typical of Opel. Front seats, developed in-house, are certified by AGR (Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V.) and, with their exemplary ergonomics, make long journeys relaxing. Driver is supported by state-of-the-art assistance systems from the head-up display to the Intelli-Drive 1.0 system, which combines many driver assistance systems, to the 360-degree all-round view called Intelli-Vision. In addition, latest Astra makes a clear design statement: more dynamic than ever before, with clear, exciting lines without superfluous flourishes and with the new, characteristic brand face, Opel Vizor.

[1] AUTO BILD edition 45/2022 and BILD am SONNTAG edition 46/2022, category for “Best car up to €50,000”.

[2] Values determined using more realistic WLTP (Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Procedure) test method which replaces the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle) test procedure. A vehicle's consumption, CO2 emissions and range not only depend on efficient use of energy by vehicle but are also influenced by driving style and other non-technical factors. Information on consumption and emissions does not refer to an individual vehicle and is intended solely for purposes of comparison between various vehicle types.

!NEW! 40 years of Opel Safety Vehicle: The safe route from Kadett C to Astra J

• 40 years ago: Opel Safety Vehicle masters impact speed of 40 mph
• Opel Kadett C called OSV 40: Impact protection, on-board warning system, safety seats
• Astra today: Ultra-modern Assistance Systems with Camera, Radar and Sensors

OSV 40 and the Opel Astra J: The current Opel compact car is reaping the rewards of 40 years of development.

„Don’t start without a seatbelt“, was the slogan of a campaign launched in Germany in 1974 to persuade drivers to wear seatbelts. Two years later, wearing seatbelts became compulsory and in 1984 fines for not wearing them were introduced. Opel has been equipping all models with seatbelts as standard since 1973 and the following year, gave a visionary outlook into the safety technology of the future. The Opel Safety Vehicle, a close-to-production research vehicle based on the Kadett C, mastered a frontal impact of 40 mph (roughly 65 km/h) and paved the way for the development of further safety features. The impact speed in miles also gave the Kadett its name: OSV 40. The current Opel Astra demonstrates the evolution since those early days. The compact car is reaping the rewards of 40 years of development and has exemplary passenger safety and ultra-modern assistance systems.

OSV 40 and the Opel Astra J

OSV 40 – Opel Safety Vehicle masters impact speed of 40 mph

The name says it all: OSV stand for Opel Safety Vehicle, the number 40 for the frontal impact speed in miles per hour that the OSV 40 was designed to resist.

Exactly 40 years ago, the Rüsselsheim-based company showed its idea of a safe compact car at the second International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles held in London. The engineers were handed a Kadett C, presented the previous year, and could let their imagination run wild when it came to safety. The technicians were allowed to choose the name themselves and decided on OSV or Opel Safety Vehicle. The number 40 stands for the frontal impact speed in miles per hour that the OSV 40 was designed to resist. Despite the extended safety features the cars was not to weigh more than 1,000 kilograms.

Impact energy absorbed by polyurethane foam

The first thing an onlooker notices is how voluminous fenders are compared to modern fenders. The OSV 40 fenders were filled with polyurethane foam which gave them their absorbing capacity. Foam-filled side members that break in a controlled way at impact speeds above eight kilometers per hour were used at the front. The foam structure absorbed enough energy that frontal impacts below this speed only resulted in a small deformation – thus the predecessor of the “self-healing” fender was created. The engineers also filled the cavities of the sills and doors with polyurethane foam in order to create increased safety reserves for a side impact. Reinforced roof rails and backrests of the front seats that were fixed to the roof via a belt construction, the seats could still be adjusted, increased the stability of the passenger compartment considerably. Furthermore, the windshield made from laminated glass was glued directly to the bodywork – also with the goal of increasing body stiffness in mind.

Interior also reflects safety approach

Inside the car, all surfaces with which the passengers could come into contact in case of an accident were cushioned with a two-centimeter layer of polyurethane foam. The steering was fitted with an additional angled element in the lower steering column sector.

Safety also came first in the cockpit of the OSV-40. The central warning system made by Hella controlled eleven functions and showed possible errors by the associated warning lamps lighting up. Four additional lights behind the rear window signaled emergency braking and also doubled as hazard lights. Due to their high positioning, they were easy to see for following road users. A split rear view mirror enabled a perfect view with the lower part reducing the blind spot to a minimum.

All-round protection: Reinforced roof rails and backrests of the front seats that were fixed to the roof via a belt construction increased the stability of the passenger compartment considerably.

The front seats were widened to create a continuous boundary to the rear compartment. The side supports, especially in the shoulder area, prevented the driver and passenger colliding in case of a side impact. The minimalistic head rests of the front seats ensured that the driver had a good view to the rear. The belt construction restraint system for the heads of passengers in the rear also ensured safety and overview. The four seats of OSV 40 all had three point belts – the ones in the front even already had an automatic seat belt tension system.

All crash tests passed with flying colors

The OSV 40 met all of the objectives during the crash tests: All four doors could still be opened without the help of tools after a frontal impact at 40 mph with a solid obstacle. The front section of the car absorbed the energy so well that it was shortened by 50 cm due to the cold-drawing phase. The OSV 40 was equally impressive during a frontal collision with a pylon at 50 km/h, a rear impact, a side impact with a post and during the rollover test at 48 km/h.

Opel OSV 40: Technical data

Length in mm	4,318
Width in mm	1,580
Height in mm	1,370
Front track in mm	1,330
Rear track in mm	1,301
Weight in kg	965
Displacement in cm3	1,196
Max. output in kW (hp) / at rpm	44 (65) / 5,600
Max. torque in Nm / at rpm	95 / 3,400

Opel Astra J: State-of-the-art safety systems

The new representative of the Opel compact class shows just how dynamic the development started in 1974 continued. In addition to the structural strength that has come to be expected, the Opel Astra offers extensive passive safety features and a string of ultra-modern driver assistance systems that increase the safety and comfort for the drivers and passengers decisively.

The second generation of the Opel Eye Front Camera is the foundation for the driver assistance systems. The engineers optimized the Lane Departure Warning and the Traffic Sign Recognition functions. The camera processes numerous levels of brightness and can even recognize dynamic LED signs. A further aid available in combination with the Opel Eye Front Camera is a distance indicator. It shows the driver the distance to a vehicle in front (in seconds).

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC): Keeps distance to vehicle in front

Even safer and more comfortable: The radar-based Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) helps the driver to maintain the selected speed while keeping a pre-set safety distance to the vehicle ahead. In addition to speed, the desired gap to the vehicle ahead can also be selected by the driver – with three options available: far, medium, close. When ACC is activated, the radar constantly checks the distance up to a range of 150 meters ahead; the selected gap to the closest vehicle in the same lane is shown in the center screen of the display.

Opel Astra J: Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)

In case the driver does not react to the audible and visual warnings by braking in a critical situation and the system calculates a potential impact, it may decelerate the car automatically in an extreme case. The Opel Astra is decelerated with help of a brake system that can look to the advantages of a latest generation Anti-lock Braking System and an extended Electronic Stability Program (ESP Plus).

Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL): Perfect lighting for all conditions

The latest generation of safety lighting system Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL+) with Bi-Xenon headlamps includes a large package of intelligent lighting functions such as: High Beam Light Assistant, Dynamic Curve Light, Static Cornering Light and adaptive lighting, which reacts automatically to the prevailing driving situation such as route profile (freeway, highway, city) and visibility (sun, fog, rain) and adjusts the headlamps accordingly. The arrow-like design of the LED daytime running lamps, which come as standard, give the Astra a distinctive appearance.

Extensive package for passive safety

Even if all of the systems for the active safety reach their limits, Astra drivers can trust in an extensive passive safety package. A total of six airbags come as standard. If a situation occurs in which an airbag or a belt tensioner is activated, the hazard warning lights come on and the doors are unlocked automatically. Obviously, the Astra is also fitted with the Opel-patented Pedal Release System (PRS) which decouples the pedals in the event of a frontal collision, reducing the risk of injury to feet and lower legs considerably.

Opel-patented Pedal Release System (PRS)