!NEW! All-New Opel Astra voted “Car of the Year 2016”

Prestigious award from leading automotive journalists presented at Geneva Motor Show 

Winning way: The new Opel Astra sweeps past the opposition to win the 2016 Car of the Year award.

The new Opel Astra is “Car of the Year 2016” and therefore the winner of the most renowned award in the industry! The 58-strong jury of automotive journalists from 22 European countries awarded the Astra a total of 309 points versus 294 for the Volvo XC90 and 202 for the Mazda MX-5.

Winning smile: Opel Group CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann proudly presents the “Car of the Year” award for the new Opel Astra.

The “Car of the Year 2016” trophy was presented to Opel CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann by COTY president Hakan Matson on the eve of the first press day at the 86th Geneva International Motor Show.

The Astra emerged as the winner from a field of seven COTY finalists. More than 40 new cars, from sporty roadsters to premium limousines and sports utility vehicles, were among the original contenders.

“The new Astra represents the start of a new era at Opel and victory in this year’s ‘Car of the Year’ competition shows that we are on the right track,” said Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann. “It is an honor for us to receive such a prestigious award from leading automotive journalists.”

Three new Opel models have been named “Car of the Year” in its last eight editions. The new Astra has already won international awards such as SAFETYBEST 2015 and the 2015 Golden Steering Wheel since its launch last fall. It also received the maximum five stars for its performance in the Euro NCAP crash test.

Both the five-door and the Sports Tourer variants of the new titleholder are based on a completely new lightweight vehicle architecture. Power is delivered exclusively by the newest-generation diesel and gasoline engines. Smartphone integration and the groundbreaking personal connectivity and service assistant Opel OnStar enable ultra-modern connectivity. The Astra also continues Opel’s tradition of introducing features previously only known from higher segments into the compact segment, such as IntelliLux LED Matrix light.

The European Car of the Year award was founded in 1964. This year’s victory takes Opel’s total “Car of the Year” tally to five. The Opel Kadett E was the first car from Rüsselsheim to win the award in 1985. Two years later, the Omega A once again took the pan-European accolade.

In recent years, Opel has come out on top twice – with the Insignia in 2009 and the Ampera in 2012.

!NEW! Opel IntelliLux LED Matrix Light: “SAFETYBEST 2015”

AUTOBEST jury gives award for safety technology in new Opel Astra

IntelliLux LED^® Matrix light offers permanent, glare-free full beam

Light system more intense and durable than conventional headlights

Newcomer takes first place: New Opel Astra has won the “SAFETYBEST 2015” award with its adaptive IntelliLux LED® matrix light system.

To each saint his candle: All-new Opel Astra has won the “SAFETYBEST 2015” award with its trendsetting adaptive IntelliLux LED® matrix light system. The AUTOBEST jury consisting of specialized independent journalists from 26 European countries awards the prize. The opinion of the jury was: “The Matrix light technology is a breakthrough in car lighting systems. After extensive tests performed by many of the AUTOBEST Jury members, the system proved to be so effective it earned the nickname ‘magic’.” By winning the award, the new Astra is continuing the success of the new Corsa, which was named the AUTO “Best Buy Car of Europe for 2015”:

IntelliLux LED®: Full-LED Matrix Light of the next generation enables driving with glare-free high beams and is available in the compact class for the first time in the new Opel Astra. 

The groundbreaking IntelliLux LED® matrix light system enables driving with glare-free high beams and will be available in the compact class for the first time in the Astra at a precisely calculated surcharge comparable to that of conventional adaptive lighting systems. The IntelliLux LED® matrix light is much more than a pure LED high beam as offered by competitors. The intelligent and dynamic system automatically adapts to the current traffic conditions and always offers the best possible illumination. With the introduction of the powerful LED matrix light, Opel is making state-of-the-art light technology previously only available in more expensive luxury class vehicles available to a wider audience.

Award winning: New IntelliLux LED® Matrix system automatically and constantly adapts the length and distribution of the light beam to every traffic situation.

“We are democratizing technology by making innovations affordable and bringing them to high volume vehicles. Our new LED matrix light, IntelliLux, is a perfect example. Our integration of the LED Technology provides outstanding night time performance enhancing safety for the driver and those around them,” said a jubilant Charlie Klein, Vice President Vehicle Engineering at Opel.

Does not dazzle: When Opel IntelliLux detects light sources from oncoming or preceding traffic, individual LEDs in the relevant zone are deactivated, simply “cutting out” the area around the vehicles. The rest of the road and its surroundings remain brightly illuminated.

However, that is not all. The overall package of ultra-modern technologies, outstanding comfort and athletic design is also convincing. The Opel newcomer is also one of five finalists competing for the AUTOBEST “Best Buy Car of Europe for 2016” award.