!NEW! Fit for Job & Family: New Opel Astra Sports Tourer Celebrates World Premiere

• More room, less weight: The clever lightweight construction
• Comfortable, practical, smart: New seat architecture and tailgate opening via a kick
• Athletic, elegant, well-conceived: The design of the future station wagon bestseller
• Fast, powerful, efficient: Latest generation turbocharged engines with up to 200 hp
• Ultramodern, connected, safe: Opel OnStar, new IntelliLink and IntelliLux Matrix LED

World premiere at the IAA: The new Opel Astra Sports Tourer will be one of the stars at the Opel booth – it can be admired in Frankfurt from September 17 to 27.

Opel will continue its success story in the compact class with no less than two new models that will be presented at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt (September 17 to 27). The hatchback version of the new generation Astra will make its first big appearance in front of an international audience and it will be accompanied by the Astra Sports Tourer that will celebrate its premiere at the world’s most important motor show. The youngest member of the compact class station wagon generation comes with the same trendsetting development features as its five-door sibling that has been available for order since June. The Astra Sports Tourer is based on a completely new lightweight vehicle architecture that will make it up to 200 kilograms lighter than the outgoing model. Given that the station wagon will also be combined with the latest generation engines, the Opel Astra Sports Tourer will be punchier, livelier and more fun to drive. Simultaneously, fuel consumption has been curbed giving it convincing attributes for company car and frequent drivers who often look to both practical and representative station wagons.

When the order books open in a few weeks’ time, the Astra Sports Tourer will be available with Opel OnStar and the new IntelliLink infotainment systems ensuring that it has an ultramodern and extensive connectivity offer. The same applies to the numerous safety and assistance systems along with the equipment features previously only known from cars from higher segments. And last but not least, the new Astra Sports Tourer will turn heads with its elegant, lean and athletic styling. The interior demonstrates perfectly just how intelligent the design and the entire packaging are: the newcomer has exactly the same dimensions as the outgoing model but is considerably more spacious inside, offering more comfort for the driver and passengers along with more loading space.

“Our new Astra Sports Tourer and our new Astra hatchback – they are two sides of the same coin. Both represent a quantum leap for Opel and for the compact class. Apart from offering ultramodern connectivity and evolutionary design, the station wagon version focuses even more on efficiency,” said Opel Group CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann. “Our Sports Tourer is the perfect combination of practicality and dynamism: more space, less weight and in addition clever, trendsetting equipment details and features such as the power tailgate that opens and closes automatically with a little kick of the foot. This is how compact class station wagons should be nowadays.”

Efficient packaging: Athletic design with amble space

The new Opel Astra Sports Tourer impresses with its athletic appearance. Just like its five-door sibling, it takes Opel’s design philosophy ‘Sculptural Artistry meets German Precision’ to the next level: efficient, light and dynamic. The newly designed double chrome bar on the grill carries the Blitz and the front headlamps melt into the radiator grill to form a graphic unity. The Sports Tourer further extends the dynamic lines of the 5-door. The slightly arched sloping roofline gives the station wagon a longer appearance – an effect that is further enhanced by the divided C-pillar. The rear view combines high functionality with sporting, elegant design. The Opel Astra Sports Tourer has a stable, robust and safe stance – the muscular rear-wheel arch contours and the divided rear light clusters add to this impression.

The latest generation Sports Tourer has the same dimensions as the outgoing model with a length of 4,702 millimeters, a width of 1,871 millimeters (with exterior mirrors folded in) and a height of 1,499 millimeters – however, it offers much more space for passengers and luggage. The driver can enjoy 26 millimeters of additional headroom, passengers in the rear have 28 millimeters more legroom – two convincing improvements for spatial perception and travelling comfort. Furthermore, the new Opel Astra Sports Tourer can now shoulder 1,630 liters of luggage thanks to the efficient packaging.

Clever and variable: Loading space improvements that help on a daily basis

Opel offers an extremely practical novelty for the new Astra Sports Tourer, which will help on a daily basis: for the first time, the tailgate can be opened without a touch or a remote control. In combination with “Keyless Open” a simple small kicking motion under the rear bumper is enough to open the tailgate. A further kicking motion under the bumper will close the tailgate. The clever system can detect any obstruction and stops the mechanism in case of emergency. Furthermore, the tailgate can still be opened by a switch on the driver’s side of the car, buttons in the luggage compartment or via the key’s remote control.

In order to increase loading space the new Opel Astra Sports Tourer comes with optional 40/20/40 foldable rear seats enabling even more flexible loading space configurations. Furthermore, the FlexOrganizer product range with side rails, dividing nets and various fastening options is available and an option so that all loaded materials can be stored safely and tidily.

Lightweight construction + new generation engines = great driving fun and economy

Each Sports Tourer component was looked at with practicality and efficiency in mind. This is not only visible when it comes to the efficient use of space but especially when it comes to the weight. Compact design on the in and outside and the lightweight bodyshell helped the station wagon shed up to 200 kilograms. High-strength and ultra-high-strength steels, modifications to the axles, to the front and rear along with new production process all played a part in the impressive result. The entry-level Opel Astra Sports Tourer weighs 1,263 kilograms (including driver) and is thus 130 kilograms lighter than the comparable outgoing model. This obviously has a positive effect on agility, ride comfort, consumption and costs.

The engine portfolio with outputs ranging from 70 kW/95 hp to 147 kW/200 hp also adds to the aforementioned virtues. The Sports Tourer will only be powered by engines of the latest generation. The diesel and gasoline engines with a displacement range of 1.0 to 1.6 liters all combine highest efficiency with excellent responsiveness and running smoothness.

The new 1.6 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo that will celebrate its premiere at the IAA is the top-of the-range engine available for the Opel Astra Sports Tourer. The combustion chamber of the 147 kW/200 hp direct injection turbo unit can withstand peak pressure of 130 bar and mobilizes an impressive 300 Nm of torque (with overboost). This powerhouse also delivers outstanding smoothness over the full engine speed range. To achieve this, the engineers made numerous optimizations to the induction and exhaust systems including decoupling the cam cover from the cylinder head via specific fasteners and a dedicated sealing system. Despite direct injection and focused combustion, engineers were able to reduce noise levels substantially compared to the previous engine. Because of these ‘sound-engineering’ measures, the customer will appreciate quiet and smooth idling, with a pleasant sound quality even at high road speeds, engine speeds and loads.

Innovative technologies: Safety, comfort and connectivity taken to a new level

Apart from impressing with ultramodern, trendsetting engine, the new Astra Sports Tourer also sets new standards in safety, infotainment and comfort. The intelligent IntelliLux LED® Matrix light in the new Astra is another absolute novelty in the compact segment. It enables permanent extra-urban driving with glare-free high beams and automatically and continuously deactivates individual LED modules when oncoming traffic or a vehicle immediately ahead are detected. The area around the light source is simply masked out and the rest of the road remains brightly illuminated. The groundbreaking system thus increases the active safety of all road users while also bringing additional comfort to the Opel Astra Sports Tourer driver when driving at night. Numerous innovative assistance systems drawing on the latest generation Opel Eye front camera offer the driver further support – starting with the more extensive and precise Traffic Sign Assist over Lane Keep assist, that even offers active steering corrections in case of an emergency, right up to the Forward Collision Alert with Collision Imminent Braking that can even bring the car to a standstill at speeds under 40 km/h.

On the inside, another unique element for the compact segment can be found: Opel OnStar, the personal connectivity and service assistant, serves as a guardian angel for the driver and passengers. In addition, two new IntelliLink systems will be introduced. The latest generation of the infotainment system is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Elsewhere, the new AGR-certified premium ergonomic seats add additional comfort with side bolster adjustment, massage and memory function along with ventilation. Passengers in the rear can also look forward to an additional optional comfort feature with seat heating being available for the two outer rear seats.

The Opel/Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer is traditionally responsible for around 30 percent of Opel/Vauxhall Astra sales in Europe. The main customers are company car drivers along with families who want to combine practical loading space solutions with high travelling comfort. The biggest markets for the versatile station wagon are Germany, the UK and Italy. In Germany, order books for the new Opel Astra Sports Tourer will open on October 10, 2015. The other countries will follow.

!NEW! Opel’s European Sales Increase by Almost 13 Percent in August

• Opel outgrows the market more than threefold in August
• Sales increase of around four percent in the first eight months
• New registrations up in more than 19 European countries

Hot summer: Opel increased sales in August by more than 7,300 vehicles or 12.8 percent compared to the same period of 2014 to around 64,500 units.

Opel added another chapter to its ongoing success story in August with strong growth across Europe. 

According to preliminary numbers, the Rüsselsheim-based carmaker increased sales in August by more than 7,300 vehicles or 12.8 percent compared to the same period of 2014 to around 64,500 units. Opel therefore outgrew the overall European vehicle market (plus 4.1 percent) more than threefold. Opel’s market share is up by more than 0.4 percentage points to 5.71 percent. The overall result for the first eight months of the year is also positive – despite Opel pulling out of the Russian market. From January to August, the brand sold over 735,000 vehicles – around four percent or 27,300 units more than during the same period of last year. This is equivalent to a market share of 5.83 percent.

Insignia and co.: Opel and its British sister brand Vauxhall posted an increase in volume in more than 19 European markets for the first eight months of 2015.

“This sales success is mainly down to our new models that are extremely popular with the customers across Europe. The new Astra, which will celebrate its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show and is a real quantum leap, will add additional drive to our sales,” said Peter Christian Küspert, Vice President Sales and Aftersales of the Opel Group.

Opel and its British sister brand Vauxhall posted an increase in volume in more than 19 European markets for the first eight months of 2015 including Germany (+3 percent), the UK (+3 percent), France (+6 percent), Spain (+17 percent), Portugal (+18 percent), Poland (+18 percent), Italy (+20 percent) and Turkey (+34 percent).

Opel recorded its highest market share for August on its home market Germany since 2011 – with a 7.2 percent share of the overall vehicle market and a 7.5 percent share of the passenger car market. Opel also achieved its best market share for August since 2011 in the Netherlands (5.8 percent) and in the Czech Republic, the company recorded its best market share for August since 2001 (5.31 percent). The brand with the Blitz claimed top spot on the Hungarian passenger car market in August with a market share of 12.31 percent. Opel’s sister brand Vauxhall was the second on the UK passenger car market in August (11.27 percent market share) and for the first eight months of the year (10.29 percent market share). Furthermore, Opel took second place on the Spanish passenger car market in August.

!NEW! Opel Astra K: Stellar Driver Assistance, Safety and Comfort Features

• Improved performance: New generation Opel Eye front camera enables new level of safety
• Standing at attention: Collision Mitigation Braking and Lane Keep Assist
• Warning systems: Comprehensive forward collision alerts and Side Blind Spot Alert
• Tickets savers: Traffic Sign Assist, Headway Alert and Following Distance Indicator
• Outstanding comfort: Next generation of ergonomic seats with massage function
• Three-part airbag approach: Front, thorax-pelvis side and full-length curtain airbags

Following Distance Indication: It utilizes the front camera to detect moving vehicles on the road ahead and calculates the distance to them

The new Opel Astra, which premieres at the IAA in Frankfurt (September 17-27), is not only lighter and more efficient than its predecessors, it also boasts innovative driver assistance systems and comfort features to make journeys, short or long, safer and more relaxed. Many of these systems are unrivalled in the compact class segment or celebrate their Opel debut in the new Astra. The latest generation Opel Eye front camera with enhanced capabilities and functionalities such as Collision Mitigation Braking and Collision Imminent Braking, or the completely newly engineered seating system with outstanding ergonomics are just some examples.

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“Several generations of Kadett and Astra have brought innovative technologies from the upper class into the affordable compact segment. Each generation has raised the bar in safety, comfort and efficiency. I wanted the new Astra to once again set standards in the compact class. And it does it. We have invested much engineering effort to develop new systems that improve active safety as well as the very best seats in the segment,” said Opel Group CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann.

New Opel Eye front camera enables ticket-saving assistance systems

The improved next generation Opel Eye front camera makes its debut in the new Opel Astra. It has higher image processing power, an increased detection rate and it processes an additional amount of information from different sources: when combined with Navi 900 IntelliLink, it draws on data from the navigation system that are fused with data detected by the camera itself. This allows it to provide the driver with more accurate information than ever before.

Thanks to this enhanced capability, the Astra’s Traffic Sign Assist offers improved performance. Now boasting even higher precision, it can detect and display round traffic signs, rectangular – such as highway – signs, or speed limit related add-on signs with graphic symbols while the multiple exposure technology improves the detection rate of dynamic – such as LED – signs. Traffic Sign Assist also continuously checks the data provided by the front camera and compares them to the information provided by the Navi 900 IntelliLink navigation system. It displays implicit speed limits – when entering an urban area for instance – and the end of these – when exiting a city – before then displaying the country-specific speed limit for the respective type of road. In addition, it gives an immediate indication of speed limits after turning to a different type of road. In the new Astra, speed limits are permanently displayed on the screen located between the speedometer and the rev counter – thus reducing the risk of speeding tickets.

Following Distance Indication: It utilizes the front camera to detect moving vehicles on the road ahead and calculates the distance to them.

Another ticket-saver – which helps avoid fines for tailgating – featured in the new Astra is Following Distance Indication that drivers can activate on the central display. It utilizes the front camera to detect moving vehicles on the road ahead and calculates the distance to them. This value is then displayed to the driver in seconds. This indication approach is in line with the regulations in most European countries, which define distance in terms of time, not in meters. A stylized green car symbolizes the vehicle in front. If the distance is insufficient, the Headway Alert function is automatically activated and the symbol turns amber.

Lane Departure Warning: Now also with Active Lane Keep Assist, is an active safety feature making its Opel debut in the new Astra.

Opel Eye’s intelligent assistance systems enhance active safety also enabled by the third generation Opel Eye front camera, Lane Departure Warning, now also with Lane Keep Assist, is an active safety feature making its Opel debut in the new Astra. As before, it recognizes road markings, but it now gently turns the steering wheel in addition to the well-known alerts if the Astra’s driver should unintentionally veer out of lane. The system works at speeds ranging from 60 to 180 km/h but does not continuously steer the vehicle. If the steering torque does not prevent departure (e.g. on curves), the amber Lane Keep Assist icon flashes and provides three warning tone as the lane marker is crossed to provide a Lane Departure Warning alert. The steering wheel nudges and alerts are disabled if the driver is detected to be actively steering, braking, accelerating or if a turn signal is activated. The intelligent software required for Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning has been developed completely in house.

Lane Keep Assist: If the steering torque does not prevent departure, the amber icon flashes and provides three warning tone as the lane marker is crossed to provide a Lane Departure Warning alert.

When the new Astra is equipped with the Opel Eye front camera, it also offers Forward Collision Alert with Collision Mitigation Braking functions. The Forward Collision Alert (FCA) feature assists drivers in avoiding or mitigating the impact of front-end collisions, for example colliding with the vehicle ahead. If the gap shrinks below a safe distance, it warns the driver with a loud audible alarm, a visual warning in the instrument cluster and, now, an LED projection on the windscreen.

Forward Collision Alert: If the gap shrinks below a safe distance, it warns the driver with a loud audible alarm, a visual warning in the instrument cluster and an LED projection on the windscreen.

The driver can adjust the safety distance of FCA to detect objects ahead with ‘near’ ‘mid’ or ‘far’ settings via a switch located on the steering wheel. The system now also includes Integrated Brake Assist and Autonomous Emergency Braking. If it detects that the driver’s braking effort following the warning is nonexistent or insufficient, it can boost the braking (Integrated Brake Assist) or automatically brake the vehicle (Autonomous Emergency Braking), thus helping avoid or lessening the severity of crashes at relatively low speeds. The system works at speeds above 8 km/h and below 80 km/h. At speeds below 40 km/h the system can avoid the collision by performing full braking. Scientific studies conducted by Opel have revealed that, at speeds up to 80 km/h, the reflective LEDs in the windshield can have a positive impact of reaction times and can ultimately lead to an impact speed reduction of between 10 and 20 km/h.

The new Astra is the first compact class car offered by a volume manufacturer with a mono-camera approach for all functions. Furthermore, it is the first Opel that offers assisted braking with the information received only from the camera.

Award-winning Side Blind Spot Alert warns about hidden dangers

Side Blind Spot Alert: This ultrasonic system warns drivers about hidden dangers.

Elsewhere, Opel’s award-winning ultrasonic Side Blind Spot Alert provides an additional safety net both for Astra drivers and other road users. This system warns drivers about hidden dangers. When changing lanes, overtaking or turning a corner, other road users can disappear in the blind spot. Ultrasonic sensors permanently scan wide areas around the vehicle at speeds ranging from 11 km/h to 140 km/h. If the electronic guardians pick up an object in the blind spot, an optical amber-colored warning appears in the relevant exterior door mirror. If the turn indicator is applied towards the direction of the object in the blind spot, the optical LED warning starts flashing. The light intensity of the LEDs is high and the warning cannot be missed even if the sun is shining. Opel’s Side Blind Spot Alert system has won the Euro NCAP Advanced Reward for advanced safety technology.

Advanced Park Assist and Rear View Camera with dynamic guidelines

Another comfort features that makes driving the Astra more relaxing is Park Assist with ultrasonic front and rear sensors. Park Assist is always active below 11 km/h and automatically notifies the driver when it detects objects within the range of its sensors. Drivers are presented with optical information on the display area including the distance to the other object and its position (front/rear; left/center/right). In addition, the distance is indicated acoustically. The new generation Advanced Park Assist identifies suitable parking spaces and automatically parks the vehicle, without the driver touching the wheel. The ultrasonic sensor-based system measures parallel or perpendicular parking spots, calculates the vehicle’s trajectory and automatically steers the Astra into a space. The driver just controls acceleration, deceleration and gear shifting.

For prices starting at 295 euros, Astra drivers can make parking and reversing even easier by adding the Rear View Camera to Park Assist. Mounted above the rear licence plate, it shows the area behind the vehicle on the infotainment screen. The display is activated by engaging reverse gear and automatically switches off either 10 seconds after reverse has been disengaged or when the vehicle exceeds 7 km/h driving forward. A special feature of Opel’s Rear View Camera system is the dynamic guidelines that show the actual vehicle path based on the steering wheel angle, thus helping drivers to estimate distances to other objects while maneuvering.

Comprehensive passive safety concept

The extensive list of active safety features and driver assistance systems available for the new Astra is accompanied by a comprehensive passive safety concept. The basis of this concept is a rigid passenger cell mainly fabricated from high-strength steel that has been designed for the least possible deformations and the largest possible survival space in crash conditions. To accommodate the impact energy in case of a crash, the front, sides and rear of the passenger compartment are surrounded by energy absorption zones that deform and protect in a controlled manner.

Furthermore, the Astra engineers have taken a three-part approach for the standard airbag system consisting of front airbags for driver and co-driver, thorax-pelvis side airbags and full-length curtain airbags for the first and second row. Combined with the advanced front safety systems consisting of body-mounted retractor/pretensioners with load limiter, seat-mounted lap pretensioners and seat-integrated pelvis ramp, the new Astra ensures maximum passenger protection and reduces injury potential.

Outstanding, certified premium ergonomic seats

In addition to the active and passive safety features, the new Opel Astra is also available with a host of comfort features – which also positively affect safety – such as the new AGR (Aktion Gesunder Rücken / Campaign for Healthier Backs) certified premium Opel ergonomic seats. They provide excellent long-distance travel seating comfort and continue the Opel tradition of award-winning, back-friendly seats that are offered at very attractive prices. Beyond being 18-way adjustable and now including side bolster adjustment, they are now also optionally available with further comfort features such as massage and memory function along with ventilation – a unique combination in the compact class. Rear seat passengers can also look forward to more luxury – in addition to more legroom, heated outer rear seats are optional. Astra customers can treat themselves to these luxury seats for very attractive prices – the driver’s seat with the AGR seal of approval is already available from 390 euros.

Lightweight: seat alone ten kilos lighter

Engineering development of the seating environment in the new Astra already began nearly five years ago for the over 100 employees in the team of experts employed in the seating and associated departments, with the integration of the relatively bulky seats being paramount. A very challenging task, as the seat components are one of the car’s largest parts. Seat production alone accounts for around ten percent of the total production costs of a new car model.

At the same time, the seats have a large impact on total weight. That is why for their new development, the engineers first had to minutely examine all individual elements of the Astra comfort seats that come as standard. In order to offer rear seat passengers 35 millimeters more legroom, the back of the new comfort front seat was made much more compact. State-of-the-art calculation methods enable this, as do lighter polyurethane foams and ultra-high-strength steels that are built in under the seat upholstery. All this results in the new seats being 10 kilograms lighter than those in the previous model. This is not only true for the driver and co-driver seats – the new Astra’s rear seats are also lighter and more compact, their contouring was optimized and thigh support was enhanced with a steeper seat tilt.

Independent back experts’ AGR seal of approval for ergonomic seats

The Opel seat engineers also further optimized the positioning of the Astra comfort seat in the car, especially accommodating taller drivers with a sporty driving style. Thanks to a 65-millimeter height adjustment span – the largest in the segment – shorter drivers are also guaranteed an optimum seating position. With the optional premium ergonomic seat’s memory function, this can even be saved at the press of a button. This is ideal for fleet vehicles with the same group of drivers or couples who share the new Opel Astra. The base version of the optional ergonomic seats comes with four-way electropneumatically adjustable lumbar support (forwards, backwards, up and down), variable seat cushion tilt, cushion length adjustment and a seat form with contours that adapt to the natural curvature of the spine. The premium ergonomic seats also feature electropneumatically adjustable side bolsters that support the body by making the seatback narrower or wider. All these exemplary ergonomic elements made it clear to the AGR (Campaign for Healthier Backs), an independent association of doctors and experts dedicated to preventing back problems, that the new Astra front seats also deserve the AGR seal of approval.

Wellness massage, ventilation and heating included

Seats should not only keep drivers securely in place, they should also keep them warm or cool depending on the prevailing conditions. The new Astra comfort seat features passive climate control, meaning breathable surface fabrics and perforated polyurethane foams that considerably improve transporting away moisture and thereby the micro climate in the seat. The new Astra’s premium ergonomic seats can do both – keep warm and cool. Small fans suck air, and thus the moisture that develops when someone is in the seat, away from the body. In the winter, integrated seat heating keeps the driver and co-driver as well as both outer rear seat passengers comfortably warm. Those who want to turn their car into a wellness mobile on longer journeys can enjoy a massage at the push of a button – and arrive at their destination even hours later relaxed and free of aches or pains.

With this all-embracing active and passive safety concept combined with the wide range of comfort features, the new Astra lives up to Opel’s philosophy of democratizing innovative technologies and bringing these to the mainstream market, thus making driving safer and more relaxed for a wider audience.