All-New Astra is the cornerstone of Opel’s ongoing electrification strategy in 2022
Newcomer makes clear statement with technologies it brings to the compact class
Hesse’s Prime Minister Volker Bouffier and Opel CEO Uwe Hochgeschurtz (on the right)
All-new Opel Astra rolls off the assembly line at the Rüsselsheim plant. Today, Opel CEO Uwe Hochgeschurtz welcomed Hesse’s Prime Minister Volker Bouffier, Hesse’s Economics Minister Tarek Al-Wazir and Rüsselsheim’s Lord Mayor Udo Bausch to the Rüsselsheim plant to witness the ramp up of production of the new Opel Astra. To date, around 500 new Opel Astra have already been produced. In the coming months, the new generation of the Opel Astra will be the cornerstone of the Rüsselsheim-based brand’s electrification offensive. All-new Astra five-door will arrive at customers in the spring – and will be available as a plug-in hybrid right from the start. In 2023, the purely battery-electric Astra-e will complete the range.
Hesse’s Economics Minister Tarek Al-Wazir, Prime Minister Volker Bouffier, Opel CEO Uwe Hochgeschurtz and Rüsselsheim’s Lord Mayor Udo Bausch (from left)
“All-new Astra has been developed with love and dedication down to the smallest detail. It was also the first car I presented when I took over as Opel CEO and I obviously have a special connection with this compact class bestseller,” said Opel CEO Uwe Hochgeschurtz. “Designed, engineered and now produced at our traditional headquarters in Rüsselsheim, this newcomer will provide us with additional momentum. I am already looking forward to seeing all-new Astra at dealerships and in the hands of our customers in spring.”
“Opel is at home here in Hesse. For many generations now, Opel has not only been driven here, the people also continue to produce and develop the brand. The headquarters in Rüsselsheim are an important employer in the entire region. So it is particularly gratifying that the new Astra is rolling off the assembly line here in Rüsselsheim. With this, the company reinforces its commitment to secure the site. Hesse is also doing its part to ensure that the carmaker has good framework conditions for production, development and research. Automotive industry is currently undergoing a structural transformation. State Government of Hesse will continue to support Opel in mastering this challenge. With today's start of production and the conversion to electric mobility planned in 2028, the company demonstrates: It has its sights firmly set on the future,” said Hesse’s Prime Minister Volker Bouffier and Economics Minister Tarek Al-Wazir.
“Increased competitiveness of the Rüsselsheim plant has ensured that this exciting model can be produced here,” said Ralph Wangemann, Managing Director Human Resources and Labour Director. “This investment will allow work in two shifts and the skills, dedication and commitment of the employees will play a major part in the future success of our all-new Astra.”
“Team handled the numerous pandemic-related restrictions excellently. We are extremely proud to be the new home of the Astra – a state-of-the-art compact class bestseller in outstanding quality,” said Plant Manager Michael Lewald.
All-new Opel Astra is a design statement for the brand. Dynamic as never before, with sheer, taut surfaces, detoxed of superfluous elements and with the new brand face – Opel Vizor. The newcomer also makes a clear statement with the technologies and assistance systems it brings to the compact class. Innovations that customers are otherwise only familiar with from vehicles in higher segments. One highlight of the extensive portfolio is the latest version of the adaptive, glare-free IntelliLux LED Pixel light. System comes directly from the Opel flagships Insignia and Grandland, and with 168 LED elements, is a leader in the compact and midsize class.
A leap in time has taken place in the interior of the new generation Astra. With the fully digital Pure Panel, analogue instruments are consigned to history. Instead, the new human-machine-interface (HMI) with fresh, modern graphics offers customers a pure, more intuitive experience. Operation is via an extra-wide touchscreen. In addition, important settings such as climate control can still be selected directly via just a few switches. Never before has an Opel been so intuitive and easy to operate as the new Astra.
Outstanding seating comfort in the new compact class model is also typical of Opel. The front seats, developed in-house, are AGR-certified (Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V.) with exemplary ergonomics, especially on long journeys. Driver is supported by optional state-of-the-art assistance systems ranging from the head-up display to the 360-degree view called Intelli-Vision.
6.1 percent market share in January: 9 percent more cars sold compared to 2021
16 months in a row: Opel consistently gaining market share in Germany
Over 25 percent: High proportion of electric vehicles in the Opel Corsa and Opel Mokka series
Opel Corsa-e
Opel continues to grow in the important German home market in the new year. According to the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA), the manufacturer achieved a slightly increased market share of 6.1 percent in January with around 11,200 newly registered passenger cars - that is 9 percent more vehicles sold compared to January 2021. Opel thus has its market share compared to the comparable months in largest European automotive market increased 16 times in a row. Development of battery-electric passenger cars was also positive.
Opel Mokka-e
“After growing significantly last year, we will continue our trend in 2022. But it clearly shows that our models are extremely well received by customers,” says Opel Germany CEO Andreas Marx. “We are particularly pleased about the high proportion of battery-electric vehicles. This also shows that the future of mobility is electric.”
Head of Opel Germany Andreas Marx
Opel Corsa again made a significant contribution to the successful performance . Best-selling small car in Germany in 2020 and 2021 again performed excellently this January with over 4,000 new registrations. More than a quarter of all new registrations were already purely electric Opel Corsa-e . Opel Mokka-e was similarly successful - and here the battery-electric variant also accounts for over 25 percent of Opel Mokka registrations.
Pure and bold: Sports estate with new expressive brand design
Exclusive and typical Opel: First model in compact class with two-tone paint finish
Digital and intuitive: Pure Panel powered by the Snapdragon® Cockpit Platform from Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
All-new Opel Astra Sports Tourer is a designer piece and at the same time an all-rounder in everyday life. Next generation of the compact class bestseller is the first Opel estate to be electrified and the first with the unmistakable Opel Vizor brand face. In addition, the sports estate from Rüsselsheim will be optionally available in stylish two-tone paint. Like that of the five-door model soon to make its debut at dealerships, the Sports Tourer's interior is also a leap forward in every respect. For the first time, drivers will find the fully digital Pure Panel cockpit in front of them – the next generation of the fully connected and intuitively operable Human Machine Interface (HMI). Utilising the integrated Snapdragon® Cockpit Platform from Qualcomm Technologies, Pure Panel cockpit features enhanced graphics, multimedia, computer vision and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities to provide a more integrated, contextually aware and constantly adaptive cockpit system that evolves to its passengers’ preferences.
“With its bold and pure design, inside and out, our new Opel Astra Sports Tourer makes a real statement: precise, high-quality and at the same time extremely practical. Every line, every detail has been meticulously designed. This turns our newcomer into a stylish sports estate that sparks emotions,” says Opel Vice President Design Mark Adams.
Bold and pure: Opel Vizor and two-tone paintwork sharpen the look
Like its five-door hatchback sibling, the new Opel Astra Sports Tourer has a solid, wide stance. The overall lines emphasise its sporty, stretched look. This starts with the characteristic new brand face. Specially developed for the latest generation of the compact class model, the Opel Vizor defines the front. As the central exterior design element, it follows the Opel Compass where the vertical and horizontal axes – the sharp crease in the hood and the wing shaped graphic of the daylight running lamps – intersect with the Opel Blitz emblem in the middle. Stretching across the front, making the new Astra look even wider, the Vizor also seamlessly integrates new technologies such as the optional ultra-slim IntelliLux LED headlamps and the front camera of the 360-degree Intelli-Vision system.
Viewed from the side, Opel Astra Sports Tourer looks especially dynamic. Strong wheel arch blisters give the estate a muscular yet pure and bold look, emphasising its firm grip on the road. The pronounced forward rake of the wide rear pillars accentuates the Sports Tourer’s ‘ready to pounce’ stance. At the rear, the Opel Compass is repeated by the centrally mounted Blitz, the vertically aligned brake lamp and the ultra-slim LED tail lamps featured on all Astra models.
Emotional everyday hero: Beautiful design can be this practical
Sparking emotions while offering superb practicality for customers – the new Astra Sports Tourer was designed to combine the best of both worlds. New-generation estate designers’ goal was to make it a real eye-catcher, while at the same time – like all its predecessors – fully exploit its proven strength, its suitability for everyday use.
Mission accomplished: with vital statistics of 4,642 x 1,860 x 1,480 millimetres (L x W x H) and a loading height of around 600 mm, the practical new Astra Sports Tourer further strengthens Opel’s leading reputation in the estate market sector and also displays the brand’s typical talent for efficient packaging. To keep the loading sill low, the number plate, for example, is not located in the bumper – unlike in the five-door model – but in the tailgate. This makes it easier to load the completely flat rear compartment with luggage or equipment. And despite the considerably longer wheelbase of 2,732 mm (+70 mm) that is even 57 mm longer than that of the new Astra hatchback and increases cabin comfort for passengers, all-new Opel Astra Sports Tourer is 60 mm shorter than the previous model, thanks to the particularly short front overhang.
“Despite its compact dimensions, all-new Opel Astra Sports Tourer looks almost as long as an Opel Insignia – even though it is a good deal shorter. We achieve this visual impression by using flowing, elegant lines, combined with a distinct two-tone roof execution, which is available for the first time in the compact estate class,” says Mark Adams. Colour-contrast option for the roof and body is not only new for the Opel Astra Sports Tourer, this innovation in the compact-class estate segment also gives the newcomer an even more sleek and stretched look on the road.
Detox to the max: Pure Panel with full connectivity and intuitive operation
Pure and bold, reduced to the essentials look is also echoed in the interior. Fully digital, driver-orientated Pure Panel cockpit takes the customer into a completely new world. Human-machine-interface (HMI) offers customers an intuitive operating experience. This expansive cockpit (fully glazed depending on variant) features two 10‑inch displays, integrated – together with the driver’s side air vent – in a horizontal format. “Fully glazed cockpit surface characterises what I call 'Glass to Edge', where the glass extends to the edges of the Pure Panel. This creates an exceptionally modern and progressive cockpit look,” says Opel Vice President Design. And thanks to a shutter-like layer that prevents upward reflections in the windscreen, the design dispenses with a hood over the displays and touchscreens found in most other vehicles.
“Detox to the max” is the basic principle behind the cockpit design. Opel designers and engineers have taken great care to ensure that the driver receives all the necessary information and useful operating options, but is not burdened with superfluous data or functions. With the physical controls reduced to the minimum in the form of finely crafted keys, the Pure Panel achieves the optimum balance between digitisation and intuitive operation, detoxed of irritating visual stimuli and without the need for sub-menus. Never before has an Opel been so intuitive and easy to operate, ensuring total concentration on driving and road traffic.
Thanks to the Snapdragon® Cockpit Platform, the fully digital Pure Panel cockpit is designed to deliver highly intuitive AI experiences, supporting driver and passenger personalisation, in-car virtual assistance, natural voice control, language understanding, and adaptive human machine interfaces.
There is no need for cables in the new Astra Sports Tourer either, since the new generation of multimedia infotainment systems can be connected as standard on all model variants to wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via compatible smartphones. Here, too, the maxim was to create a clear, fully functional high-tech design that does not appear cold and impersonal, but rather conveys a feeling of security.
Opel will soon open the order books for the new Astra Sports Tourer so that customers can configure their dream vehicle.
