Opel boasts its next Astra that arrives here at this year end will have excellent aerodynamics, as well as highly efficient new engines and transmissions.
It claims the new generation Opel Astra will set standards for efficiency and low emissions, and compared with the previous model, Opel says CO2 has been cut by up to 19 per cent.
The German carmaker, now owned by the French PSA Group, reminds us the current Astra with its lightweight design (200kg lighter than the predecessor ) and technologies from higher classes, set some benchmarks. It says it continues to pursue this strategy with ultra-modern new generations of highly efficient and lightweight petrol and diesel engines.
The 1.2-1.5-litre three-cylinder power units produce 77kW (105hp ) to 107kW (145hp ), claiming that both the Astra five-door and sports tourer’s real fuel-saving (NEDC1 ) fuel consumption combined is 4.8-3.6 l/100km (or 49/65mpg ).
It tells us a counter-rotating balance shaft in the block of the three-cylinder engines offsets vibrations. The base power units already have a six-speed manual gearbox as standard. A smooth-shifting nine-speed automatic is optional.
Meticulous development in the wind tunnel also made a significant contribution to the reductions in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. As a result, it says, the new Astra is one of the most aerodynamic compact cars on the market. At 0.25 Cd, the sports tourer belongs to the estate cars with the lowest drag coefficient in the world, while it also claims the five-door leads the hatchback class at 0.26 Cd.
Opel says the Astra’s dynamic chassis has been further developed. New shock absorbers increase comfort. The optional sports chassis features stiffer dampers, a more direct steering and a Watts link at the rear axle.
Thanks to state-of-the-art emissions reduction technologies such as gasoline particulate filter (GPF ) and diesel selective catalytic reduction (SCR ), all the Astra’s new powertrains already meet Euro 6d. The strict emissions standard first comes into force for all new registrations in 2021. The all-aluminium diesel and petrol engines are equipped as standard with fuel-saving stop/start technology.
In addition to exemplary aerodynamics and engine technology, Opel says the new Astra also comes with many other top technologies, such as optimised front camera and digital instruments, but the former has not been confirmed as standard. Opel also promises a heated windshield, further improved infotainment, and wireless charging.
