Opel’s 10th generation of the Astra has made its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
The carmaker says it features a super-efficient range of eight engines, ranging from 95bhp to 180bhp, which boast reductions in CO2 emissions and fuel consumption by around 10 per cent overall.
In the petrol line-up, Opel says that massive improvements are evident in the 1.4i unit, with just 129g/km emissions, now making it eligible for tax band B (road tax of €156 ).
A new 1.4-litre turbo engine joins the range, producing 140bhp and 200Nm of torque. This engine replaces the naturally aspirated 1.8-litre from the current range, yet features lower emissions, equal power, and 15 per cent more torque.
Completing the petrol line-up for the new Astra are two 1.6-litre engines – one with 115bhp and the other a turbocharged unit producing 180 bhp.
The Astra’s diesel range comprises 1.3, 1.7, and 2.0-litre units, all of which feature common rail fuel injection and produce combined CO2 emissions of no more than 129g/km (with manual transmission ). Despite this, their power will range from 95bhp to 160bhp, allowing generous performance with optimum frugality.
“Constant enhancement of the engine line-up is essential in our effort to improve our ecological footprint. We are very proud of the achievements reached by our engineering staff while developing the new Opel Astra, making it an outstanding entry in the very competitive compact segment,” says Hans Demant, Opel’s European managing director.
As with the Insignia, all Astra powerplants meet stringent Euro 5 emissions standards, and soon an ecoFLEX model will be added to the range, achieving 109g/km of CO2 on the combined cycle*.
An interesting model supported the new Astra at Frankfurt - Opel’s ground-breaking Ampera - its much anticipated extended-range electric car.
