Opel’s all-new 10th generation of the Astra will be launched at Cathal Duffy’s Opel headquarters, Castlebar, on Saturday December 12. All are welcome to attend the showrooms in Spencer Park from 12 noon to 4pm where light refreshments will be served. All attendees will be entered into a competition to win a brand new Astra on the day.
The all-new stylish Opel Astra was test driven by the Mayo Advertiser’s Padraic Deane a few months ago on German roads. The versions that he drove handled and performed very well. “The styling of the new model could be described as an evolution rather than a revolution, but in this area, it goes further than its great rival - the Volkswagen Golf,” said Mr Deane.
Having just arrived on Ireland’s shores fresh from the Frankfurt International Motor Show the new Astra is set to take the motor industry by storm. Its award winning design and technological innovation beats all competition in terms of style, comfort, driveability, and performance. Superior German engineering delivers more powerful Euro5 compliant engines with fewer CO2 emissions, comprehensive active and passive five star safety systems, and generous levels of standard equipment.
The new Astra boasts an extensive line-up of eight engines and five trim levels. Engines have seen an increase in power with a decrease in fuel consumption and emissions, in particular the 1.4i 16v VVT engine, which increases its power output to 100bhp yet emits only 129g/km of CO2, meaning a tax band B rating and road tax of just €156 pa.
New Astra benefits from comprehensive active and passive safety systems, with all models having as standard electronic stability programme (ESP ), drivers, passengers, side, and full-curtain airbags (with the front passenger airbags having an off switch to facilitate the fitting of a front child seat ), active-safety front headrests, all-round seatbelt warning system, a pedal release system, front seatbelt pre-tensioners, and Isofix on two rear seats.
Five-star Euro NCAP rating
Euro NCAP gave its highest points ever for the Astra’s active head restraints, which protect against whiplash – the most common occupant injury suffered when a car is struck from behind. Opel’s active head restraint system is also completely reversible, requiring no dealer reset after a rear-end collision.
Passenger occupant protection in a frontal impact attracted a very high score for the Astra, but points were also added for its advanced electronic stability control+ system, which improves vehicle stability by detecting and minimising skids.
The Astra’s rigid passenger compartment contributed to the exceptional rating, too. The structure is made from high-strength steel that Vauxhall’s engineers designed for the least deformation and highest survival space in case of a crash. The front and rear of the cabin are also surrounded by crumple zones that deform and protect in a safe, controlled, manner.
2009 Golden Steering Wheel winner
European car buffs have handed the Opel Astra its first major trophy, by winning the Golden Steering Wheel in the compact class. It is the most prestigious award issued by Auto Bild magazines group. This year’s election involved readers in 26 European countries, representing more than 40 million readers overall.
The all new Opel Astra won by a comfortable margin, getting top marks in the engine, fuel consumption, chassis, braking, steering, and driver assistance safety systems categories. Race drivers and technical experts ranked the Astra number one, awarding the Astra seven out of eight points, while technical experts awarded the compact car five out of eight.
Check out the all-new Opel Astra from this week.
Price from €20,695. Economy up to 79mpg. Annual road tax from €104.
