What's all this about?
This is our first look at the new, seventh-generation, Brit-designed, Brit-built Vauxhall Astra, going into production at Ellesmere Port later this year and set for a Frankfurt Motor Show debut.
Er, can I be the grouch who says -
- that it looks a lot like the outgoing Astra 'J'? If you must. This is a bit like the latest evolution of Corsa, in that it's more of an extremely thorough overhaul of the old car, rather than an entirely new model. But, put aside the similarities in the glasshouse and you'll note snazzy fresh light clusters front and rear (the headlights can be IntelliLux LED Matrix units if needs be), a 'floating' C-pillar and a winged radiator grille. What you won't spot is that this car is 50mm shorter and 26mm lower than before (leading to an expected sub-0.30 Cd figure) and it's up to 200kg lighter than the old car too.
Nice. What's powering it?
A range of petrol and diesel engines, the new one being an Ecotec 1.4-litre four-cylinder direct-injection turbo unit of 145hp/250Nm ratings, which is related to the superb 1.0-litre Ecotec triple already seen in the Viva, Corsa and Adam. That three-pot will also see service in the Astra, in 105hp guise, while the also-superb 'Whisper' 1.6-litre diesel can be specified in outputs ranging from 110- to 160hp. A 200hp engine is slated, likely to be the 1.6-litre petrol turbo seen in the GTC line-up.
How about within?
A new touchscreen with less dashboard buttons, extra legroom in the rear (a full 35mm of it), a suite of driver assist technologies and even the option for an 18-way adjustable, ventilated, massaging driver's seat. The Astra will be the first Vauxhall to come with the OnStar 'personal connectivity and service assistance' technology from launch too, while there's a new generation of IntelliLink on-board infotainment software to click about with.
This is quite an important car for Vauxhall, isn't it?
We'll say. More than 50,000 were shifted here in 2014, while 2.9 million Astras have found homes in the UK in the past 36 years. Luton has to get this one absolutely spot on, then. We'll find out whether it has or not later this year.
Matt Robinson - 1 Jun 2015