[Lesley]

The new Astra will be available to order from September this year, with the first cars due for delivery by the end of 2015. The GSi version will not be available at launch but it is most likely that it will 
go on sale within the first year of Astra sales.

The new car is built on parent company GM's D2 platform and is 49mm shorter, 26mm lower and has a 23mm shorter wheelbase than the car it replaces. Despite this, cabin space and comfort are improved. Benefitting from new materials and construction methods, the new Astra offers weight savings of between 120kg and 200kg over the current car.

 

[BrickFan]

Now, hang on, that is a seriously sweet-looking car. I particularly love that rear wheel-arch which gives the car a wide 'planted' appearance. The front end is not too over-stylised with a neatly integrated grille (is that a new design direction?) and the interior looks to be an appreciable step in the right direction - possibly the best Opel/VX interior yet! If they can get the ride/handling right and also be competitive on NVH, this could be a class leader.

 

[Zantetsuken]

I like it. Mind you, I thought the last model was the best looking in the segment. Now all they need to do is make the interior available in a colour other than black and they might move up market!

 

[AstraKFanBoy]

Once you step inside, you'll like what designers did with the cabin. The dashboard loses some of the J's buttons and gains an 8-inch IntelliLink R 4.0 media system. Compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, the touchscreen infotainment system offers the ability to use WhatsApp, Skype, Spotify, Google Maps and Google Play Music, as well as Apple Maps and many more iOS-bound apps and functions. 4G LTE mobile Wi-Fi hotspot via Opel OnStar ensures Internet connectivity for up to seven devices at a time.

 

[AstraKFanBoy]

Vauxhall wants the new Astra to have more appeal to the fleet market, which has led to the push for more efficient engines and lower list prices, which both help reduce company car tax.

 

[OpelAstraK]

The new Astra will be built in Ellesmere Port in Cheshire and will be available in three- or five-door form, along with an estate. Suspension is by MacPherson strut at the front and a torsion beam rear, complete with a revised Watt's link, a setup that is said to give a ride quality equivalent of a fully independent arrangement.