Top notch
Opel has extended its Astra range with the new Notchback. Testing it through thick and thin, the sedan not only looks good but is also multi-purpose.
If there is a car that fits a brief to rise to a number of occasions, the Opel Astra Notchback is certainly one. Sleek, elegant, dynamic, sturdy and roomy, the four-door sedan can be a family car as much as an executive, or simply ideal to cover a lot of ground carrying considerable baggage.
Unassuming at first glance, the Notchback grows on you the minute you take a closer look and notice the details. Like the girl next door, its assets are packaged in a simple manner but reveal increasingly interesting features as a bond between the driver and the wheels is established.
The Notchback's performing intentions are made clear from the outset. Based on the station wagon's long wheelbase it boasts great driving dynamics combined with high safety reserves. Its four engines, from 90 to 140 horsepower, are also an important addition to the range line-up, particularly in the strong, thriving markets in Europe.
To put Opel and the Astra range in a context, it may be beneficial to take into consideration the automotive landscape in Europe which is constantly changing. In just five years, from 2002 to 2007, sales in central and eastern Europe have more than doubled. While in 2002, just 2.7 million cars were sold in this region, this figure rose by more than 5.5 million at the end of 2007. Over the same period, the market share of General Motors, manufacturers of Opel and Saab apart other makes, has more than doubled, from 4.35 to 8.9 per cent. With the launch of the new Astra sedan, further share growth is anticipated.
Overall, the addition of the Notchback model will give the highly successful Astra line-up, of which 517,000 were sold across Europe in 2006, further expansion this year. By the end of 2007, Opel sold more Astras in central and eastern Europe over 2006, pushing this region into second place behind the UK. With the Notchback model riding high in registration statistics, central and eastern Europe look likely to move into number one spot in Astra sales this year.
Starting from €23,200 and the 1.7 CDTI diesel versions at €26,800, the Astra Notchback is an affordable option. Its value added lies in its sturdiness, luxury features and track record in performance, durability and functionality. The Notchback is a continuation of Opel's tradition. The first two Astra generations were both available with four doors and a large, separate luggage compartment.
The new sedan boasts the Astra's progressive, proportionally balanced design and dynamic lines. With the latest upgrade of the Astra family of cars, designers further honed the distinctive brand face that was first presented in this model line, while ensuring the car is still clearly recognisable as a member of the Astra family.
Elements such as the sharply drawn "eyebrows" above the fog lamps together with the eye-catching V-shaped front serve as a blueprint for future Opel models. The headlamp housings in stylish chrome look also convey the additional sense of quality. The new roof line flows elegantly into the tailgate, which turns slightly upward at the end to form an integrated spoiler for optimised aerodynamics.
At 4.59 metres long, 1.75 metres wide and 1.46 metres high, the Astra sedan is a fully grown family sedan with a trunk to match. It offers a luggage compartment volume of 490 litres, which expands to a maximum of 870 litres. The luggage compartment offers a maximum width of 1,170 mm and a maximum length of 995 mm, which can be expanded to 1,721 mm.
The new-edition Astra's interior boasts surfaces with an even more high-quality look and feel. Distinctive design elements in the cockpit include the prominent centre console, additional chrome rings for the air-conditioning and radio controls, as well as new trim for the doors and instrument panel, which also boasts three-dimensional instruments.
The new Astra model is available in three equipment lines: Essentia, Enjoy and Cosmo. The Essentia already boasts important safety features as standard, including front and side airbags, as well as ABS and ISOFIX child seat anchors in the rear. Comfortable and practical standard details include central locking, front power windows, height-adjustable driver's seat and the 60:40 split rear bench seat back. The Astra Enjoy offers even more extensive standard equipment, including air-conditioning, heated power mirrors and CD-Radio CD 30.
The top-of-the-line Cosmo model boasts additional high-quality equipment features such as 16-inch alloy wheels, two-colour door trim, centre console in piano black with the décor mouldings on matt chrome, and a leather steering wheel with piano black caps.
The newest addition to the Astra family can be further personalised with a selection of four equipment packages: Visibility and Light; Winter Pack, Seat Comfort Pack; Leather Seats and Electronic Climate Control (ECC) with Air Quality Sensor (AQS).
The extensive range of infotainment systems is typical of the Astra, with equipment that includes a navigation system or MP3 capability. A mobile phone console with Bluetooth interface and voice control is also available, as well as a twin audio system that provides separate entertainment for the rear seats.
The Notchback's power comes from four state-of-the-art ECOTEC gasoline and diesel engines: two gasoline engines (1.6 ECOTEC/115 hp, 1.8 ECOTEC/140 hp) and two diesel engines (1.3 CDTI/90 hp, 1.7 CDTI/100 hp). The transmission range includes five-speed and six-speed manual gearboxes, four-speed automatic, as well as an enhanced automated Easytronic manual transmission.
Standard safety features in all Astra variants include front and rear disc brakes (ventilated in front), ABS, Cornering Brake Control (CBC), brake assist, as well as the fuel-saving Electro-Hydraulic Power Steering (EHPS). This energy-saving hydraulic pump, which is activated by an electric motor, is only used when needed, thereby reducing fuel consumption.
The Opel Astra Notchback is versatile and multi-purpose. It combines good saloon design with an updated feel, daring performance and solid movements.
Unassuming at first glance, the Notchback grows on you the minute you take a closer look and notice the details. Like the girl next door, its assets are packaged in a simple manner but reveal increasingly interesting features as a bond between the driver and the wheels is established.
The Notchback's performing intentions are made clear from the outset. Based on the station wagon's long wheelbase it boasts great driving dynamics combined with high safety reserves. Its four engines, from 90 to 140 horsepower, are also an important addition to the range line-up, particularly in the strong, thriving markets in Europe.
To put Opel and the Astra range in a context, it may be beneficial to take into consideration the automotive landscape in Europe which is constantly changing. In just five years, from 2002 to 2007, sales in central and eastern Europe have more than doubled. While in 2002, just 2.7 million cars were sold in this region, this figure rose by more than 5.5 million at the end of 2007. Over the same period, the market share of General Motors, manufacturers of Opel and Saab apart other makes, has more than doubled, from 4.35 to 8.9 per cent. With the launch of the new Astra sedan, further share growth is anticipated.
Overall, the addition of the Notchback model will give the highly successful Astra line-up, of which 517,000 were sold across Europe in 2006, further expansion this year. By the end of 2007, Opel sold more Astras in central and eastern Europe over 2006, pushing this region into second place behind the UK. With the Notchback model riding high in registration statistics, central and eastern Europe look likely to move into number one spot in Astra sales this year.
Starting from €23,200 and the 1.7 CDTI diesel versions at €26,800, the Astra Notchback is an affordable option. Its value added lies in its sturdiness, luxury features and track record in performance, durability and functionality. The Notchback is a continuation of Opel's tradition. The first two Astra generations were both available with four doors and a large, separate luggage compartment.
The new sedan boasts the Astra's progressive, proportionally balanced design and dynamic lines. With the latest upgrade of the Astra family of cars, designers further honed the distinctive brand face that was first presented in this model line, while ensuring the car is still clearly recognisable as a member of the Astra family.
Elements such as the sharply drawn "eyebrows" above the fog lamps together with the eye-catching V-shaped front serve as a blueprint for future Opel models. The headlamp housings in stylish chrome look also convey the additional sense of quality. The new roof line flows elegantly into the tailgate, which turns slightly upward at the end to form an integrated spoiler for optimised aerodynamics.
At 4.59 metres long, 1.75 metres wide and 1.46 metres high, the Astra sedan is a fully grown family sedan with a trunk to match. It offers a luggage compartment volume of 490 litres, which expands to a maximum of 870 litres. The luggage compartment offers a maximum width of 1,170 mm and a maximum length of 995 mm, which can be expanded to 1,721 mm.
The new-edition Astra's interior boasts surfaces with an even more high-quality look and feel. Distinctive design elements in the cockpit include the prominent centre console, additional chrome rings for the air-conditioning and radio controls, as well as new trim for the doors and instrument panel, which also boasts three-dimensional instruments.
The new Astra model is available in three equipment lines: Essentia, Enjoy and Cosmo. The Essentia already boasts important safety features as standard, including front and side airbags, as well as ABS and ISOFIX child seat anchors in the rear. Comfortable and practical standard details include central locking, front power windows, height-adjustable driver's seat and the 60:40 split rear bench seat back. The Astra Enjoy offers even more extensive standard equipment, including air-conditioning, heated power mirrors and CD-Radio CD 30.
The top-of-the-line Cosmo model boasts additional high-quality equipment features such as 16-inch alloy wheels, two-colour door trim, centre console in piano black with the décor mouldings on matt chrome, and a leather steering wheel with piano black caps.
The newest addition to the Astra family can be further personalised with a selection of four equipment packages: Visibility and Light; Winter Pack, Seat Comfort Pack; Leather Seats and Electronic Climate Control (ECC) with Air Quality Sensor (AQS).
The extensive range of infotainment systems is typical of the Astra, with equipment that includes a navigation system or MP3 capability. A mobile phone console with Bluetooth interface and voice control is also available, as well as a twin audio system that provides separate entertainment for the rear seats.
The Notchback's power comes from four state-of-the-art ECOTEC gasoline and diesel engines: two gasoline engines (1.6 ECOTEC/115 hp, 1.8 ECOTEC/140 hp) and two diesel engines (1.3 CDTI/90 hp, 1.7 CDTI/100 hp). The transmission range includes five-speed and six-speed manual gearboxes, four-speed automatic, as well as an enhanced automated Easytronic manual transmission.
Standard safety features in all Astra variants include front and rear disc brakes (ventilated in front), ABS, Cornering Brake Control (CBC), brake assist, as well as the fuel-saving Electro-Hydraulic Power Steering (EHPS). This energy-saving hydraulic pump, which is activated by an electric motor, is only used when needed, thereby reducing fuel consumption.
The Opel Astra Notchback is versatile and multi-purpose. It combines good saloon design with an updated feel, daring performance and solid movements.