2013 Opel Astra news, pictures, and information

Sporty and stylish four-door sedan completes Opel Astra line-up

The Opel design team gave the new Astra notchback a very stylish and sleek silhouette. The roofline arcs gently over the passenger area, then descends in a seamless sweep through the steeply raked rear screen to the sculpted aerodynamic lip at the end of the short rear deck. And because the raked C-pillar stretches so far back into the rear deck area, it visually conceals the size of the trunk in an elegant fashion. The feature line running through the door handles becomes more defined towards the rear, creating a muscular 'shoulder' effect below the base of the C-pillar and the rear deck.

The rear is characterized by the steeply raked rear screen, the integrated deck spoiler, and the broad sweep of the sculpted bumper. The design of the tail lights echoes those of other Astra models, and the subtle crease which links them adds width and avoids any impression of bulkiness. The lamps also have an inner wing shape for the taillight function that continues the Opel brand signature. There are more sculptural features within the bumper where the number plate indent reflects the shape of the deck-lid cutout. Together, all these elements combine to create a particularly well-balanced and harmonious automotive design.

The Vice President of Design, Mark Adams, says: 'The Astra model family implements our design language wîth sculptural artistry meeting German precision in a very dynamic fashion. All body style variants have their very own personality. We believe that the Astra four-door sedan we're now launching is the best proportioned and most stylish notchback currently available in the compact §egmènt.' Customers who wish to make their four-door sedan visually even more attractive, can choose from a wide offer of wheel designs of sizes up to 19 inches.

Top technology standards and typical Astra qualities in notchback §egmènt


With its sporty, elegant design, typical Astra qualities and a large array of technological highlights – some are unique, some are unusual for the §egmènt - Opel´s new compact four-door notchback targets customers wîth high expectations. The Advanced Forward Lighting (AFL+) wîth bi-xenon headlamps and a host of sophisticated lighting functions including variable light distribution, curve light, cornering light and high-beam assist greatly enhance active safety. The adaptive FlexRide chassis system automatically adjusts damping to the prevailing driving conditions and gives the driver the choice between three different modes – Standard, the comfort-oriented Tour mode and the more responsive Sport mode. The highly ergonomic AGR ('Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V') approved seats that are easy on the back are available for the driver and the front passenger. Added to that are several infotainment systems which make travelling even more relaxing and safer. The Navi 900 top unit features the routes of more than 30 European countries and a digital travel guide stored on an SD card.

Compact notchbacks offer growth opportunities


The new four-door sedan is an important addition to the latest generation of the successful Astra model family. In Western Europe, especially in Germany and Spain, Opel marketing experts see growth opportunities for the new four-door model as an elegant, more affordable alternative to sedans from the upper §egmènt. Moreover, there is strong demand for compact notchback variants in the high growth markets of Eastern and Central Europe, particularly Russia and Turkey. Russia currently has the second highest sales volume in Europe and is expected to become Europe´s main market wîth up to 3.4 million total vehicle sales in 2014. Across all §egmènts, more than 60 percent of all sedans sold in Europe are sold in Russia. Last year, in the compact §egmènt 51 percent of customers there opted for a notchback version. Russia is also the third biggest market for the Astra in Europe. Therefore, Opel has decided to celebrate the world premiere of the new member of the Astra model family at the Moscow Auto Salon 2012 (August 29 - September 9).