Opel’s Refreshed Astra Revealed Ahead of Australian Launch

The release of the refreshed range of Astra Hatch and Tourer in Europe has been timed perfectly for Opel Australia’s launch in a couple of months’ time.

“The timing for our local launch could not be more ideal, in allowing us the opportunity to bring the freshest Astra face to market from the outset,” said Opel Australia Managing Director, William Mott.

 “It’s a clear sign of the importance placed on both the Astra in our model line-up, and our local launch overall, that production for Australia has been expedited to allow us to launch the updated Astra at the same time as Germany.”

The Astra is one of Opel’s most important models, contributing to around a third of all Opel cars sold worldwide. The updated Astra receives a more pronounced lower grille, new front and rear bumpers and restyle headlamps incorporating LED daytime running lights.

The German brand’s latest Astra will go head to head with fellow German rival, the Volkswagen Golf and a host of other small cars in one of the most contested segments in the new car market.

To stand out from the crowd, the new Astra is expected to debut innovative assistance technologies such as the second-generation ‘Opel Eye’ front camera with traffic sign assistant, lane departure warning, following distance indication and forward collision alert. A rear-view camera, advanced park assist, blind spot alert and radar-based adaptive cruise control with automatic collision imminent braking, which works in the range of 50-180km/h, also make an appearance.

The refreshed Astra range will include a new sedan, a Sports Tourer station wagon and the ultra gorgeous three-door GTC coupé, as well as its high performance OPC version.

The OPC is equipped with a 206kW/400Nm turbocharged 2.0-litre engine, sending the Renault Megane RS fighter from 0 – 100km/h in 6.0 seconds.

The Opel Astra will be joined by the Opel Insignia and Corsa at the brand’s Australian launch in September.