New of the week – Opel Astra

Here is one of the examples of the benefit for Opel of having been bought by PSA in 2017. The German manufacturer today benefits from the technical platforms of the French group, while it was stuck in an industrial slump with General Motors. The American giant had a string of misfortunes in Europe by wanting to impose brands there that had nothing to do there (Cadillac, Chevrolet), and had stopped investing there. The arrival of PSA – now the Stellantis group – is the best thing that has happened to Opel in the recent past.

To Peugeot (and to a lesser extent Citroën) too, this acquisition was a winner. Because even if it is difficult to envisage on our side of the Rhine, you should know that the French manufacturer has long had a bad image in Germany. A bit like Opel in France in the end... But the progress made in design across all brands has pulled everyone up. Once the doubts about the continuation of the Opel factories in Germany were passed, where the production of the new Astra was repatriated from Poland and England, as if by magic the Germans began to love Peugeot, and the French a little more Opel. Of course, just like with Citroën, the Lion never failed to show who was boss. But there was still intelligence in the definition of the products, technically identical, but with their own personality, and often placed on an equal footing in terms of technology.

Sometimes, on a specific point, Opel does even better! The best example is the Peugeot 208 and Opel Corsa duo, whose running gear settings make the latter more interesting to drive. A shame for Peugeot, which has built its reputation on the playful character of its chassis. On the other hand, inside, there are two rooms with two atmospheres: techno universe on board the 208, and ex-East Germany for the Corsa. Errors which were obviously no longer reproduced subsequently.

Profitable cohabitation

Today, a new era is dawning for the Astra. Beyond its style, much fresher, an obvious move upmarket with a two-tone body and a new lighting signature (as well as adaptive lighting via 168 controlled diodes), this technical cousin of the new Peugeot 308 and DS 4 (see Test Drive following pages) is a serious candidate for the head of the most important European segment. Some will even prefer its exterior design to that of the Peugeot, and will especially appreciate the milestone reached in comparison to the old generation.

The downside of this new bodywork – the Astras follow one another and are not alike, like the Renault Megane – the second-hand rating, already very low, of the generation that is stopping will take another hit. But even at a low price, should we really want to flagellate ourselves by buying something so outdated?

Hybrid version and soon 100% electric

The new Astra has a rather well-designed dashboard, with a large 10-inch screen in the center. It's a shame that it's positioned a little far from the driver (like on the DS 4) but, at least, it benefits from the new Stellantis multimedia system. It is not the easiest to use, but the main functions can also be controlled by physical buttons. The meter is also digital and 10 inches in size. Opel is doing better here than DS, which was a little stingy on this point.

With a length of precisely 4,374 meters, only 4 mm more than its predecessor, the Astra benefits from a wheelbase extended by 1,3 cm. Suffice to say that this does not change anything in terms of habitability, which remains average at the rear, but benefits from sufficient headroom for taller passengers. Opel did not want to communicate on the trunk volume (what a secret...) indicating only that, with the seats folded, the Astra offers a space of 1250 liters. We may know more in the coming weeks, when the station wagon version is revealed.

In terms of engines, the new Opel models its range on that of the 308: 1.2 liter three-cylinder unit of 110 hp with BVM6 or 130 hp in BVM6 or 8-speed automatic; same choice for the 1.5 BlueHDi 130 hp, and 180 hp or 225 hp for plug-in hybrids (automatic only). In this last configuration, the Blitz manufacturer promises up to 60 km in all-electric mode. Then, also like the 308, the Astra will be offered in all-electric form from 2023. Please note, whatever the engine, its chassis settings will be different from those of the 308, in order to meet the needs of German highways (not speed limit in places). Does this mean that it will offer a better level of driving? In any case, it is not expected that it will receive the controlled suspensions of the DS 4. On the other hand, it will be able to make lane changes almost on its own (by just activating the indicator) or to adapt the speed of the car in curves as part of the Intelli-Drive 2.0 program.

Opel has not yet communicated the prices of its new star, but those for the German market are known: from 22 euros. In France, they could be a little lower or, on the contrary, higher depending on the strategy chosen by Stellantis. But should remain in all cases below the 465 euros requested by the basic version of the Peugeot 23. Which ultimately has no importance since the entry-level versions always make less than 200% of sales, not to mention the level of a possible recovery, discount and now the numerous rents which accompany the marketing.