Ahead of the official debut during September's Frankfurt Motor Show, Opel revealed the all-new Generation of the Astra hatchback, the K series.
Today, we bring you the first re-sharpened rendering for the 2016 Astra K sedan, based on press images. X-Tomi Design is the man responsible for these photos, and he seems to have chosen the back end of a Nissan Maxima. You can very clearly see that distinctive kink in the rear pillars which only Nissan has.
In any case, quite a bit seems to have changed from the previous generation Astra to the next. The Germans have used a new platform (GM D2UX/D2XX) to reduce the weight of the vehicle by up to 200 kilograms (441 lbs). This is sure to have a dramatic effect on fuel consumption.
That means they can use smaller engines, which is precisely what they've done. At launch, the Astra K will be available with a 1-liter turbo rated at 105 PS that replaces the old 1.6-liter base engine (-10 hp and +15 Nm compared to the 1.6). There will also be an all-new 1.4 SIDI Turbo rated at 145 PS and 220 Nm (235 Nm with overboost, equivalent to 163 lb-ft) and a base 1.6 diesel with only 95 PS.
We think this shows Opel is taking a back-to-basics approach to making its compact cars, leaving only the features that customers want. By contrast, the previous generation Astra made its debut with an 180 metric horsepower 1.6-liter that grabbed headlines.
It doesn't mean there won't be any powerful engines available with the Astra K sedan, just that they're probably a little smaller. For example, Opel is apparently developing its first twin-turbo 1.6-liter diesel that will produce around 170 PS under the bonnet of the Astra GSi warm hatch.
We know that the Astra K hatchback is 5 centimeters (about 2 inches) shorter than before. But because the 2016 Astra Sedan's development is linked to that of the Chevrolet Cruze, it might not have shrunken proportions.
In any case, quite a bit seems to have changed from the previous generation Astra to the next. The Germans have used a new platform (GM D2UX/D2XX) to reduce the weight of the vehicle by up to 200 kilograms (441 lbs). This is sure to have a dramatic effect on fuel consumption.
That means they can use smaller engines, which is precisely what they've done. At launch, the Astra K will be available with a 1-liter turbo rated at 105 PS that replaces the old 1.6-liter base engine (-10 hp and +15 Nm compared to the 1.6). There will also be an all-new 1.4 SIDI Turbo rated at 145 PS and 220 Nm (235 Nm with overboost, equivalent to 163 lb-ft) and a base 1.6 diesel with only 95 PS.
We think this shows Opel is taking a back-to-basics approach to making its compact cars, leaving only the features that customers want. By contrast, the previous generation Astra made its debut with an 180 metric horsepower 1.6-liter that grabbed headlines.
It doesn't mean there won't be any powerful engines available with the Astra K sedan, just that they're probably a little smaller. For example, Opel is apparently developing its first twin-turbo 1.6-liter diesel that will produce around 170 PS under the bonnet of the Astra GSi warm hatch.
We know that the Astra K hatchback is 5 centimeters (about 2 inches) shorter than before. But because the 2016 Astra Sedan's development is linked to that of the Chevrolet Cruze, it might not have shrunken proportions.