Opel reveals first details to electrified Astra
Opel has provided a first preview of the new generation of the Astra, which will be electrified for the first time and is scheduled to start production at the Rüsselsheim plant later this year. The new Opel Astra will be offered as a five-door model as well as a Sports Tourer estate version.
Opel has not yet give details on the type of electrification. As the new Astra is based on the EMP2 group platform, one or more plug-in hybrid variants are likely. In its press release, the Rüsselsheim-based German carmaker focuses primarily on a few selected design aspects. Further details on the next Astra generation will be announced by Opel “shortly”.
The compact car is supposed to stand out with a similar front end to the one first introduced into the Opel range with the Mokka. The manufacturer calls this brand face ‘Opel-Vizor’. In the case of the Mokka, this face is composed of the LED headlights and the closed radiator grille including the brand logo, which are combined into one panel. On the Astra, “the Vizor will extend across the entire front, integrating state-of-the-art technologies such as the ultra-slim IntelliLux LED headlights,” according to Opel.
Inside, the new Astra is expected to introduce the new digital ‘Opel Pure Panel’, a fully glazed, horizontally stretched surface that combines two widescreen displays. Apart from that, the manufacturer reveals that the cockpit will feature “no-frills, ultra-flat control buttons”, a new steering wheel design and particularly ergonomic seats for the driver and front passenger.
“The future Astra will open an exciting new chapter in the 30-year history of our compact class model. We are confident that the next generation Opel Astra will make a powerful impression and attract many new customers to the brand,” announced Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller.
Opel announced its intention to electrify the Astra two years ago. At that time, PSA (now Stellantis), the works council and IG Metall also agreed to produce the next generation of the model from 2021 in two European plants, including Rüsselsheim, as now confirmed. The guarantee for the electrification of the model is the EMP2 platform from Stellantis, which allows the joint production of internal combustion engines, plug-in hybrids and also electric cars on one production line.
Based on EMP2, Stellantis offers several PHEV variants. The Grandland X PHEV and its sister models Peugeot 3008, Citroën C5 Aircross and DS 7 Crossback E-Tense 4×4, for example, use a combination of a petrol engine and two electric motors. The 1.6-litre turbo produces 147 kW, the electric motors 80 kW each. One electric motor is located on the rear axle. The system output is 220 kW.
There are also PHEVs based on the EMP2 architecture with only one electric motor and pure front-wheel-drive – such as the next generation of the Peugeot 308. There is a choice of powertrain variants with around 180 or 225 hp system output (133 or 165 kW), each of which has an 81 kW electric motor and is equipped with a 12.4 kWh battery for an electric range of around 60 kilometres. They differ mainly in the combustion engine, which produces 110 and 133 kW respectively.
Finally, Stellantis also offers several BEVs based on the EMP2 with the familiar 100-kW drive, such as the Peugeot e-Traveller or e-Expert and their offshoots from Opel, Citroën and Toyota.
With reporting by Cora Werwitzke, France.
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