VW Golf has lost its historic market leadership in Europe this year, to the new generation of Fiesta. In addition, Volkswagen’s sales champion will not be threatened solely by Ford’s smaller hatchback in light of the fact that the new generation Opel Astra has been presented. The sixth generation is so similar to the Insignia it certainly deserves the same successful pathway its older brother is leaving behind.

Built based on the new Delta platform, the same one already used by Cruze and that which the Chevrolet Volt will eventually be based on, the new Astra is 4.40 m long and has a wheelbase of 2.69 m. Engines will be the 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre petrol units, and the diesel powerplants will be 1.3-litre, 1.7-litre and 2-litre.

Among the petrol powered engines, there will be a naturally aspirated 100 bhp 1.4-litre, a turbocharged 1.4-litre with 120 bhp and 175 Nm, a turbocharged 1.4-litre 140 bhp and 200 Nm and a 180 bhp 1.6-litre engine. Among diesel units, all of them turbocharged, there will be a 95 bhp 1.3-litre, a 110 bhp 1.7-litre and two units of the 2-litre, one producing 13o bhp and the other 160 bhp.

Continue reading: Opel officially presents the new 2010 Astra

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Here’s the first (accidental) release of an official Opel Astra pic, when the new model won’t be presented until the Frankfurt show in autumn. The new Astra photo shows a three quarter rear look of the much-awaited car, confirming some of the style elements that various renders have presented in recent months.

This will be a crucial model for both Opel and General Motors, as the Astra will have to build on previous success while also offering something new in a sector that is becoming ever more competitive.

The fundamental news of the next Astra is the arrival of a hybrid engine, expected for the end of 2010, along with the usual extensive range of petrol and diesel engines, too. It will also be available in both three and five-door versions, in addition to a station wagon based on the General Motors Delta rear wheel drive.

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Despite the average quality of this photo, you can see the new Opel Astra on full display, with a mix of styles taken from both the Corsa and Insignia designs.

The rear of the car is nice and hefty, with a resolute style. The only doubts we have, though the quality of the photo doesn’t help, is a slightly boring front end.

Source | Carango (Thanks to guido (la Ferrari) for the tip)

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At the Beijing show Opel has shown as a preview to the Chinese public of the three volume version of the Astra, the brand’s sixth model available in the Chinese range, and the hybrid Flextreme concept.

With the new four door Astra, the German company will be better placed to respond to Chinese market demand, where the three volume sedan has already been chosen by 85% of drivers. The three and five door variations have already experienced notable interest and are the most-sold Opel models in this country, where the Astra, TwinTop, Vectra and Zafira are also available. Thanks to a pearl like the panoramic windshield (which no longer impresses us “spoiled” European drivers), the Astra GTC was recently voted “most fashionable car” by the Chinese Commercial Centre for Import Cars and sina.com, a major web portal.

In China, where 2007 alone nearly 8,500 000 vehicles were sold, Opel with its 3700 cars, represents a tiny niche. But thanks to the new model the company can count on broadening its sales through its greater presence in the market, guaranteed by new dealerships, taking the number to 45.

Continue reading: Beijing 2008: Opel broadens its China presence

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