As Opel continues its quest to return to prominence in Europe, it’ll need to rely on creating demand for its staple vehicles like the Astra. If the two new Astra variants at the Frankfurt Motor Show are any indication, the brand is on the right track.
Opel showed off its new hatchback and touring models as well as its Vivaro Surf concept that may find a home on European roadways in the near future.
The Astra line-up gets two of the vehicles: a hatchback and the Sports Tourer, which is a significant upgrade over its predecessor. It gets a new exterior look, plus it weighs less and offers more interior room. All of these improvements come with a slew of new options like matrix LED headlights, a hands-free power tailgate, and OnStar system compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
It’s powered by a series of engines ranging from a 1.0-liter four cylinder putting out 95 horsepower to a 1.6-liter four producing 200 hp. Power comes from four-cylinder engines displacing 1.0 liters to 1.6, burning gasoline or diesel, and producing anywhere from 95 horsepower to 200.
“Our new Astra Sports Tourer and our new Astra hatchback – they are two sides of the same coin. Both represent a quantum leap for Opel and for the compact class. Apart from offering ultramodern connectivity and evolutionary design, the station wagon version focuses even more on efficiency,” said Opel Group CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann.
“Our Sports Tourer is the perfect combination of practicality and dynamism: more space, less weight and in addition clever, trendsetting equipment details and features such as the power tailgate that opens and closes automatically with a little kick of the foot. This is how compact class station wagons should be nowadays.”
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All of which ought to ensure that the Astra remains one of GM’s top sellers overseas, and the Sports Tourer accounting for nearly a third of all Astras sold in Europe. While the new Astras are the vehicles one can bet will hit dealerships, it’s the Vivaro Surf concept van that is going to get all the attention.
Based on the commercial van introduced last year, the new concept is designed to provide a “lifestyle choice” for the user.
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The passenger version can haul five or six passengers, depending of the seating configuration, and all of their fitness gear. The CrewCab van exemplifies the idea of bridging convenience and comfort. Available in a standard and long-wheelbase version, the Vivaro concept is ideal for transporting wet or dirty utensils after a trip to the beach or to the mountains without the passengers even noticing.
“The Vivaro Surf Concept is the ideal vehicle for large families or groups of friends. The close-to-production concept offers space for up to six passengers with its CrewCab,” said Steffen Raschig, Opel/Vauxhall Director Commercial Vehicles.
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“There is a large cargo area with numerous practical details behind the second row of seats. The sporty styling on the outside and numerous comfort features along with the ultra-modern IntelliLink system on the inside make it an elegant roomy van. The Vivaro Surf Concept is the perfect alternative for people who need more than a passenger car but do not want to miss out on the usual comfort.”
