
2010 opel astra leak 007

The new Astra will make its world debut at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show
Enlarge Photo Opel has unveiled the new 2010 Astra, which you can see in full by clicking here.
A heavily camouflaged prototype of Opel’s next-generation Astra hatch was
spotted racking up some laps at Germany’s Nurburgring circuit last fall, then we showed you a set of renderings that gave a good indication of what the final version could look like. Now, a series of official images of the next-gen Astra have surfaced on Internet forums, including this latest shot with the car’s head designer Marc van der Haegen and chief engineer Laszlo Kreth.
The new Astra is crucial for Opel as it will need to recover market share lost by the current model to Ford’s strong-selling Focus hatch as well as fend off the
Fiesta compact. It may or may not see U.S. sale as a
Saturn given that brand's uncertain future, but with Europe's love for hatches and the increasingly tight fuel and emissions standards - not to mention the taxes that go with them - the hatch will be key for Opel's sales at home.
The new Astra is expected to go on sale in Europe following its debut at this September’s Frankfurt Motor Show. Opel will also launch a new
two-mode hybrid version although it won’t arrive until the end of 2010. Opel's own brand difficulties, including a
partial sell-off of GM's interest, could slow development down, however.
Apart from the
hybrid, expect to see a similar powertrain lineup to the current model, which means a range of petrol engines developing between 75 and 240hp as well as a number of diesels with between 90 and 150hp.
The 2010 Astra will be based around GM’s Delta FWD compact platform and will once again be available in coupe, three and five-door hatchbacks and wagon, as well as a sedan in select markets. Since the Delta platform is shared with the
Chevrolet Cruze, which will be built at GM’s Lordstown Ohio plant, there’s the possibility that the new Saturn Astra - or perhaps an Astra under one of GM's other brand banners - could also be
manufactured in North America to keep costs low. There’s yet to be any official confirmation, however.
2010 Opel Astra official teasers
2010 Opel Astra interior revealed
2010 Opel Astra rendering
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By cj Posted: 4/10/2008 1:31pm PDT
By chris Posted: 4/10/2008 1:48pm PDT
This car is supposed to be a SECOND GEN astra. so what the heck is so old about it?
cj, if it wasnt for the low MSRP of american cars, USA would still be driving le barons and chevelles. Even cars that are made in canada sell for thousands of dollars cheaper in the states than they do in canada. deal with it. EVERY company discounts the USA, cause its the only way they can sell here. even merc and BMW do it.
By 94 taurus owner Posted: 4/10/2008 3:33pm PDT
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