AutoExpress Spots New Opel Astra, Buick Astra On The Way?

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Todd DeMeza

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1 664 views May 24, 2010

Angular Front Exterior View - 2008 Saturn Astra 3dr HB XR

Enlarge Photo

Lately, the North American market has been getting plenty of Opels in the guise of Buicks like the Chinese market. Now, the British automotive website AutoExpress has releases some new Opel spy shots of the latest Astra have people guessing this hatchback could come here
.
The current Astra is only available in the five-door guise, so those waiting to see the sportier version in the Sport Tourer should look here. The car has a much sleeker look to it than the current hatchback and doesn’t seem to share much styling with the five-door. The looks appear to be going after rival manufacturer Volkswagen’s Scirocco.

Mechanically, the car is gets a wider track than the five-door to give the car better handling. Engine choices are the standard European affair.  A 1.4L turbo and 1.6L naturally aspirated gasoline engines are available as well as plenty of turbo-diesels. There will be two hot Opels too, a 210hp 1.6L turbocharged gasoline engine in the GSi and the VXR which will come with a 240hp turbocharged 2.0L four banger, both aimed at Volkswagen’s hot hatchback prowess.

The Astra could come back to the United States according to Autoblog as a Buick Astra, or Excelle like the Chinese version. GM did not confirm nor deny that this, according to the article. However, the previous Saturn Astra failed to meet GM’s sales predictions, so predictions that the hatchback will come here are just speculation at this point.

Follow the link below for the spy shots.

[Source: AutoExpress, Autoblog]