MotorAuthority

Spy shots: More of the 2010 Opel (Saturn) Astra

Posted Wed Aug 20 2008 11:55 AM by Alex Kaufmann

All-new spy shots of General Motors’ next Astra have been captured, and though the car is still wrapped in camouflage, some new elements have peeked out. Due for launch next year, the car, which will likely be shared across GM’s global array of brands, has already been captured in testing, revealing its interior. These new photos reveal details about the car’s exterior styling not previously seen.

The images of the exterior reveal a steeply curved rear-hatch, a swooping roof profile and new shape headlights with LED detailing. The tail lights are seen fairly clearly for the first time, revealing their final shape. Side indicators in the front fenders are visible, as is a greater degree of detail in the front fascia. Chrome strips in the door handles and the A-pillar window beside the side mirror pods round out the details in this latest round of shots.

The new Astra will be crucial for GM as it will need to recover market share lost by the current model to Ford’s strong-selling Focus hatch. The car is expected to go on sale in Europe following its debut at next year’s Geneva Motor Show and will eventually reach the U.S. one year later where it will be sold as a Saturn. The car is based around GM’s Delta FWD compact platform and will once again be available in Coupe, three and five-door hatchbacks and wagon, and possibly a sedan. Opel will also launch a new two-mode hybrid version although it won’t arrive until the end of 2010, which coincides with the U.S. launch of the Saturn version.

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 (56-179kW) as well as a number of diesels with between 90 and 150hp (67-111kW).

Latest 2010 Astra spy shots

2010 Opel Astra interior spy shots

2010 Opel Astra renderings

story Tags:

• General Motors
• Hatchbacks
• Saturn Astra
• Spy shots

Reader Comments

• Wed May 28 2008 11:43 AM

  kukslv says

  so many butons

• Thu May 29 2008 7:20 AM

  Alan says

  I agree, so many buttons. Also the screen in the middle of the dash is not completely covered, wouldn't strong light affect it's legibility? Furthermore, i don't like those vertical center air vents, somehow just makes me think "korean"

• Fri May 30 2008 11:00 PM

  Ultra says

  this interior belongs in a car worth 8k no more. its ULTRA ugly just like my Ultra name name. I like the Aura exterior but it doesnt come in sport setup

• Wed Aug 20 2008 12:48 PM

  ROOLLY says

  Is GM going to put another wimpy 138 hp engine in the 2010 Astra, and then try to convince us that they’re doing this for our benefit, so that we’ll get better gas mileage?

• Wed Aug 20 2008 4:32 PM

  NoNameDenton says

  If it comes here, GM needs to do a getter job actually advertising the car and give it better milage.

• Wed Aug 20 2008 6:02 PM

  Laz says

  NoNameDenton, the only car Saturn has in it's line-up with any following is the "Sky". The only cool thing about Saturn is when you go into their dealerships and the sales people give the plastic panels a good wack to get you to buy...

• Wed Aug 20 2008 8:17 PM

  NoNameDenton says

  Considering that no Saturn has plastic anymore........Plus Saturn dealerships do have great customer service reps. I have seen quite a lot of Aura's running around, so that car is doing well, and so is the Vue, it is the Outlook and Astra that is not as seen running around.

• Wed Aug 20 2008 8:17 PM

  NoNameDenton says

  I mean plastic body panels, the outsides are not metal, still have interior plastics of course.

• Thu Aug 21 2008 8:50 AM

  Laz says

  Wow, I'm dating myself on the last time I made it in a Saturn dealership!