2009-06-18

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New Generation Opel Astra Interior Creates Warmth and Drama

• Sweeping lines and elegant touches in interior
• Cabin layout focuses on driver ease 
• Two new colors add life to new compact car

Rüsselsheim. The interior of the next generation Astra fulfills the promise of its exterior design: Sculptural artistry meets German precision in the cabin as well.

Echoing the flowing forms of the bodywork, the hallmark of the interior are sweeping, dynamic lines and sculptural shapes that are executed with special care and attention to details, continuing the paradigm shift of the Opel design revolution first seen in the mid-sized Insignia.

"The Astra is a sporty car with elegant touches, while the Insignia is an elegant car with sporty touches," says John Puskar, Director of GME Interior Design.

Interior designers give an athletic look through the black interior and red ambient lighting. The elegant touches are evident in the chrome detailing and by incorporating high quality materials, creating a self contained island in the instrument panel. Careful attention was paid to the tactile experience in the car. Everything touched by drivers and passengers has been given a refined, sophisticated feel. And, Opel has created two new bold interior colors – Spice Red and Ocean Blue – for a progressive nod. 

At the same time, the Astra has added well thought out practicality – through greatly increased storage – and comfort – via high quality seats. Throughout the entire car, attention to detail ensures quality execution.

Wing and blade motifs harmonize exterior and interior

Design consistency is underlined by Opel’s recurring wing and blade motifs that were first introduced in the Insignia and are carried forward in a new way in both the Astra’s exterior and the interior. In this execution, the blade theme is expressed in details like the gooseneck shape of the door grab handles and the trim for gearshift molding and steering wheel.

Upon opening the door, the wing design cue is immediately evident in the inviting, wraparound instrument panel that embraces front seat occupants. It arcs across the cabin into the top of the door moldings. The dashboard has a black, refined grained finish with a subtly different texture from other moldings in the car.

There are very few straight lines. Instead, the lines are arched with tension and snap to bring your eyes on a wonderful journey through the interior. Lighting points are added for warmth and a bit of theater. One example of this is the ambient lights encircling the gear shifter, symbolizing the driving dynamics of the car.

Lights are choreographed to brighten as the key is turned, sparking anticipation and excitement. The raked windshield gives a spacious, airy ambience for the front occupants, accentuated by the small windows between the base of the A-pillars and the front doors.

Center panel tipped for driver focused interior

The feeling of space and depth is underpinned by a center panel, mounted at a shallow, 30º angle, which sweeps down from the top of the instrument panel to the shifter creating a beautiful flowing surface that incorporates the gearshift so that everything is in close reach of the driver.

The center console, outer air vents and gooseneck-shaped door grab handles feature premium finishes such as piano black and a lustrous aluminum trim, adding an upscale, precision quality to the interior. To reinforce the welcoming character of the cabin, special attention was paid to ambient lighting. At night, a red diffused light is provided around the base of the shifter, in the door panels and in the overhead center console. 

Like the Insignia, the Astra’s speedometer, tachometer and temperature and fuel gauges are ringed with chrome, like a chronometer, to emote a technical, sporty ambiance. Emphasizing a driver focus, the large speedometer and tachometer pods are both angled slightly inwards toward each other.

Two new colors offer sporty look

Four interior trim levels are offered with the new Astra – Essentia, Enjoy, Sport and Cosmo – providing customers with a wide decor choice for the front fascia, center stack, door panels and seat upholstery. Essentia provides a balanced, harmonious look; Enjoy exudes a youthful, modern feel; Sport is fun and dynamic, while Cosmo gives out an elegant ambience.

While the cabin’s core color theme is a neutral yet elegant black across all trim ranges, Enjoy, for example, offers the choice of a Spice Red or Ocean Blue finish in the top pad under the wing. The door panels and upholstery also feature the chosen color blended into the fabric and stitching.

Superior storage, great seats and quality execution top priority on new Astra

Responding to a survey from 400 potential customers, Opel has greatly improved onboard storage in the Astra’s cabin. Clever storage spaces include door pockets able to accommodate a1.5-liter bottle; a place for an MP3 player or iPod in the center console; a mini glove box on the driver’s side and an optional pull-out drawer under the front passenger seat.

Engineers have also developed a three-way adjustable floor in the trunk for extra flexibility. This enables owners, for instance, to hide items in a false floor, or, when it is fitted at the lowest position, stash up to 370 liters of luggage, groceries and sport equipment.

Seats are another example of the upscale qualities of the Astra. The seats on the new Opel Astra have industry-best adjustment ranges, including a height adjustment range of 65 mm and a length adjustment range of 280mm, allowing all drivers and passengers to find their ideal seating position. In addition, the Ergonomic Sports Seats have improved tilt adjustment, 4-way power lumbar support, ergonomic seat contours, including superior side support and well-body supporting foam pads.

Contacts:

Vijay Iyer
Tel: +49 (0)6142 7 73864
Mobile: +49 (0)170 339 5900
vijay.iyer[at]de.gm.com

Nathalie Van Impe
Tel.: +49 (0) 6142 -7-66166
nathalie.van.impe[at]de.opel.com

 

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