2009-09-29

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Equipment & Innovative Technologies

Diversified Offer Includes Upscale Innovative Technologies

• Opel Eye front camera and AFL+ lighting system most advanced in class
• Large selection of infotainment systems cater to diverse preferences
• Four equipment levels satisfy all needs
• Occupant safety is the highest priority

Rüsselsheim. Continuing the Opel tradition, the new Astra brings an array of exclusive equipment and innovative technologies to the compact class at an affordable price.

Third Generation Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL+)

Opel has played a pioneering role in automotive lighting technology and was the first automaker to introduce cornering light functions with first-generation AFL. Now its third generation, even more intelligent AFL+ system is debuted in the compact class.

With multi-xenon headlamps, AFL+ is offered as part of a Premium Lighting Pack. This also includes High Beam Assist (automatic headlamp beam switching), LED daytime running lights and headlamp washers.

AFL+ features a total of nine configurations, complemented by the Daytime Running Light function. Each of the configurations is automatically engaged to suit prevailing road profiles and driving conditions.

• Dynamic Curve Light provides illumination around bends by swivelling the headlamps up to 15°, to the right or left, into an oncoming bend. The degree of movement is dictated by the car’s speed and steering angle. The function is now also linked to the Sport mode switch in FlexRide, where fitted, enabling an even faster response.
• Country Road Light provides brighter and wider illumination of both sides of the road than a conventional low beam. This helps drivers see potential hazards at the roadside. It is activated between 50 and 100 km/h and projects a 70 meter long beam without risk of blinding oncoming drivers.
• Static Cornering Light illuminates an area to the right or left up to an angle of 90° and makes it easier to maneuver in poorly-lit areas, such as on dark access roads. It is activated at speeds below 40 km/h, or when reverse gear is selected.
• Highway Light provides a more intense and slightly higher main beam. There is no risk of blinding oncoming drivers as the typically smooth highway road surface causes less vehicle body movement. Highway Light creates a 140 meter long beam and also improves illumination of the left-hand roadside. An increased electrical output, from 35 to 38 watts, provides the stronger beam. The function activates automatically above 100 km/h, but only when the steering angle sensor indicates that curve radii do not resemble those of a country road.
• Town Light functions at speeds between 30 and 50 km/h, providing a wider, symmetrical beam with reduced range to help drivers see pedestrians at the roadside. Town Light’s beam intensity is less than the normal low beam as additional light sources – such as street lighting – are available.
• Pedestrian Area Light is activated at speeds up to 30 km/h and is designed for zones where the driver must exercise extreme caution, such as in residential areas with traffic restrictions. The function adjusts the cone of light for both headlamps by 8° toward each roadside.
• Adverse Weather Light is activated during rain or snow when the rain sensor detects a certain amount of moisture on the windshield, or when the wipers are switched on and off in rapid succession. The light output is distributed asymmetrically. The right headlamp beam intensity increases from 35 to 38 watts, so the driver can see lane markings better. The left headlamp beam reduces from 35 to 32 watts and is shortened slightly to reduce the risk of blinding oncoming drivers through glare from wet, reflective road surfaces.
• High Beam Light provides maximum headlamp beam output and range. It optimally illuminates the full width of the road and the headlamps’ output increases from 35 to 38 watts.
• High Beam Assist automatically engages and disengages high beam, maximizing forward vision and helping relieve night driving stress by assisting the driver with a simple yet repetitive task. It also helps prevent the likelihood of accidentally blinding other drivers. An optical sensor behind the windshield is integrated in the interior mirror mounting and recognizes the headlamps or tail lights of other vehicles. The headlamps are then automatically switched between high and low beam as required.

Additional lighting function:

• Daytime Running Lights with LEDs give a signature lighting graphic by day
  and night. LEDs have a service life up to thirty times longer than H7 halogen
  bulbs, and also contribute to lower fuel consumption as they require less
  electrical power. When the main headlamps are on, the LEDs serve as sidelights.

Included in the Sight and Light Pack, Automatic Lighting Control switches on the headlamps at night and during the day whenever poor light conditions are encountered, such as when entering a tunnel or parking in a garage. This function is available for both the AFL+ and the halogen headlamp configurations.

The Opel Eye offers Traffic Sign Recognition and Lane Departure Warning

Another first for the compact segment, Opel Eye is a camera-based system that alerts the driver to traffic signs and provides a warning if the vehicle unintentionally veers out of lane. It is offered with the Sight and Light Pack in conjunction with AFL+.

The Opel Eye contributes to driving safety, helps reduce driving stress, and can even prevent a costly speeding fine. It utilizes a forward-facing camera which is mounted on the back of the interior rear-view mirror and is linked to a micro-processor.

Traffic Sign Recognition helps the driver comply with speed restrictions. The function reads speed limit and no-passing signs and notifies drivers when speed restrictions have been lifted. Unveiled on the Insignia, the system is now (for MY 10) activated at speeds above 14 km/h. This improvement is also available on Insignia. It still also works in the dark, when the car’s headlights illuminate the road signs.

The system always displays the most relevant information for safe driving. If two signs are recognized in close proximity to one another, then special advisory signs, such as “no passing”, would take precedence over a speed limit sign.

At the touch of a button, the Lane Departure Warning function can be activated for speeds above 60 km/h. The Opel Eye camera helps prevent a dangerous situation developing, such as when a driver starts to fall asleep at the wheel and unintentionally veers out of lane. If this happens, the driver is alerted by an audible warning chime and a flashing signal in the instrument panel.

A signal processor and software interprets images from the camera to detect lines and longitudinal patterns on the road ahead, enabling traffic lanes and road markings to be recognized. By monitoring steering wheel and turn-indicator movements – signalling an intentional lane change, for example – the system can distinguish between intended and unintended maneuvers and only intervenes when necessary.

Extensive Infotainment line-up

The new Astra offers a large choice of infotainment and communications systems. Audio packages offer four to eight speakers, ranging in playing power from 80 to 315 watts with the top-of-the-line Infinity system. All systems are MP3 compatible and have an auxiliary input socket for external electronic devices such as iPods. A USB connection is offered on the CD 500 Navi and DVD 800 Navi (optional on CD 400 and CDC 400) which allows having the controls on the steering wheel. The navigation systems include continuous map zooming and the top-of-the line DVD 800 system features bird’s eye view. The complete range comprises three audio packages and two navigation systems:

CD 300: This includes a radio/CD, the auxiliary input socket for external electronic devices, such as iPods, and MP3 playback with Windows Media Audio (WMA) format. The standard four speaker system comes with a text information display.

CD 400: Up-level radio/CD system including a larger graphic info display on the dashboard and seven speakers. The radio features a double-tuner function. When reception is poor, a second tuner searches for a stronger signal and, when found, the radio switches to it with virtually no interruption to reception.

CDC 400: In addition to the seven speakers and the graphic information display, this adds an in-dash 6 x CD changer.

CD 500 Navi: This adds seven up-level speakers, a 7-inch color monitor and improved scroll and zoom functions. The internal flash memory (1GB) allows maps for individual countries to be downloaded from the CD. For added convenience, the destination input offers a search by ZIP or postal code.

DVD 800 Navi: This top-of-the-line system adds a digital travel guide, a bird’s eye map view and a 2GB internal flash memory, allowing map software for several European countries to be downloaded from the DVD.

Infinity Premium audio: Superb sound reproduction is provided by an auxiliary amplifier, seven premium speakers and a subwoofer unit located under the trunk floor.

Hands-free phone: The mobile phone portal with Integrated Phone Module is new. When the system recognizes a Bluetooth mobile phone equipped with SAP (SIM Access Profile), the information stored on the SIM card of the mobile phone is automatically saved in the integrated Phone Module, enabling the driver to make calls or send a SMS via the module. The mobile phone stays in stand-by mode and does not use its battery. For other mobile phones, the in-car connection is provided wirelessly for Bluetooth-enabled phones or via a universal cradle in the center console. This charges the phone, saving battery life, and connects it to the car’s antenna for better reception. The cradle can accommodate connection adaptors for most commonly-used mobile devices. The phone can be operated via the steering wheel controls, buttons on the center stack or by voice command. All information is shown on the main display screen.

Four equipment levels to satisfy all

In keeping with the new Astra’s sporty persona, the interior is finished predominantly in black, with the instrument dials, main controls, air vent adjusters, door openers, gear-shift and handbrake lever all trimmed in silver. The headlining and the A, B and C-pillars are finished in a light grey, titanium-like color.

The entry-level Essentia interior features seats upholstered in black fabric, with contrasting patterns for the cushions and seat-back inserts. A dark pearlescent finish is applied to the decor trim for the center stack, door handles and air vents to give an up-level feel to the interior as of the entry level.

Besides the more discrete black trim, Enjoy introduces an additional color choice of Spice Red or Ocean Blue for the wing-shaped instrument panel, seat inserts and door trims. The finish applied to the wing panel and doors has a distinctively grained, soft-touch quality, giving the front of the cabin a fresh, youthful ambience. This bright and engaging interior theme is complemented by a silver dust finish on the center stack trim, door handles and air vents, together with a matt silver bezel on the steering wheel. A subtle night time enhancement is provided by ambient light in the headlining and around the gear shift molding.

The Sport interior adds a high gloss, piano black finish for the center stack, door handles and air vent trims. The centre console offers an armrest covered in fabric. The black sports seating is more deeply sculptured and upholstered with technical fabric inserts. The sports steering wheel features perforated leather rim.

The up-level Cosmo cabin features more deeply bolstered and supportive seating, upholstered in premium, heavily textured black fabric with contrasting patterns. The seat bolsters are covered in Morrocana. This modern, premium look is complemented by two-tone Liquid Palladium/Dark Matrix for the center stack and door handle trims. Cosmo also adds a center console arm-rest, covered in Morrocana, and a leather steering wheel. Ambient interior lighting is now extended to the front doors and translucent illumination for the instrument dial bezels further enhances the quality feel of the cabin (also on Sport).

In Enjoy, Sport and Cosmo, the Astra can also be equipped with an optional heated steering available when ordering the heated front seats.

Occupant safety is top priority

Occupant safety played a major role in the development of the new Astra. In addition to all features enhancing active safety, it is also fitted with many systems to protect its occupants if an accident occurs.

All new Astra variants are fitted with dual front seatbelt pre-tensioners providing effective tightening over the occupant’s shoulder and lap. They are pyrotechnically activated to restrain forward body movement in heavy.

Other standard safety equipment includes front airbags, front seat-mounted dual chamber thorax/pelvis side airbags, and roof rail-mounted curtain airbags that cover the entire glass area between the A and C-pillars. Three-point seatbelts are provided for all three rear passengers.

The front passenger airbag can be de-activated by inserting and turning the car’s ignition key in a small lock at the end of the instrument panel, in the doorjamb on the front passenger side. This is a useful feature if the seat is unoccupied or a rearward-facing child seat is being used. An amber warning light in the main display always alerts the front occupants if the passenger airbag is disconnected.

Whenever the airbags and pre-tensioners are deployed, a series of additional safety measures are automatically activated: The hazard warning lights come on, all doors are unlocked, the interior lights are switched on and the interior heating/ventilation fan and the fuel pump are both switched off.

Latest generation active head restraints, further optimized from the Insignia application, are fitted as standard to the front seats in all specifications except Essentia. In a rear-end collision these help provide enhanced protection against whiplash neck injury.

Other occupant safety features:

• Seatbelt reminder with audible warning. Standard for all five seating positions.
• Front seat frames with ramps to restrict occupant movement in a frontal impact.
• Enhanced Pedal Release System (PRS). In a heavy frontal impact, the brake and clutch pedals are decoupled from their mountings, helping to reduce the risk of foot or lower leg injury.
• ISOFIX child seat mounts for the outer rear seats, plus seatback-mounted top tether brackets for the outer rear seating positions.
• Height-adjustable rear head restraints, optional for the center position.
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) – optional – warns the driver if pressure  in any of the tires falls below the recommended level. A warning message appears  in the main instrument display.
• Adaptive brake lights warn following drivers by pulsing five times per second  when the ABS is engaged at speeds above 30 km/h. All three brake lights are activated.

Contact:

Nathalie Van Impe
+ 49 6142 7 66166 (office)
+ 49 151 174 73959 (mobile)
nathalie.van.impe[at]de.opel.com

 

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