2009-09-29

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Design

The New Opel Astra: Sporty with a Touch of Elegance

• Opel’s dynamic design language newly interpreted for the compact class car
• Driver-focused interior combines excitement and warmth
• High quality components and materials match upscale execution

Rüsselsheim. The new Opel Astra brings into the compact class its own interpretation of the brand’s award-winning design language of combining sculptural artistry with German precision first seen in the Insignia. Its strong coupé-like silhouette and elegant details add to a new handsome look.

At 4.42 m the new Opel Astra grows by some 17 cm compared with the previous generation, positioning itself between the small Corsa (4 m) and the midsize Insignia (4.83 m). The wheelbase grew by 7.1 cm while track increased by 5.6 cm in the front and 7 cm in the rear allowing for more passenger space, creating more comfort in both the front and the rear and providing enhanced dynamic stability.

The exterior of the new generation Astra boasts a sporty, fluid silhouette, with strong cab-forward proportions. Inside, high quality materials and a total re-think of the design add to the excitement of driving a dynamic compact car. Moreover, Opel has packed the car with innovative extras – high quality materials, class leading storage, ergonomic seat technology and intelligent bumpers – to give the Astra driver comfort, health and safety features not usually seen in the compact class.

“Sculptural artistry meets German precision was our design claim with the Insignia and it continues in a consistent yet fresh sporty interpretation for the new Astra” says Mark Adams, Vice President of Design. “The present Astra generation already combines a high level of technical substance with a sporty design but with the new generation Astra, we use our new design language to create a more emotional design that emphasizes its sporty credentials.”
 
Exterior design gives Opel philosophy a new twist

Designers have used the same wing and blade styling cues first introduced on the mid-sized Insignia. Sculpted into the side panels of the new generation Astra like a tendon, the blade sweeps rearward and upward, connecting with the rear side window and giving the car balance and harmony. Prominent wing-shaped signature daytime running lights are encompassed into new eagle eye-shaped headlamps which give the Astra face a low, sporty character.

A graceful flowing silhouette connects the muscular shoulder lines with an expressive rear to make it sporty yet elegant. On the front fascia, the next generation Astra re-interprets the new Opel face which debuted with the Insignia by using a smaller upper grille that frames the new Opel logo, while emphasizing the bigger, bolder lower opening so as to create a lower sportier look.

Inside, design cues used to create driver-focused styling

Echoing the flowing forms of the bodywork, the hallmarks of the interior are sweeping lines and shapes that are executed with care. Interior designers achieve that, for instance, by creating bold, dynamic shapes that use materials intelligently. Everything drivers and passengers touch has been given a refined, high quality feel.

The interior also continues Opel’s recurring wing and blade motifs. In this execution, the blade theme is expressed in details like the shape of the door grab handles and the trim for gearshift molding and steering wheel. The wing design cue is immediately evident in the warm, inviting wraparound instrument panel that embraces front seat occupants. It arcs across the cabin into the top of the door moldings.

In addition to more classical color combinations, Opel has created especially for the Astra two new progressive colors and trim offers: Spice Red and Ocean Blue, which add a bold accent between door and Instrument panel.

Health, safety and comfort added via storage, seats and bumper improvements

The Opel Astra has added practicality through greatly increased storage and clever solutions for a compact class car that include a mini glove box on the driver’s side and a drawer under the front passenger seat. New, high quality seat technology brings added comfort and help to back.

Naturally, safety and cost of ownership were major considerations in design in and out. A new, intelligent bumper is intended to minimize damage in front and rear collisions, reducing injury to pedestrians and passengers and saving great money in repairs and insurance (see Spotlight text on the new bumpers for the Astra).

Execution matched by great components and perceptual quality

Opel designers and engineers believe quality execution also must be matched by what the customer sees and feels. Such perceptual quality is particularly important in the interior, where the appearance and tactile properties of all materials must be on a par with their high standard of fit and finish.

The quality of the materials used in the new Astra is evident in such things as the grained, soft-touch surfaces, the textured panels, the quality of the décor, the chrome trim elements, and the feel of operating buttons and switches.

Quality in execution, quality in the materials used and quality as perceived by the customer add up to the new Astra’s upscale appearance. Together they deliver the sculptural artistry and German precision of Opel’s new design language.

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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