Opel Astra Sport Tourer – same footprint, more load space

GM’s loss making Opel/Vauxhall arm was left disappointed after the German government rejected its request for 1.1 billion euros in loan guarantees, leaving Opel to hope on German states where its factories are located to provide financial assistance. But life goes on, and GM Europe has released official images and info on the Opel Astra Sports Tourer, which will make its public debut at the Paris Motor Show and go on sale in November.

The Sports Tourer is the wagon version of the popular C-segment Astra hatchback, which has collected over 160,000 orders in six months. It’s an important car for Opel, as wagons traditionally account for about 25% of Astra sales in Europe, higher than the segment average of 17%.

Load volume can be easily adjusted between 500 and 1,550 litres via the FlexFold Rear Seat system, which allows each section of the 60/40 split-fold rear seatbacks to be lowered at the press of a button located in the side walls of the cargo area. A spring is electrically released, activating quick, remote seat folding. With the seatbacks down, the cargo load length is increased to 1,835 mm, 28 mm more than the current Astra wagon. Besides that, occupants enjoy 25 litres of extra storage space inside the cabin.

Opel says that this wagon offers the same level of comfort and agility as the hatchback. First, its footprint and 2,685 mm wheelbase is unchanged while the rear compound crank/Watt’s link suspension has been modified for higher load capabilities and better support during cornering. In addition, FlexRide adaptive suspension provides a choice between standard, sports and touring modes and Trailer Stability Assist counteracts the tail wind produced when lugging a caravan trailer.

Engine options include eight petrol and diesel units. New to the range are two 1.4-litre turbocharged petrols; a 120 bhp six-speed manual and a 140 bhp six-speed auto. Sure to be more popular that those is the 2.0 CDTi with 180 bhp and 380 Nm of torque. This diesel option comes with an overboost button and sips only 5.1 litres of fuel for every 100 km (19.6 km/l). All manual transmission cars have a gear shift indicator coaxing you to drive economically.

More pictures after the jump.

[zenphotopress number=999 album=1204]

Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.

10% discount when you renew your car insurance

Compare prices between different insurer providers and use the promo code 'PAULTAN10' when you make your payment to save the most on your car insurance renewal compared to other competing services.

Car Insurance

Jacob Alexander

Jacob Mathew Alexander has been a motoring nut for as far as he can remember and has recently turned his passion into writing. After spending some time in the same industry in the UK, Jacob's work is from a slightly different perspective.

 

Comments

  • shawal on Jun 16, 2010 at 7:46 pm

    Its a desirable looking thing….. :D

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • tamaki on Jun 16, 2010 at 7:50 pm

    beauty opel astra has stronger character design whole car structure is sporty and yet elegance esp side profile and facade it give me feel of strong wrap around and protective.I love it

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Looks nice

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • A nice car. Anyway, Opel is the best example for a company that was ruined by a incapable management.

    Opel’s market share in Germany was 20.4% in 1972 and 8.4% in 2009.

    And now they are asking for gouvernment money to keep Opel alive, while GM has 13 billion dollar cash…

    Who want to buy a car from such a company? Apparently not the german buyers any more… ;)

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • nebula87 on Jun 17, 2010 at 1:34 am

    alamak…y they all suka copy copy? now i seen mny cars like Opel, VW and mayb Renault is using Audi’s design?? Y??

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • The black stig on Jun 17, 2010 at 7:25 am

    I have no feel lah for this car or Opel in general.. yup they are German but not exactly.
    More like a bastard child between American GI and a German prostitute.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • fairsyah on Jun 17, 2010 at 9:51 am

    why dont proton produce a wagon…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • azrai on Jun 17, 2010 at 10:27 am

    if only persona replacement look loke this. The headlamp have some of its design cues.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • more popular that those is the 2.0 CDTi with 180 bhp and 380 Nm of torque. This diesel option comes with an overboost button and sips only 5.1 litres of fuel for every 100 km (19.6 km/l).

    ————————————————————————————————————————-

    180hp & 380 Nm torque + 19.6km/l, ….due to our lousy diesel’s quality, we miss out a lot!

    We are suppose to move to euro4 next year? will it happen?….i don’t mind paying slightly higher diesel price, those torque figure looks yummy and the low FC will offset the increase in diesel $$

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • fasgen on Jun 17, 2010 at 8:40 pm

    nice.. very nice.. fairsyah.. if proton produce like this… i like… but thousands people dont like.. i thought… but why budak2 muda here buy caldina… does it also wagon gen?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Mazda 3 MPS on Jun 18, 2010 at 1:27 am

    looks nice

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Man….this car is SWEET!!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

Add a comment

required

required