Spied: 2010 Astra

[Andonis]

i dunno if its new or not
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/h...rior-revealed/

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.

[gopedxr7]

i drove a astra in europe this summer, its a really nice car. they just dont push them hard enough over here. there are tons of them over there

Alan

[GMusa]

Originally Posted by gopedxr7

i drove a astra in europe this summer, its a really nice car. they just dont push them hard enough over here. there are tons of them over there

Alan

Ya since they Saturn Astra came out.. i have only seen 1 commercial! Nobody (besides us car nuts) know about this car! Ask a normal person what a Astra is they wouldnt know.

[GMinTheDriveway]

Originally Posted by Andonis

... The tail lights are seen fairly clearly for the first time, revealing their final shape. ...

Umm, quite clearly those are just stuck on there so they can legally drive the vehicle. No way are those tacked on things what the production tails will look like.

[cad1cts]

Thats a pretty sharp car.

[davidlane]

Hopefully, we'll get this as a way better looking alternative to the Cruze! and if we get really lucky we'll get a fully optioned OPC as a Saturn Red Line! I can dream can't I?

[Ttple]

It seems like everyone is copying Mazda3's deep dish dials.

[RamJet502]

What about engine options? Are they offering a performance model?

[davidlane]

Originally Posted by RamJet502

What about engine options? Are they offering a performance model?

Probably not, It would steal sales from the Cobalt/Cruze performance versions. And much like the 'Vette it's not allowed to upstage Chevy. In my opinion, this has been a problem for GMNA as far back as the 60s. There were Opel models that were superior to GMNA models and GM wouldn't bring them to the US. The few they did bring over were decontented or poor choices for the US market. Apparently GM management is still operating under this paradigm. Otherwise they would bring the outstanding versions of the Opels for Saturn, add appropriate versions of the Holden and kill Pontiac. Instead of BPG it would become BSG.

[DoomsDave]

Interior is a drastic improvement over the current bland one. Lots of buttons, but at least it's more interesting to look at.

[dindak]

I hope a sedan is coming, Saturn is loosing sales by only having a hatch back.

My friend just traded an SL1 for an Escort because of just that reason!

[windvale]

I know I'm a moron, but remind me...why is GM developing both a new Astra and the Cruze ?

[kenman923]

I imagine we won't see this in the U.S. until 2012.

[GM-Joe]

Originally Posted by GMusa

Ya since they Saturn Astra came out.. i have only seen 1 commercial! Nobody (besides us car nuts) know about this car! Ask a normal person what a Astra is they wouldnt know.

I've seen 2 new ones on the road in the past week, which now summates to 3 overall!

[The Law]

Originally Posted by windvale

I know I'm a moron, but remind me...why is GM developing both a new Astra and the Cruze ?

Saturn vs VW = Astra / Golf

Chevy vs Toyota-Honda = Cruze / Corolla-Civic

In theory GM is trying to play the markets by meeting all the different styles: American, Asian and European and go global with Chevy,Opel,Holden,Buick and Saab.

By the way, I think this Astra (red rendering) is great and just were Saturn-Saab should be able to take advantage of the Vw Golf.I especially like the strong looking back-end, sides could prolly used the Insignia treatment to spruce it up a bit.I would also like to entertain a coupe fastback for Pontiac_Holden.