2009 Opel Astra Secrets Revealed

[Ambalanche]

Originally Posted by Koasterking

Looks like an egg. Kind of cute lookin' The rendering looks ok, but need to see an actual model to draw my final conclusion. So far so good. Can't wait to see the interior. Hopefully, if they say the car is going to borrow from the Insignia, the interior should be similar which I like.

I would have thought they'd put the Insignia's door lines on it for some family ties at least. This looks better than the supposed Cobalt replacement, but not by alot. To me, in this class, the Mazda 3 is still the leader and there will be a new one next year also!

[2648562]

I'm glad it's a chop--it looks dopey. The real thing better be better or a replacement better follow shortly.

[Rocket 88]

While I like the current Astra, it seems to come up short in several comparisons due to its poor transmission, weak performance and so-so fuel economy. Assuming the new one improves on these shortcommings, this could be very big for Saturn.

With gas prices going up and people looking for smaller vehicles GM really needs to become a leader in smaller vehicles and this could be a great start. Maybe all those folks who bough hatchbacks in the 80's will rediscover them. From a utility standpoint they can't be beat.

[ponchoman49]

I would hardly call the exterior sexy.

[Chaz_23]

Few things look worse on a car than diagonal separation lines between the bumper covers and fenders. Yet GM just loves that.

[slowinthefastlane]

Will the US be getting the TwinTop?

[Chevy Ryan]

My favorite part of the article is where they said it will ditch the rear torsion beam and finally get an IRS. It's about time they broke tradition with the 1982 Cavailer if they want the Cobalt to compete with the Civic and Mazda3. I love my Cobalt, but I hate looking under the rear and seeing a beam instead of A-arms.

[CrunkedRL]

To me it looks a little plain, fat, and clumsy from the rendering and spy shots of the test mule. I was hoping for a more edgy and angular design. But I'll hold out hope GM will not fumble the ball on this one because the GM North America desperately needs a real competitor in the small car market.

[civilzues]

good effort, but I hope that the chop is not very accurate at all.

[Elk]

“The current Astra’s torsion-beam rear suspension will be replaced by a more expensive independent set-up that aims to improve the small car’s ride and handling.”

It’s about freaking time. Since the Focus has had it since 1998. “Opel: we’re only 11 years behind the competition”.

[YupYupYup]

"STREET LEGAL ALIEN"

Holy crap! Foxnews.com has a front page article on the Astra XP. Yes, a MAIN STORY!

Here is the main link: http://www.foxnews.com/

Here is the link to the story: http://www.foxnews.com/us/foxcarreport/index.html

There front page stories change all the time, so it might be gone when you read this. However this is huge free publicity for GM. Millions read this site everyday. Great exposure.

[tgagneguam]

Originally Posted by Ambalanche

I would have thought they'd put the Insignia's door lines on it for some family ties at least. This looks better than the supposed Cobalt replacement, but not by alot...

Yup.

[Astra RL]

I hope some of the eggy shape goes away otherwise I like it.
Here is an interior shot.



It looks like it takes some cues from the Insignia, that is a good thing.

[tkrelston]

Hum... Joan Rivers' plastic surgeon has a job at Opel? That’s horrible; then again I knew it would be seeing the camo-ed pic. It’s got Geo Metro Proportions…

[KIDDIESEL79]

I'm digging this. I'm not a fan of the 4-door so I'm waiting for the 2-door renderings. As long as the interior resembles the Insignia, I'll be satisfied.