Vauxhall Opel Astra K

From 2015
Overview
Also called	Holden Astra Buick Verano Hatch
Production	2015–present (Opel)
Assembly	Poland: Gliwice United Kingdom: Ellesmere Port
Body and chassis
Body style	5-door hatchback 5-door wagon / estate
Platform	D2XX platform
Related	Buick Verano Chevrolet Cruze
Powertrain
Engine	1.0 L GM SGE Turbo I3 1.4 L GM SGE I4 1.4 L GM SGE Turbo I4 1.6 L GM MGE Turbo I4 1.6 L GM MDE Turbo I4 1.6 L GM MDE BiTurbo I4
Transmission	5-speed manual 5-speed semi-automatic 6-speed manual 6-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,662 mm (104.8 in)
Length	5-door hatch: 4,370 mm (172.0 in) Wagon: 4,702 mm (185.1 in)
Width	1,809 mm (71.2 in)
Height	5-door hatch: 1,485 mm (58.5 in) Wagon: 1,499 mm (59.0 in)

Opel launched a brand–new Astra at the Frankfurt Motor Show, in September 2015. The Astra K is smaller (5 cm), and lighter (up to 200 kilos) compared to Astra J. Although it is smaller on the outside, Opel claims it is bigger on the inside, than the previous Astra J. Depending on the model and trim level it is up to 200 kilograms - at the very least 120 kilograms - lighter than its predecessor.

The completely new vehicle architecture plays a major role in the weight reduction. Every component was checked for compact design and lightweight materials. The bodyshell weight alone was reduced by 20 percent from 357 to 280 kilograms. Additional, chassis-related measures resulted in another 50 kilograms of weight reduction; these include high-strength and ultra-high-strength low-weight steels, compact subframes as well as weight reductions to the front and rear axle. Rear suspension is torsion bar (only with Watts-linkage with top engines), and McPherson struts is it at the front.

Lightweight construction made it possible to save 120 to 200 kg in weight, with the Sports Tourer 1.4 Ecotec DI Turbo (Direct Injection Turbo), for example, a total of around 135 kg. Ultra high-strength steels, which at the same time contribute to weight reduction, defined load paths , and side impact protection,  see the five-star result of the NCAP crash test ensure safety . 

The newly designed four-cylinder engines B14XFL and T with engine blocks and cylinder heads made of aluminum and 1.4 l displacement have turbocharging and direct injection . A turbocharged 3-cylinder gasoline engine with approx. 1 l displacement  ("B10XFL") and, with the B14XE, a non-turbocharged engine are also in the range. In addition, diesel engines are also available, see technical data, which achieve a B or A + classification in terms of efficiency.  With the facelift in 2019 there were new three-cylinder engines that meet all the Euro-6d emissions standard. 

The battery was placed in the trunk for better weight distribution. The steering works with an electric, speed-dependent servo.  In the model variants from 92 kW (125 PS), Opel equips the torsion beam rear axle with a Watt linkage for better lateral guidance. 

Available engines are 1.0 3-cylinder, 1.4 4-cylinder petrol engines and 1.6-litre diesels. It will be available with new full–LED frontlight techniques, A screen in the dash which connect to Android (only lower R4.0 entertainment system) or iPhone comes as standard. This system is already available, in both the Corsa E and Adam.

Engines

Engines are available with the 5-speed or 6-speed manual transmission, and the newly developed 5-speed semi-automatic EasyTronic 3.0 which is only available for the 1.0T SIDI engine.

The only other available automatic transmission, at the beginning of production, is the 6-speed with active select mode, which can be ordered in late 2015, for the 1.4 SIDI Turbo with 150 PS, and 1.6 CDTI with 136 PS. Buyers can choose the Start/Stop system for all engines as an extra feature, except the 1.0T which will have system as standard.

All engines are new and recently developed by Opel - 1.0T SIDI, 1.4T SIDI (which sees its debut in the Astra K in 2015) and the naturally aspirated version of it (which will be available later in 2015), and the so-called "Whisper diesel" 1.6 CDTI. All turbocharged petrol engines use the Direct Injection Fuel system.

Opel are offering the ecoFLEX range for 1.0T, 1.4T and 1.6 CDTI engines which have same amount of power, but less CO₂-emissions (g/km) and lower fuel consumption. The entire ecoFLEX range have Start/Stop as standard, low rolling resistance tyres and aerodynamic tweaks for reduced drag for lower CO₂-emissions. The 1.4T SIDI ecoFLEX version have less torque, rated at 230 Nm at 2.000-4.000RPM, and the 1.0T ecoFLEX version is only available with the EasyTronic 3.0 semi-automatic transmission.