New Opel Astra Wagon - In Depth

Press Release

Design, packaging and versatility

Elegant Looks and Well-Balanced Proportions

• Dynamic lines with styling elements from the five-door Astra
• Long wheelbase creates more space for passengers and luggage
• Sliding rear bench seat and other clever details for added versatility

With its sporty front-end styling, bold three-dimensional tail lights, generous rear window area and striking rear side windows, the new Opel Astra station wagon (drag coefficient cD = 0.32) carries on the five-door’s dynamic design line. Its unmistakable V-shaped front end makes it instantly recognizable as a member of the dynamic Astra family. The wide, trapezoidal radiator grill with the blitz emblem flows seamlessly into the engine hood, which - with its prominent crease - is a classic Opel design feature. This central crease is a major styling element that runs through the interior to the rear.

The newcomer’s distinctive look is accentuated by the three-dimensional wraparound headlamps that extend around the sides of the body. Their inset facetted surfaces and technically interesting details are further evidence of Opel’ design language moving towards the expression of stronger emotion.

The chrome clip at the front is echoed by a broad, gleaming chrome strip on the tailgate. This blends into the vertically arranged, three-dimensional tail lights and pulls the rear end together to form a smooth, unified look. The third brake light, which uses LED technology, is located at the rear end of the roof, which is shaped like a roof spoiler. The generous window area of the tailgate provides a good view to the rear and easy access to the loading area. The tailgate is opened electrically by a sensor pad located behind the center fold of the chrome strip.

Together with the steep side panels, strength and stability can be seen in the broad and powerful shoulders running from front to rear. The side profile is also defined by the unusual shape of the side windows, which are located between the C and D pillars and emphasize the dynamic roof line. The high-quality roof rails add to the station wagon’s elegant look and are available in either black or silver.

Plenty of space: 2.70-meter wheelbase creates generous loading area

To provide as much space as possible for passengers and luggage, the Astra station wagon’s development engineers positioned the axles far apart. Thanks to its 2.70-meter wheelbase (around 9 cm longer than the five-door model and predecessor station wagon), the newcomer has plenty of legroom in the rear and up to 1590 liters of cargo space – 90 liters more than the previous model. At the same time, the overall dimensions (length/width/ height: 4.51/2.03/1.50 meters) keep it in the compact class.

The rear suspension layout made the packaging specialists’ job much easier by allowing for optimal use of space. The torsion-beam rear suspension design is so compact that it allowed the fuel tank to be ideally placed down low between the wheels. The top side of the tank is hollowed out to enable lower installation of the rear seats, thereby lowering the center of gravity. Another advantage of the compact rear axle is that it provides space for a full-size spare wheel under the Astra station wagon’s flat trunk floor.

Another highlight of the new Astra station wagon is the flexibility of the rear bench seat. The rear seat cushions and seat backs can be folded forward separately in a standard 60:40 split. As an optional extra, an even more versatile 40:20:40 split is available (standard in the ‘Enjoy’ version). A rear seat that can be slid backwards or forwards is optional for the ‘Enjoy’ variant, allowing configuration of the station wagon for either maximum load-carrying volume or optimal passenger comfort.

The optional sliding rear bench seat (longitudinal adjustment range of 105 mm) can be adjusted to increase the standard above-average legroom of 897 millimeters (26 mm more than its predecessor) up to 936 mm. Thus the Astra station wagon offers the space and comfort found in cars two classes higher, such as the Omega station wagon. Even when the seating configuration for optimal passenger comfort is chosen, 500 liters of loading capacity are still available (up to top of rear bench seat).

The rear bench can simply be slid forward when more loading space is needed, increasing the load length up to 1122 mm compared to the standard version’s 1085 mm. With this seat position, the luggage compartment offers 540 liters of space up to the top of the rear seat back, and a load-through hatch when the center armrest is folded down provides even more flexibility. This all still leaves enough room for children in the back.

They travel most comfortably and safely in Opel Duo Isofix seats, which can be secured to the standard mountings on the outer rear seats and firmly fix the seats to the body structure.

When the rear seats (applies to both versions) are folded forward, loading capacity increases to 900 liters up to the top of the front seat back. If fully loaded up to the roof (in this case the optional retaining net is recommended), the loading area holds as much as 1590 liters. And if the station wagon has a foldable front passenger seat, maximal load length can even be extended to 2.70 meters.

Well thought-out: FlexOrganizer and many clever details make load carrying easier

A number of design details ensure the luggage compartment can be optimally used. The standard stainless steel rim protects the 591 mm low trunk sill from scratches. There is a compartment in the right wheel-arch protector for small items, and an additional storage space is provided under the luggage compartment floor for articles that are not needed so often.

The warning triangle is stored in the tailgate trim where it can easily be reached, and a 12-volt socket (standard in ‘Enjoy’) is available. The convenient opening system for the luggage compartment cover has been especially designed for the new Opel Astra station wagon. Just a gentle touch of the rear handle smoothly retracts the cover into its casing, which is extremely compact and can easily be mounted and detached.

Already proven in the Vectra station wagon, the patented FlexOrganizer system for versatile storage of goods was further enhanced for the Astra. The horizontal side rails that make up the core of the flexible loading space management system are in anodized aluminum. A flexible system of nets and foldable dividers to organize the luggage compartment can be snapped into the rails. In addition to the side rails, the FlexOrganizer package consists of the following elements:

• Separator net with two rods, for use as a luggage compartment divider or for horizontal attachment to the upper and lower rails, so that coats, for example, can be carried flat
• Attachment fixtures: four hooks to attach the separator net or to carry bags
• Side net: a net shaped like a bag for the side panel to store small items such as maps or a road atlas

Individual: Cleverly designed accessories for even greater versatility

An extensive selection of accessories makes it even easier to arrange the luggage compartment for individual transportation purposes. Items available for reconfiguring the luggage compartment are:

• Strong plastic folding storage box (size approx. 380 x 300 x 340 mm): it can be folded to save space, and also used as a step
• Retaining straps for the folding storage box or other articles
• Service box made of high-strength plastic (size approx. 260 x120 x190 mm) for attachment to the upper or lower rails
• Multifunction box with cooling and heating function, made from ultra-lightweight polyester (weight approx. 5 kg, capacity: 15 liters)
• Interior bike rack for up to two bicycles