Opel Astra TwinTop Production Begins

Press Release

• Astra model range with four variants now complete

• 2005: 513,300 Astras produced across Europe

Antwerp. Production of the new Opel Astra TwinTop, the fourth variant of Opel’s successful new Astra generation, started today at the state-of-the-art Astra plant in Antwerp.

The dynamically designed and innovative four-seat cabrio-coupé features an innovative three-part roof system that fully opens or closes at the touch of a button in less than 30 seconds. As the individual parts of the roof system are smaller than those of conventional cabrio-coupés, there is more room for passengers and luggage. With the top down, 205 liters of storage space is available; with the top up, storage volume increases to 440 liters. A unique feature is the electrically-operated "Easy Load" system, which assists loading and unloading with the top down.

The fully-fledged four-seater is available with four gasoline engines (77 kW/105 hp to 147 kW/200 hp) and one 1.9 CDTI common-rail turbo-diesel (110 kW/150 hp, diesel particulate filter as standard). Comprehensive standard equipment includes a range of safety and comfort features such as active roll-over protection system, front thorax/pelvis airbags, ESP^Plus, cruise control, air conditioning, on-board computer, CD-radio with six loudspeakers, power windows, central locking, and height-adjustable "Easy-Entry" seats with memory function.

Production-start for five-door variant in Bochum

With the addition of the cabrio-coupé, all four Astra versions (five-door sedan, station wagon, and sporty three-door GTC) are now produced at the plant in Antwerp, which was completely modernized for the new Astra. In 2005, the Belgian plant manufactured a total of 253,200 units. In Bochum, where the Opel Zafira is also produced, 71,300 Astra station wagons were built over the same period.

A few days ago, the assembly program in Bochum was extended with the successful production-start of the five-door Astra. This high-volume variant is also produced in Ellesmere Port (United Kingdom). Together with the 188,800 five-door versions assembled there last year, the total number of Astras built in 2005 reached 513,300 units.