Opel preparing Astra sport hatch for 2011

According to a recent report, Opel's upcoming 2011 three-door Astra sport hatch is virtually identical to this official Opel design sketch.

Although details are limited, the sketch suggests the sport hatch will feature aggressive styling with massive air intakes, LED daytime running lights, and racy wheels. The car's designer, Malcolm Ward, says "It (the sport hatch) will be a very dramatic execution and very, very close to the sketch. Think about the current three-door then think about where the new car will go."

Power will likely be provided by the same engines found in the Astra five-door. This means we can expect at least three petrol engines including a naturally aspirated 1.4-liter, a turbocharged 1.4-liter with 120hp (88kW) to 140hp (103kW), and a 1.6-liter turbo with 180hp (132kW). On the diesel side, the sport hatch will likely offer up to four different Euro5 compliant engines, with outputs ranging from 95PS to 160PS. Eventually a high-performance Opel Astra OPC (and Vauxhall Astra VXR) will be unveiled, but so far very little is known about this model.