Next-gen Astra will get electrified powertrains and a more premium image.
The new Vauxhall Astra has been teased for the first time, with the brand confirming that the forthcoming Ford Focus rival will be the first generation of the car to be electrified.
It is the car that would have replaced the Holden Astra, but with GM’s exit of the lion brand in Australia it leaves the door open only if a new distributor inks a deal to bring Vauxhall/Opel down under.
The firm’s initial shots show a portion of the car’s new-look front end, making use of the brand’s new ‘Vauxhall Visor’ front end. It combines a smooth black panel in place of a conventional grille and sleek IntelliLux adaptive LED light units into one fully integrated design, as we’ve seen from the Mokka SUV.
At the rear the Astra sports new badging, with the nameplate spelled out boldly in the centre of the tailgate.
As with the Mokka, we can also see from the interior shot Vauxhall has released that the Astra will receive the brand’s Pure Panel twin-screen infotainment set-up. In the Mokka this combines either a seven or 10-inch touchscreen infotainment display with a 10 or 12-inch digital dash panel depending on specification.
As a result the fascia has been simplified over the outgoing Astra, with only the core functions now operated by physical buttons, what Vauxhall calls “finely crafted keys.” These combine with a new steering wheel design featuring smarter controls on the wheel’s spokes; the teaser image of the new steering wheel also highlights that the Astra will be available with adaptive cruise control.
These first pictures point towards the new, eighth-generation Astra taking a step up market, with Vauxhall claiming that “the high quality of the interior experience is emphasised by the shape, textures and materials used in the newly-designed steering wheel and the ergonomic front seats.”
While engine specifications are yet to be confirmed, the brand outlined that the forthcoming Astra will be the first model in the nameplate’s history to feature electrification, made possible by usage of the Stellantis EMP2 platform used under the latest Peugeot 308. Alongside petrol and diesel options, plug-in hybrid power is likely.
It will also be available in Sports Tourer estate form alongside the conventional five-door hatchback, offering buyers even more practicality. Full details on the new Astra will be revealed in the coming months.
Sean Carson