This Is the New 2016 Opel Astra, Supposedly

Mark Stevenson
by Mark Stevenson

Thanks to a leak from GM Europe, this is the next-generation 2016 Opel Astra before its planned debut later this year at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Only the five-door hatchback model is shown in the leaked batch, though Opel does plan to offer other variants, including a sedan, wagon and a hotted-up version.

Now, let’s see if engineers at Buick here in North America can figure out how to replace the Opel lightning logo with their own tri-shield.

Like the current Astra, the eleventh-generation model – designated Astra K – uses GM’s Delta architecture as a platform and wears similar lines and overall design cues. However, the new model looks to take inspiration from the Opel Monza concept, giving the compact hatchback a more aggressive mug.

From the photos, we can also glean the new car will be available with Apple CarPlay. GM announced earlier the new Astra will also be available with Android Auto. The interior is finished with a cleaned up center console and dash along with dual gauge pods in the instrument panel and a current-generation version of GM’s digital driver information center.

While this would be a great replacement for the Verano in Buick’s North American lineup (if they’re truly looking for younger buyers), don’t bet on it. GM has stated the Astra isn’t coming back to North America anytime soon.







Mark Stevenson
Mark Stevenson

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  • Alexndr333 Alexndr333 on Jun 02, 2015

    "This Is the New 2016 Opel Astra, Supposedly" Why the 'supposedly'? There are a couple of dozen official photos by GM of this car, inside and out, all over the web. Pictures of other cars to be released are duly reported without hedging. Yet, you report 'supposedly' about this Opel, but offer no reason for your doubt. We must be experiencing the latest form of GM-specific snark from TTAC. Childish.

  • Lon888 Lon888 on Jun 03, 2015

    That's actually a very nice looking car. If GM were to import it as a Buick, I would have to import a Opel grill for it. Those stodgy looking chrome grills ruin the looks of many of their cars. The Opel grill is much more modern looking.

  • Joe65688619 I agree there should be more sedans, but recognize the trend. There's still a market for performance oriented-drivers. IMHO a low budget sedan will always be outsold by a low budget SUV. But a sports sedan, or a well executed mid-level sedan (the Accord and Camry) work. Smaller market for large sedans except I think for an older population. What I'm hoping to see is some consolidation across brands - the TLX for example is not selling well, but if it was offered only in the up-level configurations it would not be competing with it's Honda sibling. I know that makes the market smaller and niche, but that was the original purpose of the "luxury" brands - badge-engineering an existing platform at a relatively lower cost than a different car and sell it with a higher margin for buyers willing and able to pay for them. Also creates some "brand cachet." But smart buyers know that simple badging and slightly better interiors are usually not worth the cost. Put the innovative tech in the higher-end brands first, differentiate they drivetrain so it's "better" (the RDX sells well for Acura, same motor and tranmission, added turbo which makes a notable difference compared to the CRV). The sedan in many Western European countries is the "family car" as opposed to micro and compact crossovers (which still sell big, but can usually seat no more than a compact sedan).
  • Jonathan IMO the hatchback sedans like the Audi A5 Sportback, the Kia Stinger, and the already gone Buick Sportback are the answer to SUVs. The A5 and the AWD version of the Stinger being the better overall option IMO. I drive the A5, and love the depth and size of the trunk space as well as the low lift over. I've yet to find anything I need to carry that I can't, although I admit I don't carry things like drywall, building materials, etc. However, add in the fun to drive handling characteristics, there's almost no SUV that compares.
  • C-b65792653 I'm starting to wonder about Elon....again!!I see a parallel with Henry Ford who was the wealthiest industrialist at one time. Henry went off on a tangent with the peace ship for WWI, Ford TriMotor, invasive social engineering, etc. Once the economy went bad, the focus fell back to cars. Elon became one of the wealthiest industrialist in the 21st century. Then he went off with the space venture, boring holes in the ground venture, "X" (formerly Twitter), etc, etc, etc. Once Tesla hit a plateau and he realized his EVs were a commodity, he too is focused on his primary money making machine. Yet, I feel Elon is over reacting. Down sizing is the nature of the beast in the auto industry; you can't get around that. But hacking the Super Charger division is like cutting off your own leg. IIRC, GM and Ford were scheduled to sign on to the exclusive Tesla charging format. That would have doubled or tripled his charging opportunity. I wonder what those at the Renaissance Center and the Glass House are thinking now. As alluded to, there's blood in the water and other charging companies will fill the void. I believe other nations have standardized EV charging (EU & China). Elon had the chance to have his charging system as the default in North America. Now, he's dropped the ball. He's lost considerable influence on what the standardized format will eventually be. Tremendous opportunity lost. 🚗🚗🚗
  • Tassos I never used winter tires, and the last two decades I am driving almost only rear wheel drive cars, half of them in MI. I always bought all season tires for them, but the diff between touring and non touring flavors never came up. Does it make even the smallest bit of difference? (I will not read the lengthy article because I believe it does not).
  • Lou_BC ???
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