New Opel Astra arrives in Ireland

Opel has launched its sixth-generation Astra to Ireland, writes Trish Whelan.

The car was designed, developed and manufactured at Opel’s headquarters in Russelsheim in Germany.

At the launch to the Irish press, James Brooks, Managing Director at Opel Ireland said: “With its sensational design, precision engineering, class-leading technology and highly efficient powertrains, the new Astra brings us into a new era.” He expressed confidence that this new model will become another bestseller for the German car maker. James Brooks is pictured above with Opel's Marketing Director Emma Toner at the car's launch on Monday last at The Heritage Hotel, Killinard, Co Laois.

New Astra is slightly longer than the previous iteration, with a longer wheelbase and is 15pc stiffer than before. The boot with an adjustable floor, has 422 litres of luggage space and up to 1,339 litres with the rear seats folded down.

New Astra hatchback is available in three trims - SC, SRI and Elite - and in both petrol and diesel guise matched to manual and automatic transmissions and with power ranges of from 110hp to 130hp. A plug-in electric hybrid 180hp variant will follow in the coming months, with a more powerful 225hp version expected later.

The interior is light years ahead of the older model in terms of comfort and technology. The highlight is the next generation of the Pure Panel first introduced in the Mokka. This digital cockpit features two 10-inch seamlessly integrated horizontal displays which is standard across every trim. Key settings such as climate control can be operated via physical controls and the infotainment system can be connected wirelessly as standard to smartphones, operated by voice control or by touch.

Our short test drive at launch was in the 1.5 diesel 130bhp matched to a slick 6-speed manual transmission and in the Elite trim which has a combined fuel consumption of 4.6 L/100kms and annual road tax of €190.

The new Astra has now arrived at Opel dealer showrooms nationwide where it is available for test drives. A Sports Tourer estate version will join the hatchback in Ireland in 2023.

The SC trim is from €27,995 plus delivery; the sporty SRI trim from €31,995 and the top Elite trim from €34,995.