Opel rolls out the new Astra, available for orders in Romania

The powertrain lineup will feature eight Euro 5 compliant engines. Except low-output engines, all Opel Astra cars are mated to a six-speed gearbox.

The CDTI turbo diesel lineup includes four common-rail multiple injection engines with 1.3 to 2.0 liters that produce an output ranging from 95HP to 160 HP. All engine types are equipped with diesel particulate filter.

The four gasoline engines with 1.4 to 16 liters put out 100 HP to 180HP. A new reduced-sized turbo 1.4-liter engine that produces 140HP replaced the old naturally-aspirated 1.8 liter engine.

Assembled in Rüsselsheim, Germany, Opel Astra is equipped with a new chassis. The car is 4.42m in length. Its longer wheelbase combines with wider tracks and a new rear axle construction.

Opel Astra’s chassis has been developed as a mechatronic system that fully integrates the mechanical functions and electronic control systems. Like the Insignia, it can come with the smart electronic driving system, Opel FlexRide, that enables driver to select one setting of three available: Standard, Sport and Tour, while completely and continuously adapting to driving style changes and cornering speed.

The new Astra features a new generation of bi-xenon Advanced Forward Lighting (AFL+) that changes its intensity and reach to suit prevailing drive and road conditions by using nine different lighting functions.

Following the compact class tradition established by Opel in 1936 with its Olympia Kadett, Astra remained one of the three best-selling compact cars in Europe, a segment that grabs 27% of global car sales. Astra sales account for a third of Opel/Vauxhall total sales, with 500,000 cars sold a year.

The new Opel Astra received the “Car of the Year 2010” award in Romania from the Union of Auto Journalists and Editors in Romania (UZEAR).