Opel’s UK division, Vauxhall is celebrating the retail launch of the all-new 2010 Astra yesterday as the first customers who placed their orders soon after the model went on sale in September received the keys to their cars.
In the UK, the new Astra hatchback is available with five petrol engines ranging from an 87PS 1.4 litre to a 1.6 litre turbocharged petrol unit producing 180 PS, while diesels span from 110 to 160 PS in either a 1.7 CDTi or 2.0 CDTi engine.
Prices start from £15,675 for the entry-level S model. ESP, 6 airbags, DRL’s (daytime running lights), 16” steel wheels, air conditioning, driver’s seat height adjustment, 60/40 split folding rear seats, electric front windows, electrically/heated door mirrors and high and reach adjustable steering wheel all come as standard.
Exclusiv trim adds cruise control, steering wheel mounted audio controls and ambient lighting which comes in at £16,450, adding £775 over the S model.
Sports orientated SRi trim-level adds Exclusiv equipment, plus electric parking brake, front fog lights, sports front seats, lowered sports suspension, 3 spoke leather steering wheel, darkened headlamps, trip computer and ambient interior lighting. Starting at £17,565, it adds an £1,115 premium.
SE – set to be the biggest seller is priced at £18,850. The £2,400 premium over the Exclusiv trim adds 17” 10 spoke alloy wheels, 3 spoke sports leather steering wheel, electric rear windows, electric parking brake, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, front fog lights, automatic windscreen wipers & front headlamps, trip computer, alarm, chrome window surrounds, front armrest, illuminated vanity mirrors and Flex floor luggage compartment.
Elite is the plushest Astra trim-level. Starting at £19,830 (£980 over the SE), Elite features perforated leather seats w/ heat function & part-electric driver’s seat, climate control w/ humidity control, rear armrest and electric folding door mirrors.
Options include xenon headlamps w/ LED DRL’s (AFL – adaptive forward lighting), metallic & pearlescent paints, alloy wheels, parking sensors, climate control, DAB radio, satellite navigation system, Bluetooth, FlexRide, electric folding door mirrors, Infinity premium sound system and tyre pressure monitoring system.
The company said that initially, Vauxhall's Ellesmere Port plant will build the new Astra for all European markets. The UK will take the biggest market with around 25% of all production headed to British buyers.
If you’re in Australia and you want one of these, think again. The Delta II based Chevrolet Cruze will be available instead, as a Holden.