Spy Shots: Is this the next Opel Astra?

[Intrepidation]

Saturn's Astra has been something of a commercial non-starter stateside, but it remains a perennial favorite in Opel and Vauxhall guises in Europe. Thus, even with General Motors' touchy-feely brand on the rocks here at home, it's still a pivotal model overseas that warrants attention, even if we probably won't end up seeing it in America.

Thankfully, then, the folks at Autoblog.nl (no relation) have dug up a set of small images showing what looks to be a pair of production-ready 2010 examples. Details are slim, but the car is expected to eventually be offered in a whole range of models, including hatchback, sedan, wagon, and performance-oriented GTC. Look for it to hit the stand at the Frankfurt Motor Show this Fall.

Autoblog

[David]

Nice auto for small people. Sadly I feel I am a dying breed of 6'6" tall people who really only are comfortable in full size sedans or trucks / SUV's.

[ZL-1]

Wow, those pics are below low resolution...

[Intrepidation]

So far I don't like it. It looks like the current gen Astra that let itself go...and I don't like the Matrix style wraparound rear window.

The current car looks taut and athletic...this looks, I dunno pudgy.

[turbo200]

it looks serious and beautiful. very substantial, elegant, great form. it's easily the best of the luxury/standard class hatches, well maybe [euro] focus is still as endearing or moreso. i think it could work as a buick.......if buick suddenly became a progressive brand, and if it was accepted in urban centers/coastal communities, or americans in the midwest became suddenly adept and understanding of the inherent flexibility and desirability or a slickly styled hatch. the styling americans have seen in hatches has not always been good or attractive....this could be one to help turn the tide of perception against them.

[cire]

it looks serious and beautiful. very substantial, elegant, great form. it's easily the best of the luxury/standard class hatches, well maybe [euro] focus is still as endearing or moreso. i think it could work as a buick.......if buick suddenly became a progressive brand, and if it was accepted in urban centers/coastal communities, or americans in the midwest became suddenly adept and understanding of the inherent flexibility and desirability or a slickly styled hatch. the styling americans have seen in hatches has not always been good or attractive....this could be one to help turn the tide of perception against them.

+1

I think GM should give Buick the next gen Astra sedan and 5-door and position them to compete against the Jetta/Golf 5-door and Mazda3 sedan/5-door. Based on the spy shots and leaked images, the next gen Astra sedan and 5-door will be much better looking than either one of these proposed competitors.

Pontiac would receive the next gen Astra coupe (or Callibra?) to solidify its position as a sporty niche sub-brand.

Link:Visit My Website

Source: TopSpeed

The Chevrolet Cruze would be positioned to compete against the more mainstream Corolla and Civic sedan.

Edited March 26, 2009 by cire

[Intrepidation]

Buick could much more easily justify the prium price tag than Saturn...but there really needs to be a sedan version offered too since Americans don't like hatchbacks and wagons...because we're stupid.

[Oracle of Delphi]

cbird2 3:58PM (3/26/2009)

They've sold over 10,000,000 Astra's worldwide. It's sold as a Saturn, Chevrolet, Holden, Vauxhall and Opel.

It's the fifteenth best selling nameplate in history, right between the Camry and 3-series. It's one of the most important cars in the world dude.

Here is a comment taken from Autoblog ... This person is up on his Opel trivia ...

[ocnblu]

By George, I think you're right. Opel IS trivial.

Ehh... it's not all that. That upswinging quarter glass has become so ubiquitous, appearing on every freaking 5-door hatch under the sun.

[Camino LS6]

So far I don't like it. It looks like the current gen Astra that let itself go...and I don't like the Matrix style wraparound rear window.

The current car looks taut and athletic...this looks, I dunno pudgy.

I have to agree.

The Germans really seem to be into pudgy these days.

[Z-06]

That looks like Subaru WRX and Nissan Versa dropped sperms in Matrix's (Vibe's) ovary.

[ocnblu]

It's certainly no Golf VI. Edited March 27, 2009 by ocnblu

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

Reminds me a lot of the Vibe, from that angle... Except without the appeal.

[SAmadei]

Nice auto for small people. Sadly I feel I am a dying breed of 6'6" tall people who really only are comfortable in full size sedans or trucks / SUV's.

Makes me wonder what the Dutch are doing. Even all the women are 6'6" there. ;-)

Roof-raising customs must be popular there. ;-)

[regfootball]

with a saturn or pontiac badge, and a 6 speed manual and about 170hp under the hood there would be this car in my garage.

[Oracle of Delphi]

That looks like Subaru WRX and Nissan Versa dropped sperms in Matrix's (Vibe's) ovary.

So it was a 3 way?

[Z-06]

So it was a 3 way?

You tell me. You know it better than I do, since you are a Doctor in GM's Europe model progeny.

[pow]

It's not bad... reminds me of the new Megane, only not as good looking.

[regfootball]

It's not bad... reminds me of the new Megane, only not as good looking.

i've generally despised renaults but the new megane is a fantastic looking car. if it were here, in the 5 door or wagon i would seriously consider it.

i like that the next astra looks a little like it. what i don't like about this upcoming astra is they got rid of the wide opening door on the back. one of the reasons my wife would consent to a current astra is that the top part of the rear doors now are super wide and make it super easy to get in and out of the car and put kid seats in.