Currently Astra's classmates are cars of other brands Chevrolet Cruze, Fiat Bravo, Ford Focus, Kia Rio, Honda Civic, Hyundai Solaris, Fiat Punto, Lada Vesta, Mitsubishi Lancer, Nissan Almera, Peugeot 308, Renault Sandero, Skoda Octavia, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Auris and Volkswagen Polo.
Opel Astra F (1991—1998)
The world saw the first Astra at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt in 1991. The car was produced both in Germany and in many other countries, such as Belgium, Hungary, India, Italy, Poland, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand and the UK. It was produced on the T-body platform from General Motors Corporation. In total, about 2.4 million copies were produced.
Body shapes were the most diverse for every picky taste - 3 and 5-door hatchback, 4-door sedan, 5-door station wagon «Caravan», and two years later, a convertible and a 3-door van appeared. Body colors were available in the following variants:
The range of engines is also very extensive. Gasoline engines 23 options, all 4-cylinder direct fuel injection, from 1.4 to 2.0 liters with power from 60 to 204 hp. There are 4 options for diesel engines, also all 4-cylinders with a volume of 1.7 liters with a capacity of 57 to 82 hp, all injection with a single camshaft. There are three types of gearboxes - 5 or 6-speed manual and 4-speed automatic.
In 1992, Astra received an award «Irish Car of the Year», which traces its history since 1978, in 1994 and 1995 «South African Car of the Year». In 1994, they carried out a serious facelift of the model. Changes were made to the headlights, exterior mirrors, bumpers, door handles, taillights and information display. Also made changes to the suspension of the car. All models began to be equipped with two airbags.
Opel Astra G (1998—2004)
At the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1997, the second generation Astra was presented, and in 1998 sales began in Europe and the world. It was a completely new car that did not adopt anything from the previous generation. Production in addition to Germany was in the following countries: Belgium, Brazil, Egypt, Italy, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Taiwan, Ukraine and the UK. For all the time, about 1.9 million copies were produced.
Cases became even more options. In addition to those already mentioned in the previous generation, a 2-door coupe appeared. They began to put four airbags in the basic package, improved running performance, ergonomics and quality of interior finishing materials. On the same chassis, tuned by Lotus, they began to produce a compact minivan Opel Zafira.
The range of engines is also very large. Petrol engines in the amount of 16 models with a volume of 1.2 to 2.2 liters with a capacity of 65 to 200 hp, all 4-cylinder fuel injected, as well as 6 diesel engines with a volume of 1.7 to 2.2 liters power from 68 to 125 hp, all 4-cylinder turbocharged. There are three transmission options to choose from - a 5-speed manual or a 4- and 5-speed automatic.
Opel Astra H (2004—2009)
In 2003, at the Frankfurt Motor Show, it was presented, and in March 2004, the next-generation five-door hatchback Opel Astra was released with a letter index «H». The car was produced on an updated T-body platform, as a result of which the dimensions were slightly increased. Aging Vectra B was replaced in Brazil by a sedan version of the Astra H called the Chevrolet Vectra before it was replaced Chevrolet Cruze in 2009. _
Generation «H» about 1.2 million cars were produced. In addition to Germany, the car was produced in Belgium, Brazil, Egypt, Poland, Russia, Taiwan and the UK.
Body styles were as follows - 3-door hatchback coupe, 5-door hatchback, 4-door sedan, 5-door station wagon, 3-door van and 2-door convertible.
The range of engines includes: 10 gasoline engines with a volume of 1.4 to 2.0 liters, power from 90 to 240 hp, all 4-cylinder direct injection; 8 diesel engines with a volume of 1.3 to 1.9 liters, power from 90 to 150 hp, all 4-cylinder turbocharged. The choice of transmissions has expanded significantly: 5 and 6-speed manual, 5-speed robotic, 4-speed automatic and 6-speed automatic Aisin 60-40LE.
Opel Astra J (2009—2015)
At the 2009 Frankfurt International Motor Show, a new generation of Astra was introduced with a letter index «J». You probably noticed that a letter is missing «I» in generation numbering. This is done so as not to be confused with the Roman numeral I or first. The car is based on GM's new Delta II platform and takes much of its styling from the new Opel Insignia. Sales began in December 2009. Production was carried out in China, Germany, Poland, Russia and the UK.
The variety of bodies inherent in previous generations has somewhat decreased. The remaining 3-door hatchback coupe, 5-door hatchback, 4-door sedan and 5-door station wagon, dubbed «Sports Tourer», debuted at the Paris Motor Show in 2010. Name adoption «Sports Tourer», finally put an end to the title «Caravan» for station wagons Opel. The European committee Euro NCAP assigned 5 stars to the car's safety rating.
The number of gasoline engines in the line remains the same as in the previous generation, 10 options, volume from 1.4 to 2.0 liters, power from 87 to 280 hp, all 4-cylinder fuel-injected. Diesel engines 9 options with a volume of 1.3 to 2.0 liters with a capacity of 95 to 195 hp, all 4-cylinder turbocharged. Gearboxes three options - 5 and 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic with active type selection mode «Tiptronic».
Infotainment and navigation systems are supplied by Bosch. Astra took third place in the European Car of the Year nomination (European Car of the Year) in 2010 year.
Opel Astra K (2015-present)
In September 2015, at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the next modification of the Opel Astra with the letter designation was announced «K». The vehicle is based on the new D2XX/D2UX platform. A completely new architecture has made it shorter by 5 centimeters and lighter by 120 kilograms compared to the previous generation «J», but according to Opel, there is more usable space inside. McPherson type front suspension, rear torsion bar. Euro NCAP assigned a 5 star vehicle safety rating.
Standard equipment includes a color LED screen in the dashboard that connects to Android or iPhone. This system is already available in Corsa E, and in Adam. Also, all cars are equipped with LED headlights. Production sites for Astra remained only in China, Poland and the UK. There are only two body types left - a 5-door hatchback and a 5-door station wagon («Sports Tourer»).
At the time of the announcement of the car, there were 5 petrol engines with a volume of 1.0 liters (3 cylinder) or 1.4 and 1.6 liters (4 cylinder) power from 105 to 200 hp. Diesel engines 4 models with a volume of 1.6 liters from 95 to 160 hp, all 4-cylinder turbocharged. Transmissions 4 types - 5 or 6-speed manual, 5-speed semi-automatic «Easytronic» or 6-speed automatic.