The Astra K won Car of the Year in 2015, but due to the competitive compact car market, Opel is working on a comprehensive refresh. A test prototype has thus just been spied undergoing hot weather testing with a trailer in tow. That suggests powertrain changes, and we couldn't help noticing the Peugeot 3008 just behind it.
Most of the camouflage is concentrated over the front end of the car, where designers are going to show their skills. It's slightly unusual since the previous Astra models didn't have big facelifts.
The 2019 Astra is expected to have a bolder grille, matched by a new bumper. Camouflage covers both the headlights and the taillights of the car, areas where almost all facelifts operate.
On 14 February of last year, PSA announced that it was in talks to acquire Opel and Vauxhall from General Motors. That could be the catalyst for this facelift, as engine sharing with the French carmaker is expected to boost profitability.
Two months ago, the Opel Grandland X crossover received a 1.5-liter diesel engine producing 130 horsepower, which is shared with some Peugeot and Citroen models. This unit would is the ideal size for the Astra, offering similar power to the 1.6 CDTI but using less fuel.
The Peugeot 1.2 PureTech would also be a great match for the Astra, as would the 8-speed automatic (Aisin) found in the 308 hatchback.
Interestingly, the prototype has a dual exhaust configuration, like the Astra GSi. The warm hatch was spied last year but never officially presented in Europe. Currently, the most powerful Astra offers 200 HP from a 1.6L. As you may have heard, Peugeot has some powerful 1.6-liter turbo engines, but we don't want to get your hopes up.
The Astra is continuing to fall in the sales race with the VW Golf and Ford Focus. But it's still one of the best-equipped cars, with equipment that includes things like Traffic Sign Assist, full-LED matrix headlights, Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist and Automated Emergency Braking.
The 2019 Astra is expected to have a bolder grille, matched by a new bumper. Camouflage covers both the headlights and the taillights of the car, areas where almost all facelifts operate.
On 14 February of last year, PSA announced that it was in talks to acquire Opel and Vauxhall from General Motors. That could be the catalyst for this facelift, as engine sharing with the French carmaker is expected to boost profitability.
Two months ago, the Opel Grandland X crossover received a 1.5-liter diesel engine producing 130 horsepower, which is shared with some Peugeot and Citroen models. This unit would is the ideal size for the Astra, offering similar power to the 1.6 CDTI but using less fuel.
The Peugeot 1.2 PureTech would also be a great match for the Astra, as would the 8-speed automatic (Aisin) found in the 308 hatchback.
Interestingly, the prototype has a dual exhaust configuration, like the Astra GSi. The warm hatch was spied last year but never officially presented in Europe. Currently, the most powerful Astra offers 200 HP from a 1.6L. As you may have heard, Peugeot has some powerful 1.6-liter turbo engines, but we don't want to get your hopes up.
The Astra is continuing to fall in the sales race with the VW Golf and Ford Focus. But it's still one of the best-equipped cars, with equipment that includes things like Traffic Sign Assist, full-LED matrix headlights, Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist and Automated Emergency Braking.