Photo: SB-Medien
Opel has been working for a really long time on a mid-life refresh for the Astra. This is one of the rare occasions where our spies provide us with photos of the wagon version, not the usual hatchback.
The big-bodied version of the Astra K came out in 2015 and hasn't really done anything special, just like the Astra J model that came before it. The wagon isn't particularly interesting to look at, especially from the rear, nor does it offer big-engined performance.
However, Germany and several other central European markets gobbled up plenty of Astra Sports Tourers because of the excellent deals and reasonably efficient engines. We don't expect any of that to change, even though Opel now has the full backing of PSA, the biggest carmaker in Europe right now.
We've seen the French doing a lot of interesting stuff in the family car business lately. Peugeot has boosted its quality while Citroen is now making rugged-looking cars almost exclusively, ranging from the armor-clad C3 to the funky C5 Crossover. But the Astra wagon will probably just get a couple of new engines; no off-road body kit or excitement.
Two powertrains are almost guaranteed to come to its range next year. There's the petrol-powered 1.2-liter turbo, which should be offered between 100 and 155 HP, and the 1.5 diesel with 100 to 130 HP. There's a slim chance of a 2-liter diesel, but you can say goodbye to all hopes of a GSi model with over 200 HP. Peugeot made that pretty clear by killing the 308 GT and GTi.
Hybrids could offer a bit more poke, but they probably won't be available in the Astra range for a couple more years. This test prototype has no extra charging ports, and its cosmetic upgrades are limited too.
We see fresh headlight and taillight graphics, as well as a new mesh grille to go with the revised bumper. Expect to see the model in full no later than this year's Frankfurt Motor Show.
However, Germany and several other central European markets gobbled up plenty of Astra Sports Tourers because of the excellent deals and reasonably efficient engines. We don't expect any of that to change, even though Opel now has the full backing of PSA, the biggest carmaker in Europe right now.
We've seen the French doing a lot of interesting stuff in the family car business lately. Peugeot has boosted its quality while Citroen is now making rugged-looking cars almost exclusively, ranging from the armor-clad C3 to the funky C5 Crossover. But the Astra wagon will probably just get a couple of new engines; no off-road body kit or excitement.
Two powertrains are almost guaranteed to come to its range next year. There's the petrol-powered 1.2-liter turbo, which should be offered between 100 and 155 HP, and the 1.5 diesel with 100 to 130 HP. There's a slim chance of a 2-liter diesel, but you can say goodbye to all hopes of a GSi model with over 200 HP. Peugeot made that pretty clear by killing the 308 GT and GTi.
Hybrids could offer a bit more poke, but they probably won't be available in the Astra range for a couple more years. This test prototype has no extra charging ports, and its cosmetic upgrades are limited too.
We see fresh headlight and taillight graphics, as well as a new mesh grille to go with the revised bumper. Expect to see the model in full no later than this year's Frankfurt Motor Show.
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