New Astra - Cooler Interior Than Insignia

The new Opel Astra is going to boast a higher quality interior compared to Insignia's, despite the fact that the new generation is actually using some design cues from this particular model. For example, the 2010 Astra is featuring almost the same design language, autocar.co.uk wrote, including plastic covers that resemble leather-covered surfaces.

“With the Astra we wanted to bring a premium feel to the compact segment. The idea was to match the Insignia or better it and you will see that when the car comes out," Malcolm Ward, design director at GM, was quoted as saying by the aforementioned source.

The new Astra sports a lot of new parts inside the car, especially when compared to the previous model, including a new instrument panel, upgraded materials and redesigned center console. There will be two new interior color and trim combinations, Spice Red and Ocean Blue, especially designed for the 2010 Opel Astra.

“The design of the new Astra takes all the best Opel has to offer and delivers it to the compact class,” says Mark Adams, Vice President of Design for GM Europe. “We have built a five-door hatchback that is as beautiful as it is safe, comfortable and practical.”

There will be both gasoline and diesel engines available, including a 1.4-liter naturally-aspirated unit exclusively available on the entry-level version. A 1.6-liter Turbo unit generating 180 horsepower will also join the range, as well as a multiple diesels. The 1.3-, 1.7- and 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel powerplants develop a maximum output of 95 to 160 horsepower, according to an earlier release by Opel.