Photo: SB-Medien
If this were the Wall Street Journal, the title of this story would have been "Simple Cars for Difficult Times". However, this is autoevolution, where we talk about specific models in detail, not just the industry as a whole. Today, we're focusing on the all-new Opel Astra Sports Tourer, a modest car that many families might buy in 2016.
If you ignore all the hype around the new Astra hatch, it begins to look like the German company wanted to keep things nice and simple. By throwing out all the unnecessary bits, they've made it 200 kg lighter, which will suit the Sports Tourer model well when it's time to stretch the back out.
Estates have always been a crucial part of Opel's sales charts. Based on the redesigned hatchback, this 2016 Astra Sports Tourer has a familiar front fascia but adopts a more practical trunk. Changes also include the installation of roof rails, a longer greenhouse with rear quarter glass and a trunk spoiler.
Engine options will all carry over from the regular 5-door, starting with the 1.0 Ecotec turbo. This 3-cylinder turbo is shared with the Corsa and will do a much better job of moving the Astra than the old 1.6 could.
Also new is a 1.4 turbo delivering the same 125 and 150 PS outputs as the Golf Variant, which is a direct rival. As for diesel power, you can expect to be offered a 1.6-liter in three stages of tune: 95 PS, 110 PS and 136 PS.
Unlike the previous Astra Sports Tourer, which came with both a 200 PS 1.6 Turbo and the 195 PS 2-liter Biturbo diesel, this new car won't have any performance aspirations. Opel is losing too much money to worry about a flagship or competing with the rising tide of performance estates. It's a shame, but what's a struggling German automaker to do?
Estates have always been a crucial part of Opel's sales charts. Based on the redesigned hatchback, this 2016 Astra Sports Tourer has a familiar front fascia but adopts a more practical trunk. Changes also include the installation of roof rails, a longer greenhouse with rear quarter glass and a trunk spoiler.
Engine options will all carry over from the regular 5-door, starting with the 1.0 Ecotec turbo. This 3-cylinder turbo is shared with the Corsa and will do a much better job of moving the Astra than the old 1.6 could.
Also new is a 1.4 turbo delivering the same 125 and 150 PS outputs as the Golf Variant, which is a direct rival. As for diesel power, you can expect to be offered a 1.6-liter in three stages of tune: 95 PS, 110 PS and 136 PS.
Unlike the previous Astra Sports Tourer, which came with both a 200 PS 1.6 Turbo and the 195 PS 2-liter Biturbo diesel, this new car won't have any performance aspirations. Opel is losing too much money to worry about a flagship or competing with the rising tide of performance estates. It's a shame, but what's a struggling German automaker to do?
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