New Opel Astra revealed in camouflage ahead of unveiling

Opel has released camouflaged photos of the next-generation Astra compact ahead of its unveiling in several weeks. 

The new Astra, the 11th generation of the compact hatchback, moves to Stellantis’ EMP2 architecture from GM underpinnings, and will have a plug-in-hybrid drivetrain in addition to internal-combustion-only offerings. 

It will be launched in the second half of this year, Opel has said.

It is a sibling model to the new Peugeot 308, which will have a full-electric option starting in 2023. Opel has not confirmed that the Astra will also have an EV version. The 308 is available in two hybrid power levels as well as gasoline and diesel versions.

The Astra will be built in Stellantis’ factory in Ruesselsheim, Germany, including Vauxhall right-hand-drive versions. It will also have a station wagon variant.

The current Astra is built at Gliwice, Poland, and Ellesmere Port, England.

Opel said Tuesday in a news release that the Astra was completing final tests, including winter testing in Lapland and on-road tests near Ruesselsheim, and preparing for type approval ahead of sales.

The Astra ranked ninth in European sales last year in the compact-car segment, with 70,008 sales, a 48 percent decline from 2019, according to figures from JATO Dynamics market researchers.

The segment was led by the Volkswagen Golf, with 283,651 sales.

The plug-in hybrid version of the Astra is expected to have the same specifications as the 308 equivalent, meaning two power levels.

The sportier 308 plug-in hybrid will offer 225 hp by mating a 180-hp gasoline engine and 81-kilowatt electric motor; while a cheaper version will offer 180 hp from a 150-hp gasoline engine and the same 81-kW electric motor. Peugeot says the 308's electric-only range is 60 km (37 miles), pending final WLTP certification.