Following its global debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the first of the all-new Vauxhall Astras are set to arrive in UK showrooms in October, priced from £15,295 on-the-road.
Based on an all-new lightweight vehicle architecture with a new design, powertrains and technology, the new Astra is being built at Vauxhall's Ellesmere Port plant in Cheshire.
Depending on the model and trim level it is up to 200kg lighter than its predecessor. The completely new vehicle architecture plays a major role in the new Astra's weight reduction with the bodyshell alone down by 20 per cent from 357kg to 280kg, while chassis-related measures resulted in a further 50kg weight loss.
The powertrain portfolio features petrol and diesel units ranging from 100PS to 200PS, including an all-new 1.4-litre (150PS) ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo and the recently-launched 1.6-litre CDTi Whisper Diesel.
The new Astra is the first Vauxhall to feature the OnStar connectivity technology which is now available across Europe. OnStar includes high-speed 4G LTE mobile network, emergency response notification and stolen vehicle recovery alert.
The Astra is also one of the first vehicles from a mainstream manufacturer to get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, available through a new version of the IntelliLink infotainment system.
"The all-new Brit-built Astra raises the bar in terms of quality, design and connectivity," said Tim Tozer, Vauxhall's Chairman and Managing Director. "Lighter than ever before, with new powertrains and cutting-edge technology, the new Astra is set to shake up the C-segment when it arrives in showrooms this autumn."