New UK-built Vauxhall Astra

The new Vauxhall Astra will mark the sixth generation of the model in the last 30 years and from launch will be built at the company’s Ellesmere Port plant in Cheshire, UK.

The exterior of the new generation Astra, which debuts in September at the IAA in Frankfurt, boasts a strong cab-forward, fluid silhouette. Inside, high quality materials and a totally fresh design aim to raise the bar in the compact sector.

“The design of the new Astra takes all the best Vauxhall 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.”

Vauxhall’s design language gets a new twist

With its strong, cab-forward silhouette, steeply-raked windscreen and sloping rear roofline, the new Astra makes ingenious use of many of the design features found in the Insignia, but in a fresh and innovative way. Also like the Insignia, it has spent over 600 hours in the wind tunnel, benefiting performance, economy and overall refinement.

“We’re continuing with the same premium design cues as the Insignia,” said Adams. “However, the main design themes, like the wing-shaped signatures and the blade, needed an individual execution to avoid ‘cloning’ the model ranges. This is why, for instance, you see twin wings in the rear lights and a reversed blade on its flanks.”

Premium design theme in more spacious cabin

Mark Adams and his team continued the design theme throughout the Astra’s cabin. The blade theme can be seen in details like the shape of the door grab handles and the trim for the gearshift molding and steering wheel. The wing design cue is incorporated in the wraparound instrument panel that embraces front seat occupants. It arcs across the cabin into the top of the door moldings.

Overall, the Astra’s cabin is more spacious than before, thanks to more effective packaging and the cars longer wheelbase. It also benefits from greatly increased storage areas, including a clever mini-glovebox on the driver’s side and an optional drawer under the front passenger seat.