'We have understood', this Opel slogan could also apply for the Astra of those days. Rust is not an issue, since the body is fully galvanized. Also in the quality one comes again closer to the newly renovated arch-rival Volkswagen Golf. But this is also necessary when the Astra sales amount a little less than half of Opel's sales. Hardly worth mentioning at this time in addition, the body has become much more stable. Those were the days, when operating elements were ordered manufacturers typically and above all clearly arranged and easy to use. Also there were enough glove compartment capacities, at the Astra even for the driver. However, this completely lacking in the class, the door bags for the bottles of 1.5 liters. Interesting with the body shape the beginning of a diversification from four-and two-door which will to the more racy, more coupe-like variant. It is even at Opel the beginning of the direct injection era, at least for the diesel. The gasoline engine will have to wait for a long time because of economic difficulties. For this, the new diesel direct-injection contains special features. It is designed as a four-valve engine with central CR injector. The engines are latterly in a suspension subframe as with other manufacturers, the additionally has an insulating effect to the interior, perhaps especially important for diesel direct injection engines.
Otherwise, barely special features in the new Astra: no more rear drum brakes, headlamps of clear glass, easily accessible luggage compartment, Rear seat backrest stowable 1/3 to 2/3, luggage net and greater coverage at the Caravan (50% market share). At engines will be built-in below and above the proven 1.6-liter two-valve each one four-valve, even with aluminum engine block at 1.8-liter. Overall, of course, is to have almost the entire Opel range of engines, the e.g. also works in the Vectra and Omega. The highlight, however, remains technically speaking the 2.0 DI. It should be noted here the relatively high final rotation speed of 5000 rpm, for the first direct injection engines by no means self-evident. 07/13