Port Elizabeth – Opel’s award-winning eleventh generation Astra which was crowned the 2016 European Car of the Year just last month has reached South African showrooms. The Astra, which arrives at dealers from Friday 15th April, represents a quantum leap for Opel in this segment and will take the brand’s C-segment contender well into the next decade.
The five-door hatchback has been designed and engineered to meet fast-changing consumer needs and demands that are shaping personal mobility against the backdrop of a densely-populated planet with finite resources. To meet these requirements Opel set out to design, engineer and manufacture a vehicle that would be amongst the most efficient, lightest, best connected, and offer advanced safety and driver assistance technology.
The new Astra is designed and engineered around four binding principles: efficiency, design, connectivity, and advance driver assistance and safety technology.
Some of the key highlights of the new Astra are:
- Up to 200 kilograms lighter overall than before depending on the model, thanks to a 20 percent weight savings from the body itself, and paring weight off systems like exhausts, and individual components like seats
- More fuel efficient, thanks to a range of three turbocharged and direct injection ECOTEC engines and the use of features like Start/Stop across the range.
- Significantly more aerodynamic than its predecessor and class rivals, with a wind-cheating CD of just 0.285.
- More compact than before, with overall length down by five cm, and height down by half that.
- There’s more cabin space – rear legroom, front headroom and front to rear hip point measures have all increased.
- The lightweight superstructure is stronger than before and more resistant to both twisting and bending – so it’s safer, and handles better.
- Lightweight, compact, ergonomically-advanced seats underpin the progressive interior with a strong focus on space and ease of use.
- IntelliLink touch screen with satellite navigation and an advanced infotainment interface ensure seamless connectivity on the go.
- IntelliLux LED matrix lighting, a first in this segment, makes driving at night less stressful.
New Astra Is All About Efficiency
Reduced Mass
Every component of the body shell has been mass optimised to give the new Opel Astra maximum efficiency. Opel engineers have achieved mass reductions of between 120 kg and 200 kg compared to the previous generation Astra.
Further weight savings were gained in the body-in-white which has a weight reduction of 20 per cent from 357 kg to 280 kg. At the same time torsional stiffness has been improved by 13 percent, resistance to bending improved by 2 percent for purity of handling and exceptionally low noise, vibration and harshness.
Analysing and assessing the weight of every component helped the engineering team develop a car that was not only safe and comfortable, but rewarding to drive. In addition to an 80kg-lighter body-in-white, the new Astra also benefits from a further 50 kg reduction in weight from its chassis. This has been achieved through use of high-strength and ultra-high-strength low-weight steels, compact sub frames and weight reductions to the front and rear axles, wheels and brakes.
The new body structure’s torsional rigidity has not been compromised, and in fact there’s an increase in torsional rigidity from 18.6 to 19.0 kNm/degree. This solid structure ensures a firm foundation for optimising the new Astra’s handling and ride characteristics, as well as helping to reduce noise and vibration in the cabin.
Focusing on two key areas has enabled Opel to bring a dynamically efficient car to market: aerodynamics and weight reduction. Opel’s engineers have achieved both positive goals without any negative impact.
Efficient use of space – smaller outside, bigger inside.
Designers of the new Opel Astra have used intelligent engineering solutions to make a vehicle with smaller exterior dimensions while increasing interior space. The new Astra is 49 mm shorter and 25 mm lower than the outgoing model. Efficient use of space and clever packaging has resulted in a roomier interior with 35 mm more rear legroom and 22 mm more front headroom.
Improvements in the driver’s seating position have resulted in better visibility for the driver.
Efficient Aerodynamics
The new Astra is significantly more aerodynamic than its predecessor and class rivals, with wind-cheating drag co-efficient of just 0.285 versus 0.32 on the previous generation. Cross sectional area is down to 0.642m2 from 0.770m2, resulting in less drag for improved fuel efficiency and effortless performance.
Dynamic and Emotional Design
Inspired by the low-slung and sleek Monza Concept, the new car’s lean design makes Astra look more athletic than ever before. Evolution of the Opel design philosophy ‘sculptural artistry meets German precision’ ensures that the new Astra catches the eye with a lighter, more agile appearance.
At the front, the Opel design team wanted to make the new Astra look as wide as possible to give it a dynamic stance. The Opel Blitz integrated in the centre of the chrome bar on the grill, and the characteristic ‘blade’ sweeping towards the rear ensure that the new Astra is immediately recognizable as a member of the Opel family. The headlamps, which are sleek and sporty, flow seamlessly into the grill aperture forming a distinctive graphic.
The most significant design cue is the divided, ‘blacked-out’ C-pillar, creating the impression of a floating roof.
Overall, the design reflects the new Astra’s key messages: leaner, lighter, more efficient, dynamic.
Inside, gracefully sculpted shapes are combined with premium materials and functional clarity. The all-new interior of the Astra sets the yardstick for compact class design.Switches and controls are reduced to an absolute minimum, supporting the efficiency and ease of use that is at the core of the Astra.
The centrepiece of the new Astra’s interior is the award-winning IntelliLink system, though the front seats also deserve a special mention thanks to their low weight (10 kilos lighter than before), contoured shape. Their compact design is also noteworthy, which means they take up as little space as possible and contribute to the spacious rear compartment. Sport models are equipped with electrically adjusted, heated front and rear leather seats.
Improved Comfort and Driving Precision
Suspension
MacPherson struts are retained for the front suspension, the top mountings of which are de-coupled to separate the paths of spring and damper loadings. To reduce unsprung weight and optimise weight distribution, the combined strut carrier is in aluminium, while the anti-roll bar is hollow. The lower, L-shaped control arms is attached through two bushings to a steel sub-frame.
A torsion beam axle continues at the rear and again features Opel’s innovative use of a Watts linkage for improved comfort and stability. A Watts linkage provides the dynamic advantages of an independent, multi-link layout without any of the traditional design penalties: added mass, greater complexity and inefficient packaging.
Enhanced lateral stability for improved handling and greater ride comfort is provided by the linkage, which ensures that side forces exerted against one wheel during cornering are simultaneously countered by the application of equal, opposing forces against the other wheel. On the road, this effectively reduces any lateral movement of the axle, increasing vehicle stability. The mechanical linkage consists of two lateral rods: the outer end of each is attached to the lower wheel carrier and the inner ends are connected via ball joints to a central pivot link mounted to a small sub-frame which is connected to the car’s underbody.
The swivel action of the pivot ensures that any movement in one rod is immediately matched by an equal, opposing motion in the other. An additional advantage of the set-up is that it reduces axle bush loads and therefore allows the use of softer bushings. In this way, ride comfort and road noise isolation are all greatly improved. The open, U-section torsion beam is mounted between the trailing arms just ahead of the rear wheels. By varying the thickness of the beam’s walls and also its weld angle, suspension characteristics can be adjusted per variant.
Steering
The new Astra’s rack-and-pinion steering system is electrically, rather than hydraulically, powered to help reduce fuel consumption. This speed-sensitive system is now 2.8kg lighter, a weight saving of about 18 per cent, and also more energy-efficient, requiring less power assistance at all speeds. It has been optimised to give a more direct steering feel. Several refinements provide greater comfort. Smooth Road Shake (SRS) compensation helps reduce any steering wheel vibration which may be caused by a road wheel imbalance. And Drift Pull Compensation (DPC) automatically corrects any pull or drift tendency to keep the vehicle steering straight ahead.
The steering column features a 30mm reach and 25mm rake adjustment range that enables every driver to find the most comfortable steering wheel position.
Improved fuel economy – Light and Efficient Powertrain
The new Astra will be offered with a choice of three state-of-the-art light and efficient turbo charged petrol engines. Smooth and quiet, the engines have strong and energetic power delivery characteristics. Spearheads an offensive which will see Opel introduce 17 new engines between 2014 and 2018The Astra’s state-of-the-art all-aluminium 1.0 turbo, 1.4 turbo, and 1.6 turbo ECOTEC engines are mated to Opel’s smooth shifting five- and six-speed manual gearboxes. A six-speed torque convertor automatic transmission is available for models equipped with the 1.4 turbocharged engine.
Turbocharging and direct injection are used across the board for maximum efficiency and complete burning of the air/fuel mixture.
1.0 litre Turbo ECOTEC ecoFLEX Engine
Opel’s award-winning 1.0-litre Turbo ECOTEC ecoFLEX three cylinder engine with 77kW @ 4 500 rpm and 170Nm @1 800 rpm powers the 1.0T Essentia and 1.0T Enjoy models. It is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox in both instances. With fuel consumption of just 4.3 litres/100 km and 99 grams of CO2 emitted per kilometre it is Opel’s economy flagship. Yet it is still capable of 200 km/h. This is a slightly detuned version of the 1.0 turbo three cylinder engine which was first introduced in the ADAM and Corsa. The engine’s performance has been tuned for the best balance between performance and fuel economy.
All new 1.4 litre Turbo ECOTEC
Opel’s brand new 1.4 litre ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo (to give it its full name) will be offered for the first time in the new Astra, fitted to both the automatic and manual Enjoy and Sport derivatives. The new 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine is the big brother of the one-litre, three-cylinder unit. Both engines are members of Opel’s small petrol engine family – a group of high-tech engines with three or four cylinders and a displacement below 1.6 litres. They are key players in the biggest engine offensive in Opel’s history which will see 17 new engines brought to market from 2014 to 2018.
The engine delivers a 110kW @ 5 000. The engine generates 230Nm of torque between 2000 and 4000 rpm for the manual and 245 Nm between 2000 and 4000 for the automatic. Features of this engine include a hollow crankshaft, low-friction oil pump, an engine block constructed with resonance reduction in mind, a two-part oil pan, the integration of the cylinder head into the exhaust manifold, and a sound absorbing cam cover. It is the perfect companion for the new, highly-efficient Astra.
Best in class: The new Opel four-cylinder engine purrs like a kitten
A lot of attention was paid to dynamic responsiveness and high performance while curbing fuel consumption during the development phase of the 1.4-litre turbo. The engine delivers maximum torque of up to 245 Nm very early. The maximum power is available between 2,000 and 4, 000 rpm – an outstanding torque plateau. Perfect conditions for driving pleasure in combination with efficiency.
Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are 5.1 l/100 km and 117 g/km for the manual and 5.5 l/100 km and 127 g/km for the automatic. With 110 kW available, the 1.4 T accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds for the manual and 9 seconds for the automatic. Top speed is 215 km/h. The 1.4T models boast an impressive power to weight ratio, thanks to being 100 kilograms lighter and 7 kW more powerful than the model it replaces. A six-speed manual or six-speed automatic is available in the Enjoy as well as Sport models.
The engineers once again paid close attention to low noise levels and vibration behavior during the development of the 1.4-litre turbo – just like they did for the one-litre, three-cylinder unit. The engine block was constructed with resonance reduction in mind, the oil pan split into two, the integration of the cylinder head into the exhaust manifold is noise protected, a sound absorbing cam cover has been designed, the high-pressure injection valves decoupled and the timing chain trimmed for quiet concentricity.
1.6 litre Turbo ECOTEC
The flagship model is powered by a 1.6 litre turbo charged unit with performance figures of 147 kW and 280 Nm and is capable of 235 km/h. The Engine Management System also initiates an over-boost during certain parameters which increases the Torque to 300Nm. Headline engine numbers are 15 kW and 70 Nm higher than those of the vehicle it replaces. With such generous torque delivered (from just 1 700 rpm), it takes a mere 7.5 seconds to accelerate from 80 to 120 km/h in 5th gear. Thanks to a six-speed manual gearbox and relaxed cruising ability, it emits just 141 g/km of carbon dioxide and uses 6.1 litres per 100 km. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes 7 seconds and the top speed is 235 km/h.
Class Leading Technology
For the first time in South Africa the new Astra is available with the latest generation Opel Eye front camera. The camera has a wide range of function which include monitoring the IntelliLux LED Matrix System, Traffic Sign Assista (TSA); Lane Departure Warning (LDW) with Lane Keep Assist (LKA); Following Distance Indication (FDI); Forward Collision Alert (FCA) with Low Speed Collision Mitigation Braking (LSCMB)
IntelliLux LED Matrix System – Opel took the lead in Xenon-based safety lighting with the prize-winning AFL+ system. The new Opel Astra takes this pioneering technology a step further. It is the first car in its class to offer the adaptive IntelliLux LED Matrix system, which uses the high light output and low power consumption advantages of LED technology. This technology is available as an option in the 1.6T Sport model.
The IntelliLux LED Matrix system consists of 8 LED light sections per headlight, which can be individually activated and in total, constitute the high beam light distribution. These are controlled via the Opel Eye front camera, which registers the preceding and on-coming traffic, as well as recognising ambient light, for example street lighting in urban areas.
Driving data, such as steering angle, speed and turn indicator activation, are also added to this input.
From this information the system calculates in real time which LED segments must be deactivated in order not to dazzle other road users.
Because every LED segment only lights a small section of the road, any area can be darkened dynamically, following precisely the position of the detected vehicle.
The area around the darkened section remains optimally lit. The benefit of the system is that there is optimal illumination of the road in every situation, while the headlights stay on high beam around the darkened section.
The IntelliLux LED Matrix system also offers other automatically activated functions:
Urban light – Whenever street lighting is recognised, at under 55 km/h the system switches to an optimal town headlight setting (similar to dipped beam).
Highway Light – Through specific data analysis the system recognises when the car is underway on a multi-lane highway. From 105 km/h the light distribution on the left lane is reduced to exclude glaring, also when the lanes are separated by guardrails.
Country light – From 55 km/h the light performance is increased.
Static Curve/Cornering Light – In response to steering wheel activation and other vehicle data, curves are illuminated at speeds between 0 and 70 km/h.
Energy Saving Mode – When fitted with the Start/Stop System, IntelliLux LED Matrix system automatically goes into energy-saving mode when the vehicle is standing still.
Parking Light – Selecting reverse activates both side-orientated reflectors and the reversing lights to light the area beside and behind the car.
Forward Collision Alert – The Forward Collision Alert can help to avoid or reduce the harm caused by front-end crashes. Forward Collision Alert uses the Opel Eye front camera system in the windscreen to detect a vehicle directly ahead, within a distance of 60 metres. A vehicle ahead is indicated by a green control indicator.
If a vehicle directly ahead is approached too quickly, a warning chime and alert in the Driver Information Centre is provided while a flashing red LED stripe is projected on the windscreen in the driver’s field of view.
Forward Collision Alert operates automatically above 8 km/h, and can be deactivated by the driver when not required.
The vehicle ahead indicator illuminates green in the instrument cluster when the system has detected a vehicle in the driving path. The control indicator changes to yellow when the distance to a preceding moving vehicle gets too small or when approaching another vehicle too rapidly.
When the system senses that a collision is imminent, the collision alert symbol pops up in the Driver Information Centre and the driver gets notified by a flashing red LED strip which is projected on the windscreen in the driver’s field of view.
A warning chime will sound simultaneously. The system is an alert only and does not apply brakes. It also only designed to pick up vehicles only, but may react to other objects.
In the following cases, forward collision alert may not detect a vehicle ahead or sensor performance may be limited:
- On winding roads
- When weather limits visibility (snow, fog, or rain)
- When the sensor is blocked by snow, ice, slush, mud, dirt, windscreen damage or affected by foreign items, e.g. stickers.
Following Distance Indication – The following distance indication displays the distance to a preceding moving vehicle. The front camera in the windscreen is used to detect the distance of a vehicle directly ahead in the vehicle’s path. It is active at speeds above 40 km/h. When a preceding vehicle is detected ahead, the distance is indicated in seconds, displayed on a page in the Driver Information Centre.
Active Emergency Braking – Active emergency braking can help to reduce the damage and injury from crashes with vehicles and obstacles directly ahead, when a collision can no longer be avoided either by manual braking or by steering. Before the active emergency braking applies, the driver is warned by the forward collision alert.
The feature uses various inputs (e.g. camera sensor, brake pressure, vehicle speed) to calculate the probability of a frontal collision.
Active emergency braking operates above walking speed up to 85 km/h. A precondition is that the system is not deactivated by toggling the gap switch.
The system includes:
- Brake preparation system – when approaching a vehicle ahead so quickly that a collision is likely, the brake preparation system slightly pressurises the brakes. This reduces the response time, when the brakes are eventually applied manually or automatically. The brake system is prepared so that braking can occur more rapidly. The system operates up to a speed of 80 km/h.
- Emergency Automatic Braking – After the brake preparation and just before the imminent collision, this function automatically applies limited braking to reduce the impact speed of the collision or prohibit a crash. The system operates up to a speed of 60 km/h. Below a speed of 40 km/h the system can apply full braking.
- Forward looking brake assist – In addition to the brake preparation system and emergency automatic braking, the forward looking brake assist function makes the brake assist more sensitive. Therefore, depressing the brake pedal results in immediate hard braking. This function helps the driver brake quicker and harder before the imminent collision. The system operates up to a speed of 85 km/h. Active emergency braking is not designed to apply hard autonomous braking or to automatically avoid a collision. It is designed to reduce the vehicle speed before a collision. It may not react for pedestrians or animals. The active emergency braking has limited or no function during rain, snow, or heavy dirt.
Traffic Sign Assistant – Traffic Sign Assistant detects designated signs via a front camera and displays them in the Driver Information Centre. If the vehicle is equipped with an embedded navigation system, additional traffic signs from data maps may be included. Traffic signs which will be included are:
- Speed limit
- No overtaking
- End of speed limit
- End of no passing
- Beginning and end of – city regions (country specific), motorways, A-roads, play streets.
- Additional warning such as: restriction of trailer towing, wet road, ice warning, time constraints, distance constraints, and direction arrows. The system operates without loss of performance up to a speed of 200 km/h depending on lighting conditions. At night the system is active up to a speed of 160 km/h
Lane Keep Assist – helps to avoid crashes due to unintentional lane departures. The front camera observes the lane markings. If the vehicle approaches a lane marking, the steering wheel is gently turned to position the vehicle back into the lane. The driver can override the system by turning the steering wheel.
Unintended lane departure is assumed if:
- Lane markings are crossed without using the turn signal
- Using the turn signal in the opposite direction of the lane departure
- Without braking
- Without acceleration
- Without active steering.
The system is switched off during detection of ambiguous lane markings, e.g. construction areas. The system may switch off, if it detects lanes, which are too narrow, too wide or have too much of a curve. When the control indicator in the instrument cluster illuminates green, the system is ready to assist. The system is operable at vehicle speeds between 60 km/h and 180 km/h and if lane markings are available.
The system gently turns the steering wheel and the control indicator changes to yellow, if the vehicle approaches a detected lane marking without using the turn signal in that direction. The system alerts by flashing together with three chimes, from the respective direction, if the lane is departed significantly.
The system cannot operate when no lane marking is detected.
If the system only detects lane markings on one side of the road, it will only assist for this side.
Lane keep assist detects hands-off driving. In this case a message in the Driver Information Centre pops up and a chime sounds as long as lane keep assist detects hands-off driving.
The system’s performance may be affected by:
- Windscreen not clean or is affected by foreign items e.g. stickers
- Close vehicles ahead
- Banked roads
- Winding or hilly roads
- Road edges
- Roads with poor lane markings
- Sudden lighting changes
- Adverse environmental conditions like heavy rains or snow
Side Blind Spot Alert – This system warns drivers about hidden dangers. When changing lanes, overtaking or turning a corner, other road users can disappear in the blind spot. Ultrasonic sensors permanently scan wide areas around the vehicle at speeds ranging from 10 to 140 km/h. If the electronic guardians pick up an object in the blind spot, an optical amber-coloured warning appears in the relevant exterior door mirror. If the turn indicator is applied towards the direction of the object in the blind spot, the optical LED warning starts flashing. The light intensity of the LEDs is high and the warning cannot be missed even if the sun is shining. Side Blind Spot Alert system has won the Euro NCAP Advanced Reward for advanced safety technology.
Advanced Park Assist and Rear View Camera – Another comfort feature that makes driving the Astra easier to drive is Park Assist with ultrasonic front and rear sensors. Park Assist is always active below 11 km/h and automatically notifies the driver when it detects objects within the range of its sensors. Drivers are presented with optical information on the display area including the distance to the other object and its position. In addition, the distance is indicated acoustically.
The new generation Advanced Park Assist identifies suitable parking spaces and automatically parks the vehicle, without the driver touching the wheel. The ultrasonic sensor-based system measures parallel or perpendicular parking spots, calculates the vehicle’s trajectory and automatically steers the Astra into a space. The driver just controls acceleration, deceleration and gear shifting.
Astra drivers can make parking and reversing even easier by adding the Rear View Camera to Park Assist. Mounted above the rear licence plate, it shows the area behind the vehicle on the infotainment screen. The display is activated by engaging reverse gear and automatically switches off either 10 seconds after reverse has been disengaged or when the vehicle exceeds 6.5 km/h driving forward. A special feature of the Rear View Camera system is the dynamic guidelines that show the actual vehicle path based on the steering wheel angle, helping drivers to estimate distances to other objects while manoeuvring.
Comprehensive passive safety concept – The extensive list of active safety features and driver assistance systems available for the new Astra is accompanied by a comprehensive passive safety concept. The basis of this concept is a rigid passenger cell mainly fabricated from high-strength steel that has been designed for the least possible deformations and the largest possible survival space in crash conditions. To accommodate the impact energy in case of a crash, the front, sides and rear of the passenger compartment are surrounded by energy absorption zones that deform and protect in a controlled manner.
Astra engineers have taken a three-part approach for the standard airbag system consisting of front airbags for driver and co-driver, thorax-pelvis side airbags and full-length curtain airbags for the first and second row. Combined with the advanced front safety systems consisting of body-mounted retractor/pretensioners with load limiter, seat-mounted lap pretensioners and seat-integrated pelvis ramp, the new Astra ensures maximum passenger protection and reduces injury potential.
Standard safety features – many of which are integrated with hydraulic braking and/or electronic engine control systems include:
- ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) and Traction Control
- Electronic Brake Force Distribution controls front to rear axle brake force, ensuring vehicle stability and maximum rear axle brake torque independent of axle load distribution.
- Cornering Brake Control provides directional vehicle stability during cornering while braking.
- Torque Vectoring by Brakes improves agility and gives a more direct steering feel by initiating braking interventions at the inner wheel of the rear axle or both axles, while engine torque may also be increased to counterbalance the effect. Accordingly, the understeer tendency of the car is reduced and the car stays more neutral, even at a higher curve speed. The driver should not detect such interventions, which are sensitively applied according to steering behaviour.
- Cornering Torque Control prevents the inner driven wheel from spinning when cornering under acceleration, decreasing any understeer tendency.
- Electronic Drag Torque Control avoids wheel slip caused by high engine drag torque and maintains vehicle steerability.
- Brake Assist System supports the driver in emergency braking situations by ensuring full master cylinder brake pressure is applied.
- Hydraulic Brake Assist Fade provides full deceleration under extreme fading in the brake system. Triggered by vehicle speed, brake pedal application velocity and brake disc temperature, the ABS pump sucks brake fluid from the reservoir into the brake circuits.
- Brake Disc Cleaning periodically removes contamination by applying very light pressure to the pads so they contact the discs without generating any noticeable brake torque. The effectiveness of the braking system is maintained, especially under wet road conditions.
- Trailer Stability Program is active when an Opel-approved towing hitch is fitted and detects any vehicle instability when towing a trailer or caravan. It reduces engine torque and applies brake pressure to selected wheels.
CONNECTIVITY
An important aspect of Opel’s continuing democratisation of technology comes in the connectivity/infotainment sphere and the new Astra continues this tradition with the addition of cutting-edge features such as phone projection technology through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Also making its debut is Opel’s next-generation R4.0 IntelliLink infotainment system. This brings smartphone connectivity and apps in to the cabin for customers with compatible Android 5.0 Lollipop and Apple iOS 8 (or higher) smartphones.
All IntelliLink systems come with Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity, audio streaming, aux-in, USB ports and Digital Audio Broadcast DAB+ as standard, enabling a better radio selection and reception.
In addition, Navi 900 IntelliLink (an option on Sport models) offers a high level of personalisation – the home screen can be tailored according to customer preferences. It also offers a ‘favourites’ concept, which gives users a possibility to adapt the infotainment system to their individual needs. Up to 60 favourites including radio stations, phone contacts, artists, playlists and navigation destinations can be stored.
Apple CarPlay takes the iPhone features you’d want to access while driving and puts them on the vehicle’s display in a smart, simple manner, allowing drivers to make calls, send and receive messages and listen to music right from the touchscreen or by voice via Siri. Apple CarPlay interfaces with Phone, Messages, Maps, Music and compatible third party apps. A full list of those apps can be found at Apple.com/iOS/carplay.
Android device owners will however have to wait a bit longer to enjoy the benefits of Android Auto until the App becomes available for download in South Africa. Android auto is built around Google Maps and associated apps, as well as a growing audio and messaging app ecosystem that includes WhatsApp, Skype, Google Play Music, Spotify, and podcast players. A full list of supported apps is available at Android.com/auto.
Whatever one’s preference, the bottom line is that an Astra driver will never have to look at their cellphone whilst on the move again.
New Opel Astra Models and Pricing:
| Model | Price |
| 1.0T Essentia | R 254 000 |
| 1.0T Enjoy | R 284 300 |
| 1.4T Enjoy MT | R 328 000 |
| 1.4T Enjoy AT | R 338 000 |
| 1.4T Sport MT | R 354 000 |
| 1.4T Sport AT | R 374 000 |
| 1.6T Sport MT | R 387 000 |
| 1.6T Sport PLUS MT | R 407 000 |
Option Packs:
- Astra Hatch Enjoy Driver Assist Pack (Opel Eye Front Camera System) R 6 300.00
2. Astra Hatch Essentia R 4.0 IntelliLink R 4 000.00
3. Astra Hatch Sport Navi 900 IntelliLink R 10 700.00
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