After almost two years of corona, looking into the future is more difficult than ever. An energy crisis has recently emerged. Chip shortages throw product but especially production schedules upside down. As a result, new models are launched on the market six months later. This is reflected in our annual personal previews, which include not only cars. Today speaking: Stéphan Vermeulen.
There have been years when more than 40,000 Astras were sold in the Netherlands per year. The new one really won’t make it anymore, but its arrival remains a highlight. The SUVs are dominant in all segments, but there is still room in the compact middle class for low hatchbacks and certainly for station wagons. The former may be less in the spotlight, the estate, combi or in Opel language also called the Sports Tourer, is here to stay.
A real Opel, and not a Peugeot 308 with a different sauce. Stellantis, previously PSA, does that well. The brands remain distinctive enough. The new Vizor grille suits the Astra as well, just as it graces the new Mokka. With the PureTech engines, the Astra certainly comes into its own, although it remains a shame that the last batch of GM engines from the outgoing model are already going to the scrap heap. There is not a hint of GM in the new Astra, and for Opel enthusiasts it is painful that this generation is perhaps the very last Astra produced in Germany.
This article previously appeared in the AutoWeek Year Special 2022.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl