Opel's new Astra hatchback has arrived in Ireland, although for the moment it's going to be on sale without either of its two plug-in hybrid options. That's thanks to - you guessed it - the still-encroaching crisis in computer chip supplies. Being as hybrids have more chips, it's easier to build and ship petrol and diesel versions instead, so that's what we're getting.
Ten-inch screens standard
The base Astra is an SC model, which comes with a 110hp version of the familiar Stellantis Group 1.2 litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine. That'll cost you €27,995 and it comes as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox and a pair of ten-inch digital screens, one for infotainment and one for the driver's instruments.
Other standard equipment for SC models includes wireless smartphone connection, cruise control with speed limiter, lane keep assist, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, driver attention alert, intelligent speed adaptation, hill start assist and electric parking brake, keyless start, leather steering wheel, electronic single-zone climate control, DAB radio, Opel Connect (with SOS and Breakdown Assist), USB sockets, 16-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lamps, auto wipers and lights, electro-chrome rear view mirror and front and rear parking sensors.
Thankfully, in spite of the bigger screens (which come with much-improved software relative to what you get in the smaller Mokka and Corsa, as well as the updated Grandland) Opel still fits the Astra with proper physical controls for the heating and air conditioning.
You can also get a 1.5-litre 130hp turbodiesel engine in SC trim, at a cost of €30,995.
Want the more powerful 130hp version of the 1.2 petrol engine? Then you'll need to upgrade to SRI trim, which will cost you €31,995 or €34,995 if you want the eight-speed automatic gearbox. The diesel SRI costs €33,995. Standard equipment over and above the SC includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision alert, keyless entry, heated steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, power-folding mirrors, a driver's seat approved by the German association for good back health (the AGR), heated front seats, half leather-effect upholstery, alloy sporty pedals, moveable load compartment floor, black painted roof, Black Pack (black Vizor frame, black logo black Astra lettering), 17-inch black alloy wheels, privacy rear windows, interior ambient lighting, frameless electro-chrome rear view mirror and a 360-degree panoramic camera.
Top-spec Elite model
At the top of the range, there's an Elite model, which costs €34,995 for the 1.2 petrol with a six-speed manual, or €37,995 for the automatic option. There's no diesel Elite for now. Elite adds perforated Nappa leather upholstery with massage, ventilation and memory functions, 18-way driver seat adjustment, front passenger AGR seat and 18-inch bi-colour diamond-cut wheels.
The new Astra is slightly bigger than the old model, being 4mm longer but with a wheelbase that's lengthened by 13mm. There's a bigger boot than before, too - 422 litres as standard, rising to 1,339 litres with the rear seats folded down.
It's also torsionally stiffer, by 14 per cent and Opel is saying that the car is 'Autobahn-proof' thanks to suspension tuned for stability and composure. Speaking at the Irish press launch at The Heritage, Killenard, Co. Laois, James Brooks, Managing Director at Opel Ireland, said: "Introducing the all-new Astra. A new Blitz is born! With sensational design, precision engineering, class-leading technology and highly efficient powertrains, the new Astra brings us into a new era. We are confident that the next generation Astra has all it takes to become another bestseller for Opel."
Hybrids and electric version to come
The petrol and diesel models will be followed at some point by the plug-in hybrid versions - with a choice of 180hp or 225hp - and next year there will be a very handsome estate version with a large 608-litre boot. A fully-electric Astra-e, with a rumoured one-charge range of around 400km, is set to be introduced in 2024.