[Updated Gallery] This here sleek-looking station wagon model is the all-new Opel (or Vauxhall in the UK) Astra Sports Tourer and it has been revealed ahead of its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show on October 2. It is set to go on sale across Europe in November.
The exterior design of the Astra Sports Tourer brings to mind the Insignia ST, and that's a positive thing. Unlike its boxy predecessor, Opel's styling team led by Mark Adams opted for a much more 'lifestyle estate' design with a more raked roofline and a less perpendicular tailgate.
The Sports Tourer shares its footprint with its five-door sibling, with a similar 2,685 mm-long wheelbase and front and rear tracks of 1544 and 1558 mm respectively.
GM's European unit has yet to publish photos of the interior, but more or less the design will be the same as on the five-door hatchback version of the Astra. Opel said that the cabin has 75 liter of storage space or 50 percent more than in the previous generation station wagon.
The new Astra ST also features a new FlexFold Rear Seat system which allows each section of the 60/40 split-fold rear seatbacks to be lowered at the press of a button located in the side walls of the cargo compartment.
With the rear seat backs lowered, the cargo load length is increased to 1835 mm, 28 mm more than in the current Astra wagon. According to Opel, the load volume of the ST can be adjusted between 500 and 1550 liters. In comparison, the VW Golf Variant provides between 560 and 1,550 liters of load space.
In Europe, the Astra Sports Tourer's powertrain line-up will comprise of eight gasoline and diesel engines, ranging in power from 95HP to 180HP, including a new 1.4-liter Turbo petrol with 140-horsepower and a 2.0-liter turbo diesel with 160-horsepower that returns a combined fuel consumption of 5.1 lt/100km (equal to 46.1mpg US and 55.4mpg UK) with 134 g/km CO2 emissions.
GM has no official plans to bring the Astra Sports Tourer to the States. However, since it's essentially a station wagon version of the recently revealed in China Buick Excelle that is scheduled for a US-launch next year, we couldn't resist asking you if GM should consider to offer the Sports Tourer in the States. Have your say in the comments below.
Opel Astra Sports Tourer
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Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer
23 Comments:
I'm lusting after the Jetta Sport Wagen TDI. I'd have to consider this one if it came to the States with a diesel that has more power than the JSW. Have to see the interior and equipment package too. Don't screw it up GM, just bring it and yes I'd like the sport seats that you seem to be omitting with the sedan version. Cheers
As a fan of the late great Focus wagon, I would love for Buick to sell this in the US. I don't want a crossover but I will need something with cargo space since few sedans have large trunks anymore.
It's not a Buick, and GM, as usual, would fall back into their rebadging mode. GM will never learn, ever.
Honestly, all Buick has to do is replace the badge. The Euro-spec Astra in all its forms is pretty handsome. The Chinese-spec Buick version is an unmitigated disaster as far as I'm concerned.
This wagon works. The proportions make a lot more sense than the sedan. If Buick chose to sell this exact same wagon, I'd be all for it. The Chinese version - not-so-much...
It's a beautiful machine, for sure! But two things:
1. No one under 45 calls these "station wagons." Unless you call your ride a "horseless carriage" just call it a wagon/sportwagon.
2. They'd best stop putting women behind the wheel in promo shots and marketing. Men get scared off by the notion of an emasculated ride, no matter how much they like the car. Women don't need to be told "it's for you!"
Otherwise, I'd say if they can sell in sufficient numbers (the key problem), bring it on.
GM ... just bring Opel in as a new mark, jeez for years you've touted European this and that when you already had Opel. Why reinvent the horseless carriage?
Keep rebadging, GM !
They're already bringing a Buick Regal wagon over .. is there a need to have an Excelle wagon as well?
And I'm already concerned with the Excelle's design..
And the back seems to scream Jetta to me..
If GM offers two identical cars with a different badge, it has a problem. But if this car is not sold on the continent, there is really no problem! Regardless of the name of the car. What's your problem with the rebadging?
i would not worry about the passing resemblance of the jetta, which is not a bad thing. i worry more about the classic buick elements like the grille and portholes that do little to muster up excitement for our youth and middle aged shoppers.
Buick needs to add more models, but wagons no longer sell well here in the U.S. The vehicle shown looks great, though!
i do not see even a hint of the jetta (wagon or sedan), rather the passat estate. still, this wagon is pretty unique and would make for a decent buick in north america.
Only if it keeps the Euro/America-Coupe front clip, the Asian/American(?)-Sedan front clip should never see the light of day.
It is only rebadging if the two identical cars are being sold in the same market. if they are not, its a smart move that can save an GM money.Anyway, Opels are becoming promising lately
renault megane sportstourer
I can't be a rebadge if the two brands aren't even being sold in the same market.
It is only rebadging if the two identical cehicles are sold in the same market. If they are not, it is a move that could save a company money
very nice
and for GM USA absolutely brilliant
tend to agree with one of the comments about the grill: I don't know ho much longer I can take the slighty redesigned in an I'm-trying-to-find-my-own-way style Buick grill AND uninteresting logo; it looked old and outdated when it was new.
I'm also concerned as was kinda pointed out above that all Buick models are starting to look the same. I get the imitating Audi thing, but Buick is no Audi yet.
I really hope it succeeds for the brand, for GM and for us to continue getting the Opels. Image, marketing and pricing will be key [warning: fixed prices / too high prices a la Saturn (for the brand, for a new model and for what is supposed to be a domestic car)]
--JORGE
Looks better then I expected, way better then a Jetta Wagon and is a big improvement over the old one. The backend with its bumper "hanging out" actually reminds me a bit of the passat wagon, but that sells rather well here in europe, so...
If Opel's purpose would've been to create a wagon that is all about packing as much as possible, they would've done it. Instead they decided to go for a sleeker look and it turned out well and 500-1550 is all you can ask for in a compact wagon. It's no Alfa 159 Sportwagon, but it's no Caprice Station either.
I am currently a Saturn 97 SW2 owner. I love my little car. It suits me perfectly. Small enough to park, big enough to take 4 adults with all of their camping gear with bikes on a hitch. Can you please find a way to bring back 1 wagon to an American car company. The pictures make me want to trade my car in as soon as possible. It is holding on, but I know time is running out. I am praying for 3 more years before I have no choice. Now, I watch and wait.
Looks very nice, but as it is a small wagon and probably expensive for its class in the U.S.- Buick might not be the best brand for it. However, a wagon for Chevrolet would be a good move.
I own a 2009 VW Jetta sportwagen TDi in Canada. Girlfriend lives in France and we are buying a 2011 Opel Astra Sport Tourer for touring Europe...I think it is a more up to date than my Jetta Wagen TDi is...especially available suspension options...same cargo capacity as the VW...slightly more powerful 2.0L diesel...needs a DSG trannie...love it.
They copied the BMW headlights and rear of the Audi
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