Moving onto another Astra plane

Opel has published official shots of its fifth generation Astra, due for debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September, where it will vie for attention with the new VW Golf.

Hatchback owners are in for a battle royal as VW launches its Golf Mk5, with sales expected in mid-2004, while the new Ford Focus is due to hit the market by the end of 2004.

The Astra is due in Ireland next Easter. A five-door version will be the first on offer, then a three-door coupé, a cabriolet (probably in hard-top format) and a wagon.

There's a new front-wheel-drive platform with a reworked MacPherson-strut suspension to the front, combined with a torsion-beam rear suspension.

The technological highlights of the new Astra include the adaptive suspension system IDSPlus (Interactive Driving System) with Continuous Damping Control (CDC), whereby the driver can switch to a sport mode that regulates the damping characteristics as well as the response of the accelerator pedal and the power assistance of the electro-hydraulic steering.

Interior quality, seen as a flaw in previous models, is said to be significantly better, borrowing from the Vectra and Signum.

The new Astra offers more passenger space than its predecessor, thanks to its slightly increased overall dimensions (around 14 cm longer, two cm wider and four cm higher). Initially five petrol and three turbo-diesel engines - 1.4 to 2.0 litre with power outputs in the 80-200 bhp range - will be available.

New to the range are the 1.9-litre CDTI diesel (150 hp) and the 170 hp 2.0-litre turbo petrol engines (alongside the 200 hp version due to go into Astra in 2005), coupled as standard to a new six-speed manual transmission. A five-speed manual gearbox, and automatic and Easytronic automated manual transmissions will be options.

Externally there's a high shoulder-line, strong wedge shape, pronounced wheel arches and clear-cut window.