I was in debt but Opel already presents the new Astra in electric format, either as a hatchback or also as a station wagoncalled Sports Tourer, the first 100% electric family car from a German manufacturer.
“The Astra Electric and Astra Sports Tourer Electric are true pioneers: with the new 100% electric version of the five-door and wagon bodies, their users will benefit from their suitability for day-to-day combined with comfort and, above all, , a great emission-free driving pleasure. This is what we mean when we refer to the ecological revolution of mobility”.
-Florian Huettl, CEO of Opel.
Opel Astra Electric – the look
The “e” and the absence of escapes. Well, the tires. And nothing more.
With total discretion and as the Stellantis Group has been doing, the Astra Electric is very confusing with the standard Astra, from the sporty fenders to the Opel Vizor mask. Hopefully you will be able to differentiate it by a couple of minor badges and its new 18″ wheels in two finishes but with an aerodynamic design.
Of course, as Opel models have been doing for quite some time, lighting is a key element. For the same reason, the Astra Electric is equipped with an Intelli-Lux LED Pixel optical assembly with a matrix of 168 fully adaptive LED diodes.
Opel Astra Electric – the powertrain
The Astra Electric Sports Tourer is the first electric station wagon in Germany and the fourth globally.
Like the e-308 with which it shares a platform, the Astra Electric develops 115 kW (154 Hp). It feeds on a new 400v battery with 102 cells and 17 modules, with a capacity of 54 kWh and manufactured based on a new chemical composition: 80% nickel, 10% manganese and 10% cobalt. Its autonomy is up to 416 kilometers according to the WLTP approval, consuming between 12.7 and 14.9 kWh every 100 kilometers, very beneficial.
The Astra’s batteries are located under the chassis, so you don’t lose boot space (the Sports Tourer version offers 516 liters of cargo), but this also helps to lower the car’s center of gravity for more poise on the road.
Apart from its three driving modes (Eco, Normal and Sport) plus the “Brake” mode that increases energy recovery with a more marked deceleration, the Opel Astra Electric can reach a top speed of 170 km/h, a little more than what other manufacturers limit.
The Astra Electric can be charged up to 80% of its maximum level in about 30 minutes at a 100 kW direct current fast charging point. Also, The 100% electric Opel Astra is equipped as standard with an 11 kW three-phase on-board charger for the home charging point.
Opel Astra Electric – inside
Inside there are no changes with the normal Astra and it is not necessary since it is a very nice and modern place. The brand, as always, wants to highlight some special attributes, which are not unique to the electric model.
- Ergonomic Active Sport seats, with optional upholstery in Alcántara, they are certified by the AGR (Campaign for Healthier Backs) and if they are the same as the 308, I can say that they are excellent, because they are comfortable, but allow excellent support, as well as reduced fatigue by posture after long hours of driving.
- Pure Panel: integrates the two 10″ screens for the instrument panel and the multimedia system, which also adds graphics and telemetry related to the level of battery charge or autonomy. It has voice recognition.
- Head Up Display
- ADAS: from forward collision alert with automatic emergency braking to the active lane keeping assistant, the driver fatigue alert and the rear cross traffic alert, going through the semi-automatic lane change.
- Intelli-Drive 2.0support semi-autonomous driving
The Opel Astra range offers engines for all tastes, pockets and preferences, be the Puretech or BlueHDI units, the PHEV models (such as the GSe sports car) and the Astra Electric that can be requested from February next year.