Facelifted 2020 Opel Astra Hatch Goes Back To Where It All Started

Opel’s fifth-generation Astra was updated a little over two months ago and is now celebrating its public debut at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Changes, though, aren’t very broad, with the exterior only gaining a revised bumper and new alloy wheel designs. It’s OK to be surprised by that, especially since the Astra isn’t selling as well in Europe as rivals such as the Seat Leon and Peugeot 308, and is nowhere near as popular as the Skoda Octavia, Ford Focus or VW Golf.

What Opel have done instead is fit their compact model with new PSA-sourced 1.2-liter three-cylinder petrol and 1.5-liter four-cylinder diesel engines, as well as a new 9-speed automatic transmission – resulting in a 19% overall efficiency increase.

The 1.2-liter unit can be had with either 109 HP (110 PS), 128 HP (130 PS) or 143 HP (145 PS), while the new 1.5-liter diesel boasts two stages of tune: 103 HP (105 PS) and 120 HP (122 PS).

The German automaker also gave the Astra a grille shutter system for improved airflow, an engine compartment cover and deflector-shaped rear axle control arms in order to boost aerodynamic efficiency. The result is a projected WLTP average fuel consumption figure of 4.4 l/100 km (53.4 US mpg) for the diesel and 5.3 l/100 km (44.3 US mpg) for the petrol option.

Also read: Opel To Show “Most Fuel Efficient” Astra Ever, New Corsa, Hybrid Grandland X in Frankfurt

As for its interior, there is the option of inductive wireless charging for smartphones, a BOSE sound system and heated windshield, while the 8-inch Multimedia Navi Pro infotainment system now works alongside a more powerful rear-view camera and a new digital front camera that can recognize vehicles, pedestrians and traffic signs.

Also new is the gauge cluster which now features a digital speedometer.