Opel Astra: 30 years of a car that changed the market

Before the arrival of the Opel Astra, we knew the Opel Kadett. A compact that sought to bring all of the automotive industry’s technology to users in a car that was not too large and perfect for getting around the city. But from 1991 onwards, the name changed and it became a completely new model. It initially inherited the name it had at its sister brand Vauxhall and became a much sought-after choice for young European drivers.

The first generation of the Opel Astra arrived that same year, 1991, and offered a great number of technological innovations for all drivers. Among these innovations were seat belt pretensioners, but efforts were also made to make many of the car’s components recyclable. The aim was for it to be a model from which it would be possible to recover part of the material once its useful life had ended and to make it sustainable, long before this became a necessity for all manufacturers.

It was not bad at all, because this first generation of the Opel Astra reached 1997 and had sold 4.13 million units over all those years. The Opel Astra F, as it is known, has rightfully become the best-selling Opel model to date.

Innovation for the 21st century

From 1997 the Astra G appeared, and to be created it benefited from technology developed in Hollywood for vehicle design. A computer design program was used, a technological novelty that was beginning to become popular at that time. In fact, it is the same one used to design the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park, Steven Spielberg’s film. In this way, the design was carried out in a virtual environment. This is normal today, but in those final years of the 20th century it represented a real innovation.

The Opel Astra H came next and was voted the most desirable compact at the Frankfurt Motor Show by readers of the German specialist magazine Auto Motor und Sport. A milestone that also allowed it to succeed in dealerships. The next was the Astra J, which arrived in 2009 to continue offering quality and comfort to its driver and passengers.

With this generation, the compact received technologies found in the Insignia saloon, so it was complemented with new features and technology that made it safer. This generation incorporated AFL+ headlights. It also featured a front camera capable of reading road signs and detecting lane changes.

The arrival of the Opel Astra K brought integration with the IntelliLux LED® matrix lighting system, as well as ergonomic front seats with AGR certification (Aktion Gesunder Rücken/Campaign for Healthier Backs), which optionally incorporated ventilation and heating systems.

A new Opel Astra for a new decade

The Opel Astra 2021 takes a step forward and is even more technological, safer and more attractive. The brand’s new front design, Opel Vizor, is joined by the availability of electric, plug-in hybrid, petrol and diesel versions. A range that keeps it among buyers’ most chosen models.