Opel's upcoming new generation Astra, which will debut in Frankfurt next month and be in Ireland at Easter, is intended to make the car a leader in its segment in terms of technology, economy and safety.

A major highlight optionally available is adaptive IDSPlus suspension (Interactive Driving System), with electronic Continuous Damping Control (CDC), usually found only on larger luxury models and exclusive sports cars.

Through the linking of sensors and control units for ESP, ABS and CDC, the new Astra is the first production car in the world with electronically integrated chassis control. A special sport mode can also be activated at the touch of a button: it selects suspension settings that will appeal to the enthusiast driver, adapts the steering and accelerator response and, with automatic and Easytronic transmissions, adjusts the shift points higher up the rpm range.

Additional engineering includes the dynamic AFL (Adaptive Forward Lighting) headlamp system, a new electronic architecture, a newly developed generation of infotainment units, Twin Audio for separate listening in the rear, and new TWINPORT petrol and common rail turbocharged diesel engines.

Engines range from 1.4 to 2.0 litres and power outputs of 80 to 200 hp. The new Astra can reach top speeds of up to 230 km/h and needs only about eight seconds to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h.

All engines have four valves per cylinder, and comply with the Euro 4 exhaust emission limits which do not take effect until 2005.

Particularly interesting are the 2.0-litre turbocharged gasoline engine (170 hp) and the new 150 hp 1.9 CDTI ‘power diesel’, with the 200 hp turbocharged gasoline engine marking the top of the range. These three engines are supplied as standard with a new six-speed manual transmission.

In addition, Opel offering a five-speed manual gearbox, an automatic transmission and a further developed version of its 'Easytronic' automated manual transmission, which now also includes a sport program.

Though the new Astra is around 14 cm longer than its predecessor, it actually looks shorter. Thanks to intelligent packaging it also now offers 30 mm more shoulder room at the front, 55 mm more headroom in the rear and 17 mm more legroom at the rear.

Design elements in the Astra’s cockpit include the three-dimensional instruments and an up to 6.5-inch monitor for the information display.

The infotainment system user-interface has also been newly developed. New steering wheel remote controls with four buttons and turn-press wheels similar to those on a computer mouse enable the safe and comfortable selection of the various functions, without having to take one’s hands off the wheel.

From Autumn 2004 an 'Open & Start' transponder system will recognize the driver and unlock both the doors and the trunk. The driver will then start the engine by pressing a button on the center console.

The entry-level engine is the new 1.4-litre-TWINPORT unit developing 66 kW (90 hp), with maximum torque of 125 Nm. Thanks to variable intake control and high exhaust-gas recirculation levels, Opel’s intelligent fuel-saving technology for gasoline engines up to 1.6 litres achieves substantial fuel economy of up to 10 percent in genuine everyday driving conditions. While under partial load up to 25 percent of the intake-charge is obtained from burned exhaust gases, power delivery and fuel efficiency at full load is retained – an important factor for smaller displacement engines, which often have to work harder than bigger motors.

The 1.6-litre engine also features the TWINPORT induction system. This was introduced in the current Astra model in March 2003 and has a power output of 77 kW (105 hp) and develops maximum torque of 150 Nm.

For the first time this engine is also available with the five-speed, Easytronic automated manual transmission, which also features a special sport program. In the sport mode the shift points are located at the top end of the rpm range for sportier shifting. Under braking – depending on the vehicle deceleration rate – the downshift to a lower gear takes place much earlier to ensure optimum pulling power during subsequent acceleration. As an option, the new Easytronic can be shifted via controls on the steering wheel.

A stage higher is the proven 1.8-litre engine with a power output of 92 kW (125 hp) and maximum torque of 170 Nm. The Astra 1.8 is optionally available with a four-speed automatic transmission.

The two 2.0-litre turbo engines are based on the unit in the current Astra and Zafira OPC versions. Even the variant with 125 kW (170 hp) power output, delivers plenty of acceleration and pulling power. It is outperformed only by the 147 kW (200 hp), top of the line engine, which develops a maximum torque of 262 Nm.

Performance data of the new Astra will then be approximately eight seconds from zero to 100 km/h, less than nine seconds for the overtaking sprint from 80 to 120 km/h in fifth gear, and a top speed in the region of 230 km/h. The two turbocharged engines come as standard with the new six-speed manual gearbox; the 170-hp version has an overdrive top gear, whereas the 200-hp car has sporty, narrow gaps between the ratios.

The new Astra can be obtained with three common rail diesel engines, all with four valves per cylinder and complying with the Euro 4 exhaust emissions standard. Drivers can choose between two 1.7-litre CDTI units rated at 59 kW (80 hp) or 74 kW (100 hp) and the all-new 110 kW (150 hp) 1.9 CDTI.

With 315 Nm maximum torque, the all-new 1.9-litre CDTI engine drives through a new six-speed manual gearbox and can reach a top speed of 210 km/h and accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in well under 10 seconds.

Another system that makes an important contribution to active safety is the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). TPMS detects deviations of up to 0.1 bar from the correct tire pressure using special sensors on each wheel. The signals come in to a central receiver in the passenger compartment and actual pressure is shown on the TPMS display in the cockpit. If it drops below a given figure, the driver is warned.

Opel enhances night-time driving safety by offering its Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL) system for the first time in the compact class. When the car takes a corner, the bi-Xenon headlamps turn by up to 15 degrees so that the beams follow the bend in the road.

A further headlamp function is automatic lifting of the main beams at high motorway speeds. In addition, Opel has included an automatic low beam function on the Astra for the first time: in tunnels, parking garages or as daylight fades, the low-beam headlamps are controlled by sensors and switched on automatically.

Comfort and safety are combined in a further new feature, the 'Quickheat' system. This prevents the windscreen from frosting over in winter after it has been cleared of ice. Surveys have established that most accidents in winter take place within 15 minutes of starting the journey. The 'Quickheat' system also warms the interior of the car more rapidly. Astra drivers therefore benefit from a fast and affordable windscreen-heater, without the irritating visual effect of wire heating elements in the glass.

In the event of a side-impact, the new side-airbags protect not only the thorax, as before, of the driver and front passenger, they protect the pelvic area as well. The airbags each have a total air volume of 15 litres, but with two compartments at different pressures. This system complements the driver and front passenger airbags and the head-curtain airbags, which are available in combination with active head restraints on the front seats.

Also new is the acoustic seatbelt-warning signal for driver and front passenger, as well as the ISOFIX child’s seat mountings for the front passenger seat (with transponder identification) and the two outer rear seats.

The current model has been sold in 80 countries, with about 3.4 million units built worldwide. A five-door version is the first Astra model version to be launched, and it will be followed later by a station wagon with a longer wheelbase and a dramatically sporty three-door hatchback.