Gen 7 Opel Astra spotted in testing

Opel is readying its seventh-generation Astra, due to enter production later in 2015, and our spyguys captured images of the new model being winter-tested in northern Europe.

The current car was launched at the 2009 Frankfurt auto show with styling similar to that of the then Insignia and underpinned by General Motor’s Delta II platform. By the end of 2014 the “J” was looking rather dated, which is why GM is hurrying research and development of the Astra K.

According to GM, all production duties will be handled by Opel’s Ellesmere Port factory in England, starting from late 2015. The new Astra will be available in three-door (GTC) and five-door hatch, sedan and estate (Sport Tourer) shells.

NEW DESIGN

Compared to the new Corsa, the next Astra won’t be just a revamped 10-year-old machine but a completely new car built on the automaker’s new D2XX platform, debuted with the new Chevrolet Volt revealed at the 2015 Detroit auto show.

IMAGE GALLERY: 2015 Opel Astra

It’s not known at the moment whether D2XX can  handle all-wheel drive but our spy images show the larger Astra K will adopt reverse boomerang-shaped tail lights and a more dynamically styled front though. overall, it looks similar to the outgoing model.

Another notable design detail is that the rear and its glass are steeper than that of the current cars. Don’t pay attention to the front and rear bumpers - they’re either camouflaged or fakes.

As for engines, one of its engines will be GM’s new one-litre EcoTec three-cylinder turbo unit.