General Motors’ German barnd Opel has launched in Australia with a three-model lineup starting at $16,490. Look for the full rang in Opel’s 17 dealerships from September.
The German-built Opel range kicks-off with the Corsa compact hatchback in three-door and five-door guise powered by a naturally-aspirated 1.4-litre engine. All the rest employ turbocharged petrol or diesel powerplants.
While not familiar to Australian buyers, the Opel Corsa is one of Europe’s hottest-selling compacts. Targeting young buyers, the Opel Corsa is available in three model grades – the entry-level three-door hatchback, ‘Colour Edition’ and ‘Enjoy’.
Lots of German technology and five-star ANCAP in the Opel Corsa despite its maximum price of only $20,990 – like the forward lighting system and available sports suspension and 17-inch gloss black alloy wheels.
Opel’s Astra small car is a name already known as parent company Holden sold German-built Astra here some years ago. The all-new Astra is available with either a turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol engine or a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel.
Opel Astra’s model range – sedan and sports tourer (wagon) comprises the entry level five-door model then goes to ‘Select’ and ‘Sport’ grades. It’s a good-looker with a sporty silhouette punctuated by a raked windscreen and sloping roofline.
Listed amongst the inclusions for the Opel Astra are FlexRide adaptive chassis control, electric power steering and cruise control. ‘Sport’ models gain 18-inch alloy wheels amongst their extras.
Opel Astra GTC (priced from $28,990) is the standout high performance model and looks the part.
Moving upscale is the all-new Opel Insignia (sedan or ‘Sports Tourer’ wagon) – again a very sharp European design. Insignia employs turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol or 2.0-litre turbo-diesel power and is generously equipped inside.
Clearly Opel plans to steal sales from rival German brand Volkswagen. While Volkswagen has been in Australia as a wholly-owned subsidiary for over a decade and enjoys more dealer numbers, Opel has the might of parent company Holden (the two share many ‘back-office’ functions) so the battle between the German rivals promises to be exciting – and that’s good news for Australian new car buyers.
The full range is:
Corsa 3-door hatchback manual $16,490
Corsa ‘Colour Edition’ 3-door hatchback manual $18,490
Corsa ‘Colour Edition’ 3-door hatchback auto $20,490
Corsa ‘Enjoy’ 5-door hatchback manual $18,990
Corsa ‘Enjoy’ 5-door hatchback auto $20,990
Astra 5-door petrol manual (hatchback only) $23,990
Astra 5-door petrol auto $25,990
Astra 5-door diesel manual $27,990
Astra 5-door diesel auto $29,990
Astra ‘Select’ 5-door petrol manual (hatch only) $28,990
Astra ‘Select’ 5-door petrol auto $30,990
Astra ‘Select’ 5-door diesel manual (hatch only) $31,990
Astra ‘Select’ 5-door diesel auto $33,990
Astra ‘Sport’ 5-door hatchback petrol manual $33,490
Astra ‘Sport’ 5-door hatchback auto $35,490
Astra ‘GTC’ manual $28,990
Astra ‘GTC’ auto $30,990
Astra ‘GTC Sport’ manual $34,990
Insignia Sedan petrol $38,490
Insignia Sports Tourer petrol $40,490
Insignia Sedan diesel $39,990
Insignia Sports Tourer diesel $41,990
Insignia ‘Select’ Sedan petrol $45,490
Insignia ‘Select’ Sports Tourer petrol $47,490
Insignia ‘Select’ Sedan diesel $46,990
Insignia ‘Select’ Sports Tourer diesel $48,990
