The 2016 Opel Astra has been revealed ahead of its global debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

OPEL HAS RELEASED the first official images and details of the seventh-generation Astra which will get its official debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. It’s expected this Astra will arrive Down Under soon and be rebadged as a Holden as part of the brand’s tilt at becoming the best-selling brand in the country by 2020.

According to Opel, the new Astra is, depending on the model and trim up to 200kg lighter than its predecessor (130kg on average). Thanks to the use of high-strength lightweight materials the chassis and body are both lighter and stronger than before, the body shell alone is a staggering 20% lighter at 280kg compared to its predecessor.

The look of the new Astra was inspired by the 2013 Monza Concept and while it’s smaller than its predecessor, Opel says there’s more room inside than before. With a total length of 4.37m it is almost 5cm shorter than its predecessor. With a height of 1.46m it is also 2.6cm lower. The dimensions have an impact on aerodynamics and efficiency with the new Astra boasting a drag coefficient below 0.30.

The wheelbase may have been reduced by 2cm but the amount of space inside increased. In combination with newly-designed seats, the passengers in the rear can enjoy an additional 35mm legroom. The distance between the front- and rear-seats is increased providing comfort and space.

On the inside, the Astra’s dashboard has been redesigned with a cleaner look dominated by the large, colour touchscreen in the centre stack which is home to many of the functions and controls once performed by dials and buttons.

Making its debut in new Astra is the new generation IntelliLink infotainment system that is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Each system, says Opel, builds off of the features smartphone users rely on most. Android Auto is built around Google Maps, Google Now and the ability to talk to Google, as well as a growing audio and messaging app ecosystem that includes WhatsApp, Skype, Google Play Music, Spotify, and podcast players. A full list of supported apps is available at Android.com/auto.

Apple CarPlay takes the iPhone features you’d want to access while driving and puts them on the vehicle’s display in a smart, simple manner, allowing drivers to make calls, send and receive messages and listen to music right from the touchscreen or by voice via Siri. Apple CarPlay supported apps include Phone, Messages, Maps, Music and compatible third party apps. A full list of those apps can be found at Apple.com/ios/carplay.

The functions can be controlled via the large, up to eight-inch touchscreen located high on the center stack, via remote control on the steering wheel (volume) or via voice control.

The Astra, in Europe, will also be available with Opel’s OnStar system which offers customers a broad range of safety and comfort services. If an airbag deploys, OnStar will be alerted automatically. An advisor will then contact the vehicle to determine whether help is required. If there is no response, emergency responders are immediately sent to the exact location of the vehicle. Think Ford’s Sync system with Emergency Assist.

As well as OnStar, other safety systems available include:

▪Traffic Sign Assistant

▪Lane Keep Assist

▪Lane Departure Warning

▪Following Distance Indication

▪Forward Collision Alert with Collision Imminent Braking

▪Cruise Control with Speed Limiter

▪Advanced Park Assist

▪Rear View Camera

▪Side Blind Spot Alert

The Astra will also be the first Opel to get glare-free IntelliLux LED Matrix Light. Consisting of 16 LED segments (eight on each side of the vehicle) the LED matrix system automatically and constantly adapts the length and distribution of the light beam to every traffic situation. It works in conjunction with the front camera system which detects the presence of other vehicles and then switches off the individual LED segments, preventing other road users from being dazzled.

In Europe, the Astra will be available with a range of engines, including a 1.6 CDTI with a wide range of outputs starting at 70 kW, a 1.0 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo (77 kW) is the entry-level petrol engine. From the same family as that engine comes the 1.4 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo four-cylinder petrol engine which makes its debut with 107kW and 250Nm of torque from 1800 – 4,000 rpm.

We’ll know more about the Astra and potentially Holden’s plans for it after its official debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show.