COMPANY car drivers who need lots of carrying capacity have a new estate to add to the wish-list – the Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer.
Bigger inside than previous models, the Sports Tourer has also been on a crash diet losing 200kg thanks to a new lightweight chassis.
Tourer’s top points
- All-new Astra Sports Tourer in Vauxhall showrooms next year;
- Bigger inside and up to 200kg lighter than outgoing model;
- New seat architecture and tailgate that opens via a kick;
- New powertrains and technology including OnStar and Apple CarPlay.
The latest generation Sports Tourer gives the driver 26mm of additional headroom while passengers in the rear enjoy 28mm more space and comfort. The Sports Tourer’s total cargo capacity is now 1,630 litres, thanks to a redesigned seating architecture.
For the first time on a Vauxhall, the tailgate can be opened without a touch or a remote control. In combination with “Keyless Entry and Start” a simple small kicking motion under the rear bumper is enough to open the tailgate.
A further kicking motion under the bumper will close the tailgate. The system can detect any obstruction and stops the mechanism in case of an emergency. The tailgate can still be opened by a switch on the driver’s side of the car or via the key’s remote control.
Engine choices include petrol and diesel units ranging from 100PS to 200PS, including an all-new 1.4-litre 150PS ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo and the recently-launched 1.6-litre CDTi Whisper Diesel. A 200PS version of the 1.6-litre ECOTEC petrol will celebrate its world premiere at Frankfurt Motor Show next week.
The Astra Sports Tourer also features OnStar, GM’s ground-breaking connectivity technology now available across Europe. OnStar includes high-speed 4G LTE mobile network, emergency response notification and stolen vehicle recovery alert.
The Sports Tourer is also one of the first vehicles from a mainstream manufacturer to get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, available through a new version of the IntelliLink infotainment system.
