FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW: Astra here late 2016

Holden will start selling the latest generation Opel Astra small car in late 2016.

Holden has confirmed the five-door hatchback model, launched at the Frankfurt motor show earlier today, will come with a choice of an existing 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine or a new 1.4-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder.

And it has bullishly declared – via Executive Director Sales Peter Keley – that the 11th-generation Opel small car will "put Holden back on buyer's shopping list".

However, it has not revealed any hint of the pricing structure or model levels, including transmission options that will enable it do that.

Instead it is understandably speaking in generalities this far out from launch, pushing the performance and fuel economy of the turbo-petrol engines, advanced technology and connectivity features including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and the involvement of its own engineers in the new Astra's chassis tuning and development.

Holden has a long and mixed relationship with the Opel Astra, achieving record sales with the TS family around the turn of the millennium before abandoning it for Korean-sourced models such as the Daewoo Lacetti, which became the Holden Viva.

It then imported and now builds the Cruze sedan and hatch here (the wagon is imported). Meanwhile the Astra returned as part of Opel's brief foray into the local market in 2012-13. Then the Astra GTC and VXR models reappeared again this year rebadged as Holdens.

With all Holden manufacturing set to cease in 2017 the future of the Cruze – which is sold as a Chevrolet outside Australia and New Zealand – is unclear here as a second generation is rolled out overseas.

Considering General Motors is making absolutely clear Holden will rely on Opel for a significant portion of its range then the Astra looks set to become its key weapon in the small car class against the likes of the Toyota Corolla and Mazda3.

Around 20 new models are set to be launched by Holden in Australia by 2020 as it fights to combat the fall-out from its factory closure and maintain a strong sales presence.

"The all-new Astra is a stunning car and clearly signposts Holden's future product strategy – bringing in the best cars from around the GM world for our customers. The Astra offers leading design, performance and technology," said new Holden boss Mark Bernhard in a Holden press release.

The latest Astra is a clean sheet design based on a new architecture and is also physically smaller than its predecessor, and Holden claims the Australian versions of the car save up to 130kg in weight as a result.

Making its debut in Astra, the all-aluminium, 1.4-litre direct injection turbo engine is capable of producing up to 114kW of power and 240Nm of torque with a targeted fuel consumption of as little as 5.6L/100km.

Alternatively, customers can select the 1.6-litre direct injection turbo engine, boasting up to 147kW of power and a 300Nm of torque. No fuel consumption figure was given for this engine, but in the current GTC it averages 6.9L/100km as a manual and 7.5L/100km as an auto.

The smaller exterior results in better aerodynamics, but inside the car Holden is claiming the Astra actually boasts increased rear-seat legroom.

"Make no mistake, the all-new Astra is a world class car. Its ability to combine outstanding fuel economy with exceptional small car performance and connectivity features will put Holden back on buyer's shopping list," Keley said in a Holden press release.

"More and more Australian drivers demand their cars to integrate seamlessly with their lives and their smartphones and key to Astra's appeal is the advanced infotainment system, complete with Apple Car Play and Android Auto compatibility.

"With all of that in one package, we are confident that this vehicle will connect with customers and sitting next to the popular Astra GTC and VXR sports hatches, clearly indicates the quality of Holden's future product range."

Full coverage from motoring.com.au at Frankfurt motor show here