OFFICIAL PICS: 2015 Opel Astra

GM’s European boss, Opel’s Dr Karl-Thomas Neumann, has tweeted pics of the new eleventh-generation Opel Astra ahead of its official reveal at the Frankfurt motor show in September

The new model chops a huge 120kg off the kerb weight of the current car, of which some has come from the new Astra’s smaller dimensions. Compared to the car it replaces the new Astra is 49mm shorter, 26mm lower with a wheelbase reduced by 23mm. Wheels, tyres and brakes have all been shrunk to save weight too.

The good news is GM’s Euro arm is out to set class bests for efficiency with the new Astra, but the bad news is any high performance models will do without the heavier HiPer strut front suspension that, on the current high-performance model, reduces torque steer.

Meanwhile, the rest of the Astra range will come with front suspension attached to the chassis without bushes to increase chassis rigidity. At the rear the Astra retains its ‘flexible’ Watt’s linkage torsion bar instead of gaining its rivals’ more sophisticated multi-link set-ups, as in the VW Golf and Ford Focus.

Inside, from the pictures released last night, it’s clear the new Astra features a large touch-screen infotainment system, plus a multi-function steering wheel. Both are shared with the light segment Corsa, but the Astra system will come with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity systems.A first for GM’s small hatch, the new Astra is also set to come with in-car Wi-Fi, which will also enable you to access your car using your smartphone. The Astra will also come with a 24hr emergency call button.

Under the bonnet the next-generation Astra range will be powered by smaller displacement petrol and diesels that will include an all-new 85kW 1.0-litre a revised version of the current 1.4-litre turbo petrol and a new 1.6-litre diesel.

More information will be revealed before the car is unveiled this September at the Frankfurt motor show.

On sale towards the end of 2015 in Europe, the Astra is believed to be years away from its launch Down Under as a Holden. The local GM brand is keeping its cards clutched tightly to the chest, but motoring.com.au understands the Astra will be sold here as Holden's small hatch, leaving the Cruze  – – fully imported after 2017 –  to continue in the range as the sedan. Holden insists the Cruze will remain in production right through to 2017 as the brand's small car offering in hatch and sedan form, with the wagon imported.