General Motors South Africa (GMSA) has finally introduced the Opel Astra sedan range in South Africa and also refreshed the Astra hatchback lineup for the 2014 model year.

The design of the new Astra sedans find its origin in the current hatchback variants, but buyers will get the added practicality of some much needed additional bootspace – 460 litres compared to 90 litres of luggage space in the hatchback derivatives.

Beneath the German bonnets

In terms of powerplants, the new Astra 1.6 Essentia sedan is driven by a normally-aspirated 1.6-litre petrol engine producing 85 kW at 6000 RPM and 155 Nm of torque at 4000 RPM. According to Opel, this engine delivers a combined-cycle (town and highway driving) fuel economy figure of 6.6 litres per 100 km.

Opel’s new Astra 1.4 Turbo Essentia sedan models come with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic gearbox, and boasts a turbocharged engine that pushes out 103 kW between 4900 and 6000 RPM and 200 Nm of torque between 1850 and 4900 RPM. Combined-cycle fuel usage for the manual is 5.9 litres per 100 km, whilst the automatic returns a fuel usage figure of 6.6 litres per 100 km.

The range-topping Astra 1.6 Turbo Cosmo sedan sports a turbocharged petrol engine that churns out 132 kW at 5500 RPM and 230 Nm of torque at 2200 RPM, which is enough for a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 8.7 seconds and illegal top speed of 223 km/h. The claimed average fuel consumption for this model is 6.8 litres per 100 km.

The 460 litre boot space means that you can now fit a week's worth of luggage in your Astra. 

Enhancements for the hatchback lineup

Upgrades to the Astra hatchback range include an improved audio system with seven speakers, USB compatibility, curtain airbags, mobile phone connectivity via Bluetooth, and a completely revised rear suspension setup for the entry-level 1.6 Essentia model.

The 1.4 Turbo Enjoy derivative now benefits from having its interior accent panels decorated in a more visually appealing Dolomite Pearl finish. Opel’s Astra GTC now packs black and silver detailing on its instrument cluster, along with  a new piano black finish on the door moulding highlights.

Things might be a little more up-to-date feature wise in the interior, but its still a little too somber thanks to the all black styling. 

Pricing (including VAT)

Astra sedan range

1.6 Essentia                        R239 900   

1.4T Essentia                      R250 900

1.4T Essentia automatic   R261 300

1.6T Cosmo                        R284 500

Astra hatchback range

1.6 Essentia             R239 900   

1.4T Essentia           R250 900

1.4T Enjoy                R261 800

1.6T Sport                 R292 900

Astra GTC 3 door variants

1.4T GTC Enjoy         R307 300

1.6T GTC Sport          R323 700

Astra OPC 3 door

2.0T OPC      R 453 500

All models in the new Opel Astra range come standard with a 5 year or 120 000 km warranty plus a 5 year or 90 000 km service plan. Service intervals are staggered at 15 000 km.

In other motoring related news, Nissan recently revealed another addition to its sub-brand Datsun’s 2014 Go lineup in the Go+.