Astra estate spied

15th March 2010

Here’s more proof that Vauxhall is back to its best! After a storming Geneva Motor Show, where the firm introduced the flexible Meriva people mover and sleek Flextreme GT/E concept, we’re now treated to a snatched glimpse of the estate version of the all-new Astra.

Snapped by Andreas Conradt, our spy photographer, the car is sporting chequered camouflage on the area bosses don’t want us to see. But it’s clear this is the cargo-carrying variant scheduled to join the five-door early next year.

In front of the B-pillar, the estate is identical to the hatch. Taking its design inspiration from the Insignia, it features the same blade motifs in the door panels, and oversize swept-back headlights up front. But from the B-pillar back, it’s all change.

A raked roofline ensures the Astra carrier maintains a neat profile, while a slightly longer wheelbase than the five-door means bags more boot space. Expect a flexible interior with more rear legroom, too.

Engines are likely to mirror the existing units, so will kick off with the 86bhp 1.4-litre petrol, while a turbo 1.4 and naturally aspirated 1.6 and 1.8-litre petrols will also be offered. Diesel fans will be well catered for, with 1.3, 1.7 and 2.0 CDTi units to choose from. An ecoFLEX version emitting less than 115g/km of CO2 will be introduced, too.

Also reported to be in the pipeline from Vauxhall are a three-door Coupé, TwinTop convertible and a 4x4 version.