All electric models in Mercedes or VW are grouped under the new family brands EQ and ID. These streamers also get a totally unique look. Not so with Opel. There, customers continue to have a free selection of drivers from well-known models. Concretely, this means that the Opel Astra will be offered with petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid drives and as an all-electric vehicle from summer 2023. The flexible drive concept changes nothing in terms of appearance. Opel Astra Electric also looks like a regular Astra with a gasoline or diesel engine. The Electric can only be distinguished by the small “e” on the tailgate.
The Opel Astra Electric is known to drive – and is identical to that of the Peugeot e-308. The 156 hp (115 kW) electric motor runs under the hood with a maximum torque of 270 Nm. While many competitors limit the top speed to 150 or 160 km/h, the Rüsselsheimer is allowed to accelerate to 170 km/h and is therefore better suited for long distances on German motorways than some of its electric rivals.
Range of about 400 kilometers
The Astra Electric driver can choose between three driving modes: “Eco”, “Normal” and “Sport”. The size of the battery pack is fixed and not very large at 54 kWh. Due to Opel’s promised low standard consumption of 12.7 kWh per 100 kilometers, the electric front-wheel drive vehicle will still be able to cover more than 410 kilometers on one battery charge.
On the other hand, the charging speed of the Astra Electric is manageable on the highway. Competitor from VW ID.3, Renault Megane E-Tech or Peugeot e-308 refueling at the fast charging station with a maximum of 100 kilowatts. After all, the 102-cell underbody battery pack in 17 air-conditioned modules can be boosted by up to 80 percent in just over half an hour.
hatchback or station wagon
If the space available on the regular hatchback isn’t enough, the Astra Electric can be used as a larger Sports Tourer station wagon. This offers a cargo space with a volume of 516 to 1553 liters. Apart from the standard 18-inch wheels, the equipment is largely the same as the familiar Astra versions.
Sales of the Opel Astra Electric are expected to start in the middle of next year at slightly higher prices than the GSe plug-in hybrid variant (starting at CHF 42,530).