The new Opel Astra Electric celebrated its Irish debut on Saturday, 17th February taking pride of place on the Opel stand at the NEVO EV Show, in Dublin’s RDS. With first deliveries arriving in Opel Dealerships nationwide this month, the new Astra Electric, offering up to 418km on a full charge, is available in three trims – SC, Elegance, and GS – and will retail from €39,598 including applicable grants.
James Brooks, Managing Director at Opel Ireland, said: “What better platform to launch the new Astra Electric, than the very first-ever consumer Electric Vehicle show in Ireland, where over 17,500 EV enthusiasts will gather. The Astra, voted Continental Tyres Irish Compact Car of the Year 2023, is already enjoying success in its segment in Ireland. The addition of our full electric hatchback model, soon to be joined by an Astra Sports Tourer estate BEV, is sure to strengthen the range’s appeal.”
The Astra is now fully electric for the first time in its long success story, sporting a lively character thanks to a top speed of 170kmh, and a low kerb weight of 1,679kg. The electric motor delivers 115kW/156hp and a powerful 270Nm of maximum torque available from the first touch of the accelerator pedal, ensuring brisk starts. Depending on preferences, Astra Electric drivers can choose between three driving modes: Eco, Normal and Sport.
Energy is stored in a compact 54kWh lithium-ion battery, which offers efficient packaging, low weight, exemplary range and short charging times. The five-door hatch requires just 14.8 kWh of electricity per 100 kilometres (WLTP), thanks in part to the heat pump, and its regenerative braking system ensures that energy can be recovered while driving.
Indeed, the Opel Astra Electric secured third position amongst 94 passenger cars in the recent ADAC Eco Test 2023 which evaluates vehicles from well to wheel. It scored 103 out of a possible 110 points to take a podium position, achieving the best five-star rating from the ADAC German Automobile Club.
The Astra Electric can be charged to 80% of the battery capacity in under 30 minutes at a 100kW DC fast charging station and it is equipped as standard with a three-phase 11kW onboard charger for a wall box at home.
The battery is located in the underbody, so no space for passengers or luggage is lost. Even with the rear seats up, the Astra Electric offers 352 litres of luggage space in the boot, and with the seats folded, capacity increases to up to 1,268 litres.
The low position of the battery also lowers the car’s centre of gravity, so that the Astra Electric has a solid stance on the road and the driver can take a sporty seating position. Torsional stiffness has also been increased by 31% compared to the already outstanding values of other Astra model variants.
A high level of standard equipment on the level one SC trim includes a 10” colour touchscreen with wireless Apple Car Play and Android Auto, USB connectivity, a 10” digital driver instrument cluster, 18” alloy wheels, lane keep assist, pedestrian detection with automatic emergency braking, traffic sign recognition with intelligent speed adaptation, driver attention alert, six airbags, cruise control and speed limiter, keyless entry, electronic climate control, auto headlamps, rain sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors, jet black Alcantara / leather-effect seat trim, electric parking brake and hill assist.
The refined level two Elegance trim, with a retail price from €41,284 including applicable grants and relief, further boasts as standard a heated steering wheel, driver sports AGR seat, heated front seats, driver’s armrest with storage, wireless charger, privacy tinted rear windows and park assist with 180-degree rear view camera.
The stylish level three GS trim, with a retail price from €43,993 including applicable grants and relief, gains as standard dual zone automatic climate control, adaptive cruise control with stop start, keyless entry and start with passive start, electric folding mirrors, rear centre armrest with load-through facility, Opel’s Pure Panel Pro frameless digital interior, sports style front and rear bumpers, a black painted roof, black badging and vizor frame, Intelli-Lux LED® Pixel head lamps, frameless electro-chrome rear view mirror and park assist with 360-degree rear view camera.
