Opel Astra Sports Tourer

2011 Opel Astra Sports Tourer

Since 2009, Opel launched the new fourth-generation Opel Astra for European markets. It seems North America may not be able to get its own Astra since the Saturn Astra disappeared, following with the disappearance of the Saturn brand, and succeeded with the Chevrolet Cruze. This situation is somewhat similar with Holden, as the Holden Astra removed from the Holden lineup with the launch of the Holden Cruze.

In 2010, after its debut in the 2010 Paris Motor Show, the full model change of the Astra Caravan received a new name; the new Opel Astra Sports Tourer. The Sports Tourer naming is mostly similar to the Insignia Sports Tourer.

Although this is the same as the hatchback cousin, the Astra Sports Tourer represents true spacing on the rear, giving rivals such as the Mazda Atenza Sport Wagon, Subaru Legacy Touring Wagon, and the Renault Megane Estate a run on their money.

The Opel Astra Sports Tourer still offers different engine types as the hatchback did; from the 1.4 ecoFLEX, 1.6 ECOTEC, 1.4 Turbo ECOTEC, 1.6 Turbo ECOTEC, 1.3 CDTI, 1.7 CDTI ECOTEC, and 2.0 CDTI ECOTEC. It still offers some cool features like the Astra hatchback have such as FlexRide and AFL+ adaptive forward lighting.

My thoughts about the Astra Sports Tourer:

Despite being a tourer, the Opel Astra Sports Tourer still shares the same fun from the new Opel Astra. With the rear carrying different luggages that suit your lifestyle, you can rest assure that the new Astra Sports Tourer is a different kind of Astra only an European car enthusiast can expect.

Photo: General Motors