Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/694236
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 19 JUNE 2016 VIII Motoring OPEL and compact class cars – this specific success story starts with the Kadett in 1936 and will be continued with the new Astra, the 11th generation of an Opel compact class car. Voted as Car of the Year 2016, the next generation Astra is based on an all-new lightweight vehicle architec- ture, which is only driven by latest generation engines and offers features previously only known from higher segments within the Opel family. The lean design makes the new Astra look more athletic than ever before. To put it briefly, the new Astra com- bines efficiency with elegance and will redefine the compact class segment with its innova- tions. "Three values are decisive for the new Astra – efficiency, innovation and dynamic performance," said Ryan Buttigieg, General Manager of Cars International, representa- tives of Opel in Malta. "Opel engineers developed it from the proverbial white sheet of paper. The new Astra is up to 200 kilogrammes lighter than its predecessor – and its athletic design makes this outwardly visible." The end results of the new Astra's fitness programme are its agility and driving comfort. It is more responsive; corners better and gives a much more direct overall driving experi- ence. In a nutshell, the new Astra is more fun to drive than ever before. And the Astra does not just look smaller – it is smaller. With a total length of 4.37 metres, it is almost five centimetres shorter than its predecessor. With a height of 1.46 metres, it is also 2.6 centimetres smaller. Furthermore, the distance between the front and rear seats was increased, im- proving travel comfort and sense of space. Switches and controls are all reduced to an absolute minimum, support- ing the efficiency and ease of use which is at the core of the Astra. The award-winning IntelliLink system takes centre stage, carefully located to en- sure both an ideal view to the display as well as easy reach and use. All new models adhere to the principle: Opel democratises technologies and innovations from higher segments, making innovations affordable, for example in connectivity. The next generation Astra is the first new Opel model that will be available with the personal connectivity and service as- sistant Opel OnStar – offering customers a broad range of safety and comfort services including SOS emergency re- sponse, roadside assistance, 24/7 instant technical support through a live OnStar advi- sor service and much more features and connectivity both onboard and through a dedi- cated mobile app. Android Auto is built around Google Maps, Google Now and the ability to talk to Goog- le, as well as a growing audio and messaging app ecosys- tem that includes WhatsApp, Skype, Google Play Music, Spotify, and podcast players. A full list of supported apps is available at Android.com/auto. Apple CarPlay takes the iPhone features you'd want to access while driving and puts them on the vehicle's display in a smart, simple manner. That allows drivers to make calls, send and receive mes- sages and listen to music right from the touchscreen or by voice via Siri. Apple Car- Play supported apps include Phone, Messages, Maps, Mu- sic and compatible third party apps. A full list of those apps can be found at Apple.com/ ios/carplay. The functions can be controlled via the large, up to eight-inch touchscreen located high on the center stack, via remote control on the steering wheel (volume) or via voice control. Premium technologies for the compact class: IntelliLux LED and Co – an absolute novelty and safety highlight in the new Astra. The groundbreaking full-LED ma- trix light of the next generation enables driving with glare-free high beams and will be avail- able in the compact class for the first time in the Astra. The new Opel Astra has won the SAFETYBEST 2015 award with its trendsetting adaptive IntelliLux LED matrix light system. The AUTOBEST jury consists of specialised independent journalists from 26 European countries. Consisting of 16 LED seg- ments – eight on each side of the vehicle – the new LED matrix system automatically and constantly adapts the length and distribution of the light beam to every traf- fic situation. In the process, it works with the Opel Eye front camera. As soon as the vehicle exits urban areas, the high-beam lighting is auto- matically switched on – and it always remains on. At driving speeds of 80 km/h, drivers de- tect objects at the side of the road around 30 to 40 metres sooner than with conventional halogen or xenon low beam lighting. This gives them around 1.5 seconds more time to react. Dazzling other road users is also not a problem. When the camera detects light sources from oncoming or preceding traffic, individual LEDs in the relevant zone are deactivated, simply "cutting out" the area around the vehicles. The rest of the road and its surround- ings remain brightly illumi- nated. With this degree of precision and adaptation, LED matrix light elevates lighting technology to the next level. Not only does the system illuminate the surroundings brighter than conventional lighting systems, it also has a considerably longer running life than headlamps with halo- gen or xenon lamps. Another advantage is that mechanical movements are no longer nec- essary in the headlamp – the individual LED segments turn on or off according to the situ- ation, which also contributes to durability. Apart from Opel OnStar and IntelliLux LED, future Astra owners can look forward to a string of further safety, driver assistance and comfort systems – many of which are unrivalled in this segment. The Traffic Sign Assistant and the Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning along with Following Distance Indication and the Forward Collision Alert with Collision Imminent Braking not only make driving the new Astra more comfortable but also safer. Cruise control with speed limiter ensures that the speed is always within the legal boundaries. Advanced Park Assist increases comfort and can park the car automatically at the push of a button. The rear view camera is activated once reverse gear is selected. And Side Blind Spot Alert recognizes obstacles within a 3-metre radius on either side and behind the car that are hidden from the driver's vision. The AGR (Campaign for Healthy Backs) tested and cer- tified ergonomic seats are also outstanding. They continue Opel's tradition in excellent, ergonomic seats and now come with additional comfort features. The new Opel Astra will offer 18-way adjustable seats for the driver. They have a massage function, ventilation and seat-width setting. And the rear passengers can also look forward to more comfort than before with the two heatable outer back seats available as an option. The all-new Opel Astra is therefore not only safer, more comfortable, more attractive and more modern than ever before, it is also lighter, more agile, more aerodynamic and more efficient in every sense of the word. It is Opel's road to the future. Opel Astra is available in Malta at Cars International Ltd., of Mdina Road, Qormi, who are the Opel representa- tives in Malta. To test-drive the all-new Astra and experience its luxury first hand, send an email to opelsales@cil.com. mt or call 2269 2122. You can also visit opel.com.mt or the Facebook page Opel Malta. The new Astra enjoys the com- prehensive five-year warranty offered on all Opel models SHAMELESSLY LUXURIOUS The new Astra. Upsets the luxury class. OPEN WEEK 18 th June 9am till 2pm 20 th June & 24 th June 9am till 7pm With highlights of the luxury class. Cars International Ltd., Mdina Road, Qormi QRM 9010 T 2269 2000 | E opelsales@cil.com.mt facebook.com/OpelMaltaCIL * T&C Apply. €17,990 Starting from * The new Opel Astra – fit for fun