2010 Vauxhall/Opel Astra Revealed Ahead of Frankfurt Debut

So much for those teaser shots. Today, official pictures and details on the brand-new 2010 Astra were leaked onto the interwebs by automotive leakmasters CarScoop.  The Golf-sized GM competitor has been completely recast to bring it up to speed with other rivals, and features a range of brand-new engines to boot.

The Astra, as mentioned previously, is based off the new Delta II architecture, shared with the Chevy Volt/Vauxhall Ampera/Chevy Cruze.  The styling seems highly reminiscent of the recently debuted Insignia, with a hint of Mazda3 thrown in for good measure.  I like it.  Power will come from a wide range of engines, of course.  Base motors will be a 1.4L naturally aspirated gasoline mill or a 1.3L turbodiesel.  Upgrades will come in the form of a 1.4L turbocharged gas engine (which will also see duty in the US-market Chevy Cruze) with 120-140bhp, as well as a 1.6L turbocharged gasoline engine with approximately 180bhp.

Diesel engines will consist of the aforementioned 1.3L, a 1.7L and a 2.0L turbodiesel.  Power outputs for these haven't been claimed yet, but expect somewhere in the neighborhood of 170bhp from the 2.0L if Vauxhall expects to remain competitive in the market, especially with Volkswagen.

The rollout schedule for the Astra isn't entirely pinned down yet, but the five-door shown in these pictures will be what debuts at the Frankfurt show, probably followed shortly thereafter by the 3-door GTC hatchback.  Other models - a 4 door sedan for some markets, a wagon, and a folding-hardtop convertible - should follow after that.  Stay tuned for more information.