Officially Official: Opel loads up new Astra Sports Tourer [w/video]

[Haltech]

Filed under: Wagon, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, GM, Opel

2011 Opel Astra Sports Tourer - Click above for high-res image gallery

Small wagons might not have much of a place in the United States, but overseas, they do very well, thank you. Take the Opel Astra, for example - its wagon variant accounts for around 25 percent of its overall sales. Thus, Opel hasn't wasted any time in creating the wagon (Sports Tourer) version of the new Astra, and while it will make its public debut this October at the Paris Motor Show, General Motors is already spilling the virtual beans.

Inside, the Astra Sports Tourer uses a new FlexFold rear seat system, which allows rear seats to be folded down simply by pressing a button in the tailgate. We commonly see this feature on larger SUVs and minivans, and the Astra is the first compact wagon to have this function. With the rear seats down, the Sports Tourer can accommodate up to 54.7 cubic feet of haulables.

Not only is the Astra Sports Tourer quite functional, it has the makings of a vehicle that's relatively good to drive, too. Opel has fitted its FlexRide adaptive suspension system to the wagon, with standard, tour and sport driving modes. Eight engine choices are available, ranging from 95 to 180 horsepower, including the turbocharged 1.4-liter four that's slated for use in the U.S.-market Chevrolet Cruze.

It looks to be a fun little wagon, this Astra, and it makes us wish that there were enough buyers for such vehicles over here in the States. Have a look for yourself by either scrolling through the gallery below or watching the video (complete with Shaft-inspired soundtrack) after the jump.


Gallery: 2011 Opel Astra Sports Tourer



[Source: Opel]Continue reading Officially Official: Opel loads up new Astra Sports Tourer [w/video]

Officially Official: Opel loads up new Astra Sports Tourer [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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