2010 Opel Astra pics leak

http://www.motorcities.com/vehicle/09EBF504826242.html

http://www.motorcities.com/media/images/640/09EBF504826242AB.jpeg
http://www.motorcities.com/media/images/640/09EBF504826242AD.jpeg

Sorry, I want to but I just don't like it that much.

In related news any truth to the rumors that this will become a Buick?

Looks good, I want to see a Buick grill photoshopped on the front.

looks good.

Good but not great.

hope not, itd make for a ugly buick. Would make a sweet VW. :lol:

hope not, itd make for a ugly buick. Would make a sweet VW. :lol:

Or Pontiac. :( At least as a G5-replacement (if it comes as a sedan).

The rear reminds me a lot of the Mazda3 hatchback.

put a honda/toyota/vw/mazda/etc. badge on it and it would sell great. A bowtie/saturn/pontiac badge, not so much.

Cars this sexy make me want GM to retain Opel... and ultimately sell Astras in the USA!

I can not see this as a buick...

but hey at least its not made in China..

I can not see this as a buick...

Exactly. Since when does a sport compact fit into Buick showrooms?

It's a shame nobody noticed the current generation of this car in Saturn showrooms. I thought it would do relatively well. I guess slt's post sums up the problems with it (and GM in general).

Is this the next Buick Apollo? How about Skyhawk???















Do I hear a Skylark??? :D

I keed, I keed...I also give up...

Is this the next Buick Apollo? How about Skyhawk???

I hope they don't use that name. As a 29 year old guy a Buick Skylark is nothing I want to buy. I can't see anyone else in their 20's (that doesn't follow cars) going to test drive a "Skylark" over a Civic or Mini.

Exactly. Since when does a sport compact fit into Buick showrooms?

It's a shame nobody noticed the current generation of this car in Saturn showrooms. I thought it would do relatively well. I guess slt's post sums up the problems with it (and GM in general).

It is pretty obvious GM is trying to change Buick. It needs to be younger. They think this will appeal to a younger crowd. I would be interested in seeing what this looks like if it becomes a Buick.

The current Astra at Saturn has plenty of problems from gearing to pricing. It was a good idea to bring it over, just not how it was brought over.

Is this the next Buick Apollo? How about Skyhawk???


Those names mean nothing to younger buyers... especially Apollo.

It is pretty obvious GM is trying to change Buick. It needs to be younger. They think this will appeal to a younger crowd. I would be interested in seeing what this looks like if it becomes a Buick.

Quite honestly, I have no idea what Buick's place is in North America within "new" GM. I'm afraid that much like Olds, Buick's reputation is far too gone to appeal to a younger generation. So to me, cars like this make no sense under that brand - especially if Buick is supposed to be targeting Lexus here. :|

Is there any reason why the Astra couldn't be sold in a Chevy showroom?

The current Astra at Saturn has plenty of problems from gearing to pricing. It was a good idea to bring it over, just not how it was brought over.

You can also put a fair amount of blame on Saturn marketing. The car got no publicity outside of the obligatory reviews in car magazines.

Those names mean nothing to younger buyers... especially Apollo.

Uhm...I thought the sarcasm was obvious....


Z28x,
I'm 29 as well...I had a winter beater '87 Skyhawk back in '99. That car was phat, yo :D Baby blue, 13" whitewalls, that cool 105hp "Brazilian" 2.0 OHC engine that my grandmother blew a head gasket with in '89 with 22k miles on the same car (I kid you not). It did have the optional hidden headlights, which was neat :D

Yeah...Skyhawk...that'll get the blood pumping for us Gen Xers ;)

Looks good, I want to see a Buick grill photoshopped on the front.

Not photoshopped, but gives you an idea of what they're going to do:

http://www.easycarblog.com/wp-content/gallery/14_april_2009-buick-2010-opel-astra/buick-astra-0_1.jpg

I'm assuming this car is the replacement for the Chinese Excelle, which we'll likely get in more or less the same form as China.

I wish some interior pics were leaked. The car doesn't look too bad.

it looks like they had a mandate to make it more generic and more like the Mazda3 for the American crowd, where it would be sold as a Saturn. there's nothing wrong with the shape except that there are elements of the design that are borrowed. i like the front end a lot, though it speaks malibu in many different languages.

Exactly. Since when does a sport compact fit into Buick showrooms?

It's a shame nobody noticed the current generation of this car in Saturn showrooms. I thought it would do relatively
well. I guess slt's post sums up the problems with it (and GM in general).


I definately noticed the car, and I'm sure tons of people did too. They also noticed the higher than Ion entry level price tag on the car...and Gas mileage that was shameful for that segment/price in a time period where mileage was a huge selling point.

Quite honestly, I have no idea what Buick's place is in North America within "new" GM. I'm afraid that much like Olds, Buick's reputation is far too gone to appeal to a younger generation. So to me, cars like this make no sense under that brand - especially if Buick is supposed to be targeting Lexus here. :|

Is there any reason why the Astra couldn't be sold in a Chevy showroom?


Lexus has a compact car in the IS. I believe Buick will get the Astra and later a Cruze. I think that Buick has made great strides with the Enclave, the new LaCrosse and new Regal (whenever it comes out). To appeal to a younger generation, you have to have the product to do so. That is what these attempts are for.

I don't know why you couldn't have a Chevy version of it. Maybe they will get a version of it. I don't know why you wouldn't call it a Cruze 5 door or something.

You can also put a fair amount of blame on Saturn marketing. The car got no publicity outside of the obligatory reviews in car magazines.

The marketing, exchange rate that made the car unprofitable... several problems. We could probably go one for awhile about all the problems the Saturn version had.

Gee, another 4-door...

Gee, another 4-door...

Look closer it has 5 doors.

Lexus has a compact car in the IS. I believe Buick will get the Astra and later a Cruze.

Comparing the IS to the Astra is akin to comparing a BMW 3-series to a Cobalt. Just because they are the same size doesn't mean they're anywhere near the same caliber of car.

Look closer it has 5 doors.

Wonderful...

Comparing the IS to the Astra is akin to comparing a BMW 3-series to a Cobalt. Just because they are the same size doesn't mean they're anywhere near the same caliber of car.

Agreed 100% AFAIK the IS isn't a hatch either. When I saw this the only thing I thought was "VW Golf". The Golf/GTI isn't a competitor for the IS, why would the Astra?

That being said, I really like the styling of the Golf GTI, so I like this car a lot too. Hopefully it has a fun amount of power in it, unlike the current Astra.

I think it's possible we will get the Astra sedan rather than the 5 door for Buick for the U.S. Market. The TwinTop would be nice, too.

I'm not sure what the point of having the Astra and the Cruze would be - they're already essentially same car under the skin. We'll end up with a Delta II Buick of some kind that's a variation of one or the other.

Let's get an LNF in there for an Astra GS.

That looks MUCH better than the current 5 door Saturn / Opel Astra. Much, much better. Also better than the Mazda 3 5 door, no question. :)

Rear hatch opening looks a little small (in the name of style and/or structural rigidity, I guess).

I'd love to see that car here, I don't give a damn what they call it (but Buick would be a stretch...).

Is there going to be a 5 door Cruze? Or is that what that Chevy concept (Orlando?) is supposed to be, like the HHR is to the Cobalt?

There is going to be a 5 door Cruze for other markets, but I don't know if we'll get it here. It hasn't been shown yet.

The Orlando likely will essentially replace the SSR, but it's more of a people mover. I think it seats 7? So there's room for a Cruze hatch and the Orlando in the market, IMO.

There is going to be a 5 door Cruze for other markets, but I don't know if we'll get it here. It hasn't been shown yet.

The Orlando likely will essentially replace the SSR, but it's more of a people mover. I think it seats 7? So there's room for a Cruze hatch and the Orlando in the market, IMO.

I think you mean HHR.

I think you mean HHR.

Uh, yeah. I think you're right!

I guess the SSR could have been a people mover - if those people were :death:

Comparing the IS to the Astra is akin to comparing a BMW 3-series to a Cobalt. Just because they are the same size doesn't mean they're anywhere near the same caliber of car.

Since we don't know what the actually Astra will have, we can't really compare, but I don't think it will cost as much as an IS either. I don't think it will be of that caliber. My comment was that sport compact does fit into the portfolio if Buick is targeting Lexus. Lexus has a sport compact.

Since we don't know what the actually Astra will have, we can't really compare, but I don't think it will cost as much as an IS either. I don't think it will be of that caliber. My comment was that sport compact does fit into the portfolio if Buick is targeting Lexus. Lexus has a sport compact.

Again, I don't consider the Lexus IS to be a "sport compact" unless you consider the 3-series to be a sport compact. You do recall that the IS is RWD, correct?

Whatever Buick's Delta based small car is, I sure hope that they are actively benchmarking the Volvo S40 and Audi S3.

Again, I don't consider the Lexus IS to be a "sport compact" unless you consider the 3-series to be a sport compact. You do recall that the IS is RWD, correct?

While they aren't sport compacts by some definitions, they are sporty compact cars. I wouldn't call them "compact executive cars" either. But, that is what some people do call them. Would there be cross shoppers for a Mazda 3 and a Lexus IS, I doubt it. There might be some cross shoppers for a Buick small sedan or hatch for this. Especially if there is a performance version of it.

What the Buick Astra version does is provide more refinement and appeal to a younger generation. I am not sure what volume they plan to have with this version of the car. But put Buick with a Delta II sedan, and you are close.

Buick won't be a great Lexus competitor because of this car. It will take a great lineup and it will take a few years. This is just helping the line up and the appeal of Buick.

Buick Astra would be a Mini, Acura RSX, Audi A3 type of car. Not a 3 series or Lexus IS350

*YAWN*

I guess anything will help Buick out now though (Yes, this will be a Buick here)

I certainly hope it'll help, anyway...

Too bad GM didn't have sense enough to offer this as a Pontiac. That's where it fits. (Saturn runs a close second... Saturn would've been a better fit if it had the dealer network that B/P/GMC had)

I'm sure GM would've had a hard time making $$$ on it if they badged it as a Pontiac, though.

I'm sure GM would've had a hard time making $$$ on it if they badged it as a Pontiac, though.

I think that statement alone explains why GM is cutting Pontiac. It might have made a good Pontiac, but it wouldn't have made money. No business case... no product.

Not sure if I like this or not... definitely not fond of the back half, it looks awkward. It looks very Nissan/venza/mazda-ish, so maybe it will sell?

While they aren't sport compacts by some definitions, they are sporty compact cars. I wouldn't call them "compact executive cars" either. But, that is what some people do call them. Would there be cross shoppers for a Mazda 3 and a Lexus IS, I doubt it. There might be some cross shoppers for a Buick small sedan or hatch for this. Especially if there is a performance version of it.

Realistically, it will be priced close to it's natural competitor, the VW Jetta, and not the Lexus.

I don't see any evidence that GM truly believes that Buick is a "Lexus fighter", despite a whole lot of wishful thinking on forums. Cadillac will fit that roll much better, probably with an ESish sedan.

Whatever Buick's Delta based small car is, I sure hope that they are actively benchmarking the Volvo S40 and Audi S3.

I suppose. But even those cars are available with AWD, no? Would Delta II be available with AWD?

I guess I'm just not going to be convinced that a compact FWD 4 and 5 door wagon is a good fit at Buick. I know they want to try and make the brand younger and cooler, but the very same thing was accomplished at Cadillac by improving and uniquely styling the formula, not by throwing the formula out and resorting to sport compact cliches.

Buick Astra would be a Mini, Acura RSX, Audi A3 type of car. Not a 3 series or Lexus IS350

This is accurate. It will also cost less than any of these as well. I think the end goal for Buick will be to compete with Lexus. It will take some time to get to that point.

I suppose. But even those cars are available with AWD, no? Would Delta II be available with AWD?

I guess I'm just not going to be convinced that a compact FWD 4 and 5 door wagon is a good fit at Buick. I know they want to try and make the brand younger and cooler, but the very same thing was accomplished at Cadillac by improving and uniquely styling the formula, not by throwing the formula out and resorting to sport compact cliches.

Most cars buyers don't care about FWD vs RWD. Some actually prefer FWD because they think it is safer. AWD is getting advertised and I would agree that it should be available for this car.

Cadillac did change its formula, other than the styling. They were getting away from the land yachts they were offering. Only one is left today, and it is going to be on the chopping block soon.

Cadillac did change its formula, other than the styling. They were getting away from the land yachts they were offering. Only one is left today, and it is going to be on the chopping block soon.

The vehicle that initially put Cadillac back on younger, successful buyers' shopping lists was the Escalade - certainly not a 5 door compact. Cadillac's sedans are still large and plush, they just don't necessarily ride like sofas anymore. Put it this way, if back in 2000 Cadillac announced their first vehicle in their sedan renaissance would be loosely based on Cavalier, I think we all would have laughed uproariously.

Buick is a brand that has no credibility with anyone not eligible for AARP membership. If a luxury compact wagon is going to give them that credibility, more power to them. I just don't see it. After all, if you can't move the current Astra from a supposedly youth-oriented brand like Saturn.... :death:

After all, if you can't move the current Astra from a supposedly youth-oriented brand like Saturn.... :death:

The Astra was too expensive to be Saturn's entry level car. You could get an Aura XE cheaper and when people can get a bigger pretty much equally efficient car for cheaper, they usually will.

Buick can sell a small premium car without people balking at the price (assuming it's styled right and has the right features).

The vehicle that initially put Cadillac back on younger, successful buyers' shopping lists was the Escalade - certainly not a 5 door compact. Cadillac's sedans are still large and plush, they just don't necessarily ride like sofas anymore. Put it this way, if back in 2000 Cadillac announced their first vehicle in their sedan renaissance would be loosely based on Cavalier, I think we all would have laughed uproariously.

Buick is a brand that has no credibility with anyone not eligible for AARP membership. If a luxury compact wagon is going to give them that credibility, more power to them. I just don't see it. After all, if you can't move the current Astra from a supposedly youth-oriented brand like Saturn.... :death:

Buick's first push was the new Enclave. Talk to some dealers. Younger people are getting them. I am 28, and I bought a 2009. That is in my opinion the first vehicle that Buick has had in a long time that appealed to me. The LaCrosse will come next. The Regal after that. The Astra, or what ever Buick calls it will come after the Regal. Hopefully all of these vehicles appeal to a younger crowd. The Astra will just be one that is more affordable to much of that younger crowd. Buick will eventually get another Delta II car that will also be a sedan.

I do suspect the reason younger people are interested in any Luxury/Near Luxury brand is because of a single small vehicle. They are more likely to buy the smaller vehicle because of what they can afford.

It has been mentioned here that there are several reasons to why the current Astra failed. Most consumers won't know that this is the completely redesigned version of that car either. This one won't have the limited options that the Saturn version had either.


Given the current state, and the Buick is moving forward, what would you have GM do with this brand? Please don't say large RWD sedans. First, that is how GM got here (the large sedan part). Second, 95% of the buying public doesn't care or know about FWD vs RWD. RWD Buicks are not the answer. If it was, how are all of the Luxury/Near Luxury car brands in business?


The one thing I would think they could add is to bring over the Park Avenue that is being built in China. It isn't required, but that would definitely show that Buick can have some serious luxury cars. Something that is a distant option might be to bring over the Opel GT, when ever it gets on its newer (possibly Alpha) platform... if that ever happens. (I guess I have 2 ideas).

Given the current state, and the Buick is moving forward, what would you have GM do with this brand?

Well, that is the million dollar question. In many ways, Buick is an even more damaged brand than Pontiac is in North America. If it wasn't for Buick's Chinese operations and perhaps their good JD Power scores they'd be as dead as Poncho, maybe even in PLACE of Poncho.

If I had the somewhat unfortunate position of being a Buick product planner, I'd say the new LaCrosse looks good as the bread-and-butter, the Enclave is a winner, I'd like a Zeta car but I know that isn't happening so I'll wait for Alpha. And if I MUST take on a Delta car, I'd demand that AWD be an option, if not standard. Then I need a marketing team that isn't comatose who can trumpet the fact that our cars are better than Lexus (at least according to JD). It's going to be hard to reach the younger buyers with that message though - heck, the Tiger Woods thing was a flop....

With all that said I am still not sure if Buick is transformed from a "beauty parlor" brand to "aspirational for successful 30-somethings" brand. Cadillac had its Escalade to get the ball rolling, then CTS blew people away. Buick is still searching for its Escalade. Yeah, Enclave is a winner, it brought you in, but it certainly isn't a blingy pop culture icon - something THAT significant was needed just to get Cadillac going....

If I had the somewhat unfortunate position of being a Buick product planner, I'd say the new LaCrosse looks good as the bread-and-butter, the Enclave is a winner, I'd like a Zeta car but I know that isn't happening so I'll wait for Alpha. .


There has been loose talk of a near luxury, Alpha based convertible for Buick.