2017 Holden Astra first official pics

The next Holden Astra has been shown off with a tweet from Opel’s boss following a series of online leaks

THE 2017 Holden Astra has been revealed by Opel boss Karl-Thomas Neumann following a number of online leaks of official images. KTN, as he is known, showed off the VW Golf and Mazda 3 rival that’s slated for its debut in the metal at this September’s Frankfurt show. And it looks good.

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With details including LED matrix headlamps and a floating C-pillar, the images show the seventh-generation five-door Astra K wears a much more sophisticated, developed styling treatment and design than the current car, which is doing remarkably well at aging gracefully. The new Astra replaces a car that arrived in Europe in 2009, and was sold in Australia during 2012, the annus horribilis that was Opel Down Under. It will return all too briefly this month in GTC (meaing three-door form) before the new 2017 model effectively replaces the Holden Cruze in Aussie showrooms.

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The new model rides on the new D2XX C-segment platform, a heavily refreshed version of the current Delta platform that it shares with models including the Cruze, and is 49mm shorter, 26mm lower and has a 23mm shorter wheelbase than its predecessor. Despite the smaller exterior dimensions, the cabin will still offer the same amount of space as the current car, according to Opel, while overall weight is reduced by around 120kg for improved dynamics, straight-line performance and fuel efficiency.

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The Astra will boast Apple and Android smartphone connectivity, just like GM stablemates including the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro and next Holden Cruze that will all run the IntelliLink R 4.0 system, which includes a 7.0-inch touchscreen.

The new Astra will be powered by General Motors’ new engine and transmission families, with up to 13 engine choices in Europe including an 85kw/168Nm 1.0-litre turbocharged three-pot that’s offered in the Opel Adam supermini and B-segment Corsa models. There's also a 107kW 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder featuring an aluminium block and direct injection and a strong 250Nm of torque from 250Nm.

A new lightweight six-speed manual transmission will also be offered with the diesel and petrol powerplants.

The Holden Astra K will be produced in the same factories in Poland and the United Kingdom as the current model. Specification and Australian Astra prices are yet to be announced by Holden.

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