The Opel Astra impresses at first sight, whether it is the five-door model or the Astra Sports Tourer station wagon. A statement with which the international expert jury of the Red Dot Awards fully agrees. The panel of experts, consisting of 43 judges this year, awarded the bestseller in the compact class from Rüsselsheim the Red Dot Award 2023 in the category “Product Design”. This award adds to the growing list of accolades awarded to the Astra. Among other things, it has already won the “Golden Steering Wheel 2022”, was voted “Family Car of the Year 2022”, and the independent expert jury of the “German Car Awards” (GCOTY) elected the Astra “German Compact Car of the Year 2023”.
“Our bold and pure design philosophy really shines in the latest generation of the Opel Astra. Like all new Opel models, the Astra sports the expressive face of the Opel Vizor brand and combines innovative technology with emotional design. We also developed the cockpit according to this principle. The all-digital Pure Panel is intuitive to use and focuses on the essentials,” said Mark Adams, Opel Vice President Design.
Bold, pure, expressive: Astra design stands out in the compact class
The current Astra not only inspires with its locally emission-free plug-in hybrid drives, and soon with the all-electric Astra Electric – it also amazes with its clear and exciting lines, without superfluous frills. The Opel Vizor (the new face of the brand first seen on the Mokka and the central element of the exterior design) follows the Opel Compass where the vertical and horizontal axes – the sharp crease of the bonnet and the shaped graphics daytime running lights – intersect with the Opel Blitz emblem in the middle. Stretching across the front, making the new Astra appear even wider, the Vizor also seamlessly integrates technologies such as Intelli-Lux LED headlights.® optional ultra-thin cameras and the front camera of the Intelli-Vision system. Seen from the side, the new generation Astra is particularly dynamic thanks to the pronounced inclination of the C-pillar forwards.
At the rear, the Opel Compass is taken up by the centrally placed Blitz, the vertically aligned high-mounted brake light and the rear lights (with energy-saving LEDs, like all exterior lighting). The Blitz emblem doubles as a lock for the tailgate, which is made from an advanced composite material. This technology is not only light and stiff, it also enables the precise execution of design details such as the particularly slim rear lights.
Fully digital and fully glazed: The Pure Panel cockpit, intuitive and targeted
The same German precision and balance applies inside, where a time jump has taken place. The highlight is the new generation of the Pure Panel. This vast digital cockpit (fully glazed depending on the variant) has two 10-inch screens, integrated – with the air vent on the driver’s side – in a horizontal format. Analog instruments are relegated to oblivion in the new Astra. Thanks to a shutter-like layer that prevents upward reflections in the windshield, the design dispenses with a hood above the screens, which further enhances functionality and high-tech vibe.
Opel designers and engineers have ensured that the driver receives all necessary information and useful operating options, without being burdened with superfluous data or functions. With physical controls kept to a minimum in the form of finely crafted keys, the Pure Panel strikes the optimal balance between digitization and intuitive operation, without irritating visual stimuli and the need for sub-menus. The key word is “visual detox”. In combination with the high-quality and precisely designed, ergonomic, AGR-certified active seats, the Astra offers a modern feel-good atmosphere – inside and out.
Red Dot Award: Design highlights for over 60 years
The current generation of the Opel Astra joins the long list of winners of the Red Dot Award de Rüsselsheim. Many other Opel models and communication tools have already received this coveted award. The “Red Dot Award”, one of the largest design competitions in the world, has been rewarding innovative design for more than 60 years in the categories “Product Design”, “Brands & Communication Design” and “Design Concept”. In 2023, the expert jury evaluated products from 60 countries. This prize is not awarded in a competition, but through an individual product test.