New Vauxhall Astra opens its doors

Date: 24 June 2009

Vauxhall has shown the first pictures of the inside of the new Astra, and claims to have made storage its focus.

The design team surveyed potential customers to find out what they stored in their car and where. It then integrated space to store CD cases, under-floor shoeboxes and cup holders in the back.

The interior is styled on the same lines as the new Insignia, with continuous lines sweeping from door to door around the front occupants. The centre console is set at a 30-degree angle down the dash, while the instruments, such as the speedometer, are angled towards the driver's eye-line. The main instrument dials are also rimmed with chrome.

Vauxhall also looked into the boot storage, and has patented a 'Flex Floor', which offers under-floor storage and a boot-panel that can be fixed at different heights.

The new Astra is making its public debut at the Frankfurt motor show in September before heading to UK customers at the end of 2009.

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