Media Information
September 3, 2015
New Opel Astra: Stellar Driver Assistance, Safety and Comfort Features

Improved performance: New generation Opel Eye front camera enables new level of
safety
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Standing at attention: Collision Mitigation Braking and Lane Keep Assist
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Warning systems: Comprehensive forward collision alerts and Side Blind Spot Alert

Tickets savers: Traffic Sign Assist, Headway Alert and Following Distance Indicator

Outstanding comfort: Next generation of ergonomic seats with massage function
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Three-part airbag approach: Front, thorax-pelvis side and full-length curtain airbags
Rüsselsheim. The new Opel Astra, which premieres at the IAA in Frankfurt (September
17-27), is not only lighter and more efficient than its predecessors, it also boasts innovative
driver assistance systems and comfort features to make journeys, short or long, safer and
more relaxed. Many of these systems are unrivalled in the compact class segment or
celebrate their Opel debut in the new Astra. The latest generation Opel Eye front camera
with enhanced capabilities and functionalities such as Collision Mitigation Braking and
Collision Imminent Braking, or the completely newly engineered seating system with
outstanding ergonomics are just some examples.
“Several generations of Kadett and Astra have brought innovative technologies from the
upper class into the affordable compact segment. Each generation has raised the bar in
safety, comfort and efficiency. I wanted the new Astra to once again set standards in the
compact class. And it does it. We have invested much engineering effort to develop new
systems that improve active safety as well as the very best seats in the segment,” said
Opel Group CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann.
Adam Opel AG
D-65423 Rüsselsheim
media.opel.com
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New Opel Eye front camera enables ticket-saving assistance systems
The improved next generation Opel Eye front camera makes its debut in the new Opel
Astra. It has higher image processing power, an increased detection rate and it processes
an additional amount of information from different sources: when combined with Navi 900
IntelliLink, it draws on data from the navigation system that are fused with data detected by
the camera itself. This allows it to provide the driver with more accurate information than
ever before.
Thanks to this enhanced capability, the Astra’s Traffic Sign Assist offers improved
performance. Now boasting even higher precision, it can detect and display round traffic
signs, rectangular – such as highway – signs, or speed limit related add-on signs with
graphic symbols while the multiple exposure technology improves the detection rate of
dynamic – such as LED – signs. Traffic Sign Assist also continuously checks the data
provided by the front camera and compares them to the information provided by the
Navi 900 IntelliLink navigation system. It displays implicit speed limits – when entering an
urban area for instance – and the end of these – when exiting a city – before then
displaying the country-specific speed limit for the respective type of road. In addition, it
gives an immediate indication of speed limits after turning to a different type of road. In the
new Astra, speed limits are permanently displayed on the screen located between the
speedometer and the rev counter – thus reducing the risk of speeding tickets.
Another ticket-saver – which helps avoid fines for tailgating – featured in the new Astra is
Following Distance Indication that drivers can activate on the central display. It utilizes
the front camera to detect moving vehicles on the road ahead and calculates the distance
to them. This value is then displayed to the driver in seconds. This indication approach is in
line with the regulations in most European countries, which define distance in terms of
time, not in meters. A stylized green car symbolizes the vehicle in front. If the distance is
insufficient, the Headway Alert function is automatically activated and the symbol turns
amber.
Opel Eye’s intelligent assistance systems enhance active safety also enabled by the third
generation Opel Eye front camera, Lane Departure Warning, now also with Lane Keep
Assist, is an active safety feature making its Opel debut in the new Astra. As before, it
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recognizes road markings, but it now gently turns the steering wheel in addition to the wellknown alerts if the Astra’s driver should unintentionally veer out of lane. The system works
at speeds ranging from 60 to 180 km/h but does not continuously steer the vehicle. If the
steering torque does not prevent departure (e.g. on curves), the amber Lane Keep Assist
icon flashes and provides three warning tone as the lane marker is crossed to provide a
Lane Departure Warning alert. The steering wheel nudges and alerts are disabled if the
driver is detected to be actively steering, braking, accelerating or if a turn signal is
activated. The intelligent software required for Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure
Warning has been developed completely in house.
When the new Astra is equipped with the Opel Eye front camera, it also offers Forward
Collision Alert with Collision Mitigation Braking functions. The Forward Collision Alert
(FCA) feature assists drivers in avoiding or mitigating the impact of front-end collisions, for
example colliding with the vehicle ahead. If the gap shrinks below a safe distance, it warns
the driver with a loud audible alarm, a visual warning in the instrument cluster and, now, an
LED projection on the windscreen. The driver can adjust the safety distance of FCA to
detect objects ahead with ‘near’ ‘mid’ or ‘far’ settings via a switch located on the steering
wheel. The system now also includes Integrated Brake Assist and Autonomous
Emergency Braking. If it detects that the driver’s braking effort following the warning is
nonexistent or insufficient, it can boost the braking (Integrated Brake Assist) or
automatically brake the vehicle (Autonomous Emergency Braking), thus helping avoid or
lessening the severity of crashes at relatively low speeds. The system works at speeds
above 8 km/h and below 80 km/h. At speeds below 40 km/h the system can avoid the
collision by performing full braking. Scientific studies conducted by Opel have revealed
that, at speeds up to 80 km/h, the reflective LEDs in the windshield can have a positive
impact of reaction times and can ultimately lead to an impact speed reduction of between
10 and 20 km/h.
The new Astra is the first compact class car offered by a volume manufacturer with a
mono-camera approach for all functions. Furthermore, it is the first Opel that offers
assisted braking with the information received only from the camera.
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Award-winning Side Blind Spot Alert warns about hidden dangers
Elsewhere, Opel’s award-winning ultrasonic Side Blind Spot Alert provides an additional
safety net both for Astra drivers and other road users. This system warns drivers about
hidden dangers. When changing lanes, overtaking or turning a corner, other road users
can disappear in the blind spot. Ultrasonic sensors permanently scan wide areas around
the vehicle at speeds ranging from 11 km/h to 140 km/h. If the electronic guardians pick up
an object in the blind spot, an optical amber-colored warning appears in the relevant
exterior door mirror. If the turn indicator is applied towards the direction of the object in the
blind spot, the optical LED warning starts flashing. The light intensity of the LEDs is high
and the warning cannot be missed even if the sun is shining. Opel’s Side Blind Spot Alert
system has won the Euro NCAP Advanced Reward for advanced safety technology.
Advanced Park Assist and Rear View Camera with dynamic guidelines
Another comfort features that makes driving the Astra more relaxing is Park Assist with
ultrasonic front and rear sensors. Park Assist is always active below 11 km/h and
automatically notifies the driver when it detects objects within the range of its sensors.
Drivers are presented with optical information on the display area including the distance to
the other object and its position (front/rear; left/center/right). In addition, the distance is
indicated acoustically. The new generation Advanced Park Assist identifies suitable
parking spaces and automatically parks the vehicle, without the driver touching the wheel.
The ultrasonic sensor-based system measures parallel or perpendicular parking spots,
calculates the vehicle’s trajectory and automatically steers the Astra into a space. The
driver just controls acceleration, deceleration and gear shifting.
For prices starting at 295 euros, Astra drivers can make parking and reversing even easier
by adding the Rear View Camera to Park Assist. Mounted above the rear licence plate, it
shows the area behind the vehicle on the infotainment screen. The display is activated by
engaging reverse gear and automatically switches off either 10 seconds after reverse has
been disengaged or when the vehicle exceeds 7 km/h driving forward. A special feature of
Opel’s Rear View Camera system is the dynamic guidelines that show the actual vehicle
path based on the steering wheel angle, thus helping drivers to estimate distances to other
objects while maneuvering.
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Comprehensive passive safety concept
The extensive list of active safety features and driver assistance systems available for the
new Astra is accompanied by a comprehensive passive safety concept. The basis of this
concept is a rigid passenger cell mainly fabricated from high-strength steel that has been
designed for the least possible deformations and the largest possible survival space in
crash conditions. To accommodate the impact energy in case of a crash, the front, sides
and rear of the passenger compartment are surrounded by energy absorption zones that
deform and protect in a controlled manner.
Furthermore, the Astra engineers have taken a three-part approach for the standard airbag
system consisting of front airbags for driver and co-driver, thorax-pelvis side airbags and
full-length curtain airbags for the first and second row. Combined with the advanced front
safety systems consisting of body-mounted retractor/pretensioners with load limiter, seatmounted lap pretensioners and seat-integrated pelvis ramp, the new Astra ensures
maximum passenger protection and reduces injury potential.
Outstanding, certified premium ergonomic seats
In addition to the active and passive safety features, the new Opel Astra is also available
with a host of comfort features – which also positively affect safety – such as the new AGR
(Aktion Gesunder Rücken / Campaign for Healthier Backs) certified premium Opel
ergonomic seats. They provide excellent long-distance travel seating comfort and continue
the Opel tradition of award-winning, back-friendly seats that are offered at very attractive
prices. Beyond being 18-way adjustable and now including side bolster adjustment, they
are now also optionally available with further comfort features such as massage and
memory function along with ventilation – a unique combination in the compact class. Rear
seat passengers can also look forward to more luxury – in addition to more legroom,
heated outer rear seats are optional. Astra customers can treat themselves to these luxury
seats for very attractive prices – the driver’s seat with the AGR seal of approval is already
available from 390 euros.
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Lightweight: seat alone ten kilos lighter
Engineering development of the seating environment in the new Astra already began
nearly five years ago for the over 100 employees in the team of experts employed in the
seating and associated departments, with the integration of the relatively bulky seats being
paramount. A very challenging task, as the seat components are one of the car’s largest
parts. Seat production alone accounts for around ten percent of the total production costs
of a new car model.
At the same time, the seats have a large impact on total weight. That is why for their new
development, the engineers first had to minutely examine all individual elements of the
Astra comfort seats that come as standard. In order to offer rear seat passengers 35
millimeters more legroom, the back of the new comfort front seat was made much more
compact. State-of-the-art calculation methods enable this, as do lighter polyurethane
foams and ultra-high-strength steels that are built in under the seat upholstery. All this
results in the new seats being 10 kilograms lighter than those in the previous model. This is
not only true for the driver and co-driver seats – the new Astra’s rear seats are also lighter
and more compact, their contouring was optimized and thigh support was enhanced with a
steeper seat tilt.
Independent back experts’ AGR seal of approval for ergonomic seats
The Opel seat engineers also further optimized the positioning of the Astra comfort seat in
the car, especially accommodating taller drivers with a sporty driving style. Thanks to a 65millimeter height adjustment span – the largest in the segment – shorter drivers are also
guaranteed an optimum seating position. With the optional premium ergonomic seat’s
memory function, this can even be saved at the press of a button. This is ideal for fleet
vehicles with the same group of drivers or couples who share the new Opel Astra. The
base version of the optional ergonomic seats comes with four-way electropneumatically
adjustable lumbar support (forwards, backwards, up and down), variable seat cushion tilt,
cushion length adjustment and a seat form with contours that adapt to the natural curvature
of the spine. The premium ergonomic seats also feature electropneumatically adjustable
side bolsters that support the body by making the seatback narrower or wider. All these
exemplary ergonomic elements made it clear to the AGR (Campaign for Healthier Backs),
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an independent association of doctors and experts dedicated to preventing back problems,
that the new Astra front seats also deserve the AGR seal of approval.
Wellness massage, ventilation and heating included
Seats should not only keep drivers securely in place, they should also keep them warm or
cool depending on the prevailing conditions. The new Astra comfort seat features passive
climate control, meaning breathable surface fabrics and perforated polyurethane foams
that considerably improve transporting away moisture and thereby the micro climate in the
seat. The new Astra’s premium ergonomic seats can do both – keep warm and cool. Small
fans suck air, and thus the moisture that develops when someone is in the seat, away from
the body. In the winter, integrated seat heating keeps the driver and co-driver as well as
both outer rear seat passengers comfortably warm. Those who want to turn their car into a
wellness mobile on longer journeys can enjoy a massage at the push of a button – and
arrive at their destination even hours later relaxed and free of aches or pains.
With this all-embracing active and passive safety concept combined with the wide range of
comfort features, the new Astra lives up to Opel’s philosophy of democratizing innovative
technologies and bringing these to the mainstream market, thus making driving safer and
more relaxed for a wider audience.
Contact:
Jean-Philippe Kempf
Katja Dreisbach
Phone: +49 (0) 6142-7-66651
Phone: +49 (0) 6142-7-69576
jean-philippe.kempf@de.opel.com
katja.dreisbach@de.opel.com