Exciting looking, fun to drive and equipped with a host of features which are new to compact cars, the new Opel Astra has made its debut on the Maltese islands.

The car has technological advances which combine to provide exceptional controllability, responsiveness, handling, economy, performance and safety.

"The Astra's dynamic styling makes it unmistakable on the road and is immediately recognisable as a member of the Opel family.

"The dynamic design theme is consequently continued in the interior which is also dominated by crisp lines, taut surfaces and bold graphic elements,'' executive design director Martin Smith said.

The front-wheel drive Astra was available with a 1.4 gasoline engine and a 1.7 CDTI diesel engine. These state of the art four-cylinder ecotec engines complied with Euro 4 standards and were characterised by low fuel consumption. The combined fuel consumption of the new 1.4 twinport with 90 bhp was 6.3 litres per 100km while that of the 1.7 CDTI 80 bhp was 4.9 litres per 100km.

The new Opel Astra is equipped with an extensive range of features as standard including power steering, front electric windows, ABS, air conditioner, electric heated mirrors, remote central locking, CD player, side, driver's and passenger airbags, tiltable steering wheel and follow me home lights.