Opel's enduring model gets a refresh
First Look: Opel redesigns the Astra
Opel unveils redesigned Astra with illuminated signature and new material direction
Ahead of the 2026 Brussels Car Show in January, Opel pulled the wraps off the updated Astra, revealing a sharpened design language, a fully illuminated brand signature and a reworked interior with an onus on sustainability.
The Astra is a cornerstone of Opel’s compact-car lineage, which celebrates its 90th anniversary in 2026. Despite the success of SUVs, the C-segment still accounts for 30 per cent of sales for the German OEM.
Opel’s head of interiors and CMF Richard Shaw outlined how the team evolved the visual identity first seen on the latest Astra generation and subsequently on the Corsa Vision GSe concept. Central to the update is a strengthened interpretation of the “Compass” face: a horizontal bar carries the Griffin emblem, now intersected by vertical “north–south” axes to create a more precise graphic anchor.
The brand’s hallmark “visor” element becomes fully illuminated for the first time — and crucially, across all trim levels. “Everything you see here will be illuminated on the base car. This is the first car we do without standard reflectors.”
Higher trims adopt a dense pixel array of more than 50,000 LEDs for full matrix functionality. According to the design team, the slimline architecture delivers 36 per cent more light efficiency than the outgoing Astra, eliminating the need for traditional fog lamps.
Below the visor, the front fascia has been re-sculpted with what Vauxhall calls a “tri-zone” layout, giving the car a broader, more planted stance. Dark roof options on the Design, GS and Ultimate trims intensify this visual weight, producing a squatter and more dynamic silhouette.
The wheel designs have been reconsidered: the team emphasises that the new “tri-zone” wheel graphic was developed not only for its static presence but also for the way it animates when in motion. “It is going to be really intriguing when the car is on the move,” says Shaw.
The updated Astra introduces fresh graphical treatments and a commitment to removing exterior chrome entirely, aligning with Stellantis’ sustainability and modernity goals. The Sports Tourer variant debuts Clover Green, a body colour reserved exclusively for the wagon, while the hatchback retains its signature Kult Yellow. A new Contour White introduces a soft grey tint for a more architectural look.
Inside, the update focuses on material quality, refinement and user experience. Responding to customer feedback, the Opel design team removed high-gloss black surfaces from the centre console, replacing them with satin anthracite elements that offer a more contemporary and tactile feel. The trim differentiations are clearer, with lighter tones for the Design variant and darker contrasts for GS and Ultimate.
Sustainability threads through the cabin with updated fabrics covering the seats – a patented recyclable mono-material with a suede look. The brand’s AGR-certified ergonomic seats remain available, with the addition of a coccyx-relief feature — a small structural groove that significantly extends seated comfort during longer drives.
Digital improvements include an upgraded HMI based on Snapdragon’s automotive cockpit platform and enhanced ambient lighting with seven selectable colours.
Opel’s next design era will soon be shaped in a new campus currently under construction behind the plant. The site will house future design, engineering and development operations, as well as Stellantis’ German headquarters.
