The new Opel Astra goes on sale with more range but the same price

A new electric car arriving on the market usually means higher prices to justify improved technology. But Opel is trying something different. After showing off the new Opel Astra and the Opel Astra Sports Tourer at the Brussels Motor Show, the company has officially opened the order books. The big news? You get a bigger battery and more range, but the price stays exactly where it was. It is a very rare "buy one, get a bit more" deal in the car world.

The main update for the Astra Electric is a new 58 kWh battery. It gives the hatchback version an official range of up to 282 miles, or about 22 miles more than the previous version could travel on a full charge. Whether you are driving the standard hatchback or the larger Astra Sports Tourer Electric wagon, you are getting more distance for your money.

If you aren't ready to go fully electric yet, Opel has other options. You can pick a hybrid version with 107 kW (145 hp) or a plug-in hybrid with 144 kW (196 hp). There is even a 1.5-liter diesel model for those who still prefer traditional fuel. Opel wants to make sure there is a version for everyone, no matter what they want to put in their "tank."

You will notice the new Opel Astra looks a bit sharper. The front features the "Opel Vizor" - a sleek, dark panel that hides sensors and cameras. For the first time on an Astra, the "Opel Blitz" lightning bolt logo is actually illuminated. This look was inspired by a concept Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo. To round out the look, Opel added new 17-inch and 18-inch wheel designs. There are two new paint colors: Kontur White and Klover Green, and if you like to stand out in a parking lot, that green should do the trick.

Night driving got a lot safer thanks to the Intelli-Lux HD lighting system. This new setup uses more than 50,000 tiny light elements to show you the road. It is smart enough to see road signs and dim itself so the light doesn't bounce back and blind you. It also blocks out the light around other cars so you don't dazzle oncoming drivers, keeping the rest of the road bright. This clever tech comes as standard only on the top-level "Ultimate" trim.

Long car rides can be a literal pain, but Opel says it has a fix. Every new model now comes with "Intelli-Seats." It might sound like Opel has reinvented the wheel, but actually, the seats have a dent in the middle that takes pressure off your tailbone. Simple yet effective. If you step up to the GS trim or higher, you get seats certified by a group of German back experts.

Inside the cabin, things look cleaner, too. The screens have new graphics that are easier to read while driving. In a nod to the environment, the steering wheel is wrapped in vegan materials, and you can even get seat covers made from recycled fabric called ReNewKnit.

One of the coolest new tricks for the Astra Electric is V2L. Vehicle to Load means a car can act like a giant rolling power bank. You can plug in things like electric bikes or camping gear directly into the car. It is perfect for people who like to take their EVs into the great outdoors but still want to charge their gadgets.

When it comes to carrying your stuff, these cars haven't lost any of their utility. The hatchback can hold 47.3 ft³ of cargo with the seats down. If you need even more room, the Astra Sports Tourer wagon can handle a massive 57.7 ft³.

The new Astra Electric starts from $44,510 in Germany, and the Astra Sports Tourer Electric has a starting price of $46,260. If you prefer the hybrid, that starts at a lower $38,650. The plug-in hybrid is priced from $45,060, and the diesel starts at{{ €34,640}}, making the electric version more expensive but not out of reach for the majority of EV buyers.

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