All-Electric Vauxhall Astra-e To Launch in 2023

[Nairrk]

Electrification is coming to the Vauxhall Astra with the new eighth-generation model receiving an all-electric Astra-e variant from next year. It’ll follow the introduction of the plug-in hybrid variant version, hitting the roads in 2023.

Vauxhall plans on having an electrified version edition of every model by 2024, with the Vauxhall range to be fully electric from 2028. The firm already has electric cars in the shape of the Corsa-e and the Mokka-e and they’ll be joined by the Astra-e as a hatchback and a Sports Tourer estate.

Technical details on the Astra-e remain light. Stellantis has developed a new electric-specific STLA Medium platform, suitable for C and D-Segment vehicles, so think family hatchbacks like the Astra and larger SUVs like the Vauxhall Grandland.

The platform is the Stellantis branded version of the eVMP platform, which was being developed by PSA back when it was a standalone company. It is, in effect, a further development of the EMP2 platform that sits underneath the new Astra in petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid format.

It all means that despite being on a platform with a different name, there will be some mechanical similarities between the combustion engined and fully-electric versions of the Astra, and if the STLA Medium/eVMP system works in the same way as the e-CMP platform for smaller cars, it will run down the same production line as vehicles on EMP2 as well.

Battery packs between 60kWh and 100kWh in capacity were initially touted for the eVMP system when it was a pure PSA project. Since it has been incorporated into Stellantis as the STLA Medium, the group has promised that the platform will deliver EVs capable of up to 434 miles on a single charge, more or less tallying with the 100kWh maximum capacity previously confirmed by PSA.

We expect Astra-e’s battery pack will be the same as the upcoming Peugeot e-308 EV, given the 308 and Astra already share the same powertrains. This means a 54kWh battery and 154bhp electric motor. Peugeot claims the e-308 will offer over 250 miles of range – expect a similar amount from the Astra-e.

If the Astra-e model follows the design convention set out by the Corsa-e and Mokka-e, there will be minimal difference in the way the Astra-e looks in comparison with its combustion engined siblings. A few key identifiers, such as a charging flap, distinct alloy wheels and paint options, may be the only real source of differentiation.

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[Nairrk]

New Vauxhall Astra Electric revealed ahead of 2023 launch

Vauxhall’s push towards becoming an EV-only manufacturer by 2028 really starts with this, the Astra Electric. Available in five-door and Sports Tourer estate form, the new model boasts up to 258 miles of range, according to the company, and will go on sale early next year.

With the latest Astra moving to Vauxhall’s parent firm Stellantis’s EMP2 platform, it has allowed engineers to install a 54kWh battery pack, supplying a front-mounted motor that delivers 152bhp and 270Nm of torque.

Although Vauxhall has not yet outlined performance figures, expect a 0-62mph time of between eight and nine seconds. Top speed has been confirmed as 105mph. The British firm has outlined charging performance, with 100kW DC rapid-charge capability allowing for an 80-per cent top-up in 30 minutes. Vauxhall has also confirmed that, from launch, all Astra Electric models will be fitted with a three-phase 11kW on-board AC charger, and a full recharge from a 7kW home wallbox will take around seven hours and 45 minutes.

The Astra Electric features the brand’s trademark ‘Vizor’ grille, and compared with the combustion-engined and plug-in hybrid Astra models, there aren’t many specific styling elements that mark it out as a pure EV. All electric Astras will come as standard with 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, which can also be finished in black.

The brand’s IntelliLux pixel LED headlights feature, plus the Pure Panel infotainment set-up inside, with a pair of 10-inch screens. There’s also ‘Hey Vauxhall’ voice control and plenty of safety kit plus, as per the regular Astra, the Electric’s ergonomic sports seats have been certified by the German campaign for healthier backs (AGR).

Vauxhall claims that, with the battery in the Astra’s underbody, there’s no loss of boot space over the Hybrid. So the Electric hatch has 351 litres with the seats in place, and the Sports Tourer offers 516 litres.

While the five-door Astra Electric will face competition from many EVs – including its Peugeot e-308 sibling, the Volkswagen ID.3, Cupra Born, MG 4 and Nissan Leaf – the Astra Sports Tourer Electric will only have the newly updated MG 5 and the Peugeot e-308 SW as direct rivals.

Orders for the Astra Electric hatch open early next year, while the Sports Tourer EV will go on sale next summer. Deliveries of the five-door car will begin in June 2023, with the estate arriving later. Pricing will be confirmed closer to the cars’ respective on-sale dates, but expect the hatchback to start from between £35,000 and £40,000, depending on full UK specification.

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