Opel celebrates 35 years of the first-generation Astra

Opel is marking the 35th anniversary of the debut of the first-generation Astra, known internally as the Astra F. Launched in 1991 to replace the Kadett E, the compact model became the most successful vehicle in the brand's history, with approximately 4.13 million units produced between 1991 and 1997.

The Astra F was designed to meet increasing consumer demands for safety, fuel efficiency, and lower emissions. Key improvements over its predecessor included a more spacious interior, achieved by moving the windshield forward by 74 mm, which increased head and knee room by up to 50 mm.

The model range featured several body styles, including a five-door hatchback, the Caravan estate, a sedan, and a convertible developed by the Italian coachbuilder Bertone. Performance enthusiasts could opt for the Astra GSi, which featured a 2.0-liter engine producing up to 150 hp and a competitive aerodynamic coefficient of 0.30.

Safety innovations introduced with this generation included the Opel Safety system, featuring reinforced doors for side-impact protection and seatbelt pretensioners. From 1994, front airbags for the driver and passenger became standard equipment.