While these aren’t the first photos of the all-new Astra, they are certainly the best we’ve seen up until now, revealing Opel’s (Vauxhall in the UK) new subcompact hatch in all its glory ahead of its scheduled world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Clearly influenced by the Insignia, the sixth generation Astra hatch is based on GM’s new Delta platform that also underpins the Chevy Volt and Cruze models and it comes with a new set of engines including 1.4-liter and 1.6-liter turbocharged petrol units.

Unlike VW’s rivaling Golf VI with its stale design language that keeps evolving from previous generation models, the new Astra features a new design and from what we reckon by looking at the photos, it will be a head turner. Its up to date and clean looks combine a sleek and sporty shape with the latest Opel styling cues such as the characteristic scalloped side blades and the Insignia-inspired headlights.

Opel has not disclosed any photos of the new Astra’s interior yet, but thanks to our spy photographers, we have a few shots of the hatchback’s dashboard that borrows heavily in design from the Insignia. Highlights include the four deeply positioned instrument dials in front of the driver and the swoopy central console with an elevated lower section.

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