It is rare for more than half a century to lie between two test drives. The new Astra Electric is just gliding almost silently over the roads of the Rhine-Main region. A little later, an Opel Kadett B from 1967 is waiting, without power steering. Without brake booster. With manual transmission and acceleration reminiscent of another time. The contrast could hardly be greater. The Tagesspiegel sums up this experience: „Old and new at a Rüsselsheim car presentation – that doesn’t happen that often.“ This is exactly what makes the summer tests special this year. They are marked by 90 years of compact class at Opel.

The Opel Summer Test Drives are a recent tradition. In the last few years, shortly before the summer break, the manufacturer’s press department welcomes international media representatives to experience its latest models firsthand. This year’s event deliberately returned to Opel’s HQ in Rüsselsheim, celebrating three milestones at once: 90 years of Opel’s compact car heritage, the company’s commitment to Germany as a manufacturing location, and the launch of the new Astra.

In 1936, Opel entered the compact class with the Kadett – a success story that has been continued since 1991 under the name Astra. Several generations stand side by side in front of the Design Centre: the original Kadett from the 1930s with a self-supporting body, the Kadett gill coupé from 1967 and finally the new Astra. They show how fundamentally driving has changed – and how each generation has taken the next step towards greater safety, comfort and efficiency.

The invitation to the test drives takes the media representatives to the place where the Astra is engineered, designed and manufactured – a concentration that has become rare in the European automotive industry. The fact that Opel will also build the next Astra generation at its headquarters is seen by Die Welt as a „clear commitment to Germany as a production location“. For plant manager Maike Seeber, it is precisely this interaction that makes the location so special: „To experience first-hand how design, technological innovations, industrial feasibility and the team spirit of the Rüsselsheim team work together – that’s something very special.“ In short: „Precision work to the point.“

One third drives compact class

Guests can experience what this precision work looks like during a tour of the production facility. Battery-electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, 48-volt hybrids and diesel models are produced on a single production line – exactly in the order in which they are ordered. The multi-energy platform makes it possible to react flexibly to customer demand. One model, four drives – and for good reasons: Although SUVs dominate the market, the compact class still accounts for around a third of all new registrations in Europe. This is precisely why Opel is consistently developing the Astra – for as many different requirements as possible.

Leif Rohwedder, Head of Opel Classic, draws a line back to the beginnings of the compact class with the Blitz. And they are in the 1930s. „Even the first Kadett from 1936 stood for what still characterises the Astra today: modern technology not as a luxury, but for everyday life,“ explains Leif Rohwedder. The self-supporting all-steel body, integrated headlights and unusually extensive safety and comfort equipment for the time made it one of the most advanced compact cars of its generation. The guiding principle runs like a red thread through nine decades of the compact class. To the present day to the new Astra.

The most visible innovation immediately catches the eye: The new Astra is the brand’s first production model with a permanently illuminated Opel Blitz. Together with the new Vizor, a striking light signature is created. The compact class bestseller also improves its technology. The ADAC highlights the further developed AGR seats and the Intelli-Lux HD light, AUTO BILD speaks of a „fresh look“, the Welt describes the light cone when driving at night as „impressive“.

The body has also been sharpened. The Astra Electric automatically preconditions its battery before fast charging and can supply external devices such as the e-bike with power for the first time with vehicle-to-load. A retuned steering system ensures more precise turning, while additional insulation reduces noise and vibrations. AUTO BILD expressly praises the tuning of the chassis and steering and attests to the „generally harmonious impression“ of the new Astra.

Technology has changed. The claim has remained. There are 90 years of innovation between the self-supporting body of the original Kadett and a battery-electric Astra, which serves as a mobile energy source. What has remained is the idea of making modern technology accessible to as many people as possible. And that Opel’s compact class is born and bred in Rüsselsheim.