Vauxhall Opel Astra F 

Also called	Chevrolet Astra Holden Astra Opel Optima (Indonesia) Opel Kadett (South Africa) Vauxhall Astra
Production	1991–1998 (Opel)
Body style	3 and 5-door hatchback 4-door sedan / saloon 5-door wagon / estate 2-door convertible 3-door sedan delivery (panel van)
Platform	T-body platform
Engine	1.4 L Family 1 I4 1.6 L Family 1 I4 1.8 L Family II I4 2.0 L Family II I4 2.0 L Family II turbo I4 (ZA) 1.7 L Family II diesel I4 1.7 L Isuzu 4EE1 TD I4
Transmission	5-speed manual 6-speed manual 4-speed automatic
Wheelbase	2,517 mm (99.1 in)
Length	Hatch: 4,050 mm (159.4 in) Sedan: 4,239 mm (166.9 in) Wagon: 4,278 mm (168.4 in) Convertible: 4,239 mm (166.9 in)
Width	1,696 mm (66.8 in)
Height	1,410 mm (55.5 in)

The Astra F built from 1991 to spring 1998 (convertible to early 2000) By the car manufacturer Opel. This is the successor to the Opel Kadett E and the sixth model in the series Kadett and Astra.

History 

With the introduction of the Astra, the traditional model’s name Kadett was replaced. This happened because in the 1990s Opel replaced all previous model names with artificial names that ended in " a " (such as Vectra, Omega and Calibra) during model changes. The new name should build a new, positive brand image. In surveys Astra was mostly associated with technology and space. The letter indicating the model, however, was continued, which is why the first Astra model, as the official name Astra F.

First, from August 1991, the three and five-door hatchback models available, while the five-door estate followed in October 1991. In May 1992, the classic notchback sedan arrived. The Cabriolet, which was designed like the open Cadet E at Bertone, completed the program by August 1993. 

The Astra F are known for a recall because of design flaws on the tank as well as the excessive rust, resulting from processing defects in the production. Other shortcomings such as weak timing belts, ignition distributor malfunctions or the alternator on the Astra F of the first series required frequent workshop visits. A model revision in August 1994 However, a better rust protection precautions have been taken. On request, the Astra F was also available with a 4-speed automatic transmission from the Japanese manufacturer Aisin AW.

The Astra F had a factory-wide range of active and passive safety features. Constructive measures on the body were computer-calculated stiffening points and double-tube reinforcements in the doors. In addition, the columns, the side skirts and the door shafts were reinforced. The body was thus very torsion-resistant. From the beginning belt buckle tensioners and height-adjustable seat belts were fitted as standard. The seat ramps were designed to prevent diving under the belt in a frontal collision. For the front seats frame headrests were offered, these allowed a good view to the rear and prevented in a collision neck injury of the rear passengers. From the spring of 1993, a driver's bag was also offered for a surcharge.

The revision in August 1994 changed some details. For example, the shape of the mirrors (previously corresponded to those of the Kadett E), the door handles (from the end of 1995), the grille, headlights (tapering towards the grille), fog lights (clear glass), the side bumper, rear bumper and the roof spoiler. Compared to the model built until 1994, the plastic part of the bumper, painted in body colour on request, was now limited to the narrow upper edge. The hatchback, the same plastic panel of the GSi was installed until 1994, which was mounted in a similar form from then on also notchback and convertible. From the facelift, all Astras as Opel’s were provided with chrome logos and three-dimensional emblems on the tailgate. The use of white indicator lenses front and tinted four (saloon, convertible, estate) or five-chamber tail lights (hatchback) made the Astra look more modern.

The double airbag (driver 67 litres, passenger 120 litres) was except the export models from August 1994 also series. In addition, the simple info display with clock / radio display (DID) has now been replaced by one with additional outside temperature indicator (TID), which warned of road slipperiness from 3 ° C downwards, for a few seconds Turning on the ignition blinked. It is also possible to read the speed in the TID by pressing both buttons for about five seconds (it displays up to 53 km / h, then '+53 km / h).

Other technical changes in addition to some environmentally friendly engines in the context of the facelift and then the change from oil to gas shock absorbers and thus better handling, modified wishbone front, modified coupling rods, modified suspension of the silencer (from mid-1996; directly on the silencer welded three-point recording similar to the GSi 2.0 16V until summer 1994), modified attachment of the front door panel (one instead of two screws under the armrest, from autumn 1996), gear knob corresponding to the Astra G. 

In the convertible with the facelift, there was next to the C20XE engine (which was installed until the model year 1997 as a top engine, but then was removed due to new emission standards from the program) the X20XEV engine, which was now as the Ecotec. This engine replaced the C20NE in the engine range of the estate. 

with the facelift in August 1994, the double airbag was installed in all models as standard. ABS was available from the beginning of production at an additional cost, from model year 1996 it was standard. In the Cabriolet the windscreen frame and the two doors were provided with tubular steel reinforcements and the headrests in the Fund also made of steel, in order to ensure the necessary survival space (imaginary line between windscreen frame and headrests) in a rollover.

In March 1998, the successor Astra G was introduced, whereby the production of the Astra F was completed. Only the convertible continued until January 2000. The Astra F Classic was built until July 2002 in the Gliwice plant (Poland) built, there is an "Eastern European" version of the Astra F, which is a mixture of first-run and the facelift. From August 2002 there ran the successor Astra G as Astra Classic II.

Worldwide

The Astra models were sold in England as Vauxhall, in South America as Chevrolet and in Australia as Holden. In South Africa, only the notchback sedan as Opel Astra, the hatchback models continued to be offered as Opel Kadett. In South Africa, where it was produced under licence by Delta. The "Kadett" name was retained for the hatchback Astras until 1999. South African Kadett ranges featured 140, 160i, 180i and 200i models. The South African Astra included a variant with a 2.0 L turbocharged engine called the Opel Kadett 200t S. The 200t S was a specific name where Delta Motor Corporation wanted to show the specialty of the type. The engine (C20LET) in the Opel Astra 200t S was sourced from the Opel Calibra and Opel Vectra A 4x4 2.0 16V turbo, four-wheel drive found in European markets, but local engineers converted the six-speed, four-wheel-drive drivetrain (Getrag F28) to front-wheel drive only and as such it was unique to South Africa. The Opel Astra also became available in Australia badged as a Holden, first in New Zealand in 1995, and then Australia in 1996. The first models were imported from the UK, but later models were imported from Belgium. The Holden Astra name had previously been used on rebadged Nissan Pulsar models from 1984 to 1989.

Body variants

The Astra F was offered in five body shapes:

• Hatchback with three or five doors with 350 to 1200 l cargo space
• Saloon with four doors
• Estate (caravan) with five doors and the same wheelbase as the other models. A three-door model, as it was still present in the previous model Kadett E, was no longer produced due to low demand. The caravan has a roof antenna compared to the other models. Noteworthy is the trunk, which already holds 500 litres in non-folded rear seats. With the rear seats folded, the luggage compartment even holds 1630 litres. As with all Astra F models, the rear seats are asymmetrically divided, and in conjunction with the absolutely flat cargo bed, the best possible charging flexibility has been achieved. For a surcharge, a through-loading was offered at the centre armrest, this was later in the model "Dream" and "Style" series. The Astra Caravan 1995 was the best-selling station wagon of all classes.
• Cabriolet: The convertible variant of the Opel Astra F was designed by Bertone on the basis of the notchback model. The collapsed fabric roof had no body-own top compartment cover, but had to be covered manually with a cover by means of snaps. Hardly any driver has kept to it because of the complicated handling. The optional anti- theft alarm had the shortcoming that it triggered the alarm when the vehicle was parked open when moving in close proximity.
• Delivery van (Lfw): Caravan without roof railing with three instead of five doors, two seats, sheet metal instead of rear side windows and half-height sheet metal partition behind the seats. The van therefore had a truck approval and was therefore very popular with craftsmen.
• Special forms and special conversions: The Astra Caravan have been modified, among other things, to the long-wheeled hearse and as a disabled-accessible high-roof transporter. The special feature of the wheelchair transporter is that the wheelchair user drives into the passenger compartment via a lowerable aluminium ramp. However, the rear seats are omitted and the tank is located behind the left back door. The inner height is about 140 cm. However, the wheelchair user needs a driver, but he has his own windshield with windscreen wipers.