Reader Scoops 2010 Opel Astra Test Car in Michigan
Cars

Reader Scoops 2010 Opel Astra Test Car in Michigan


This past weekend, eagle-eyed Carscoop reader Thomas Czarny picked up these shots of a heavily disguised 2010 Opel Astra hatchback prototype in a shopping mall parking lot in Traverse City, Michigan. The test car was fitted with manufacturer license plates and sported a GMPT (General Motors Powertrain) Engineering Vehicle sticker on the front windshield.

We're fully aware of the fact that new cars go through all sorts of tests in various places around the world including markets where they will not be sold, but we also know that GM is preparing an Opel Astra based small sedan for Buick which is scheduled to go on sale in the States by the end of 2011.

Earlier this year, our spy photographers snapped the Buick four-door sedan along with a five-door Astra prototype sporting Buick's corporate waterfall grille while undergoing testing in Germany.

Although the five-door model is said to be under development for Buick's Chinese market line-up, we can't entirely rule out the possibility that GM may also be considering the hatch for the U.S. where it would compete against the VW Golf and Mazda3.

This naturally brings us to the question, in addition to the sedan model, should GM also enhance Buick's U.S. range with a rebadged version of the 2010 Opel Astra hatchback?

Kudos to Thomas Czarny for the Scoop!






- At Last, Opel Unveils All-new 2013 Astra Sedan
This is the all-new Opel Astra sedan, the fourth and likely last member of the Astra family after the five-door hatchback, the Sports Tourer station wagon and the GTC coupe as the upcoming convertible model is said to gain a new nameplate in the likes...

- Scoop: The Not So New Opel Astra Sedan Takes Shape
Opel may have been responsible for the development of the Astra being the first to launch the five-door hatchback, Sports Tourer station wagon and three-door GTC variants amongst GM's global brands, but there's one body style it will be the last...

- New Live Photos Of The 2010 Opel Astra Hatchback On The Road
Either Opel is putting the final touches on its recently revealed Astra or the final prototypes have started finding their way among the company's employees. This grayish-blue example of the five-door Astra that was "scooped" somewhere in Germany...

- 2010 Opel Astra: New Teaser Photos Released
As we're getting closer to the Frankfurt Motor Show, GM's European unit Opel is getting more daring with its official teaser shots of the all-new Astra that will be sold in the UK under the Vauxhall brand. This time, Opel has released three photos...

- Buick To Get 2010 Opel Astra In China?
It seems that China has become some kind of paradise for Buick as the brand is getting some of the best products that General Motors has to offer. After the Park Avenue and Regal which are essentially rebadged variants of the Holden Statesman/Caprice...



Cars








.