Station wagons have slipped a bit from view because everyone is calling for SUVs.

Nevertheless, if they are on offer, they are in high demand in this country.

For example, Opel expects the new Astra station wagon, dubbed the Sport Tourer, to account for around two-thirds of the range's sales.

In the fall, it will follow the hatchback model that made its debut in the spring and cut a good figure here in the driving report.

Boris Smith

Editor in the "Technology and Engine" department.

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As expected, there is a clear increase in length, for which an additional 1100 euros have to be paid.

At 4.64 meters, the Astra station wagon measures 27 centimeters more, which almost entirely benefits the loading space.

The wheelbase is now 2.73 meters, which is 5.7 centimeters longer.

The volume of the cargo space is almost 600 instead of 422 liters, the maximum length of the cargo space is a good 1.80 meters and the volume is 1630 liters.

The plug-in versions have to make slight compromises here.

The rear seat can be folded in a 40/20/40 ratio.

Practical: The trunk cover can be fixed in the loading floor if it gets in the way when transporting larger items.

It is important that the station wagon will also be available as an electric version from 2023.

Technical data for this are not yet available.

The range of engines for the other models is based on the hatchback model.

There is a small three-cylinder petrol engine with a displacement of 1.2 liters and 110 or 130 hp, a four-cylinder with turbo diesel, a displacement of 1.5 liters and also 130 hp, and the top model, the plug-in with a system output of 180 hp.

Here, a 1.6-liter petrol engine is combined with an electric motor.

A variant with 225 hp will follow later.

The purely electric range with the 12.4 kWh battery is specified as up to 72 kilometers.

Starting in 1963, when the Kadett Caravan came onto the market, the new station wagon is the eleventh generation.

Prices start at 27,750 euros for the petrol engine with 110 hp in Elegance equipment and six-speed manual transmission.

Only for the 130 hp variant there is also an eight-speed automatic, then it costs 31,000 euros. The top model, the plug-in, is priced in at 39,740 euros.

Less the subsidy, 32,572 euros remain, which is then at the level of the diesel.

Opel promises to take over at least the almost 2500 euros own contribution after the end of the subsidy.