Vauxhall, Opel’s British arm, has released the first official sketches and some details on the upcoming 2010 Astra. We’ve already seen the first spy shots of the car and Opel has confirmed that the car’s design will be influenced by the recently launched Insignia. Regarding the mechanical part, the new Astra will be based on GM’s latest Delta platform and one of the most important aspect engineers are working on is the fuel economy. Besides design clues, the Astra will take some other features too from the Insignia, such as the Front Camera System or the Adaptive Front Lighting (AFL).

According to Opel, after the Frankfurt debut next year, the 5-door Astra will hit showrooms by the end of 2009/early 2010, followed by the GTC version in spring 2010 and than the rest of the models from the range (sedan, wagon and coupe-cabriolet).

Above you have the 5-door version sketch, and after the jump you can see the GTC version. Read More: "More details and the first sketches of the new Opel/Vauxhall/Saturn Astra"

Launched in 1991, the Opel Astra replaced the legendary Kadett (the first one was made in 1936) and is one of Opel’s most sucessful model which is currently being built in ten locations worldwide, in countries like Germany, Belgium, UK, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Brazil and Serbia. 17 years later, the 10 millionth Opel Astra was built yesterday at the Opel plant in Bochum, Germany. The milestone car is a Silver Lightning Astra Station Wagon 1.7 CDTI.

The first generation Opel Astra was built until 1998 with 4.13 million units sold, which makes it one of the most successful cars evers. The second generation, built between 1998 and 2004 was sold in 3.8 million units, while the current generation, introduced in 2004 was sold in 1.9 million units, with over 500,000 sold only last year.

Read More: "10 millionth Opel Astra produced"

Today, Vauxhall presented their new logo, which will debut on the upcoming Insignia. With this new logo, the British GM subsidiary wants it to inspire “modern, fresh and inspired”, just like their current cars, the redesigned Astra and Corsa, plus the upcoming Insignia.

Bill Parfitt, Vauxhall’s Managing Director, said “While the new-look Griffin pays homage to our 100 year-plus manufacturing heritage in the UK, it also encapsulates Vauxhall’s fresh design philosophy, first showcased in the current Astra, and set to continue with Insignia”.

As we said, the new Vauxhall logo will debut together with the new Insignia, at the British International Motor Show in July. After the show, all Vauxhalls cars will roll out of the factory wearing the logo.

Check out the Vauxhall logo evolution after the jump.
Read More: "New Vauxhall logo revealed"

At the Essen Motor Show, which is taking place these days in Germany, Opel presented the Opel Astra OPC Nurburgring Edition. The 835 units limited edition is powered by a 240 hp turbocharged 2.0 liter petrol engine and sprints from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 6.4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 151 mph (244 km/h).

The Astra OPC Nurburgring is painted in white and features rack track decals and lightweight 19-inch alloy wheels. The interior features leather-furnished cabin and carbon fiber decor, plus a special nameplate designating the car’s limited serial number sits atop the car’s ashtray. It’s mechanics is also improved; the OPC is based on the second-generation IDPlus2 chassis and features variouos systems, like ESP-Plus, TC-Plus traction control, various brake-assisting functions and electronic dampers CDC.

Read More: "Opel Astra OP Nurburgring Edition"