Auto Industry Consulting, the developers of Ezi-Methods repair information, has released a new technical insight article looking at how the new Opel Astra will feature many advanced features previously only found on high end luxury vehicles.

Premiered at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the new generation Astra, or Astra K, is likely to pose many new challenges to body repairers because of new technologies included, as well as new materials and bonding methods. For example, one outer cosmetic panel, which is likely to need frequent changing, requires 36 spot welds, 8 specialist rivets, slots for MIG/MAG brazing along with butt sections and cold fusion which must not be within 50mm of a heated section.

AIC Ezi-Methods says this shows how intricate repair techniques are now in use on everyday high volume vehicles making access to the latest repair methods essential.

Weight saving is a key theme of the new model meaning the use of much more Ultra High Strength Steel. Other innovations featured on New Astra include:

• Collision mitigation and lane keeping system, using a single windscreen mounted CMOS camera.
• New front seat frames with more ultra-high strength steel alloy to save 10kg – but with the option of electric adjustment, electric ventilation, electric heating and massage.
• Optional LED adaptive main and low beam headlights with 8 light sources per headlight.
• “OnStar” an information system that has the capability to report tyre pressures, engine oil condition and service alerts to the owner’s smartphone.

With regard to the body, the bare shell weight has been reduced from 357kg to 280kg, by extensive use of UHS and HSLA (High Strength Low Alloy) steel alloys. This will mean repair methods are intricate and not the same as for any previous generation of Astra.
Andrew Marsh of AIC commented, “Rest assured, what we have here in New Astra K is not like any previous Astra and for the unwary this could present major challenges in repair”.

You can see the full technical brief at www.a utoindustryinsider.com.

EZI-Methods agent in Ireland is ASETS. For more information contact Noel Maher on 087-130-3777, sales@asets.ie, or visit www.asets.ie