Vauxhall Astra (2009): the first sketches

Vauxhall has just issued these first official sketches of the new Astra ahead of its launch in 2009 at next year's Frankfurt motor show. Although heavily silhouetted, we can make out an evolution of today's mid-sized hatchback. This sketch is of the coupe-style three-door Astra, but there will again be a more upright five-door and indeed a whole suite of other Astras to fit every pocket.

Information on the new Astra is scant at this stage, but Vauxhall/Opel has issued the following teaser nuggets:

• The new 2009 Astra will have a premium feel inside
• Wraparound interior like the new Vauxhall Insignia
• New chassis off GM's latest Delta platform
• High-torque, low consumption engines
• A suite of practical touches (think Corsa's FlexFix bike cars games rier)

They're not saying much at this stage, in other words. But we can safely expect a tranche of technical gizmos, such as the Insignia's Front Camera System to read traffic signs on the road and a lane departure system.

This will be the fourth-gen Astra, which has sold 2.5 million cars in the UK in the past 27 years.