Frankfurt  - Opel will showcase at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September a more economical Ecoflex CDTI version of its new Astra with a fuel consumption of only 4.2 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres.

While the new Astra will be available in European showrooms only weeks after the Frankfurt Show, the Ecoflex version is scheduled for early next year.

From a design perspective the Astra takes its cues from the Insignia narrower headlights and larger front section. Four wheel drive is available as an option. An electric parking brake and adaptive lighting system is also taken from the Insignia.

Initially Opel is offering a choice of seven engines in the range between 95 and 180 hp, all complying with the new Euro 5 emission regulations and with significantly less fuel consumption than the predecessor model.

Opel lists consumption of the two-litre 160 hp Turbodiesel at an average of 4.9 litres with a carbon dioxide (CO2) emission figure of 129 grammes per kilometre. The 1.4-litre petrol engine has a consumption of 5.5 litres with a CO2 emission figure of 129 g/km.

Opel will also showcase in Frankfurt the European version of the Chevy Volt, the Ampera, which promises zero-emission driving for up to 60 kilometres. It is scheduled for European markets in 2011. (dpa)