The updated Opel Astra has been revealed ahead of the brand’s Australian launch in September.

Opel Australia has confirmed the launch of the refreshed Astra hatch, GTC coupe and wagon will coincide with their introduction in the brand’s domestic market in Germany.

“It’s a clear sign of the importance placed on both the Astra in our model line-up, and our local launch overall, that production for Australia has been expedited to allow us to launch the updated Astra at the same time as Germany,” Opel Australia managing director Bill Mott said.

The new fourth-generation Astra receives sharper, sportier exterior looks that see a more pronounced lower grille – inspired by the two-door GTC – a more prominent wing-like chrome bar in the upper grille, black inserts in the headlamps and LED daytime running lights.

At the rear, a resculptured rear bumper with wider licence plate cut-out gives a greater impression of width, highlighted by a new chrome strip along most of the length of the bumper just below the licence plate space.

While Opel is yet to release engine specifications for the new Astra range, expect to see a variety of both petrol and diesel engines: a 103kW turbocharged 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol unit – as seen in the Holden Cruze – equipped with an overboost function to temporarily give an extra 10 per cent burst of torque to 220 Nm, a turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol and a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel.

Technology also features heavily in the updated Astra range with the second-generation ‘Opel Eye’ front camera with traffic sign assistant, lane departure warning, following distance indication and forward collision alert. A rear-view camera, advanced park assist, blind spot alert and radar-based adaptive cruise control with automatic collision imminent braking, which works in the range of 50-180km/h, also make an appearance.

The fastest and most powerful Astra ever, the 206kW/400Nm turbocharged 2.0-litre Astra OPC, is still not confirmed for our shores but will more than likely follow in the months after the brand’s initial launch. And with a 0-100km/h sprint of 6.0 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h it would surely win a place in the current market.

The Astra sedan continues to stay out of the range but Opel hasn’t ruled out brining in the Mazda3-rival at a later date. Around a third of all Opel cars sold worldwide are Astras.

The Opel Astra will be joined by the Opel Insignia and Opel Corsa at the brand’s local launch in September.