Vauxhall will unveil the STX Concept at next month’s Paris motor show as a “vision for the future of the wagon” – and a first look at the ninth-generation Astra.
The STX name references the estate-bodied ‘Sports Tourer’ variant of the Astra. The meaning of the ‘X’ has yet to be confirmed, but Vauxhall bosses have previously hinted at a less “traditional” shape for the next-generation of the long-running hatchback. ‘X’ designations have previously been used to signal the brand’s crossover models, suggesting the Astra could eventually follow suit and become a high-riding estate.
In a post to social media platform LinkedIn, Opel-Vauxhall CEO Florian Huettl said: “In Paris, we will unveil the Opel [Vauxhall] STX Concept, our vision for the future of the wagon silhouette.
“The name includes the Sports Tourer reference for a good reason: Opel pioneered this segment in Europe as early as the 1950s. With the STX Concept, we reaffirm our commitment to a body style that continues to combine versatility, innovation and everyday practicality in a unique Opel way.
“At the same time, it shows the next generation of our design language – and you will see elements in future production models.”
Speaking to UK media in June, Huettl confirmed that the next-generation Astra will be one of “at least” four new Vauxhalls due to be launched by 2030. The others include a new Corsa, an SUV co-developed with Leapmotor, and a new model that is expected to replace the existing Mokka.
Discussing its new shape, he said: “Whenever we look at what the next generation of a well-established car such as the Astra should be, looking at the evolution of the segment is a big deal of our work.
"The hatchback segment continues to decrease. We see a lot of flow to other segments, namely the SUV bodystyles. Sometimes as smaller cars get more mature and provide more performance, people move down; and then also people move up, for example, as family life evolves."
The STX concept will be shown alongside the new GSE-Line trim for the current Astra, which hints at the look of a forthcoming 280bhp version of the hatchback.
