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Opel Astra Earns 13th Car of the Year Award with Wesbank SAGMJ 2017 Car of the Year Win

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Opel Astra Wesbank South African Guild of Motoring Journalists’ 2017 Car of the Year

If the Opel Astra were a character in NBA Jam, the voice of Tim Kitzrow would bellow out HE’S ON FIRE in its general direction because it has now taken home its lucky 13th Car of the Year award since launching in 2015. If not HE’S ON FIRE, it’s at least worthy of a hearty BOOKSHAKALAKA.

The new Opel Astra topped the Wesbank South African Guild of Motoring Journalists’ 2017 Car of the Year awards last month, scoring a total of 2,370 points and besting stout competitors like the Audi A4 (2,339 points) and Volkswagen Passat (2,337 points).

“The Opel Astra, a multiple award-winning car, perfectly embodies much of the spirit of the competition by combining engineering excellence, driving pleasure, and value for money in a worthy winner of South Africa’s ultimate motoring accolade,” said head judge Bernard Hellberg.

Hellberg and the other judges, all members of the South Africa Guild of Motoring Journalists, ranked the Astra tops for its scores across a number of categories: Exterior Design and Styling, Interior Use of Materials, Interior Layout, Technology, Engine Performance, Gearbox and Transmission, Engineering Integrity and Build Quality, Ride Quality and Refinement, Steering and Handling, Affordability, Value for Money, and Overall Excellence.

Opel Astra Wesbank South African Guild of Motoring Journalists’ 2017 Car of the Year

“As a company, Opel has always been at the forefront of innovation, embracing new challenges by offering unique solutions to the motoring needs of a diverse customer base,” said Ian Nicholls, President and Managing Director, General Motors Sub-Saharan Africa.

“The last time Opel won a South African Car of the Year Award was in the 1990s when we won three awards with the Opel Monza 160 GSi (1991), Opel Kadett 140 (1994), and Opel Astra 160iS (1995). I am very excited that the Opel Astra—which was the 2016 European Car of the Year—is now also a Wesbank South African Car of the Year.”

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