Johnson Controls raises the bar with its interior for the new Opel Astra / Upscale interior for greater comfort

Burscheid, Germany (ots/APROTEXT) - No other car is beingawaited with more eager anticipation at the moment than the newOpel Astra: dynamic design, innovative technology, high safetystandards - the Astra has what it takes to raise the bar fortoday's Compact Segment. And the car's high-end interior is partof the reason why. The Astra interior was created by JohnsonControls, one of the world's leading suppliers of automotiveinterior systems, interior electronics and batteries. Inaddition to the complete seating system, the instrument paneland the overhead systems, Johnson Controls also developed thedoor and pillar trim and sun visors. The system integratorbrought diverse facets together in the course of the "AstraInterior" project, with colors, materials and fabrics blended toform a harmonious whole.

Stylistic statement: instrument panel with crease

In keeping with the design principle of "form followsfunction", the first question to be asked even before theinitial sketches were made at the styling studios in Rüsselsheimwas: Which materials can provide optimal fit, sharp and incisiveradii, narrow seams and exemplary surface feel? Only once theright answers had been found with the help of specialists atJohnson Controls was a design concept for the interior developedbased on these selections. Manfred Rotterdam, Vice President andGeneral Manager GM/Opel at Johnson Controls comments, "Theinterior of the new Astra fits like a glove. We've created aharmony of fine tactile quality, high-grade materials and agenerous sense of space." The interior is characterizedthroughout by dynamic forms that echo the exterior mood. Aconspicuous stylistic signature is the characteristic bendrunning down the middle of the clearly structured control panelbelow the monitor. This bend picks up the crease in the hood andcarries it by way of the instrument panel right through into theinterior. Johnson Controls experts also paid special attentionto the grain of all plastic parts. A novel structure with tinyirregularities gives the graining in the new Astra a unifiedappearance and offers a significantly enhanced look and feel incomparison with previous models.

Harmonious transitions from cockpit to doors

For the door panels Johnson Controls developed a newproduction technique, known as "In-Mold Graining". Used inproduction for the first time, this processing technologyprovides a great deal of design freedom, preventing grainingloss in even the most narrow of radii.

These measurable improvements in the interior are joined byelements that further reinforce a feeling of deluxespaciousness, including harmonious transitions from cockpit todoor panels, the generously proportioned center console and theoptically merged twin middle vent louvers. Added functionalityis afforded as well: objects such as sunglasses or keys caneasily be stowed in the cockpit, map pockets, the front sectionof the middle armrest or the glove compartment.

More seating comfort and greater versatility in the rear

The seats developed by Johnson Controls offer not only moreside support, but also an active head restraint system. In caseof a crash the head restraints actively incline forwards, thusminimizing the distance between head and neck; the danger ofwhiplash is signi-ficantly reduced. In addition, the plasticlevers for adjusting seat height have been given a new grain anda more intuitive operating technique. And there's something newin the rear as well: the rear seat bench has been equipped witha so-called 40-20-40 percent division, providing a high degreeof variability.

Focus on the driver

Johnson Controls based many of its interior design decisionson one key aspect: consumer research. Drivers were surveyed inseveral studies in order to find out just what they like andwhat they don't. They touched and felt, evaluated and tested arange of different automotive interiors.

In the new Astra these analyses culminated in an interiorthat offers a standard of quality normally found only in thehigher segments. This becomes evident, for example, whereinstrument panel, glove compartment and center console meet,three different elements made of three different materials.Manfred Rotterdam remarks, "And the whole nonetheless gives awonderfully coherent impression. All of the seams run absolutelyregularly, with no visible tolerances." For the consumers thisis just one of many mosaic pieces that unconsciously cometogether to produce a positive overall picture.

Photos will be available under www.johnsoncontrols-press.com.

ots Original Text Service: Johnson Controls GmbH Internet:http://www.presseportal.de

Johnson Controls GmbH Automotive Group Astrid SchafmeisterIndustriestraße 20-30 51399 Burscheid Germany

Tel.: +49 2174 65-3189 Fax: +49 2174 65-3219 E-Mail:astrid.schafmeister@jci.com

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