180-degree turn for the Astra: Opel will reveal its future soon, and it could be more familiar than ever
24/09/2026 14:00
Updated to
24/09/2026 14:00
Opel is preparing one of its most significant new models in recent years for the upcoming Paris Motor Show. The German brand has just confirmed that its mysterious prototype will be named ‘Sports Tourer eXperimental Concept’, abbreviated as ‘STX Concept’, and it will make its world debut next October.
For now, we only know its name and some details about its design philosophy, but there are enough clues to suggest it might be closely related to the future Opel Astra. The company has not confirmed this officially, yet the term Sports Tourer, the chosen family-oriented body style, and recent statements from its officials about the next generation of the Astra all point in that direction.
A family car that will show what future Opels will look like
The name wasn’t chosen randomly. Opel explains that the letters ST are closely linked to their Sports Tourer models, using the current Astra Sports Tourer as an example. The company wants to showcase through this prototype its vision of the family car of the future, with a particular focus on aerodynamic efficiency.
"As its name suggests, the Opel STX Concept reflects our vision for a future family vehicle with excellent aerodynamic efficiency. It showcases our next-generation design language and incorporates elements that will appear in future production models," confirms Florian Huettl, Opel’s CEO, in the company’s official statement.
Opel also highlights its long history with this type of body style, which began with the Olympia Rekord Caravan in 1953. Currently, it is the Astra Sports Tourer that carries on this tradition within its lineup. The model offers up to 1,634 liters of cargo space and has just received an update, but the brand is already working on the vehicle that will replace it by the end of the decade.
The STX Concept may hold the keys to the future Opel Astra
This shows the possible link between the STX Concept and the upcoming Astra. Huettl has previously confirmed that the new generation will retain a family variant because this format still enjoys strong demand in Germany. There is even a possibility that Opel might focus its entire range around this body style, following a strategy similar to one adopted by Volkswagen with the Passat.
The next Astra is expected around 2029 or 2030 and should use STLA One, Stellantis’ future architecture. Huettl has confirmed that there will be a fully electric version, although the platform will allow for different propulsion systems, and Opel is still evaluating which combination is best for its offerings. The architecture will also enable the use of 800 V electric systems, offering charging performance far superior to that of the current Opel Astra Electric.
The future path for the Opel Astra is starting to take shape
Therefore, although Opel has not officially identified the STX as a precursor to the Astra, the pieces fit together. It is a family car; the company itself links it directly to its Sports Tourer tradition, and its CEO confirms that it will preview the design and various elements of future production models. The current Astra is also the only family car remaining in the brand’s lineup.
We will have to wait until the Paris Motor Show to see how far this relationship goes. Opel will officially introduce the STX Concept on October 12 and promises to reveal more details as the date approaches. It will share the spotlight there with the new electric Corsa GSE and the GSE 27FE, which Opel will use in the 2026/2027 Formula E season. Beyond its status as a prototype, the STX could turn out to be particularly important as it provides our first clear glimpse of what the Opel Astra to come at the end of this decade will look like.