Segment-Leading: The Adaptive Intelli-Lux HD Light in the New Opel Astra

• Enlightening prospects: Latest Intelli-Lux HD technology with over 50,000 elements
• Important safety plus: Obstacles detected earlier with glare-free LED system
• Characteristic Astra design: For the first time with permanently illuminated Opel Blitz and Opel Compass

A few days ago, the new Opel Astra and the new Opel Astra Sports Tourer celebrated their world premiere at the Brussels Motor Show 2026. From now on, the latest version of the Opel compact class bestseller is sharper, more technical and more radiant than ever. And with the segment-leading lighting technology used in the headlights, it significantly increases the safety of all road users, especially during the darker months. The adaptive glare-free Intelli-Lux HD light with over 50,000 elements, previously already known from the top-of-the-line Grandland SUV, is now available for the Astra and Astra Sports Tourer. Further highlights of the new appearance also include the Opel Blitz (lightning bolt), which is permanently illuminated for the first time on the Astra and sits proudly at the centre of the lit Opel Compass and the further developed Opel Vizor.

More precise, sharper, better: Intelli-Lux HD light with more than 50,000 elements

Opel customers are already familiar with the adaptive Intelli-Lux LED technology – from the previous Astra as well as from Germany’s most popular small car, the Corsa, and even the Combo. For the new Opel Grandland, which was rolled out last year, the innovative Intelli-Lux light has been decisively further developed. The headlights of the latest Intelli-Lux HD light now have more than 50,000 elements (exactly 51,200, i.e. 25,600 per side) and thus enable high-resolution, glare-free light distribution. Awarded the DVN Award 2025 in the category ‘Best Headlights’ directly at its launch in the top SUV Grandland, the segment-leading technology now also provides even more safety and comfort in the new Opel Astra.

The state-of-the-art system works in such a way that it turns night into day for the driver and always illuminates the road and its surroundings precisely. Depending on the respective traffic situation, the camera detects oncoming road users as well as those in front. Intelli-Lux HD cuts them out even faster and more precisely than previous matrix light technologies: The ‘light tunnel’, i.e. the area not illuminated by the light beam, becomes even narrower than before, while the rest of the road and the surrounding area remains better illuminated.

In this way, the system delivers an even brighter and more even light distribution without dazzling other road users. Scientific studies prove the safety advantage: At a speed of 80 km/h, objects in front of the vehicle can be detected around 30 to 40 metres earlier than with conventional halogen headlights. This allows the driver to react between one and two seconds earlier to a potential obstacle and possibly avoid an imminent collision.

Latest Intelli-Lux evolutionary stage: Innovative functions for even more comfort

At the same time, all automatic Intelli-Lux functions, from city and country road light to cornering light and bad weather light, have been improved and taken to a new level. The light cone in front of the vehicle can be completely digitally adjusted using more than 50,000 pixels, so that it intuitively guides the driver’s perspective along the road when cornering. In addition to the digital adjustment of the light cone, depending on the turning angle, an additional light module is activated on the corresponding side of the vehicle. It illuminates the side of the road even better and thus prevents ‘black holes’ when cornering. In bad weather or fog mode, Intelli-Lux HD factors in the possible glare effect caused by rain-soaked streets and adjusts the light intensity accordingly in order to reduce this effect for oncoming traffic.

In addition, the high-resolution light technology not only protects the eyes of other road users, but also those of the Astra driver. The system recognises traffic signs appearing on the road and dims the LEDs so that the reflection of the signs does not glare the driver. And ‘tourist mode’ ensures that the Intelli-Lux HD light can use its full performance and all functions even when driving in countries with left-hand traffic.

Unique lighting design: Opel Blitz and Opel Compass signature illuminated

But it is not only with the groundbreaking Intelli-Lux HD light that the new Opel Astra and the new Astra Sports Tourer set standards in the segment. With their unmistakable lighting design, they stand out beyond the headlights – especially in the dark. The Opel Blitz at the front makes a decisive contribution to this. It is permanently illuminated for the first time on the Astra. The same applies to the Opel Vizor, which is now even narrower and more precisely designed, with the brand emblem proudly sitting at the centre. For example, the Blitz forms the starting point for the light strips that run horizontally into the headlights and vertically into the crease of the bonnet.

The result: the Opel Compass, illuminated for the first time as the design leitmotif of the vehicle, is emphasized more strongly than before; the new Astra appears even sharper, more technical and more modern. At the same time, the further developed, fresh design underlines how quickly Opel turns visionary ideas into reality: The new Astra fascia was inspired by the Opel Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo, Opel’s first phygital concept car.