A heavily camouflaged prototype of Opel’s next-generation Astra hatch, due for launch next year, was recently spotted testing in Germany and although its exterior was masked the car’s cabin was completely bare. While the dash of this test-mule is still in prototype form, we can clearly see the new layout and design for the switchgear and instrument cluster.

The images of the exterior reveal a steeply curved rear-hatch, a swooping roof profile and new shape headlights with LED detailing. The new Astra is crucial for GM as it will need to recover market share lost by the current model to Ford’s strong-selling Focus hatch.

The car is expected to go on sale in Europe following its debut at next year’s Geneva Motor Show and will eventually reach the U.S. one year later where it will be sold as a Saturn. The car is based around GM’s Delta FWD compact platform and will once again be available in Coupe, three and five-door hatchbacks and wagon, and possibly a sedan. Opel will also launch a new two-mode hybrid version although it won’t arrive until the end of 2010, which coincides with the U.S. launch of the Saturn version.

Apart from the hybrid, expect to see a similar powertrain lineup to the current model, which means a range of petrol engines developing between 75 and 240hp as well as a number of diesels with between 90 and 150hp.

2010 Opel Astra interior spy shots

2010 Opel Astra renderings