...at the Opel-dealer in the second next village. We got an invitation for an "exclusive V.I.P. preview" of the Astra I, 7 weeks before the selling starts.
http://www.autohaus-hueppe.de/

An example, how many problems the car-business has today, that they are invitating customers like my wife and me as V.I.P.'s. We had been there only one time - because of the recall of all Astra G's, which was paid by Opel. The only money we had left there, were 46 € for a broken suspension-link, they had changed in this process, too. All other repairs of our cars were done by a small garage in our village, always for cash and without receipt. Needed parts we buy at eBay or at a friend's car-parts-shop.

Anyways, why not? There will be some food and drinks and I can have a look on some cars of the collection of the senior boss. He owns many Opels from the 20ies until now. I'm not an Opel-freak, but I always prefer to look at historic cars than to new ones, no matter, which brand they are.

That’s neat though, to see a car before its officially sold to the public, and free food is always good

I suppose they will not allow cameras? You could always use a camera phone ...

ingo, that sounds very exciting! I hope you have fun and enjoy it

I saw the new Astra this summer in the back of the Opel museeum in Rüsselsheim:

It was a nice event, we had much fun.

It was not as my wife has expected before "Eeeh, I don't like such sophisticated and snobbish V.I.P.-events. It's nothing for me". I was correct with my appeasement of her: "You are an the wrong way. We are going to Opel and not to Aston Martin. And it's really countryside, not in Berlin or Düsseldorf." So it was indeed - and it was funny.

The event was combinated with the 75th anniversary of the dealer, so the jubilee-employees, which are there since 30 and 40 years, were honoured, too. Not a big buffet, but very good hot snacks and many drinks and nice people. It was real countryside: they all have known each other. Me and my wife were indeed the "newbies". My parents-in-law had much fun with an old couple. They said "Oh, this dealer makes such events always, when a new model is released. We are coming every time, because it's a reason to make party. Today it's really full, the prewiew-party for the Insignia was not so crowded."

@Neptune: no problem, it wasn't a Robbie Williams-concert. But I had no camera with me. There was also a professional photograph, who had offered "Your own photo with the new Astra". I was not really interested (I would have liked more, if the two 1970 GT's were besides me ), but finally we went there, too. But I've hold the hand with my hyperrare (in Germany) Holden-watch , my parents-in-law have bought for me on their cruise around Australia, to the camera, too. As I wrote before: I wanted to have the "God drives a Holden"- T-Shirt, I've seen once in the IMCDB-database (where else? ), but they haven't found one. So they took this watch.

The new Astra -they really had presented it "officially" with a flourish of a youth band, with towing off a big linnen- looks not bad (if you like modern cars) and is a bit bigger than the Astra H. My wife was sitting in it and have looked for details. My father-in-law (also an Astra G-driver) really loves the Insignia. I've sit in it, too. There it was the same as with other modern cars, too: I felt prisoned. All the dashboard- and middle console-plastic is too close. I want to have space around my legs. The car in this showroom, which offeres this space, was not for sale. The 1951 Kapitän.

And as other new cars the Astra is not cheap. I felt a smell of customer-cheating, when I looked on the price-label of the three Astra I, they had presented. In bigger letters was written "15.950 €". In smaller letters besides "The Astra-prices are starting with this price" and in a bit smaller letters under this line: "This Astra, as you can see it right here, included all extra options, costs 27.895 €"
Maybe a good car, maybe it will be a success, but this is noting for me. Even if I would have that money, I will not spend so much money for a modern all-day-car. And not for an Opel, especially not for an Astra.

My wifes likes the car, but next year, when her Astra G will probably worn out a bit more, she will not spend so much money. Anyways, it's her decision and her money (we are married, but the own car and its costs is a personal question for your own), and she needs a reliable, economic car everyday. Me fortunately not any more.

http://www.imcdb.org/vehicle.php?id=188741

@Antoine: many thanks, this is it.

My wife said, that the Astra I doesn't look unique, rather similar as the new Mazda 3. It's true, as I randomly can see right now. A Mazda-dealer has parked such a car in front of our house.