Bearing in mind its 1980-ish launch, perhaps it was originally conceived as a saloon, but the hatchback came later in the development process because that was the way the market was moving.
The Fiat 127, Alfasud and Citroen GS all started with a conventional boot (on a 'fastback' design) but gained hatchbacks after launch.
Even the Maxi had a non-hatch version proposed, but they were never sold (I have a 1969 Maxi handbook containing full details of how to open and lock the boot (with pictures)
In reality, though, (as far as the Astra/Kadett was concerned) it was probably just another chance for a German manufacturer to give themselves a chance to say "that'll be extra, sir" when the customer placed his order for a hatchback
The Fiat 127, Alfasud and Citroen GS all started with a conventional boot (on a 'fastback' design) but gained hatchbacks after launch.
Even the Maxi had a non-hatch version proposed, but they were never sold (I have a 1969 Maxi handbook containing full details of how to open and lock the boot (with pictures)
In reality, though, (as far as the Astra/Kadett was concerned) it was probably just another chance for a German manufacturer to give themselves a chance to say "that'll be extra, sir" when the customer placed his order for a hatchback
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