Test drive Opel Astra sedan since 2007 sedan

Opel Astra Sports Tourer. The caravan left

Opel Astra Sports Tourer. Price: Not defined. On sale: Spring 2011

Our acquaintance with Astra Sports Tourer took place in Istanbul. Here, a wide ribbon of the Bosphorus of the Bosphorus passes the border between Europe and Asia. However, the division is formal: both the right and left bank of the strait is a typical east, where you will not find a golf class station wagon in the afternoon with fire

Test pilot
Maxim Fedorov, 32 years old, automobile journalist, driving experience 6 years, personal car - Ford Focus II


To put an end to the dispute that there is Russia Europe or Asia, just see which cars are running along our roads. In Europe, station wagons occupy about 12% of the cars of cars, and in the Russian statistics of sales of such machines there are half as much. It is difficult to say what ruined the image of the station wagons in the eyes of the Russians, but we still have such cars are considered purely utilitarian and get an offensive nickname Sarai.

But the stereotypes are gradually changing, and at the same time the station wagons themselves are changing. So, the successor of Opel Astra Caravan will not turn to call Sarai. The car turned out to be stylish and harmonious, which is no wonder: after all, it was done according to the same patterns as the handsome-universal Opel Insignia. And such a resemblance to the novelty on the hand: Astra is significantly cheaper than insignia, and when viewed from the stern, these station wagons are almost identical!

By the way, about the price. How much Astra Sports Tourer will cost in Russia is still unknown, but in Europe Delta between the hatchback and the station wagon is 900 euros. And this is a fee not only for an enlarged rear overhang, which allowed the trunk to add 130 liters of useful volume, but also for a number of useful lotions. So, the locks of the back of the rear seats are equipped with an electric drive: you can unlock them directly from the trunk by pressing the button on its sidewall. And the spring -loaded curtain of the luggage compartment of the station wagon can drive aside, for which you just need to lightly push her hand.

With the rear seats laid out in the Astra Sports Tourer salon, a flat platform of almost two -meter length is formed (to be precise, 1835 mm), while the lugger volume increases more than three times: from 500 to 1550 liters. But Astra Caravan has even more the maximum volume of 1590 liters! And all because the center distance of the new astra (2685 mm) is identical to all types of body, while the caravan was produced on a stretched chassis, and its wheelbase (2703 mm) was 89 mm more than that of the hatchback.

By the way, it was the last fact that Opel Astra often bowed the scales of the Libra of Buyers in favor of the station wagon, in which the rear passengers could feel much more volitional than in an ordinary five -door. The novelty is devoid of such an advantage, but it is unlikely that it will be reproached for cramped: due to a wider body (1814 versus 1753 mm), sitting in it is even more comfortable than in the previous generation model. At the same time, at the disposal of the rear riders is a convenient hinged armrest with built -in cup holders and a tray for trifles.

In general, in terms of salon areas for storage, novelty at a height. Their total volume is 25 liters, which is half the caravan. For example, pockets in the front doors calmly contain a 1.5 -liter bottle of soda. For less dimensional luggage, there are compartments on the central console and in the armrest, as well as a small glove compartment in the lower left corner of the torpedo. Plus, in the beard of the front panel, there is a convenient pocket for a mobile phone or player, which can be connected to an audio system using a USB connector located here.

To tell about the features of the novelty, the organizers of the presentation organized a teleconference between Istanbul and the Opel Development Center in German Rüsselsheim. And although in fact this teleconfigure turned out to be just a successfully stipulated production (the broadcast went into the record), this action was pretty amused. But when the next morning it was necessary to go to the test drive, it was no longer laughing. At the wheel of a gasoline version equipped with a 140 -horsepower turbo engine 1.4, I, like the last kettle, stalled, trying to move in a cool slide! Despite the stated torque of 200 Nm, developed already from 1850 min-1, in reality the motor does not pull on the bottoms. It was possible to climb the rise only on the second attempt, promoting the engine and a little setting the clutch.

On the plain 1.4, Turbo behaves much better, delighting with elasticity and good acceptance. But there is also a Sport button that makes the car even more dynamic. In sports mode, gas responses become sharper, while the steering wheel is poured with a pleasant weight, and the suspension with adaptive shock absorbers becomes more collected. Sports Antiplast Tour, a blossoming steering wheel and suspension and dulling the sensitivity of the accelerator. Perhaps, on long stamps with the tour it will be more comfortable, but when driving along a loaded Istanbul and suburban routes with constant overtaking of trucks, such slaughterhouse was out of place.

Having changed the gasoline astra to a version with a 2.0 -lit -fingered turbodiesel, I experienced a slight shock. Moreover, I was not surprised by the scrap draft of a 160-horsepower unit capable of issuing 360 Nm from 1750 min-1 to this I was ready and its sound. This motor turned out to be tangibly quieter than gasoline! It is a pity that diesel asters are not sold with us. Although in a private conversation, Opel representatives mentioned that Russian trials of such a motor are taking place now, and if everything goes according to plan, then this year we can see the 2.0 CDTI turbodiesel under the hood Astra and Insignia, and not only in the body of the station wagon.


We do not love
The button in the trunk will unlock the locks of the backs of the rear seats and throw the latter, if the seat belt does not interfere. Conveniently

Under the floor of the luggage compartment there is a place for a full -sized spare wheel, however, there is no fifth wheel on the European version of the station wagon. There is a place

Driving
In the sport mode, which is Umashin with an adaptive suspension, the station wagon goes very cheerfully.

Salon
Apart from a more spacious trunk, it is no different from the Astra Hyethack.

Comfort
Oddly enough, the version with a turbodiesel turned out to be quieter than a modification of a SBENZINA turbo engine.

Security
The database has six eirbegs, ABS and even ESP!

Price
In Europe, the station wagon costs 900 euros more than a hatchback.


Advantages and disadvantages
+ Stylish design, roomy trunk, high -quality mother finishes, good equipment.

- lack of traction on the bottom of the gasoline turbo engine.


Specifications
Mark and model - Opel Astra Sports Tourer
Dimensions - 4695x1814x1510 mm
Engine-gasoline, in order, 4 cylinders, 1364 cm3, 140 hp/1850-4990 min-1
Transmission - mechanical, 6 -speed
Dynamics - 200 km/h; 10.5 s to 100 km/h
Competitors - Ford Focus, Kia Ced SW, Peugeot 308 SW.


Our opinion
Unlike Astra Caravan, the Opel novelty can attract customers not only with its practicality, but also by external data. At the same time, a very high -quality content is hidden behind an attractive form. And although the issue with the price for the Russian market is still open, overpayment of 30,000 40,000 rubles regarding the cost of hatchback is seen to us with a completely reasonable offer.


Author: Maxim Fedorov
 

A source: Magazine 5 wheel [February 2011]