Test drive Opel Astra sedan since 2007 sedan

Sedanomania

The already wide range of the body of Opel Astra was replenished with a sedan. And such a joyful event happened because this option is still the main thing in our country. If you recall the recent story, it was this circumstance that prompted well -known European manufacturers to remake hatchbacks into sedans.
 

Now Opel Astra's bodies are seven! To stimulate the Russian demand for the help of hatchbacks, coupe, station wagons and even commercial versions, a sedan is thrown. In fairness, it is worth noting that, despite the variety, the unity of style is clearly traced in all versions. In the sedan, the designers tried to withstand the classic lines inherent in this type of body is an elongated window line with a negative tilt of the rear door racks.
 

Solid dimensions cause respect. But external expressiveness is not the only trump card. The length of the Astra sedan from Opel is 4587 mm, width 1753 mm, height 1458 mm. The engineers took care of the trunk, the minimum volume of which is 490 liters. If you fold the rear row of seats, the trunk increases to 870 liters. The length of the cargo transported can reach 1721 mm. This is a really good indicator.


It was not possible to find anything unusual behind the wheel, when compared with other asters, it was not possible to detect. Ergonomics remained at the same decent level. The dashboard is well read and not overloaded with information. There is only a speedometer, a tachometer and a fuel sensor. In motion, the novelty amazes with comfort. Riding along high -speed highways is a pleasure. Unevenness, both large and small, are worked out quickly, clearly and without sound accompaniment.
 

The sedan is adapted to the winding roads. The IDS chassis consists of a front suspension of the McPherson type and rear torsion. The combination is not bad, but in the turns there is a demolition of the rear axle even with a slight discharge of gas. You can avoid an unpleasant moment in two ways. The first to purchase a car with a dynamic ESP Plus stabilization system. The second way to choose the right engine and transmission. Only three motors offer: two gasoline 1.6 and 1.8, as well as one diesel 1.7. You can immediately forget about the latter. He will most likely not be supplied to Russia. 1.6 gasoline can be aggregated with a 5-speed mechanics or robot, which will appear a little later. And either a 5-speed mechanics or a 4-speed automatic are suitable for the unit 1.8. As it was possible to find out during the test, for a suspension, comfortable, but not adapted to sharp maneuvers, 1.6-liter engines with mechanics and 1.8 with a machine gun are ideal.


Despite the difference of 25 hp, they are very similar. Acceleration to 100 km/h in each takes a little less than 12 seconds. The maximum moment develops upon reaching 4000 min-1. Both engines have mediocre traction on the bottom and acceptable at the top of 60006500 min-1. This state of affairs reduces the chance to overdo it with gas in the next bend, putting the car sideways. It is clear that nothing is impossible, but by car with the engine 1.8 and a manual gearbox, these chances are great. You can go quickly, but given that you are not dealing with a sports car.
 

Astra sedan will appear in three trim levels: Essentia, Enjoy and Cosmo. Prices will be $ 600800 higher than that of the hatchbacks who had shiny. As a result, the buyer will have to fork out at least $ 19,880. The most expensive version will cost $ 24,880. In many ways, prices are justified by content, but there are a lot of offers in this segment, so the battle for a place in the sun is expected to be serious.
 

In the sedan at home
The finishing materials are pleasantly pleasing. Soft plastic creates a feeling of being in a higher class car. In some places the quality of the panel fitting suffers, but in general the salon deserves honest four points. From the unusual and new one, lacquered black inserts on the central console and on the steering wheel can be noted. True, for the decoration of the steering wheel, which is officially called the piano type coating, they will ask for separate money this option. The Opel Astra sedan suspension is tuned to maximum comfort. On direct high -speed highways, it is a pleasure to drive a car, and on the winding ones you should be more neat. Great things to sound insulation. External noise does not penetrate the salon at all, but the idyll at times violates the sound of the motor, which manifests itself closer to maximum turns.
 



Driving
The sedan is characterized by comfort, a well -tuned and balanced suspension, alas, not adapted to active driving.

Salon
Attracts attention with the quality of finishing materials, but in some places there are assembly flaws.

Comfort
The fact that the universal platform was taken as the basis, and not the hatchback, allowed the salon and the trunk as spacious as possible.

Security
Established security systems meet modern standards.

Price
For this money, the issue of choice among competitors is acute.
 



Technical characteristics Opel Astra
Dimensions, mm 4587x1753x1458
Gasoline engine, 1598 cm3, 115 hp/min-1
Mechanical transmission, 5-speed
Dynamics 0-100 km/h, C 11.7
Maximum speed, km/h 191
Competitors Ford Focus, Mitsubishi Lancer, Honda Civic, Mazda3, Toyota Corolla


Advantages and disadvantages
+ Spacious salon, good quality of finishing materials.
- engines of engines, uninformative steering wheel.
 

Our opinion

The car turned out to be good, but given the price that is requested for it, it will not be easy. Since the choice is very wide for this money, and the novelty does not have a trump of accessibility. You will have to win the buyer with something else. Perhaps it will be a classic body shape.
 

Maxim Egorov
 
 

A source: Magazine 5 wheel [December 2007]