Test Drive Opel Antara since 2007 SUV

First pancake ...

Until recently, Opel was the only German brand that did not offer all-wheel drives, and then the breach in the model row was filled.
Opel has released the first SUV of Antara's own development. And its assembly from Korean cars recently began in St. Petersburg there, where the twin brother Chevrolet Captiva is released.
Until recently, Opel was the only German brand that did not offer all-wheel drives, and then the breach in the model row was filled. Previously, Opel produced only ISUZU licensed all-wheel drivers, which were called Frontera and Monterey, but their production was finally discontinued in 2004. Now the times are changing, and all-wheel drives are mastered even the French brands that AWD before was completely alien.
Opel Antara is designed in close cooperation with the Koreans, who half a year ago launched a Chevrolet Captiva, and the influence of Asian technologies can be seen with the naked eye.
Actually, putting the car nearby, the differences can be detected only in external design, while the silhouette of the body almost completely coincides. Only the Opel feed is different, it is a little shorter, which reduces the trunk and deprives him of installing the third row of seating in it, but the silhouette is more dynamic. The acute headlights complement the rapid image of Antara and at the same time make it completely faceless identifying the brand of the machine only on the emblem.
The interior is already more named real Opel, although exactly what it is very difficult to say, rather, the collective image of passenger models of the brand. The same yellow display on the central console and three round deflector. Gray rotating climate control handles and minor keys Magnitols are generously scattered throughout the console. Even people who had experience in communicating with the wisen interface of the last Opels, the Antara salon will have to be not easy. All others are simply doomed painstakingly study the instruction manual without it hard even even tritely adjust the frequency of favorite radio station.
Having surrendered under the onslaught of the Criton-Avtogurnistists, the Opolevs abandoned non-fixed steering wheel switches, replacing them into ordinary. To use them really it became easier. It is not necessary to guess how the algorithm is now working wipers: everything is simple and understandable.
In the cabin, there is simply no open shelves for little things there is nowhere to put a phone nor a pack of cigarettes. Another surprise was the lack of a smoking glass on the central console, a smoking glass can be installed in the door pocket, but it is completely uncomfortable to use it: it is at the very feet, and it is almost impossible to get into it, also without highlighting. But non-smokers often use ashtray for example, as a mini-urn. The cigarette lighter is also not very good, between the seats get into it to the touch almost impossible, and considering that it is hot enough, such focuses are not very safe. However, if you use the cigarette lighter as a rosette, then its location next to the central box is fully justified.
Rear passengers are very rapidly places in all areas abundantly, and there is no central tunnel at all. Formally the back of the rear sofa has adjustment over the angle of inclination, but its range is so narrow that the benefit of it is minimal. The trunk in a 5-seater execution shortened compared to Chevrolet Capriva is not impressive than 370 liters.
According to the behavior on Antara Road, you can take for a real SUV. The absence on the steering wheel of reactive efforts, solid rolls and the vibration-transmitted vibrations from unsophisticated masses resemble large jeeps. I had to even get out of the car and look under the bottom and hood ... Strange, there is no spiner frame, the suspension of all wheels is independent, and the steering mechanism is a regular passenger car, not a global worm, like real passing. As in the depths of the GM, it was possible to create a mysterious in control of the car. Maybe Koreans distinguished themselves with the shock absorbers?
With an increase in speed, the situation is slightly improved: after 100 km / h, the steering wheel is heavy, and due to the high and relatively narrow wheels of Antara absolutely does not react to the rut. Orthodox disappear in the depths of powerful suspension. However, no pleasure from driving is not and speech simply manage a certain car N. The steering wheel turned the car, I was mistaken at the turn of the electronics will adjust the trajectory and will not let you fly from the road. Safe, but boring!
But only acoustic discomfort seeps into the salon from everywhere. The buzz of tires is heard, the wind sweats at high speed, and accompanies a sufficiently modest motor, forced to work at elevated circulation. The engine is very intrusive in the cabin already at 3000 rpm, which on the last transmission just corresponds to 100 km / h. Even in the city, with a smooth and measured movement, to keep the tachometer arrow below the 3-thousand mark is quite difficult, acceleration is too long. And if you want to go quickly, then be good to listen to howling the engine or make music louder. The 4-speed automatic helps the driver accelerate that there are strength, but the limited selection of gear ratios does not contribute to the dynamics. Yes, and on the braking, the engine does not count, even when manually shifting the gear, the machine refuses to hold the specified turns.
The off-road Antara feels confidently until the wheels retain reliable contact with the road. It is possible to slip by the cape. The suspension energy intensity is very worthy or storming the urban currency clearance allows. However, serious obstacles of the PARKEnter, of course, not on the teeth, the absence of interstole blocking stops Antara at the first hint of the diagonal hanging, it does not save even the oppocitation system. It works with noticeable delays and is very rude, so the benefit of it is minimal. In addition, the seemingly aluminum pad that protects the front bumper from the bottom, it turned out to be a flip of plastic. In a word, Antara's passability exclusively on the parquet level from the Opel road will ease, but it is not suitable for serious off-road adventures.
It seems that conceptually ideas embedded in Antara are very good. This is a big and inexpensive SUV, which may well become an alternative to pickup for those who do not need an open body, but wants to get a simple and spacious car for every day. But the laws of the genre dictate a slightly tougher rules of the game. What is for a full pickup, causes irritation in an SUV. Especially annoying small miscalculations on ergonomics and sound insulation for Opel. When we had a Chevrolet Captiva on our test, \u003creference to the test\u003e Requirements for it were significantly lower, but from the German car you expect a completely different behavior. Recomposing Antara to the market, Opolevtsy risk their brand, which, thanks to the latest passenger models, began to strengthen significantly. Although the attitude towards the Antara will be formed, most likely, not on the basis of its running characteristics, but depending on reliability. If the SUV will serve its owner faithfully, then he can forgive much for it.
Text: Leonid Pavlov
 
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Low price
Spacious salon
 
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Soundproofing
Acid speaker
 
Price of the tested car - 977 500 rubles

Complete set of tested car
Frontal airbags
Side airbags
Inflatable curtains
Abs
Anti-test system
Dynamic stabilization system
All-wheel drive transmission
Steering amplifier
Automatic transmission
Multifunctional steering wheel
Adjustable steering column in height
Adjustable steering column
Skin Steering Decoration
Electric heating front seats
Rear view mirror with autocession
Remote central castle
Air conditioning
Climate control mono
Electric and heating outdoor mirrors
Electric windows front
Power windows rear
Folding in parts rear seat
Adjustable angle of tilt back seats
CD audio system
Trip computer
Parktronic
Fog lights
Alloy wheels
Coloring metallic
Cruise control

Specifications
Body
Body type 5-door wagon
Number of places 5.
Trunk volume, l 370/1420
Curb weight, kg 1805
Full weight, kg 2272
Length, mm 4575
Width, mm 1850
Height, mm 1704
Wheel base, mm 2707
Road clearance, mm 200
Engine
Type gasoline with fuel injection
Location in front, transversely
Location and number of cylinders R4
Working volume, cm 2405
Cylinder diameter / Piston stroke, mm 87,5 / 100
Compression ratio 9.6
Number of valves on cylinder 4
Maximum power, hp / rpm 140/5200
Maximum torque, nm / rpm 220/2400
Transmission
5-speed automatic gearbox
Full drive, with electromagnetic clutch in the rear wheel drive
Front suspension independent, McPherson
Rear suspension independent, spring, multi-type
Front brakes disc ventilated
Rear brakes disc ventilated
Tires 215.
 
Dynamics
Maximum speed, km / h 13.3
Acceleration time 0-100 km / h, from 170
Fuel consumption, l / 100 km
urban cycle 14,1
country cycle 10.1
mixed cycle 7,1
Fuel tank capacity, l 65
Fuel 0.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A source: Carclub.ru.