Test Drive Opel Antara since 2007 SUV

Opel Antara 2.4.

The new Antara SUV acquired all the names of Opel. It turned out a pretty car with recognizable appearance, worked out with a comfortable lounge and quite modern technical components. Finally, after almost a year of waiting, Antara debuts in Russia.
In some way, the Opel brand was great. Most recently, it seemed that in the German company would not have noticed the popularity of medium-sized SUVs in Europe for a long time. After stopping in 2004, the production of frame Frontera, the company seems to have made no effort to return to this interesting, but not an easy market segment. Fortunately, in General Motors just ended the development of the promising SUV CHEVROLET CAPTIVA. It is based on the basis of Opel specialists and it was proposed to build their own model. However, marketers still decided to progress and check the public response once again at the appearance of a new SUV under the Opel brand. Therefore, in 2005, the Concept car Opel Antara GTC was presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Now even there is a feeling that the creators have stopped a little, having endowed it too spectacular appearance. Of course, such a concept was met with delight: he promised a fresh look at the world of medium-size SUV. Such a positive reception was just required to doubt GM bosses to successfully complete the project already serial antara. Of course, for several years since the times of Frontera, much in the automotive Europe has changed, especially in the SUV segment. The list of European classmates and direct opponents Antara cannot but impress Honda CR-V, Mitsubishi Outlander XL, Nissan X-Trail, Toyota RAV4 and, of course, Chevrolet Captiva, and they all seem very serious competitors. For a successful appearance on the market with such strong players, Antara should be an outstanding model with many positive qualities. One hip-engineering with the replacement of the Chevrolet emblem on Opel will not be enough for this.
Original design
It is worth a look at the pictures of the concept car Antara GTC. In fact, the Opel risked to repeat the story with the first generation MERCEDES ML representation. Then, in the mid-90s, in Mercedes twice surprised their fans and even autoinadustry specialists. At first, a very spectacular and attractive concept of Mercedes AAV was shown, and several months later serial ML with frankly humble appearance and even unpacked black bumpers. Fully get rid of disappointment managed only a few years later with the debut of the loose restyled version. A similar way was accepted in Opel. The concept of Antara GTC really became one of the stars of the Frankfurt car dealership, giving hope for the appearance of an off-road sports unit from Opel. After all, the company described their concept as Gran Turismo Crossover. Antara GTC had a 3-door body with dynamic silhouette and muscular wheel arches. Nothing like the serial antara can not be found. Of course, the first thing in Opel was given a 5-door serial model body. It was done, of course, according to the requirements of potential customers: the convenience of using the car has grown an order. Others followed by the first retreat from the ideology of Antara GTC, and soon the serial antara became a completely different car. Of course, for Antara GTC a little offensive concept was pretty and not so torn off from reality. But you can only rejoice that the serial antara is so much similar to the related Captiva. The key difference in the layout of the cabin. Captiva was originally developed as a car for five or seven people. Opel specialists preferred in this matter to sacrifice excessive functionality and limited to an exceptionally 5-bed layout. The difference is manifested even when comparing the dimensions: Antara shorter Captiva exactly 6 cm. In this case, the size of the wheelbase coincide. Suddenly, it turns out that Antara has the largest wheelbase in its segment. This is also manifested in the appearance of Antara: the Opel model is actually short for the current SUV-standards of the front and rear bodies. The balanced proportions of the Antara body are backed up with a solid set of decorative body elements with Opel family generators. Eloquent design of the front of the body. It dominates the large grill of the radiator in the corporate style of the company with a sparkling stripe and the logo in the upper part. For a larger effect, the lattice is backed by headlights with deliberately dedicated lamines so that the memories of the last passenger models of Opel arose by themselves. The same associative range is called upon to cause and rear red lanterns, as if borrowed from the new CORSA and slightly increased in size. But Antara can boast a pair of completely unique bumpers, which are analogues in the Opel model line just not to find. They are made according to the last European fashion with massive plates of black plastic, facilitating crowded in Parking in Paris, and catchy silver inserts in the central part, designed to symbolize the powerful protection of the bottom. And Antara acquired by the pins of the air ducts in the front wings. This is already direct reference to the modern Land Rover program, or rather, to the senior Range Rover. And, which is surprising, perceived on Antara such wings as proper.
Spacious and style
The most positive feedback deserves the Antara salon. First, from the heart, thank the developers for choosing a 5-bed layout. Indeed, as a result, they did not have to paint the space to accommodate the third row of seats, sowing the passengers sitting ahead. Therefore, we have a remnable stock of free space in all directions on the front row of seats and quite sufficient on the second. That is, expectations regarding the inner sizes of the cabin, which generates a solid exterior, are fully justified. Of course, the interior design is again fulfilled on all Opel standards, the benefit of the company in recent years has achieved an impressive high-quality jump in this area. Surprisingly, it is the salon that the Salon Antara allows you to remember the concept of Antara GTC. Because solutions are found in the cabin first presented on this concept. So, the central console is decorated with three large nozzles of blowing deflectors. And they are not serious to consider them wrong: they are working on the introduction of sports in the mood of the driver and passengers. In some way, it supports this idea and instrument panel with classic speedometer dials and tachometer. In general, Opel designers are masterfully used in the interior circles of suitable sizes for graphic simplicity. As we see, it turns out very well. But at the landing of the driver Antara still distances from the idea of \u200b\u200ban off-road sports accumulation. Because it is the most convenient to be placed driving this car on the seat with a fairly high pillow and almost vertical back. Subconscious desire, as on some high-speed SUVs, lower the seat to the floor, as if taking care of the center of gravity, in Antara.
The choice is limited
Above the choice of the engine is not particularly noticed. At least in the first months of sales. GM has already made their choice, swinging just one motor for antara deliveries to Russia. In Europe, Antara, like Captiva, is offered with three engines: 2.4 and 3.2 liter gasoline volume (140 and 227 hp) and turbodiesel 2 l (150 hp). But for Russia, it is still provided for only the most modest modification of Antara with a gasoline engine. It is possible that this way in GM is trying to avoid the internal competition of Antara with Chevrolet SUVs, introducing power valves for the new Opel. Indeed, the version of Antara V6 can delay the sales of not only Captiva V6, but also in part even TrailBlazer. With the current situation, Antara 2.4 will select customers from Japanese classmates who have similar power (140150 hp). But Antara will be sold both mechanically and with an automatic transmission. There is no reason for special pondays again. Opel Ecotec engine with a working volume of 2.4 liters has a phlegmatic character. He seems to be somewhat coming to life on medium turnover and begins to more vigorously accelerate the car, but the exciting sensations, of course, does not give. In a pair with him an automatic 5-range gearbox, it works very harmoniously, providing a reliable, predictable and smooth set of speed. Although the driver's classic handle will, beyond any doubt, large involvement in the process. And as a pleasant consequence is the best speaker.
In german spirit
In principle, Antara has a very modern chassis in its architecture and behavior, just a giving reason to name the model of a fashionable term crossover. Taking the Captiva platform as the basis, the developers of Antara produced it thoroughly. It seems that the Antara chassis was preparing under the traditional German autobahn at the cruising speed of 150170 km / h. In this mode, Antara motion is very good and distinguished by excellent course stability and good noise insulation. Both the driver and passengers do not get tired in such trans-European moves to Antara. The car suspension is coping with and with our country tracks, if possible, smoothing the feeling from chosel and beats. In urban maneuvers, a large radius of turning is manifested in the Captiva. When turning or parking in the cramped conditions, it is often necessary to turn the steering wheel from the stop until it stops, which seems to be a lot of revolutions. But on the second day you get used to it, and in the future inconvenience does not arise. Without radical changes, switched from Captiva on Antara and all-wheel drive transmission. As we remember on Captiva test, most of the time on dry asphalt car remains front-wheel drive. When slipping a coupling with electronically controlling, a piece of torque is moved to the rear wheels. Thus, Antara is quite suitable for conventional familylike beats beyond asphalt roads. There is an Antara and one more advantage over wired warents. On the ordinary country or snow-covered road energy, the car will be quite enough for a happy finish of a country house. But conquer the harsh off-road, we once again recommend on SUVs with more solid factory preparation in the form of a transfer box and numerous blockages.
Harmonious portrait
During our acquaintance, Antara fully met all expectations. The creators of the car were able not only to endow its recognizable Opel style in appearance and interior, but also to bring German collens into behavior on the road. Thanks to this, Antara is fairly fairly positioned as an independent model, without any reference to the formally related Captiva. But the feeling remains that Antara deserves and deliveries with a more powerful engine. Everything from the design to the chassis asks a temperamental motor. Then with the advent of the second, flagship, modification, the ATARA model range in Russia will become even more solid and finished.
Specifications Opel Antara 2.4
Dimensions, mm 4575x1850x1704
Base, mm 2707
Pitch in front / rear, mm 1562/1572
Clearance, mm 200
Trunk volume, l 370/1420
Curb weight, kg 1805
Engine type gasoline 4-cylinder
With turbocharged
Working volume, cube. cm 2405.
Max. Power, hp / rpm 140/5200
Max. Moment, nm / rpm 220/2400
Transmission mechanical 5-speed / automatic 5-range
Max. Speed, km / h 175 (168)
Tires 235/60 R17
Access time is 0-100 km, from 11.9 (12.9)
Fuel consumption (medium), l / 100 km 9.6 (10.4)
Volume of tank, l 65

Fedor Oldin
Photo by Alexander Vasilyev
 

A source: Magazine "Autopanoram"