Test Drive Opel Astra Sedan 1998 - 2008 Sedan

Astra "in the database"

The proposed OPEL setting N-Joy promises to become the most sought-after in the Russian market
 
The long-awaited Astra of a new generation, which differs from the former as a spacecraft from the aircraft, reached, finally, to the salons of Russian dealers. About the cardinal differences, however, the reader AI had the opportunity to learn more recently, in the report from the test drive, which was published in April No. 7 (53), 2003. So I will not repeat, focusing on the Russian version, which has become available with The arrival of the first first swallows to Moscow. It will be about the car with a 1.6 liter engine, with a manual gearbox and in the configuration of the N-Joy, which is offered by dealers for $ 18,190. Personally, I have no doubt that this version will be especially popular in Russia.
 
Simple, beautiful and high quality
 
Of course, I'm not about the appearance of the car - it looks, in my opinion, is excellent in any configuration. The exterior is not able to spoil the iron 16-inch wheels, covered with the cute caps, nor the lack of a chrome plank in front, on which the branded emblem is attached in rich versions (the bar in the body color looks even more organic). During the test on the dough on the Moscow roads, I was not deprived of: Astra - like a fresh flower in a bouquet. I had a feeling that at the same time not everyone knows the car in the face and understand - what kind of car is we talking about, only when they see the nameplates on the body. Especially the owner of the fifth Golf, who was not lazy to stop and revolving about the details were not cleaned about the details: well, yes, Astra is more. More precisely - longer, it is generally one of the biggest cars in the C-class. By itself, and inside is spacious. How on the go? Read car news.
 
Let's go back, however, in the salon. Ergonomics of a driver's seat, remind, worked on the glory: a comfortable, well-profiled seat has all the necessary (in this configuration - mechanical) adjustments, like the steering column. So it's easy to choose the optimal landing, and you will not get tired in the long road. All buttons and keys are at hand, the devices are well read with any lighting. Yes, an ashtray tiny, and get into it without a mischief on the go, without distracting from the road, it is impossible (smoking is harmful!). And another microclimate control unit, in this particular case - air conditioning, is located low, you have to reach. But on a general background, these two comments look with essential quarrels: it is comfortable from the interior comfortable and sporting. And the fact that his decoration reminds Salon Vectra is not minus, but plus. Well, of course, the quality of finishing materials is impressive: plastic, fabric upholstery - for nothing to say that they saved on this. Cleaners are ideal. However, there is nothing to be surprised - Astra is issued on the latest technologies that will be relevant for a long time, and only in the modernization of the production of Adam Opel AG has invested more than a billion euros.
 
In the version of N-Joy, electric windows are equipped with front doors, rear - ordinary handles. True, the rear view mirrors are adjusted with electric motors and are heated. Their form is very successful, and in a dense urban stream, and there is no problem in the country highway with visibility. On this version of the car, a music center with a radio receiver and a CD player, which can also read MP-3 files can also be read. Melomanana The sound level may not arrange, but replace the audio system without disrupting the appearance of the central console, it will be possible to hardly: the on-board computer control buttons are located here, the information from which is displayed in the center of the torpedo. On the leather ramp of a small diameter and a pleasant thickness there is no volume control buttons, which is found in the more expensive versions of Astra, which, however, does not particularly annoy - the handle on the console is large and use it conveniently.
 
And also, perhaps, it is worth reminding that the places for the rear passengers are quite enough, the volume of the luggage compartment (depending on the size of the spare wheel and the arrangement of the rear seats) varies from 350 to 1300 liters. As in other equipment, there is a roomy glove box, but there are no cupboards and niches for storing bottles with water. But in general, Astra N-Joy salon leaves, I repeat, very good impression. Yes, and more: this version has four airbags, a central lock with remote control and immobilizer. Strictly speaking, n-joy - not quite basic equipment, which does not have the name at all. This is the first of four levels of configuration (there is also Elegance, Sport and Cosmo).
 
Astra Twinport.
 
Astra 1.6 is also interesting in the fact that during the first test of the machine with this motor only was equipped with a semi-automatic Box of Easytronic. Now we are talking about the mechanical 5-speed gearbox. Therefore, it is not worth loaning on numbers reflecting the dynamics of the car - believe me, in real life it will not disappoint. And a 4-cylinder 105 liter motor. With. It is unlikely to seem weak.
 
The fact is that this power unit is equipped with the latest development of Opel engineers - TwinPort technology. It is she who guarantees a good response to work a accelerator pedal, providing a striking economy - 6.6 liters of gasoline per 100 km run. The essence of the new technology is to supply the fuel mixture in the combustion chamber immediately on two channels, and about 25% of air in the mixture are exhaust gases, which, in turn, guarantees the observance of rigid environmental standards that come into force in Europe in only a few years. Thus, TwinPort provides more efficient saturation of the chamber with a mixture and fast engine promotion. Moreover, with slow movement, one channel is used for supplying fuel, but it is a little stronger to press the right pedal, as the fuel pump will immediately increase the pressure and the second channel will be involved. Such a system compensates for the shortage of power and gives the sensation of the engine's tractability.
 
However, the full life of the power unit lives when the tachometer arrow is between the marks 3000 - 5000 rpm. Benefit to maintain this work mode can be easily. Despite the fact that the PPC handle seems slightly breaking, problems when switching does not occur - selectivity at height, and even with fast transitions from one stage it is impossible to be mistaken. Therefore, with certain skills behind the wheel of Astra 1,6, it is possible to feel quite confident and give odds to other competitors when starting from traffic lights.
 
An excellent seasoning for the capabilities of the power plant is an honed steering. Baranca to the measure of acute and has excellent feedback. In addition, the suspension is configured in such a way that most vibrations are determined, while maintaining the inherent model of comfort, and the body in turns is not particularly cubed, adding sharpness into the driver's sensations. In general, when you understand that slipping comes quite late, you start to go very quickly.
 
Here is an example. Food to the place scheduled for filming and without any rear thought I overtook Lexus RX300 - the car, you will agree, not weak. And suddenly I notice that the driver of the Japanese car hung on my tail - whether I decided to show who on the owner's road, whether he simply intrigued the appearance of Astra. On the direct power of the 1.6-liter motor, it was clearly lacked, and the nose of Lexus closed all the rearview mirror. But here is a winding road, and the SUV began to lag clearly. And the Astra still has such a supply of sustainability that even the rubber does not begin to sing. True, the reaction to the dump of gas is somewhat blurred, and have to help the motor brakes. Fortunately, Astra is all very good. The distribution system of brake efforts, ABS and simply powerful calipers provide such a fast deceleration that you start to understand why the electronics should be moved from the place, it starts annoyingly, the most example, to demand - fasten! And not only the driver must be fastened, but also sitting on the front seat passenger. And still the future owner of the ASTRA 1.6 N-Joy should be remembered that there is no stabilization in this version of the electronic system.
 
N-joy +
 
So, Astra for $ 18,190 - this is what was discussed. But in the tested car there was something else, in my opinion, useful. This is a painting metallic ($ 250), alarm system (300 dollars), air conditioning (800 dollars) and the so-called winter package (heated front armchairs and headlight washer - 410 dollars). As a result - 19 950.
 
Come on me, so I would certainly charged another 25 dollars for a normal signal, because the one that is installed, sounds worse than the colded basque. In any case, Opel Astra, even taking into account the increased price, looks more attractive than many competitors. A car warranty is two years without a mileage limit. The interservice interval in the Russian conditions - 15 thousand kilometers, in Europe - 30 thousand.
 
Andrei Osipov
 
Brief Specifications Opel Astra 1.6
Engine volume, cube. See: 1598.
Number of valves on the cylinder: 4
Power, l. With. For rpm: 105/6000
Max. Torque, nm / at about about. Min: 150/3900
Acceleration up to 100 km / h, p .: 12.3
Maximum speed, km / h: 185
Middle fuel consumption l. / 100 km.: 6.6
Volume of fuel tank, l .: 52
Dimensions, mm.: 4249x1753x1460
 

A source: Newspaper "Car Izvestia" [№12 (58), 2004]