Test drive Opel Astra Sport sedan since 2012 sedan

Milky Way

Over its almost centuries -old history, Opel learned to open unknown stars and give them its names. Another supernova - Astra.
The view of the Russian buyer, the main advantage of Opel Astra was an attractive price. And sometimes only after the acquisition of a new car, the owners were pleasantly surprised by excellent controllability, unpretentious and reliable engines and significantly the best compared to models of the same price category, quality of manufacture. However, in 1998, when the previous generation Astra appeared, reliability, security, economy and comfort were in fashion. And at the beginning of the century, dynamism came into fashion. For designers Astra-2004, this did not mean refusing one of the listed qualities. They were starting points, concept, if you want
TWINS. It is not difficult to notice that the current flagship of the Opel - Signum gamut is the basis for the silhouette of the new Astra. Which did not prevent the younger one from giving both the age and in the class of the sister is a much more wayward look. It is mainly created due to many fairly small faces located at different angles. Those who were afraid that all cars would become monotonous remnants can breathe a sigh of relief. The new Astra in height was equal to Vectra and Signum, but it looks lower due to the proportions of windows and its cutting. However, it is enough for fans of traditions, and Opelevsky in particular, it is enough to open the door to get their portion of familiar positive emotions: the salon is a modern interpretation of solutions familiar to this brand. As usual in recent years, the angular straight lines gave way to slightly curved, smooth, as well as almost flat surfaces. The instrument panel is lively arising from nowhere and disappearing into nowhere in the center. It, how fashionably expressed, is a continuation of the ribs on the hood and the trunk door. Due to the slightly enlarged base and height, the salon was made even more spacious than before, although, we note, before it did not seem cramped.
SAGITTARIUS. The SPORT button on the machine of the car of class C with a mechanical box at first puzzled us - as a rule, switches in sports mode are installed on automatic transmission vehicles or more expensive sedans. It turned out that the complex of electronic systems under the general name of IDS is standard for all asters, and switching to sports mode is available on versions with an engine with a capacity of 100 hp. The IDS system (Interactive Driving System) includes ESP, anti -operating system, ABS, emergency braking system, as well as CBS system that controls the braking in the bend. By pressing the SPORT button, the settings of the electrhydraulic steering wheel amplifier change and the engine reaction changes. And, of course, the transmission switching mode changes, if it is automatic.
As an option, an IDS Plus system is proposed, which has the opportunity to change the suspension setting to a noticeably more rigid one. In order for the driver to realize his extreme driving skills, the threshold of ESP is reduced. However, it can be completely turned off - this still could not be done even on the charged Vectra GTS.
Despite the fact that the design again used like an old -fashioned semi -dependent rear suspension with levers connected by arsion beam, the manageability of the new Astra improves markedly. Now it is practically not inferior to competitors with complex multi -link pendants. This once again shows that the exact calculation, modern technologies and the flair of engineers who brought the design allow you to draw to a high level not even too avant -garde designs. Although what are we talking about? The famous multi-link suspension, in general, remains a slightly complicated version of simpler designs, which have been used for many decades.
AQUARIUS. The most chance of becoming a bestseller has a 1.6-liter gasoline engine with us. On it, as in the most modest 1.4-liter engine, Twinport technology is used. The variable phases of opening of the intake valves and an increase in the share of the exhaust gases admitted to the cylinder up to 10 percent provide a noticeable decrease in fuel consumption. Twinport, alas, does not add agents to the motors: the engine power of 1.6 liters increased from 101 to 105 forces, and the 1.4-liter engine did not change at all. But the consumption when moving around the city is reduced by about a liter, and this is given that the mass of the new Astra compared to the old increased by an average of 50-100 kg.
On the go, it is quite difficult to evaluate the economy, while the 1.6-liter engine provides a completely expected motor: that is, it makes no sense to go to the races, but it is enough for the city. Easytronic transmission caused conflicting feelings. I really liked the softness of her work: after all, often mechanical boxes with automatic control switch with tangible shocks. On Astra, the transmission was determined by the sound of the engine and the movements of the tachometer arrow. Perplexity caused an overly straightforward algorithm for her work in sports mode. The desire of the system each time during acceleration sharply promotes the motor to the maximum 6500 rpm does not seem very humane.
Until the moment when two -liter turbo engines with a capacity of 170 and 200 hp appear on the market. And a 1.9-liter diesel, the top model will be a 125-horsepower engine of 1.8 liters-it is well known by the owners of the previous generation of Astra. Replenishment in the line of engines should happen in the summer.
SCALES. A rich set of security systems is supported by an equally extensive list of devices that increase comfort. The standard equipment for Germany includes the electric drive of the front windows, the drive and heating of the mirrors, as well as the adjustment of the driver's seat in height. To facilitate the life of customers, the options are collected in several packages, which, from the point of view of Opel, reflect the most typical needs of European buyers. For us a set, rather in total, it will be somewhat different, because some packages to the Russian seem strange: for example, the possibility of supplying air to the legs of the rear passengers is sold only with air conditioning, which is not included in the standard equipment. However, you can warm the legs of the rear riders by air by ordering a winter bag - along with the washers of the headlights and heated front seats.
The real pioneer looks OPEL in the implementation of devices such as a tire pressure indicator on compact models - it is included in the Comfort Driving package, together with the touched by tourying car, the lifting system for the first -proposed car. Another exotic option is the control system for the state of the battery, which independently turns off energy -intensive consumers when the charge level batteries are falling. Against the background of such luxury, the climate control is no longer surprised, borrowed from the older Vectra model, which monitors the temperature and calculates the optimal mode of operation. The performance of the air conditioner or heater begins to smoothly decrease when the temperature approaches in the cabin to the given.
The standard equipment also includes the central locking of locks, which automatically blocks the doors if they were not opened within five minutes after unlocking. You can also enable the auto -lock mode when a speed of 12 km/h. By order, you can even install the Key-Yess system-then a keychain does not need to be removed from your pocket at all, the doors unlocking automatically when approaching the machine. The ignition in this case is turned on by the button at the steering column.
And as the final bar - touching care for the rear passengers, for which two sets of headphones are provided in several trim levels. Through them, guests can listen to the CD player, while the radio sounds through the speakers, or vice versa.
Despite such a rich complete set, General Motors CIS promises to hold prices at a competitive level. You can understand this so that the price of the new Astra will be declared as late as it is possible, so as not to leave the opponents of the time to answer. Therefore, you will have to wait until June.
Text Valery Chusov, photo Adam Opel AG
Opel Astra 1.6 TwinPort Easytronic 1.8 Ecotec
The four -cylinder gasoline engine
Working volume (cubic meter) 1598 1796
Power (L.S. at rpm) 105 at 6000 125 at 5600
Moment (Nm at rpm) 150 at 3900 170 at 3800
Front drive
Gearbox 5-speed 5-speed Easytronic mechanical
Length/width/height (mm) 4249/1753/1460
Wheel base (mm) 2614
Asselled mass/full (kg) 1190/1740 1203/1760
Maximum speed (km/h) 185 198
Acceleration to 100 km/h (c) 13.3 10.8
Fuel consumption (city/highway, l/100 km) 8.4/5.4 10.5/6.2
The price in Germany from $ 20.9 thousand from $ 20.8 thousand.

   
 

A source: "Autopilot"