Test drive Opel Astra sedan 1998 - 2008 sedan

Organizer

One of the manifestations of the strange arrogance of Russian car owners is their dislike for the station wagons. For transportation of goods, there is a delivery service, the apologists of sedan and hatchbacks say, and, glancing arrogantly towards the sheds, they are trying to stuff a bulky belongings into the trunk.
 
Opel Astra Caravan, who visited us on a long test, stands out among classmates primarily a record for C -class with a wheelbase - 2703 mm. On the same stretched platform, Zafira B is built (mini-van 130 mm higher and slightly wider), which is why they are sometimes even confused. For comparison: the base of the Mazda6 station wagon is a few centimeters shorter, and the latest generation Passat Variant surpassed Caravan by this indicator by only 6 mm.
 
Practice has shown that the numbers are not deceiving. The increase in the base added places to the rear passengers, which also do not sit on the wheel, as is customary in C-class. In addition, the car is characterized by behavior by Astra hatchback. Caravan keeps a course at high speed, does not bounce on bumps thanks to a tougher rear springs. Despite the archaic elastic beam in the rear suspension and a road clearance of 172 mm, Caravan clearly writes arcs and performs restructuring. The car has a fairly sharp steering wheel (2.7 turns), which does not empty with speed and has a clear zero. A chubby three -spoke bagel with excavations under the thumbs is convenient for a grip and pleasant to the touch (skin -covered steering wheel is not included in the base only in the cheapest Essentia configuration).
 
The embarrassing moment is standard tires. Most ASTRA station wagons come to Russia on a rather rigid and noisy Bridgestone Turanza ER300 BridgeStone Turanza, made in Poland. For an active driving manner, these tires are suitable very conditionally. As a replacement, we have chosen a compromise option - pseudo -sports Michelin Pilot Exalto2. With the new tires, Caravan became more assembled, obedient, and most importantly - he stopped shaking in the rut.
 
Engine 1.8 L with a capacity of 125 hp - A reasonable choice for those who are going to carry not only air. The start of Caravan does not take very briskly, but in the movement, in the range of 3000-5000 rpm, the motor allows you to confidently go to overtaking and dynamically maneuver in the stream. All of the above is fair and with serious loading. Mechanical checkpoint works clearly, pleases with the short moves of the lever. An interesting detail: for a smooth inclusion of reverse, the manufacturer recommends squeezing the clutch and wait three seconds. The brake pedal is sensitive - it is possible to besiege Caravan even at high speed, clearly dosing the effort. Front ventilated and rear disc brakes are installed on all versions of the station wagons. ABS with the system of distribution of brake efforts in the bend (EBD) come into operation when it is really necessary. Note that the station wagon in the database is equipped with a subsidizing system Break Assist.
 
The trunk deserves separate words. The massive fifth door opens access to a flat area with a width of 1088 and 1072 mm long. Having folded the back row, we get a bed 1800 mm long, and with the most moved forward the front seats - 2000 mm, but this is an exceptionally sleeping option. If you still fold the back of the front seat (option) forward, then you can transport long -meters up to 2750 mm. However, as experience shows, it is not necessary to order a folding passenger chair - it’s enough to just lower the back back. The back of the second row is folded in a proportion of 60/40, in addition, its central part is folded separately.
 
It is impossible to use a rich freight potential without a baggage attachment system. And Caravan allows you to fix the load and isolate it from passengers according to all the rules of universal art. To do this, four rails made of anodized aluminum are horizontally fixed on the walls of the luggage compartment. The fastening is hard - to the metal brackets of the body. The rails form the basis of the Flexorganazier system, borrowed from the model, a rank above - Vectra Caravan.
 
With the help of adapters and hooks, these guides can be attached, for example, a vertical grid with pockets for any little things, dividing the trunk into two compartments. Two tubular crossbars, between which the mesh is stretched, move along the rails. For example, you can press even a large suitcase to the backs of the rear seats, and when the trunk is full, the net will not allow the load to fall out when you open the fifth door. In addition, there are side nets-pockets, containers and belts that are tightly attached to the guides, an elastic grid that presses the luggage to the floor.
 
And finally, without which the station wagon cannot be loaded under the roof. On the right and left on the ceiling in the area of \u200b\u200bthe central and rear racks, nests are provided for attaching a protective grid (sometimes it is called dog), which cuts off the cargo compartment from the passenger. The trapezoidal hard barrier is pulled between two metal crossbars. The lower one is attached to the eyes in the floor with belts resembling seat belts. You put a grid, and you can not be afraid that some restless box will greet you behind with emergency braking.
 
Flexorganazier rails are set as an option ($ 110). To maximize the cargo compartment to the maximum, an additional $ 200-500 will be required. A serious amount for a car with a price tag of $ 20,590 (Caravan is more expensive than a hatchback by $ 1000). However, if you really need a full -fledged station wagon, these investments will justify themselves.
 
Astra Caravan's prices and equipment
 
B Enjoy configurations: ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, Electric Power Powerpower, Railway Electric Power, Climate Control, Electric Mirrors and Heat, Front and Side Pillows, Audiosystem with CDs (6 Dynamics), Railing. A machine with a 1.8 liter engine and a 5-speed gear mechanical gearbox costs $ 20590. With a 5 -speed automatic - $ 22090. In the maximum configuration of Cosmo ($ 21,490), 16-inch alloy wheels, a leather steering wheel, a black radiator grille with a chrome lining were added.
  
Text: Dmitry Polikarpov
 
 
 

Source: Motor magazine [July 2006]