Test drive Opel Astra Sedan 1998 - 2008 Sedan

"The most beautiful"

Bertone came to Russia with Opel Astra Coupe
 
The most beautiful car was not called the car, but by members of the international jury of the Milan exhibition design in motion 2000. I can only agree with them. The well -known Italian body studio created a truly stylish compartment, and its release was established at the enterprise, also part of the Bertone group (see AI No. 1, 2001). And I also admit, I liked the car so much that I could not part with it for four days and twice extended the dough time.
 
I think that no one but Italians could turn with such grace a practical and, in general, a calm German car in a kind of handsome man with a southern temperament. Just look at the rapid lines of the body, evaluate the low line of the hood, pay attention to the powerful rear spoiler and the chrome pipe of the exhaust system, and you can immediately imagine exactly what you are dealing with. Of course, the doors do not have a framework, and you should pull the handle for you, as the glass will go down a little - it is supposed to be in a sports type machine.
 
It is convenient and pleasant to sit in the salon. Cream skin, high quality black plastic and aluminum inserts on the front panel - everything is done with taste, everything speaks of comfort and at the same time indicates an extraordinary dynamics. The chairs are equipped with all the necessary adjustments, which allows you to drive more than one hundred kilometers without a hint of fatigue. Powerful side support wings will keep the body in steep turns. Black numbers on a white background of instrument shield not only look original, but also read well. A small diameter of the steering wheel is pleasantly in hand and is adjusted both vertically and horizontally. Despite the fact that this is a compartment, the back is quite spacious for two adults (this is also checked). But passengers should completely trust the driver and hold on to the handles tightly: Astra Coupe is a quick and swivel car.
 
German power, Italian character
 
So far, only one compartment version is delivered to Russia - with an atmospheric engine of 2.2 liters and a capacity of 147 hp. But this, I must say, is not enough for a compact machine. Even with an automatic checkpoint, namely, this modification was taken for a test. Although I personally would prefer to see a chrome or leather knob of a mechanical gearbox on the site of the selector's handle.
 
However, the machine does not allow me to be bored. The programs are switched clearly and quickly, especially if the checkpoint is converted to sports mode. This can be done using the button on the handle itself, and then a yellow light will light up on the instrument shield. Now the electronics will not switch to increased gear for discharge, but will remain the same, providing excellent reactions to pressing the accelerator pedal. And the arrow of the tachometer will certainly fall into the red zone before the next gear turns on. A winter movement mode is also provided. It will be mainly necessary for those who like to ride calmly. But it is difficult to imagine melancholic behind the wheel of such a coupe. It is enough to go a couple of times in good mode, to feel how the steering wheel is heavy with an increase in speed, and you can forget about leisurely movement. The Astra Coupe suspension is tuned in such a way that even in the coolest turns of the body rolls are minimized.
 
It is clear that as a result of this, it shakes on your native roads, but you can add gas and rather pass a bad site? .. What is especially nice, the front -wheel drive car is at all in a hurry to go into skids, and if this begins to happen, everything can be corrected with a short movement of the steering wheel. There is no need for dexterity? In this case, the ESP system will come to the rescue, and on time and without hesitation. Probably, it is unnecessary to say that the brake system is quite adequate and equipped with the latest generation ABS. And the steering? It was excellent in Astra itself, and now it has become even more honed, typically Italian. And provoking an active ride. But I will not say a word about the smell of pale rubber ...
 
If the 2.2 liter engine is capable of pouring a huge dose of adrenaline into the blood, then what can we say about a two -liter motor with a turbocharged capacity of 190 hp? There is also a version that was told to me in the company’s representative office, with demand, may also appear in Russia.
 
Favorable ratio
 
The compartment is always more expensive than other cars. And those that are now being produced in Europe are much more expensive. The only exception is Astra Coupe, the most affordable European car of this type. And in Russia, the price-quality ratio speaks in its favor.
 
The package with which the compartment is supplied to our country includes a full electric package, climate control, an excellent audio system with a CD player, heating the front seats, a leather interior, four airbags and some other little things. Agree that at this level of equipment, the price of 23,490 dollars does not seem to be overpriced. A version with an automatic checkpoint is more expensive than $ 1,500, and the list of options consists of only one point - xenon headlights, for which you will have to pay $ 800.
 
And the last observation. Reflecting on who will be the main buyer of the coupe in Russia, I imagined a young wealthy man, in some ways an egoist (this is still not a family car), a lover to grab on his leisure. What was my amazement when on the Moscow snow -covered street I saw a young young lady behind the wheel of Astra Coupe, cheerfully sorting out pens on the lamb! But this is not a car for you! - I wanted to exclaim. Or maybe I'm wrong?
 
 
Andrey Osipov
 
 

A source: Newspaper "Automobile Izvestia" [No. 2 (5), 2002]