Test Drive Opel Astra Sport Sedan since 2012 Sedan
Aid to many
As a rule, when developing mass models in full growth, the task is to combine in one machine often mutually exclusive features and properties. Indeed, since the model is mass, it means that it should simultaneously satisfy the requests of various groups of buyers. How, for example, combine body strength and ease of design, carrying capacity and compactness? Only by compromise. All of the above fully refers to the model range of Opel Astra, previously known as Kadett.
At one time, the most popular products of the automotive industry stood out into an independent class, which with someone's easy hand was designated by the name of his hedgeon. This refers to the Golf class. An example of this car was so infectious that for almost 25 years the world's leading manufacturers have been a great place in their production programs such machines. No exception and concern General Motors, whose European offices Opel and Vauxhall always walked a parallel course with one of the leaders of German automotive industry.
The previous generation of ASTRA, manufactured by these offices, has established itself from the best side, in many countries ahead of the popularity of the speaker itself. This model is well known and in Russia, where it uses a reputation as a reliable and convenient car. So the reason to take advantage of the invitation to the premiere of the new generation Opel Astra we had. 
Visitors of last year's car dealership in Frankfurt could get acquainted with the new Astra visually. The car was presented as an externally finished and almost running pattern, but as a full-fledged vehicle Opel Astra debuted at the salon in Geneva only in the spring of this year. Almost simultaneously with this, in the vicinity of the Austrian city, Graz was held a presentation of new items for journalists of automotive publications, on which the correspondent of the magazine Motor was visited. 
In 1996, a concept car Opel Signum was presented at the Geneva Motor Show. He had to symbolize the new aesthetics of Opel products. Then no one thought that the new Astra would be similar to this prototype, with changed, truth, proportions. The body of a new car combines innovative stylistic solutions, and quite traditional - we must try to please all potential buyers. In Serial Astra, we found the use of original headlight headlamps that are capable of the hood. In the five-door hatchback, the shape of the rear door frame has a characteristic bending. Initially, the car will be produced only with two bodies (three- and five-door hatchbacks), it is later planned to be launched into the production of sedan, mini-Ven and coupe.
The body design is such that with increasing weight, only 15 kg compared to the old Opel Astra of its angular rigidity to the twist is 78% more than that of the previous model. Note that in the new Astra body, about 20 steel varieties are used.
Partly the extra metal went to increase the size of the machine. Thus, the base grew by 97 mm, 54 and 31 mm became more respectively the front and rear gauges.
Manufacturers give a 12-year warranty on the body from end-to-end corrosion - all panels are galvanized in two layers. A good help in an increase in body rigidity and especially the front of it was a closed subframe formed from a pipe with hydroforming. The subframe is attached to the body in six points and serves as a carrier of the front suspension levers, two supports of the power unit and the steering mechanism with the amplifier. The weight load from the gear engine is perceived by the front spars through two supports that are installed in such a way that the line connecting them passes through the center of gravity of the power unit, the reaction from the torque is transmitted to the subframe with two other supports. This makes it possible to significantly reduce the engine vibration transmitted on the body, reduce idle speeds, and therefore increase efficiency.
The engine gamma of the new ASTRA consists of six gasoline engines with working volumes from 1.2 to 2 liters and with a capacity of 65 to 136 hp. and two turbo diesel engines 1.7 and 2 liters. The latter - with direct fuel injection and the 16-valve head - used in the Golf class for the first time. New and specially designed for Astra gasoline motors 1.2 and 1.8 liters. Together with a two-liter diesel engine, they enter the large seven Opel Ecotec engines. On a two-liter 16-valve gasoline engine, in addition to the fastening that reduces the vibration-transmitted vibrations, two balancing shafts with counterweights are applied. The five-speed manual gearbox is standard for all modifications, and the four-stage automatic can be put on request for all engines, in addition to the 1.2 liter gasoline volume and a diesel engine of 1.7 liters. The front suspension of the MacPherson type is interesting primarily in the fact that aluminum is widely used in it - it is widely used with a rack cartridge with a lower reference cup of spring, and the drive of the transverse stability stabilizer is molded from plastic. The rear suspension belongs to the type distributed on the front-wheel drive vehicles, the characteristic feature of which is the associated longitudinal levers. Communication is provided by a twisted beam of an unusual design - its U-shaped profile is molded from the pipe.
The rear suspension supports are designed in such a way as to ensure a blowing effect in the turn. The robes steering mechanism is equipped with an economical electro-hydraulic amplifier.
With all these technical features, we were able to familiarize yourself with the help of inventory samples and in conversations with Opel specialists during the exposition examination, specially deployed in the hotel hall, where we lived. Directly the car, we were able to study during traveling along several routes that were listed in the navigation system of each machine.
The first car on which we had to ride, was a three-door hatchback with a motor volume of 1.8 liters. Get acquainted. Wide doorway is convenient when landing. In the cabin is very cozy, a discreet modern interior is perfectly harmonized with a bright appearance of the car. Torpedo has well-separated working areas - control and control, from the passenger side, a disguised airbag is mounted, which an inscription AirBag is issued. For the driver, too, there is a pillow, it is in the hub of the steering column. Devices designed to increase passive safety include pretensioners of seat belts, pedal release system with frontal impact and side protection in the form of tubular elements inside the doors.
Good, moderately hard seat is easily adjustable in length, height and the corner of the tilt of the back. You can also set up at your discretion and lumbar support in the back of the seat. The steering column is adjustable over the angle of inclination. The steering wheel with a comfortable rim lies well in the hands, without blocking the combination of instruments. To the right of the steering wheel on the torpedo there are external lighting authorities, and the built-in CD receiver and the navigation system are located on the center console. As one of the options, the car can be equipped with a mobile phone. There are also the controls of an aeroclimatic installation and air conditioning system. The gear lever - in the right place, the magnitude of the moves and the clarity of the inclusion of gears - without comments. No slack and breaking. 
Sit back. To do this, you need to tilt the back of the front chair, after which it is entirely moving forward. Thus, the passage of back becomes comfortable. As we expected, after returning the back to its original position, the front seat took the position preliminarily set by us corresponding to the high driver's growth. At the same time, no less than a high person is completely calmly located in the back seat. Yes, the salon clearly became spacious.
Sit down for the steering wheel. We selected the route will end on the improvised landfill, arranged on the flight field of the local Aerokluba. We have already learned how to use the navigation system, so you can go. We are moving along a winding asphalt road through the forest. The car immediately led himself as a kind old friend. Here really - sat down and drove! In the nature of the Opel Astra of this version, sports features are noticeable. White devices, roofing sound of a customized exhaust and hard suspension create an impression that you are going on a real sports car. The machine demonstrates a good dynamics and perfectly holds the course. Handling gorgeous. It feels that the efforts of the company aimed at increasing the rigidity of the body and improving the steering mechanism, the gift was not disappeared. The joint work of the adhesion pedal and gear lever allows you to quickly and clearly move from the first transmission to the fifth and back, which, together with a good engine reaction to the position of the gas pedal, makes the car with a full participant in the intensive road traffic in the city. Brakes are valid and have a large stock in force. Very well felt threshold of clutch wheels with expensive. Before the operation of the ABS, it did not even come across.
Here we are in place. We transplant in Opel Astra, distinguished from our five-door body and a two-liter engine. Landing - without comments. With visibility - full order. Let's go ... first should be a steep left turn, then the slalom. After that, overclocking in direct and braking until a complete stop. Next - Movement for a gentle arc. And two more rearrangements, such as the one that has become the fatal for Mercedes A-Class. The more powerful motor allows you to go faster than in the first case. Once again, manageability has pleased. Excellence Accuracy! Under the action of gas, the car is projected to roll out the outward turn, and the informativeness of the accelerator pedal and the clarity of the steering wheel at any time allow you to return Status Quo. We went to quickly and deliberately made a mistake, having a harp of the steering wheel. To fix it, we needed to quickly transfer the steering wheel to the other side and brake sharply. Everything happened rapidly. The car without a hint of a slide of blocked rubber jump returned to the trajectory, demonstrating excellent ABS work.
After the flight field, we went on a small journey through the country, choosing a five-door hatchback as a vehicle with more calm than in the previous case, the temper. The motor remained the same, only the sound of the exhaust began to be barely audible. The suspension has a softness in comparison with the tuning version, but it absolutely did not spoil the impression of the car. Rolls in turns became a little more, the steering wheel slightly reduced the sharpness, but it became more comfortable. The next day, on the road to the airport, we checked the behavior of Opel Astra on the autobahn. At high, under 200 km / h, speeds the car demonstrates good stability. 
The reaction to the steering steering is excellent. You can not worry about overtakers and side gusts of the wind. In general, we have safely reached the destination, which completed the first acquaintance program with the new Opel Astra. The car is definitely good. Machine for all occasions and for the widest circle of buyers. We will risk assumed that, thanks to the combination of high consumer and operational qualities, he will repeat the success of its predecessor, by the right of conquered world recognition.
P.S. According to some reports, Russian OPEL dealers plan to start selling a new Astra at prices that will pleasantly surprise the adherents of the Golf class cars.
Text: Sergey Ivanov
A source: Motor magazine
