Opel Astra Review - Motorhub MiniMag 2

Motorhub MiniMag Review Series - Issue 2

Bringing you up to speed

New Opel Astra Review

“

I’ve said for years that the Astra is the forgotten child of the Opel brand

Words & Photos: Daragh Ó Tuama (red car photos courtesy of Opel Ireland)

”

I’ve said for years that the Astra is the forgotten child of the Opel brand. It’s always been there, but for some reason it hasn’t been getting the attention ever since the first Insignia landed – and then the Mokka, then the Corsa, and then little baby Karl came along. Now, finally, it’s Astra’s time to stand in the limelight, and by all means, what we’re seeing is beginning to impress.

We’re in Bratislava after a 200km trip from Vienna, and we’ve had a few hours to get used to the impressive new Astra. What’s impressive about it though? What is it about it that will “upset” the premium class?

Well, no good story can be told without a bit of history. Opel first started in creating compact cars way back in in 1936, when they created the incredibly popular Opel Kadett. I’m not joking when I say “incredibly popular”. Anyone over the age of thirty knows what a Kadett is, and we all remember the bright green and orange colours from even the eighties. Between 1936 and 1991 the Kadett was a big hit in Europe. In fact, between the Astra which was first introduced in 1991 and its predecessor, the Kadett, Opel has managed to shift a whopping 24million of these compact machines – that is “popular” – and since 1991 the Astra is the second most-sold vehicle in Europe. Still though, despite these figures I do believe that Opel has been quiet about the Astra in the last ten years.of these.

So its Astra’s turn in the limelight, and to emphasise this Opel has built this warrior from the ground up. Apparently the only thing that’s the same in this new model and the last is a few screws. The new Astra was created as part of Opel’s Drive 2022 plan which started in March 2013, and since that date Opel has been on a massive offensive with new models, new engines and new looks coming in abundance.

So what’s new about the Astra?

Well pretty much everything in its makeup, although to look at it still has a recognisable profile – but with stronger flowing lines than before (Opel would like me to use the phrase “Sculpture meets German precision here”, in fairness this is a well-chizzled vehicle).

The front is much lower and wider with sculptured face, strong grille, lines in hood point at emblem. Chrome rings run into headlights and show off the badge. The use of chrome around the body is not overdone and it accentuates the badge to the front and compliments the very aestheticallypleasing floating roof towards the C-Pillar.

I’m a particular fan of the lines in the bonnet that point towards the Opel emblem.

Like Audi, Opel is now focusing a lot of their energies on light technologies and the latest Astra is now available with a Matrix LED system, These lights are incredibly intelligent and I believe that advances in car light systems is very important for safety. Matrix LEDs make sure that all of the right parts of the road are illuminated at the right times. For example, the lights are made up with a certain number of diodes, when the Astra senses a car coming towards it, it switches off individual diodes to ensure that the approaching car doesn’t suffer from glare.

“

”

Sculpture meets German precision

Inside

Inside is less of a mess than before. Opel’s latest IntelliLink has been installed, which means less buttons, more functionality and more efficient connectivity. There is still a fair amount of buttons here, but they have been laid out in a very sectioned and easy-to-use way. There will be an option of a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen.

There are a few neat connectivity devices in the car, most notably is there “OnStar” system, which allows subscribed Opel users to connect with an Opel call centre who can remotely solve problems for the user.

For example, if your car is ever stolen OnStar will find it for you remotely. Another example is if you would like them to find a destination for you on your SATNAV, you can press the “OnStar” button and ask the operator to input information to your SATNAV. I trialled this device in Vienna, and unfortunately I don’t think the operator understood my accent – there are a few small kinks to be ironed out. OnStar will also automatically contact emergency services if it sense your car has been in a crash. The system also has access to all of the system information of your vehicle, like oil levels, fuel economy, etc.

The new Astra has gained a more spacious feel inside, and legroom has increased by 35mm, whereas headroom is up 22mm. Despite this extra space, the new Astra is actually smaller than generation J of the machine.

Visibility has improved to the front and the rear, and the “seating” team in Opel has made the seats to the rear and front even more comfortable. I didn’t know they had a team dedicated to seats…. But there you go!

“

�

Since 1991 the Astra is the second most-sold vehicle in Europe

Slimming down

One thing that I will say is that the new Astra is 200kg lighter than before, so logically this should lead to a more efficient machine. This slimming down and the use of Opel’s newest engines we’re told means that this is Opel’s most efficient Astra.

The weight loss comes from various things, the first being the fact that the car is actually smaller. Much of the car is made of ultra-high strength steel, which is extremely light. Making the car lighter is that there is no unnecessary under body panelling. As well as being a space-saver, this also improves the aerodynamic drag under the body. The chassis of the car is 50kg lighter, the electronics are 11kg lighter, the transmission is lighter by 10kg, and even the seats weigh 10kg less.

Engines

The biggest seller in Ireland is expected to be the 1.6 CDTI diesel engine offering 110hp and 136hp. Also available will be a 1.0 Ecotec turbo petrol with a 5-speed manual transmission – this is the first model I tested and it’s not exactly sluggish. We’re told that it offers a choice of 110hp or 95hp. Other petrol engines on offer include; 1.4 Ecotec (1225hp & 150hp), and 1.6 Ecotec (200hp).

Prices

There are four trim of Astra available starting with the entry-level S model. Prices for the S trim start from €19,995. As standard with S you can expect to find goodies like; Bluetooth® hands-free phone connectivity, audio streaming, Aux-in and USB ports, air conditioning, remote control central locking, comfort front seats, hill start assist plus LED Daytime running lights.

If you have a bit more money to spend you can opt for SC which starts from €21,495, with this you also get; New generation IntelliLink system with 7 inch colour touch screen plus steering wheel mounted controls with 16-inch alloy wheels.

SRi trim starts from €24,495 and with this you also get; Opel OnStar system, rain sensitive wipers, automatic lighting with tunnel detection, sports style front seats. A Driver assistance pack is also included featuring: Lane departure warning with lane assist, traffic sign recognition, following distance indicator, forward collision alert with autonomous emergency braking, front fog lights, plus 17-inch twin spoke alloy wheels.

And finally, for those of you who are clearly loaded you can go for the Elite trim, which means you also get; electronic dual zone climate control, rain-sensitive windscreen wipers, automatic lighting control with tunnel detection, leather heated front and rear seats (inc. ergonomic sports style front seats), six premium speakers’ front fog lights, plus 17-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels.