Initially available only as a five-door the exterior is better-looking in the flesh as you can really appreciate the close panel gaps and doors that close which a solid feeling ‘thunk’. Featuring six engines (1.4, 1.6, 1.8 and 2-litre petrol engines plus two 1.7-litre 80/100bhp diesels) the new Astra also has six trim levels.
‘Life’ is followed by Club, then comes Design, Elite, SXi and the top spec SRi. On the road it handles as well as if not better than the new Golf in most conditions and surpasses it on the test track.
I gave the car a serious lash on an airfield and came away very impressed. Opel had set up a couple of handling scenarios that showed off the cars new chassis to good effect. Imagine the scene – you are driving at 50 miles per hour and all of a sudden an obstacle appears in front of you. You swerve to avoid the obstacle but in blind panic fail to hit the brakes. Somehow you manage to rapidly turn the steering wheel to avoid a certain impact.
The trouble is in this situation that nine times out of ten when you try to regain your road position the car fishtails out of control – but guess what? The fully equipped 1.8-litre Astra I tested applied the brakes for me and helped me steer safely around the obstacle and recover the car!
The test track cars all featured the optional electronically controlled adaptive suspension that allowed you to choose between ‘comfort’ and ‘sport’ settings. The availability of this feature is a big step forward in this sector. An acronym overload will feature in my full Irish road test. Suffice to say IDS+ and CDC will be explained – I know I can’t wait either!
- Michael Sheridan
RTÉ Guide
