Is the Astra a new star for Opel?
The five-seat Astra hatchback accounts for about one third of car sales at Opel, so to say it is an important car for the German firm is an understatement. The Astra simply has to be excellent and following some extensive testing in Germany, I have to say Opel is right on track.
The new Astra is curvy and friendly. It looks very much like an enlarged Opel Corsa and that is no harm as the supermini is a nice car. Unlike Ford, who will be bolder with the exterior design of the new Focus due next year, Opel has delivered a conservative, handsome and elegant car that has subtle yet classy design features. The front and rear lights for example form an integral part of the exterior styling, while the 'Blade' crease on the side of the car reminds one of the larger and very elegant Insignia. The new Astra is aerodynamic and the result in terms of cabin refinement is impressive. The level of noise has been dramatically reduced. On unrestricted German motorway I was able to have a normal conversation at over 160km/h.
Inside the Astra you'll find a cabin that has been extremely well thought out. Having chatted with the design team at length I was delighted to find that they were very practical about solving real world storage and other ergonomic problems. There are over 25 litres of cubby space inside. So you can fit large drink bottles in the door pockets and relax when accelerating hard, knowing your iPhone or MP3 player won't fly out of the pocket in front of the gearlever because it is deep enough etc. Seating is excellent and if you go higher up the specification levels you'll get award-winning chairs to sit in. Interior space is excellent and rear headroom superb. The Astra now has the best cabin in its class.
The boot has been given a makeover and now features a 'Flex-Floor' that allows you split the boot in two levels also. The Astra's ride comfort is much improved as the car now has a longer wheelbase and a new suspension set up. It includes a simple yet very clever 'Watt's link' rear suspension that keeps the car very stable and firm when changing direction but without loss of comfort when travelling in a straight line - and that's the clever part. It is also a compact system, too, so boot space doesn't suffer. On higher specified models you can get active 'Flexride' suspension (as with the old car) but the system again is much improved. ESP is standard also.
The options list is extensive and all the party tricks are available, although in Ireland we will not get the option of road sign recognition. Guess why? Our standard of signage is terrible compared to Germany's and the electronic system could not be relied upon to work safely here. Lane departure warning ('Opel Eye') - also unlikely to work here for the same reason - will not be available.
The new Opel Astra goes to the top of the class.
Michael Sheridan
