First drive: the new Opel Astra - the compact from the luxury class

Opel scores with the new Astra with innovations from the premium class

Astra 2016: First test drives

The car manufacturer from Rüsselsheim will bring a total of 29 new models and 17 new engines onto the market by 2022, thus further emphasizing its way up. It all started with the little ones, the entry-level models. The next step is taken by the Astra. The vehicle, which is now in its 5th generation, comes up with innovations from the luxury class and aims to set new standards in the compact class. Combined with a 6-speed automatic transmission, a 5-speed Easytronic 3.0 and a 5- and 6-speed manual transmission as well as start & stop technology, peak consumption values ​​are expected. With four engines under the hood, the Astra 5-door starts at a base price of 17.260 euros.

With more than 24 million vehicles of the Kadett and Astra models (6 generations Kadett / 4 generations Astra), the Astra is already the fifth generation to drive the Rüsselsheim car maker. With its rounded sporty design, the new compact is not only lighter and more efficient than its predecessors. With the latest generation of its C-segment vehicle, Opel wants to set standards that have so far only been found in luxury vehicles. This includes driver assistance systems as well as comfort systems and services such as the Opel OnStar, which already contributes to vehicle safety and connectivity. Here Opel remains true to its philosophy. "Across all Kadett and Astra generations, Opel has repeatedly brought innovative technologies from higher vehicle classes into the affordable compact segment," said Opel Group CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann.

As with its predecessor, the Astra is available only in the 5-door body variant. The hatchback uses three petrol engines with several power levels and gearboxes as well as a diesel with multiple power levels and two gearboxes. In the test between Vienna and Bratislava we were able to find out all units with manual transmission. These included the 1.0 ECOTEC® Direct Injection Turbo ecoFLEX engine with 77 kW (105 PS) start / stop performance and an 5 gearbox, the 1.4 ECOTEC® Direct Injection Turbo ecoFLEX engine with 110 kW power output (150 PS) 6 ECOTEC® Direct Injection Turbo engine with power level 1.6 kW (147 PS) and an 200 gearbox as well as the 6 CDTI ecoFLEX diesel engine with power level 1.6 kW (100 PS) Start / Stop and an 136 gearbox. All engines in conjunction with their drive convinced with a sovereign and balanced smoothness. Driving noises were barely noticeable in the interior. Straight road bumps and potholes were mastered well by the newly engineered landing gear. The specified 6 liters for the 4,3 door for the 5 liter engine according to the manufacturer are not inconceivable. So we came with just under 1.0 liters calmer to the finish.

When taking a seat, the entire cockpit seems visually to turn to the driver. All instruments and the navigation device in the center of the dashboard do not offer too much, but also not too little information. The clearly designed front with elongated horizontal lines and the instrument panel as an eye-catcher and control center also ensures a generous sense of space. Then the extremely well-tailored front seats not only look ergonomically stylish, but also provide support for every driving situation. Optionally, in the new Astra, they can also actively cool and warm, both in the front seats and on the outer rear seats. A massage is also offered at the push of a button. Plenty of space offers the 5 door for up to five people. The hatchback range from 370 liters with full seating to 1210 liters with seats folded down. Nothing goes wrong when you visit the hardware store.

The engineers from Rüsselsheim combine several systems with the central element of the front camera, which is the next generation in the new Astra. High image processing and a high recognition rate allow the camera to process more information from different sources. In conjunction with the Navi 900 IntelliLink infotainment system, the vehicle provides, among other things, more precise route information or unsigned speed limits, such as in city traffic. Conversely, the system registers the country-specific speed limits when you leave the city area and shows them on the display. The front camera in combination with the new Astra lane assist with active steering correction (the system operates at a speed of 60 to 180 km / h) and the front collision warning system with situation-dependent stepped emergency braking modes show their further function. We were able to set three sensitivity levels on the steering wheel, which the front collision warning is based on - close, medium and far.

Further highlights from the upper class, which Opel also wants to make available to customers of the compact class, are the OnStar service and the new Matrix light. With the IntelliLux LED® Matrix light we drove continuously with high beam without dazzling oncoming vehicles. 16 individual LED elements are controlled. For oncoming vehicles then only individual LEDs are switched off and on. The result is not only a longer and wider beam of light, but also a glare-free high beam and optimal lighting are guaranteed. With this feature, Opel wants to take a further step towards safe and relaxed accident-free driving.

With OnStar Service, Opel wants to continue what has been successfully used in the markets in the USA, Mexico, Canada and China for several years. The service will be available in the Astra from the market launch this year. With an 4G or LTE network, the vehicle becomes a WLAN hotspot that is integrated into the electronics system. A special external antenna ensures maximum range. Extensive services, emergency and roadside assistance are offered. Connected to a call center in Luton, England, which fortunately is not staffed by voice computers, the driver is loaded with the requested route to a specific restaurant or the nearest petrol station on the navigation system. Vehicle diagnosis is also possible.

Entry to the new Astra forms the equipment line "Selection" with a base price of € 17.260 5-door. The customer already expects a sumptuous basic equipment, which leaves nothing to be desired so quickly. With the equipment lines "Edition" and "Dynamic", the top equipment "Innovation" can meet all customer requirements, so that there is little space for additional equipment. While the 5-Türer from the 10. October is the dealer, the Sports Tourer 2016 is available only in the spring.

And finally ...

With an entry-level price of € 17.260, the new Opel Astra sends a clear signal that compact-class vehicles with top-class innovations are available at moderate prices.

Vauxhall Astra 1.0 ECOTEC® Direct Injection Turbo ecoFLEX.

Photos in the article: Stefan Beckmann Cover photo: Stefan Beckmann