· Opel has been around for umpteen years, along with a range of vehicles to choose from. The most ingenious move Opel has made would be the launch of the brand new Insignia—now a global award-winning vehicle. The Astra on the other hand, is continuing a legacy paved out by its antique forefathers. We come to see if the latest Astra, (inspired by the Insignia) is worthy of its lineage.
· Design & Engineering:
No doubt, if one pulls up at a red light, three things will be guaranteed. One: drivers and pedestrians alike will give the Astra a double take. Two: up against German rivals (in the same category), the fresh and bold looks of the Astra will definitely set the hatch above the rest. Three: due to the Astra’s intelligent FlexFix (a rear extension which provides a neat and simple platform for transporting a maximum of two bicycles) when on the road, others going to the beach will glance with envy. The face of the Astra has been given a cosmetic lift, shaving off messy and badly fitted areas, so that it now sport a likeable avant-garde look. From the side, the roof seems to slope upwards, providing a nice dome-like characteristic, with the help of the correct zings-and-dings of the fitting arches and sweeps. The rear: either a love-it or hate-it situation. Personally, I was hoping that the rear would follow the nice sweeping bubbly shape of the hatch. Nevertheless, the entire situation is a cut above the rest.
· Interior
On the inside, the Astra boasts luxury equipment never seen before in its class. I reckon that the host of amenities should boost the hatch up a league. From the drivers seat, the well-fitting steering wheel fans out simple yet essential buttons. The dashboard, outline in chrome, is adequate and efficient, and the driver and passenger seats feature lumbar support, adjustable power seats, head rests with Opel crests, etc. Everything feels nice and well built to the touch. The center console comes with a (optional) CD500 screen, providing clear graphics, which display all the information one would ever want. The center console buttons are surprisingly good to the touch, and feature an array of buttons, making rivals such as the Volkswagen Golf, Spartan. An automatic emergency brake button (alike Audi’s) is wedged nicely behind the sturdy gear shifter. At night, all the buttons come alive in a sporting red glow, urging one to step on the accelerator even more.
· Ride & Handling
Behind the wheel, steering is interestingly natural, making one feel at home on the open roads. Step on the accelerator, and the 1.4 turbo engine pushes the Astra off with a sense of urgency. Even though the Astra and its closest rival, the Golf, share the same figures, the Astra feels slightly more weighed down. Nevertheless, steering and handling are sharp, thanks to the evenly weighted body, and the Astra manages to keep its classy persona, even when thrown around in bends. Keep in mind, that the Astra is no Polo GTI, Skoda Fabia RS, etc. but more of an adequately fun cruiser. Complementing the Astra’s superb ride, is the almost Lexus-like insulation, almost forgettable with a relaxing Chris Botti CD. Indeed, the Astra might not accelerate ahead of the pack, but it will leap ahead in terms of quality, luxury, and enjoyment.
· Verdict
100% improved, and revised. The interior can be less plasticky, and the rear design can be more appealing. Nevertheless this car should appeal to the general public in terms of build quality, reliability, and class.
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