2010 OPEL ASTRA ARRIVES IN SOUTH AFRICA

Turbo power is delivered in a linear fashion, very little drama, no theatrics. Each road curve reminds me that this is not a sports hatch, let alone a sports car. It is in fact, a family car. The all-new Opel Astra is poised and composed, moving neither left nor right. Straight on then as the road dips through yet another magnificent mountain pass in Mpumalanga.

While the Astra has been redesigned from the ground up, there is something familiar about it. Lines borrowed from other cars perhaps? Or was it the fact that I felt so at home in the car that it felt like I’d driven it before? This is a good thing by the way, for the segment in which the Astra plays is full and cut-throat. Mention the name Golf and the reaction is immediate, if not favourable. Mention other names like RunX/ Auris X, Mazda3, Civic, Megane…do you see the point? Life is tough out there and considering the whole segment fares less than sedan sales, Astra has its work cut out.

But that familiarity thing is a huge positive. Buyers rarely mingle with something they don’t understand. They will fully understand the Astra. Because power delivery is so linear, as I said earlier, the Astra is able to keep the cabin comfortable for all passengers. No scary moments here, this is a real family car for everyone. Of course I’m referring to the two most powerful engines in the Mzansi range.

That will be a 1.4-litre petrol turbo and a 1.6-litre petrol turbo. Opel will also offer a baseline 1.6-litre naturally aspirated engine, however, unless you are in the rental fleet business I strongly suggest you stray far from it. I found out the hard way when, time and time again, it turned into an asthmatic running a marathon. Down changes were not only needed, they were urgently required. Even then its 85kW of power and 155Nm of torque could not be accessed as needed.

Not so the 1.4-litre turbo. Our little zappy four-cylinder was equal to the task of wringing out 103kW and 200Nm between 1850rpm and 4900rpm. Notice it kicks out the same amount of power as the Chevrolet Cruze 1.8 LT. Difference is, the 1.4T has most of its power available even at high altitude places like Limpopo or Gauteng. The differences are quite clear when planting the right foot in search of an uphill challenge. Again, it’s not a hot hatch, just a normal family hatch that performs to expectations. No less, no more. Opel says it will go from 0 – 100km/h in 9.7 seconds and achieve a fuel consumption figure of 5.9 litres per 100km.

Top of the heap is the 1.6-litre Turbo whose 132kW at 5500rpm underscores just where Opel is placing the new Astra. While other manufactures would boast of such figures and refer to the model as a performance model, Opel has held back, describing it only as “developed for customers focused on dynamic driving characteristics”. The 230Nm of torque made between 2200rpm and 5400rpm can be boosted to 266Nm in overtaking for up to five seconds. There is obviously more urge from this unit than the others. But it is controlled urge, not boy racer stuff. Linear yet again.

I asked if one of the three diesels available in Europe would come to South Africa. I was told yes, the possibility does exist but in this segment diesel only counts for a very small percentage of sales. But with the advent of our new C02 tax I reckon Opel will make a plan. The most likely candidate is the new 1.7 CDTI with 82kW.

A 6-speed manual transmission (5-speed on the weak 1.6 Essentia) runs front wheels to good effect. Its heady gear lever is very sporting for such normal cars. It’s akin to the one found in the old Astra OPC, but without the excessive stitching. I liked the feel of it when changing gears; smooth and short.

Basic Astra amenities include air conditioning, power steering, satellite controls on the steering wheel, electric windows all around, an onboard information computer, ABS and ESP. Unlike its competition, the Astra does not feature satellite navigation, even as an option.

As one climbs up the ladder, so do features and their corresponding prices. The 1.4 Enjoy Plus for instance, comes with a lowered sports chassis, bi-xenon headlights and the FlexRide adaptive suspension system. Activating FlexRide changes the character of driving using the McPherson strut lay-out and a compound crank rear axle with a cleverly positioned Watt’s link. What this patented combo does is to offer great ride comfort without the heavily bumpy feeling of a typical hot hatch. Opel was first to market with an adaptive suspension for this segment with the previous-generation Astra.

Additional kit found in the 1.6 Sport (the one with the turbo) includes 18-inch wheels with 235/45 R18 tyres, a lower suspension, a sports steering wheel, rear park assist, leather trim and Hill Start Assist. Conspicuously missing in the entire 2010 Astra range is a proper USB port for playing music. This is a gross oversight on the part of GM SA as the USB port has become part and parcel of any self-respecting audio entertainment system. Even very small Korean cars come fitted with this device now. In fact, GM’s own Chevrolet Spark has one, albeit without a certain cable.

A lights package provides up to nine, yes nine, different light configurations, literally for all seasons. You get cornering lights, dipping lights, rain lights, country road lights daytime running lights with LED technology and all sorts of others. It’s a first for this segment, and indeed for much more higher and expensive segments too.

Opel might not say it explicitly but the all-new Astra has definitely moved up the ranks in terms of virtually everything. Quality is much improved over the old car and the interior is a marked climb up the premium ladder. Will the market respond accordingly then? I don’t see why not, especially recalling what a good following its predecessors such as the Kadett had.

2010 Opel Astra Pricing

1.6 Essentia (R218 000)
1.4T Enjoy (R236 900)

1.4T Enjoy Plus (R263 400)

1.6T Sport (R280 300)