Road Test: Opel Astra 1.6T Sport

Looking a little non-descript in comparison to its predecessor, the new Opel Astra has done away with rigid angles and hard lines in favour of a far more curvaceous, Euro-centric, silhouette, which is no bad thing and will likely earn it wider appeal. Opel’s designers have used wing and blade styling cues on the new Astra, the most obvious of which are on the side panels that sweep rearward and upward to connect with the side window line. The headlamps include prominent wing shaped daytime running lights that give the Astra’s face a low and sporty character and which prompt more than a passing glance by many road users. Between the tapering rear window, bold tail-lights and rear haunches, the rear styling offers the most interesting view point of the car, which now boasts a more cohesive and sophisticated overall design.

Echoing the flowing forms of the bodywork, the interior is also defined by sweeping lines. The interior designers have created a stylish interior together with a high quality feel. The blade theme of the exterior is evident in details like the shape of the door grab handles and the trim for the gearshift moulding and steering wheel. The wing design cue is also evident in the wraparound instrument panel in front of the driver and passenger.

Ambient lighting has been added to the cabin, which provides an element of theatre. Examples are the red glow that encircles the gear shifter, door panels and in the overhead centre console. A combination of jet black and aluminium trim add an upscale feel to the interior, as does the quality feel of the fittings and various switchgear.

Supported in contoured sports leather seats with white stitching, passengers benefit from ample room in the front, but rear passengers could do with slightly more legroom. The front seats have a wide range of adjustment, with the height being adjustable by 65 mm and reach by 280 mm. Electronic lumbar support is also a welcome feature on the front seats.

Practical storage areas are dotted around the cabin and include space for nine CD cases in the centre console, plus a small storage bin, cup holders and more. The boot features a three-way adjustable floor, enabling one to hide items in a false floor for instance, or, when it is fitted at the lowest position, store up to 370-litres of luggage.

‘Fire power’ comes in the form of the Astra’s technical features, some of which you’ll find common to its closest competitors, but others that you might not expect to find as standard equipment in a compact hatchback, until now that is…

Branded ‘Advanced Forward Lighting’ (AFL+), the bi-xenon headlight system changes its intensity and reach of the beam to suit prevailing driving and road conditions using nine different lighting functions to achieve this. ‘Dynamic Curve Light’ for example, provides illumination around bends by swivelling the headlamps up to 15°, to the right or left. ‘Country Road Light’ provides brighter and wider illumination of both sides of the road than a conventional low beam, while ‘Static Cornering Light’ illuminates an area to the right or left up to an angle of 90° and makes it easier to manoeuvre in poorly-lit areas, such as on dark access roads. The new Astra 1.6 T Sport also features an electronic parking brake, hill hold assist, heated seats, dual zone climate control and adaptive suspension, known as FlexRide.

The Astra’s FlexRide on-board computer monitors prevailing road conditions, vehicle movements and individual driving style, including acceleration, braking and cornering, to optimise chassis behaviour. All four dampers, the steering system and the throttle progression are electronically controlled and continuously adapt to the driving situation, depending on which mode the FlexRide system is in. In the ‘Standard’ mode, the dampers are adjusted to provide a balance between comfort and efficiency. The ‘Tour’ setting softens the dampers for a smoother ride, which proved great for taking the ‘edge’ off bumpier sections of road. The ‘Sport’ mode offers a sharper driving experience, with a stiffer ride, sharpened throttle response and a reduced level of power steering assistance. To underline the sporty effect, the instrument panel becomes illuminated by a red glow. The characteristics of the ‘Sport’ mode can be customised via the on-board computer, allowing the driver to de-select the Sport setting for the dampers, steering assistance or the throttle response.

Seated behind the wheel, the Astra responds well to driver inputs. Gear changes via the 6-speed manual box are effected via a satisfying short throw and demand little effort in combination with the light action clutch. The steering is well weighted and follows inputs accurately. Visibility of the outside world is good, although the rearview mirror is a little narrow and when the rear headrests are raised, the combination results in a slightly obscured view.

The most powerful petrol engine for the Astra in South Africa, until the OPC model arrives, is the 1.6-litre turbocharged unit fitted to the Astra 1.6T Sport. The engine delivers a maximum power of 132 kW @ 5 500 r/min. Maximum torque of 230 Nm is available between 2 200 r/min and 5 400 r/min, while an overboost function raises torque to 266 Nm for a maximum of 5 seconds, which can be useful for over taking slower traffic.

The Astra 1.6T Sport does an admirable job of delivering a sportier driving experience than it’s less powerful siblings. The engine requires a little coaxing to get off the line, but once above 2 500 r/min the pace begins to pick up before the Astra really enters its stride from 4 500 r/min onwards. Keep the tacho needle pointing skywards and the Astra forges ahead at a rapid rate. In almost direct proportion though, the gauge for the 56-litre fuel tank dips and despite Opel’s average consumption figure of 6.8 L/100km we never even got close.

However, with an engine that’s quite adept at achieving high speeds, the 1.6T Sport has the running shoes equal to the task. 18-inch 235/45 sized wheels and tyres provide good inherent grip, but it’s the combination of a MacPherson strut front suspension layout and patented rear combination of a compound crank rear axle with Watt’s link that make the Astra a competent handler. The car flows through changes of direction and carries deceptive amounts of corner speed, all with little effort on the driver’s part. Countering any over flamboyant driving are 300 mm diameter vented brake discs at the front and 292 mm solid disc brakes at the rear. The Astra is also equipped with an alphabet soup of active safety systems – ABS, EBD, Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Cornering Torque Control (CTC), Electronic Drag Torque Control (EDC), Brake Assist System (BAS), Hydraulic Brake Fade Assist (HBFA) and finally Trailer Stability Assist (TSA).

The Astra 1.6T Sport offers a great combination performance and technology in the current hatchback segment. Consider its practicality and fun driving experience and the Astra is a great all round package.

What we like…

• Good handling, combined with the FlexRide system.
• Great visibility at night, thanks to the AFL+ lighting.
• Quality nature of the interior and solid build.

What we would like…

• To be able to customise the ‘Tour’ suspension mode – e.g. retain sports steering, but soften the damping.
• The hill-hold assist to work on shallower gradients.

Comments

comments