The current Opel Astra has been around for four years now, so Opel thought it was time for a facelift and here it is.
However, it doesn't really show on the outside. Sure, the grille looks a little different, but the big news is found under the hood.
Opel has launched a completely new engine family, and because Opel is part of PSA nowadays, you'd think they're all PSA-3-cylinder engines.
Quite the contrary, they're all Opel-engineered. The Germans started development on them before they joined PSA.
And they're available in this car. Quite remarkably if I'm honest, because in two years this will be succeeded by a PSA-developed successor.
What goes for the exterior, goes for the interior as well. They've left most of the things as they were, so you're able to sit comfortably...
with enough space. The materials are still good and the finishing has remained the same as well. One of the few changes is the instrument...
cluster. The central part of the cluster now is digital, in which you can show all of the details you deem necessary.
Besides that, they've updated the multimedia system. It's now a lot quicker, so Opel's at the same level as the rivals again.
By the way, it's not Peugeot's system. It's an Opel-product and it works just fine.
They've updated the chassis as well, so it's now a tad more comfortable. Or rather, that's something we take their word on,
because that only goes for the standard versions. We're driving one with a sports chassis. That means the steering is more direct...
and it has sturdier shocks. Also, it has Watt-bars on the rear axle, which make for more stability at the back.
The result is a very stable car which remains stable at higher speeds. The best part is that it does so without becoming uncomfortable.
Opel has found a very nice balance in the chassis, and it sort of makes adaptive dampers useless.
I mentioned earlier that the Astra now has a completely new range of engines, and they've all been developed before Opel joined the Peugeot-family.
They're all 3-cylinders and among them, are two diesel versions. It's a 1.5-litre diesel engine, available with two power outputs.
105 horsepower and 122 horsepower. The latter being available with a 9-speed automatic gearbox.
The petrol engines are, if you take the manual version that is, all 1.2-litre 3-cylinders, with power varying from 110 horsepower to 145 horsepower.
There's also a version with an automatic gearbox, a CVT to be exact. That's powered by a 1.4-litre 3-cylinder, producing 145 horsepower.
Just like the strongest 1.2-litre. So why would you choose that one? Well, it produces more torque. At a lower RPM as well.
It produces its maximum torque from 1.500 RPM. The best thing about that extra torque is that the CVT doesn't have to rev high whenever...
you put your foot down. And that's a nice piece of comfort.
Of course, the CVT knows what the right final gear is, but if you want to change gear yourself, you can use the gear lever.
That's handy if you're descending for a long way. That way it's easier to change back without having to overstress the brakes.
Also, the engine is pretty quiet. Sure, you can hear it's a 3-cylinder, but it doesn't get annoying or anything. No unnecessary vibrations.
There's a balance-axle in the engine and it has good suspension rubbers. So yeah, that's comfortable as well. It doesn't offer electric motors...
yet in the drivetrain, and we shouldn't expect them anytime soon. Those will come whenever the PSA-based successor comes around in two years
Now is not the time.
Opel has also used to opportunity of this facelift to offer additional features for the Astra. You can now get a heated windshield,
and the camera behind the windshield is now able to detect pedestrians as well. You can even get wireless charging for your phone.
All kinds of smart features which bring the car a small step further. Everything put together, Opel has really done a good job updating...
the Astra, so that it can endure the final two years with GM-genes. And if you're allowed to choose, I'd say it's worth considering the...
additional €250 for the sports chassis I mentioned earlier.