Opel Astra GTC – You will be surprised…
Theoretically, this is just a three-door version of the family hatchback, but in practice the car has changed a lot, and this applies not only to the body.
At first glance, it is clear that the three- and five-door bodies are brothers, but not twins. Outwardly similar, but the Astra GTC has a different line drawing and body sculpture. In total, only the antenna and exterior mirror housings remained the same. With similar external dimensions, the GTC has a 10 mm longer wheelbase and a wider track. In total, the height of the car also decreased by 10-15 mm, but this is more likely the result of using a stiffer and lowered sports suspension. At the front, a variant of the HiPerStrut solution, known from the Insignia OPC, is used, which, in particular, provides improved cornering behavior.
Many manufacturers talk about creating a "feel of momentum" even when the car is stationary. I have the impression that Opel has succeeded, especially with the addition of the acid yellow to the Astra GTC's dynamic lines, in which the car really feels like it's only momentarily stopped to pick up the driver and can't wait. to be able to move. I didn't let him wait long.
In fact, from the driver's seat, the interior feels familiar - nice lines combined with decent ergonomics and ample practical storage compartments. I really liked the lining of the center console - pearl-white shiny plastic is marked with a delicate gray pattern. My least favorite was the navigation map graphics, but as long as the system runs smoothly, I can somehow forgive that.
The beefy seats provided comfort while sporting lines with pronounced side bolsters. I expected that it would be crowded in the sports lounge, so the first thing I did was push the seat as far as possible and ... I couldn’t reach the pedals. “It must be tight in the back,” I said. “You will be surprised,” assured the employee of the Opel plant in Gliwice who accompanied me. I was surprised. There was plenty of knee room in the back seat behind the 180cm driver. However, it turned out that my legs did not fit under the driver's seat, so I felt that my professional pride was not affected - in some ways I was right.
As soon as we left the parking lot, I felt a change in the suspension, which now “feels” even small differences in the joints of two asphalt surfaces. Luckily, thanks to the beefy driver's seats, it doesn't hurt.
Under the hood was a two-liter CDTI turbodiesel with common rail direct injection. Engine power has been increased to 165 hp, and the overboost function allows you to achieve a maximum torque of 380 Nm. The maximum speed of the car is 210 km / h, acceleration to 100 km / h takes 8,9 seconds. I know it doesn't sound very sporty, but the car was quite dynamic in motion. A six-speed manual transmission made it possible to achieve satisfactory acceleration. However, at the gas station, this version wins significantly - its average fuel consumption is only 4,9 l / 100 km. This is ensured, among other things, by an efficient and fast Start/Stop system, as well as a more economical Eco driving mode, activated by a button on the center console. There are other buttons that slightly change the character of the car.
The Sport and Tour buttons change the FlexRide active suspension mode, as well as the sensitivity of the engine response to pressing the accelerator pedal. Tour mode is the standard suspension for more comfort, while activating Sport mode improves stability during fast driving and the car's response when cornering. The kit also includes an EPS electric steering system that changes the level of assistance depending on the speed. When driving slowly, the assist becomes stronger and decreases with speed to give the driver a more direct and precise feel for maneuvers.
As for the compact, prices start at a fairly high level - the basic version costs 76,8 thousand zlotys. However, we are talking about a car with a 2,0-horsepower gasoline engine. The same configuration version, but with a 91 CDTI engine costs a thousand zlotys. At the same time, dual-zone air conditioning and navigation, which you can see in the photographs of the tested car, are additional equipment.
