Opel Astra Sports Tourer - is it worth it?

Opel Astra has always been very popular, even though previous generations were not without flaws. One of them was the overweight that Generation K managed to reduce. We've driven a hatchback before, but how has the station wagon changed?

Perhaps not everyone knows why the new Astra is marked with the internal code "K". After all, this is the fifth generation, so anyway, it should be called "E". Opel sees it differently. This is the 10th generation of Opel's compact car. Thus, five generations of Astra should include five more generations of Kadett. However, there are other inaccuracies here. Opel omitted the "I" from the name for some reason. Therefore, "K" is the eleventh letter of the alphabet, but the tenth in the Opel alphabet.

Is in the new Opel Astra Sport Tourer and find such inaccuracies? Let's see.

Combo to be

The order in which different versions of Astra are launched may follow the order in which they were developed. First, a hatchback was shown with cool, light lines and interesting folds.

However, the Sports Tourer later came into play. The front of the body looks identical to the Astra hatchback. However, something strange is happening behind. Although the shape of the case itself is pleasing to the eye, one detail haunts me. Chrome strip running along the top line of the windows. Once he reaches the bottom line, he runs somewhere outside the window area and wants to make his way to the back door. This is an example of "out of the box" thinking, but, in my opinion, it interferes with visual perception a little. Individual business.

Thinner but richer interior

Cars stuffed with electronics must weigh more than their less equipped counterparts. After all, everything has its own mass. Opel has managed to make the Astra slimmer, despite the fact that there is quite a lot of this additional equipment. For example, we have an electronically controlled tailgate, which of course can also be opened by sliding your foot under the bumper.

Under the hatch we find a considerable luggage compartment that can accommodate all 540 liters. After folding the seatbacks, which are divided in a ratio of 40:20:40, the luggage compartment volume will increase to 1630 liters. However, a sofa divided in this way is an option that costs - note - PLN 1400. This price also includes the ability to fold the backrest with a button - the standard is a 40:60 split of the backrest.

Let's move forward. The AGR certified seats are very comfortable. The plus is the ergonomics of the cabin - the buttons are logically grouped, and we can easily reach each of them. The center of the so-called infotainment system is the IntelliLink R4.0 system, which is available as standard from the second trim level. The NAVI 900 system for PLN 3100 is one level up. In both cases, we can connect to an Android or iOS phone and use its functions on the car screen.

Do Opel Astra Sport Tourer we can order several useful items for PLN 600 each. A bit like one of the "All for 4 zloty" shops once found in small towns. In this "shop" we can find, for example, a PowerFlex module with a holder for a smartphone. The same module can also spray one of the two Air Wellnes fragrances - that's another PLN 600. If we like to listen to music from CDs, we will also be interested in the CD player in the cabin. If, on the other hand, we live in a big city, we can also opt for a digital radio tuner - there are not many stations yet, and their range is limited, but you can find a few interesting ones that do not broadcast in FM. group. The quality of DAB radio is also much better than FM radio. The DAB tuner costs PLN 300. We return to the amount of PLN 600 with a very interesting option - this is how much an additional package of internal sound insulation costs. It is worth making a decision, because it is only 1% of the cost of the base model.

The station wagon is a family car, so in addition to a large luggage compartment, we can transport two seats in the back, attaching them with Isofix mounts. There are plenty of places for such places.

Not more than 1.6

Opel has limited engine power to 1.6 liters. This also applies to diesel engines. Recent reports, however, suggest that an absolute reduction will not make much sense in the future. Engine displacement must be "adequate", which is not in itself equivalent to "as small as possible". Other manufacturers are already announcing the replacement of 1.4 diesel engines with 1.6 liter diesel engines. Opel may not have to go back to the 2.0 CDTI for nothing.

However, the engine we're testing looks pretty interesting. It's a 1.6 CDTI with two turbochargers. So, he develops 160 hp. at 4000 rpm and 350 Nm of torque in a fairly narrow range from 1500 to 2250 rpm. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes 8,9 seconds and a top speed of 220 km/h. However, there is one catch - this top diesel for the Astra is connected, at least for now, only with a manual transmission.

Despite the tight rev range, the 1.6 BiTurbo CDTI is a real pleasure to drive under the hood. The new Opel engine is, first of all, a very good work culture. At the same time, dual range compressors provide smooth acceleration regardless of speed. Astra with this engine is not a speed demon, but, of course, an interesting and dynamic family car.

I also love how the Astra Sports Tourer handles. The front of the car is not heavy and the rear is not too light. Good balance allows for efficient cornering, but it turns out the rear suspension also helps with that. In the most powerful Astra, i.e. 1.6 BiTurbo CDTI and petrol 1.6 Turbo with 200 hp, Watt rod on the rear suspension. This solution was presented along with the previous Astra GTC. A Watt-rod torsion beam is capable of operating similarly to a multi-link suspension. Although the wheels are rigidly connected to each other, there is an inclined beam just behind the rear axle with a ball joint at each end, to which are attached crossbars extending from the wheels.

Such a simple mechanism eliminates up to 80% of all side loads on the wheels. So the car drives steadily straight, and when cornering, the lateral rigidity of the rear axle is similar to an independent suspension. The torsion beam in cars is usually easy to feel - on corners with very uneven surfaces, the rear of the car most often swings sideways and jumps from place to place. There is no such thing here.

And this dynamic driving does not have to be expensive. In the city, fuel consumption should be 5,1 l / 100 km. Outside the city, even 3,5 l / 100 km, and an average of 4,1 l / 100 km. I admit that these values ​​are realistically achievable. You have to be very aggressive with the gas pedal and brake late to see 8 l/100 km in the city.

It is expensive?

Station wagons are not designed to win beauty pageants. First of all, they should be spacious and airy. It is good if they are dynamic enough not to make a big impression on them, and at the same time, the driver feels the pleasure of driving.

Opel Astra Sport Tourer We can buy it for PLN 63. Version 800 of the BiTurbo CDTI is available only in two top trim levels - Dynamic and Elite. In this edition, it costs PLN 1.6 or PLN 93. This engine fits very well with the character of the family station wagon, but the offer also includes a 800 hp 96 Turbo petrol engine. The performance will be better and the price will be… lower. Such a car will cost PLN 900, but these are still minimum prices. The car that we equip in accordance with our expectations will probably consume an additional 1.6-200 thousand. zloty.

Is it worth it? In my opinion, absolutely.