Test: Opel Astra 1.6 CDTI Ecotec Start & Stop Innovation

While golf remains golf to this day, the Cadette is no more. Astra replaced him long ago. It then went through the same stages of development as the Golf. So she grew and got fat. But about ten years ago in Golf, everything began to change: he was no longer gaining weight so quickly, moreover, he was losing weight. It became closer and closer to a certain class of cars, and also (in recent generations) more colorful on the skin of users accustomed to modern entertainment and communication technologies.

Meanwhile, Astra also acquired new generations, but for some reason they remained old, too classic and also too heavy. Up to this brand new, with the factory designation K, and on a new platform with the designation D2XX, which replaced the existing Delta 2 and on which, for example, the new electric Chevrolet Volt 2 was created (which, it seems, GM does not intend to introduce any - that closure in the minds of the leaders of Europe).

The new platform brought a lot of things with it, including lighter weight. This one can't compete with some of the competition just yet, but the improvement over the previous model is clear - both in the driving seat and in the wallet.

Less weight means not only better performance, but also lower fuel consumption. In combination with a fresh 1,6-liter turbodiesel with a capacity of 100 kilowatts or 136 "horsepower", the Astra did not disappoint here. The standard lap was divided by a total of four liters, which is the second best result for a classic (i.e. non-hybrid or electric) car based on our measurements on the standard lap, only a tenth of a liter for a much smaller one. live Octavia Greenline.

It is worth noting that Astra was on winter tires, and Octavia was on summer tires. Definitely an excellent result, especially since the consumption was not much higher during the tests: 5,1 liters. Meanwhile, on German motorways there were quite a few kilometers without restrictions and therefore at a suitable speed, even more than 200 kilometers per hour - according to the meter, it is much easier in this Astra, even on Slovenian motorways with speeds just below 10 kilometers per hour. It is because of such cases that we drive on a regular lap according to GPS data, and regardless of how much the speedometer of the tested car shows.

Although the engine is extremely fuel efficient, it is not devoid of power. On the contrary, at first glance, it could easily have been given more than “just 130 horsepower,” but it also pleases with flexibility starting at 1.300 rpm. The six-speed manual gearbox works well when paired with this engine, but it's true that sixth gear could have been slightly longer.

In fact, the worst part of the engine is that while Opel describes it as a quiet whisper, it is actually slightly below average but still noticeably loud diesel. There are no miracles with diesel noise in this class of cars, and the Astra proves it.

The fact that the Astra has lost weight can also be seen in the corners. Here, the engineers managed to find a very good compromise between comfort and sportiness, as well as a pleasant driving position. Why sportiness? Because despite the diesel in the nose, the Astra can be a lot of fun. Limits are set high, steering is precise, understeer is minimal, and ESP is a fairly smooth type.

What's more, if you apply a little force, the rear will also glide smoothly and in a controlled manner, and if the steering wheel movements are smooth enough and the slip angle is not too much, the ESP will also provide some fun. However, the chassis is comfortable enough, feels softer than before, and absorbs bumps in the road very well. In some places, a consequence of short, sharp, pronounced irregularities under the wheels bursts into the interior, but even this softens well enough without annoying vibrations, which proves that Opel has taken care of the strength of the body as well.

While the test Astra didn't have the optional sports seats, don't complain about the standard ones in the corners - they work even better on long trips. They are just stiff, but at the same time, they are quite adjustable along with the steering wheel, so finding a comfortable and suitable position behind the wheel is not difficult.

The gauges in front of the driver are still classic, but there is a relatively large color LCD in the middle among them, which has been poorly used by designers as it shows too little data in terms of area and loses a lot of space to display unnecessary ones. In addition, he is worried that he displays almost everything that happens to the car in full screen mode.

If you opt for a digital speed display (which is almost essential for an opaque analog meter), you will be constantly overwhelmed by these and other messages, as well as navigation instructions. This will require frequent pressing of the steering wheel button to confirm that you have read the message, and the steering wheel buttons do not respond to every press. The large LCD touchscreen at the top of the center console is for the infotainment system, including Apple CarPlay, but we couldn't test it because the USB port on the center console let us down and the other two on it are the last part (which is very commendable, so there are three such connections in the cabin) you can only charge your phone.

Overall, the new Astra operates much more digitally than its predecessor, closer to a car that from the start looks designed with connectivity, smartphones and a whole world of touchscreens (navigation, for example, supports scale change with a two-finger gesture.).

Speaking of equipment: all four seats are also heated, while the heating of the two front seats is automatically switched on and off. There's plenty of room in the back even with taller adults up front (unless they're exactly basketball-sized, the Astro will fit four adults) - only 370 liters in the trunk (which isn't far from the competition). For those who need more, caravans are available.

At first glance, the test car is a bit overpriced, but you should know that it did have a lot of equipment. Navigation would be easy to give up (also because in the test Astra, which was otherwise very good from the start of production), it worked a little capriciously, but the price savings on this account are only a few 100 euros - most of the price of the headlight package Innovaton (which can be softened separately for 1.200 euros, and the package costs one and a half thousand).

They are not on par with the much more expensive ones available from Audi, as they have fewer light segments and therefore are slightly less accurate and more difficult to adapt to the position on the road (therefore lighting is often worse than Audi, but always noticeably better than would only be in the low light, and in addition they are a little slower to respond), but they are also almost half the price. In the case of cars for 20 thousand, this is very important. If you are going to buy Astro, be sure to add them to your equipment list (unfortunately, they are not available with the cheaper Selection and Enjoy equipment).

The Innovation label also stands for a suite of automatic braking safety systems, including Traffic Sign Recognition and Lane Keeping Assist. Unfortunately, the last of that variety, which waits almost to the line, and then quite sharply corrects the direction of the car, instead of going more gently and keeping the car in the middle of the lane all the time, like some others. know. In addition, the test Astra had a blind spot monitoring system, but it sometimes crashed and (with a clear warning) turned off.

It is because of such little things (which are very unpleasant for the owner) that the test Astra left a slightly bitter aftertaste. Let's hope that these are really just problems caused by the fact that the car, as they say in Opel, was completely from the beginning of production (we already had a similar experience in the past), since it would be a shame to mechanically break such a car. a good car is a more computer-type problem and the Astra (again) would only be almost superb.

Dušan Lukič, photo: Saša Kapetanovič

Opel Astra 1.6 CDTI Ecotec Start and stop innovation

Basic data

Sales:	Opel Southeast Europe Ltd.
Base model price:	20.400 €
Test model cost:	23.860 €
Power:	100kW (136 KM)
Acceleration (0-100 km / h):	9,8 with
Maximum speed:	205 km / h
Mixed flow ECE:	4,0l / 100km
Guarantee:	2 years general warranty, 1 year mobile warranty, 2 years original parts and hardware warranty, 3 years battery warranty, 12 years anti-rust warranty.
Systematic review	20.000 km

Cost (up to 100.000 km or five years)

Regular services, works, materials:	1.609 €
Fuel:	4.452 €
Tires (1)	1.366 €
Loss of value (within 5 years):	6.772 €
Compulsory insurance:	2.285 €
CASCO INSURANCE (+ B, K), AO, AO +	5.705 (
Calculate the cost of auto insurance
Buy up	€ 22.159 0,22 (km cost: XNUMX €)

Technical information

engine:	4-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - turbodiesel - front mounted transversely - bore and stroke 79,7 × 80,1 mm - displacement 1.598 cm3 - compression 16,0: 1 - maximum power 100 kW (136 hp) at 3.500 -4.000 rpm - average piston speed at maximum power 9,3 m / s - specific power 62,6 kW / l (85,1 hp / l) - maximum torque 320 Nm at 2.000–2.250 rpm min - 2 camshafts in the head) - 4 valves per cylinder - common rail fuel injection - exhaust gas turbocharger - charge air cooler.
Energy transfer:	engine-driven front wheels - 6-speed manual transmission - gear ratio I. 3,820 2,160; II. 1,350 hours; III. 0,960 hours; IV. 0,770; V. 0,610; VI. 3,650 – differential 7,5 – rims 17 J × 225 – tires 45/94/R 1,91, rolling circumference XNUMX m.
Capacity:	top speed 205 km/h – 0-100 km/h acceleration 9,6 s – average fuel consumption (ECE) 3,9 l/100 km, CO2 emissions 103 g/km.
Transportation and suspension:	limousine - 5 doors, 5 seats - self-supporting body - front single suspension, spring legs, three-spoke wishbones, stabilizer - rear axle shaft, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, stabilizer - front disc brakes (forced cooling), rear disc, ABS, electric parking rear wheel brake (switch between seats) - rack and pinion steering wheel, electric power steering, 2,6 turns between extreme points.
Mass:	empty vehicle 1.350 kg - permissible total weight 1.875 kg - permissible trailer weight with brake: 1.500 kg, without brake: 650 kg - permissible roof load: 75 kg.
External dimensions:	length 4.370 mm – width 1.809 mm, with mirrors 2.042 1.485 mm – height 2.662 mm – wheelbase 1.548 mm – track front 1.565 mm – rear 11,8 mm – ground clearance XNUMX m.
Inner dimensions:	longitudinal front 870-1.110 mm, rear 560-820 mm - front width 1.470 mm, rear 1.450 mm - head height front 940-1.020 mm, rear 950 mm - front seat length 510 mm, rear seat 440 mm - luggage compartment 370 - 1.210 370 l – handlebar diameter 48 mm – fuel tank XNUMX l.
Box:	370-1.210

Our measurements

T = 12 ° C / p = 1.063 mbar / rel. vl. = 55% / Tires: Dunlop Winter Sport 5 2/225 / R 45 17 H / Odometer status: 94 km
Acceleration 0-100km:	9,9s
402m from the city:	17,1 years ( 133 km / h)
test consumption:	5,1 l / 100km
Fuel consumption according to the standard scheme:	4,0 l / 100km
Braking distance at 130 km / h:	69,8m
Braking distance at 100 km / h:	40,1m
AM table:	40m
Noise at 90 km / h in 6rd gear	60dB

Overall rating (349/420)

• Lightweight, digitized, redesigned and well thought out, the Astra returns to the top of its class. Hopefully, the test car's minor flaws really stem from its very early production date.

• Exterior (13/15)

  At Astra, Opel designers have managed to create a car that looks sporty and prestigious.

• Interior (102/140)

  There is a lot of equipment and space, only the trunk could be bigger. The seats are great.

• Engine, transmission (55
  
  
  / 40)

  The engine is quiet and sleek enough, the drivetrain is well designed and pleasant to use.

• Driving performance (60
  
  
  / 95)

  At the Astra, sailors have managed to find the perfect balance between sportiness (and fun) and comfort.

• Performance (26/35)

  In practice, it seems to be faster than on paper, and it is also well known on German motorways.

• Security (41/45)

  The list of (also optional) safety equipment in the test machine is indeed long, but not complete.

• Economy (52/50)

  The Astra has proven itself with extremely low fuel consumption.

We praise and reproach

consumption

engine

position on the road

comfort

quirky work of some systems

poor picture from the rear view camera

occasionally poor car radio reception