To a large extent, the Astra is already a fixture on Slovenian roads, as it consistently ranks among the ten best-selling models in our country, and its frequency in traffic is also appropriate for this. The Opel astra 1.6 CDTi with a new quieter and more refined diesel engine and an improved and more accurate transmission is now even more convincing as a whole.
Many customers appreciate astrina pleasing image, high-quality interior and good value for money, as it offers above-average equipment, and from a cost point of view, it is also in the lower half of the price range. With so many attributes and positive customer arguments, the Opel astra is easy fired some smaller ones shortcomings, as it is too much inclination of the switches on the center console and the fact that, considering the bloated body, the spaciousness inside is nothing exceptional.
Until recently, there was also some inconsistency with the engines, as under the well-known and also more expensive 2.0-liter engine, diesel colors were represented only by the "aged" ones. 1.7 liter diesel, yet from the times cooperation with Isuzu.
Well, now Opel and with it Astra has turned an important new leaf in the field of motorization and replaced the previously mentioned engine with a much more advanced size 1.6-liter, which we recently had the opportunity to test and admire in the renovated Meriva.
Even in the astra, the engine finds its way perfectly and delivers nicely, but you don't even know the fact that the astra is a bit bigger and heavier, because with the extra kilos compared to the meriva, it doesn't have too much work to do. Otherwise, the engine ignites with minimal hesitation, which is also accompanied at the beginning quite jerky and loud operation, but it quickly calms down, but when it reaches the working temperature, it is already inside almost inaudible. When driving, it gets to work quickly and likes to spin, and compared to the engine it replaced, it also gathers power more smoothly, because the turbo hole is no longer so noticeable. Somewhat annoying hesitant performance (mainly reboots) start&stop system, whose capriciousness the Oplovci have not yet managed to fully tame, but it is true that its operation, as well as the accuracy and speed of the gearbox, are getting faster and better.
The gearbox was already considered a stumbling block in the past, but a new generation of six-speed manual gearbox it's much better than the one from years ago that liked to stall and the gear ratios were set too close together. There is more than enough power and torque in all modes, only with a fully loaded car you will sometimes be forced to reach for the gear lever when driving uphill, and the same applies to quick accelerations on AC. However, the drive train as a whole has been significantly improved and all the aforementioned (minor) corrections make the astra a truly integrated car.
When we factor into the equation from before exemplary driving dynamicso and powerful chassis and suspension, we can conclude that the astro is (more than ever) a pleasure to drive. However, the astra has retained some weaknesses, namely, in addition to average volume, it also has a greater weight, which makes it not as bouncy as it would otherwise be, and perhaps one would like or think when looking at the engine power. 10.3 second acceleration to a hundred and final 200 km/h according to the 100 kW of power and 320 Nm of torque, as far as the signature of the engine is concerned, they are nothing impressive, and the astra "pays" for the weight tax also in terms of economy. Within the latter 6.3 liters, as far as we measured it in the test, there is also nothing shocking, the emissions that it is for 103 grams of CO2 but they show that it is not and cannot be a record holder in terms of low consumption. But with significant savings, you could spend also dropped below the limit of six liters, but the question is how long it would stay there, when you forget about it and drive "by feeling".
Still an aster takes the lead in regards to contents and also equipment. We found the compartment under the passenger's seat to be a nice addition, it also has useful value for the new astro IntelliLink system, which shares a display with the factory navigation of average graphics and performance speed. It has also gained from the point of view of advanced technology, as equipment accessories include systems such as blind spot warning system, "Owl's Eye" and many more. Most of the accessories are sensibly condensed into some comprehensive packages, which are more lenient on the owner's wallet. The extras on the tester, despite everything, were for a hefty just under four thousand, but with this the tester had almost complete equipment, which lacked only leather upholstery for prestige.
READ MORE: Opel Meriva – design renewal and new diesel suit it well
A look at the price list shows that the astra with a new diesel heart and the attractive active equipment package is not cheap (the price of the tester was just under 25 thousand), but it turns out that the dealers give you a concrete discount on this price, so it is 21,450 euros as much as they require much more acceptable ones. In the case of stretch marks, it turns out that the number of pluses and trumps is much greater than the minuses or shortcomings.
More information about the model: www.opel.si/astra with five doors
Price of the test vehicle: 24,660 euros, price with discount: 21,460 euros
