If that does not bode times: after days of storms and rains, the Mallorcan sky cleared as we arrived and the sun made this November once again properly tag summery. Perfect conditions for an intensive island-tour with the new Opel Astra GTC.
The Astra GTC sees itself as an independent sport compact cars in the Opel family. And at first glance, he knows quite uncomfortable with dynamic design elements, striking lines and a really successful rims offer (with sizes up to 20 inches) to the viewer show gleichmal the proverbial teeth - in short, except for the housing of the mirrors and the antenna does not comply a body part to another Astra model. And this is probably also deliberately been made, since the conventional Astra yes unfortunately sometimes as "Opi-cart" is stigmatized - even if the current model certainly knocked off the old image considerably. But before it can go, it must first carry-on baggage is stowed in the trunk, which is not so easy is how you get on the trunk? Ahh ... a short press on the Opel lightning reveals the secret!
Well, it goes directly from the airport on the highway to the north. Our test car is equipped with the most powerful diesel engine with 2.0 liter displacement and 121 kW (165 hp). Except for the entry-way, all Astra models come standard with a six-speed manual transmission. So far so good, you roll comfortably over the Mallorcan highway, when suddenly an alarm sounds. Hmm, what is it? Ah, the track assistant, as the newest feature of the front camera "Opel Eye" is on board. He warns when crossing the road with a warning label. Is it in similar form at Mercedes and to warn of dangerous especially when falling asleep in front of an encounter with the guard rail. In the self-test proved to be an intuitive alert system on the whole to be quite reliable. Deliberate crossing the road marking has been identified and therefore no warning sounded.
In this model, the chassis will be offered assistance system FlexRide, which offers the driver a choice between the driving modes, "Sport" and "tour", respectively, to choose neither. For the leisurely drive on the highway is first "tour" is selected, which brings us closer to 130-140 km / h and average consumption of 5-6 liters / 100 km in order to: Cape Formentor - the last part of the tour will exciting, because it goes into the mountains. For the switchbacks, we select the driving mode "sport" - and not just the instrument display now shines in a sporty red, no throttle response is also sportier and there is a general feeling that the car responds to steering movements directly. Here, the 380 Newton meters show the diesel unit, what they can. The acceleration out of tight cornering is fun, which is mainly due to the new chassis.
Later we learn that Opel's engineers have spent a lot of time on the test track in order to optimize the chassis of the Astra GTC, so that the many new technological innovations in harmony with each other properly. Speaking of innovations in the chassis. Because the Astra will be built on a completely new platform, one could put in comparison with the standard Astra GTC, the deep by 15 mm and widen the wheelbase by 10 mm and the track by 40 mm (front) and 30mm (rear) . Moreover, even an electronically controlled, speed-sensitive rack and pinion steering is used. In conjunction with new technology in the suspension, the Astra GTC now boasts a more direct steering response and generally better handling than its predecessor. As the latest automotive tech-concept at this point would be "HiPerStrut front suspension" to call that comes in the Insignia OPC is used in the Astra and now includes as standard equipment. In order to give the driver precise feedback, the electric motor is mounted directly on the rack and not as usual at the bottom of the steering column.
At the end of the day we can again examine the interior. As with all current Opel models also have the Astra GTC, material selection and processing re quality. Among many applications in brushed aluminum-look especially the subtle backlighting to know in the door trim and gear lever on the faucet to like it. Characteristic also is standard and the steering wheel. For the Astra one can choose the Edition models and innovation in a variety of new fabrics, colors and patterns. The color combinations Imola Red / Morrocana, or Imola Black, Black / Morrocana, black for the seat center sections and side panels blend well with the decor strips in the piano-style. In addition, another leather interiors called "Dinamica Black" will be available.
From mid-January 2012, the Opel Astra GTC is rolling out to dealers. For the basic model with 1.4-liter petrol and 100 hp € 19,900 are due to launch the first diesel engine only, the common-rail turbo-diesel 2.0 CDTI with 121 kW/165 hp, will be available from € 25,055.
