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Extreme makeover

Weetiong

By Weetiong,
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Weetiong

Weetiong

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http://motoring.asiaone.com.sg/articles/R_...041106_002.html

 

 

Extreme makeover

 

The ugly-duckling Opel Astra has been transformed into a beautiful swan, writes SAMUEL EE

 

Samuel Ee - 06 November 2004

The Business Times. Motoring

 

WOE is me. That German icon of motoring that I have worshipped since before I could drive is in danger of being replaced as the standard against which all hatchbacks are measured.

 

And the challenger is none other than a previously insipid model beloved of retirees or generally anyone close to middle age.

 

For decades, the Volkswagen Golf has been the epitome of the compact hatchback. With its legendary build quality and classy design, it has ruled both autobahn and auto polls. But now a competitor has picked up the gauntlet, undergone a makeover that would make any local beauty salon proud and emerged delectable and desirable.

 

To say the new Opel Astra is striking is an understatement, considering what it used to look like.

 

The old model was dowdy, depressing and about as tantalising as a free holiday in Perth. Any young person offered one by his parents would probably rather stick with the bus.

 

Then finally, General Motors, the world's biggest car-maker and the owner of the Opel brand, decided to dig deep into its pockets and revamp the model.

 

The result is a refreshingly stylish car, from the distinctive headlights to the frosted rear lamps. The side profile is especially striking, with the raked windscreen flowing up into a long roof that curves abruptly downwards into a rakishly angled C-pillar.

 

Inside, the spacious cabin is equally dramatic for a family hatchback. Apart from the excellent headroom accorded by the long roofline, the two-tone interior is also trendy.

 

A slick centre console features futuristic front grille-like air vents. They are a cool complement to the brushed aluminium on the gear lever and gaiter.

 

The only complaint is that apart from a little tray behind the parking brake lever, there is virtually no flat surface or shelf space for cards and other small items.

 

But the level of standard equipment is impressive. Hill-start assist, in which the brake is engaged for an additional two seconds after release, is standard. So is an onboard computer with a large screen above the centre console, a rain sensor and electronic climate control air-con. The multi-function steering wheel also has audio controls.

 

But the biggest boon is that the Astra now has an improved Easytronic transmission.

 

This five-speed clutchless manual gearbox with automatic programme has been remapped, and gear changes are so much smoother than in the Meriva. Plus the Astra's lower centre of gravity helps lessen shift shock.

 

Also a boon is that Opel has done away with the complicated gate pattern for the gear stick as found in the Meriva. The lever now self-centres after a position is chosen. Manual shifting is the best for milking the most out of the 1,600cc engine, though there is also a Sport program in automatic mode that delays gear changes by about 1,500 rpm.

 

This, however, results in somewhat manic behaviour above third gear, and the high-rev characteristic isn't in keeping with the family car image. Also quirky is the position of the Sport button. It is high up near the central air vents and beside the hazard lights button, while the button for Winter mode is at the base of the gear lever.

 

So is the Golf about to be replaced as the class leader? Although the Astra's build quality is impressive and its interior hip, the Golf cabin still manages to exude a certain air of refinement.

 

However, the Astra does have commendable body control. So if anyone is still wondering how the two Germans will fare against each other in the Singapore market, look no further than to a very important factor: price.

 

At $86,000, the Astra is almost $20,000 less than a Golf 1.6 FSI. Go figure.

 

Opel Astra 1.6 Twinport

Engine: 1,598cc

Gearbox: 5-speed Easytronic auto with manual shift

Max power: 105 hp @ 6,000 rpm

Max torque: 150 Nm @ 3,900 rpm

0-100 kmh: 13.3 secs

Top Speed: 185 kmh

Price: $85,688 (with COE)

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Seansene

Seansene

1st Gear
(edited)

The Golf will continue to be sold and looked upon as a status symbol, driven by excellent marketing. Other worthy rivals meanwhile, like the Astra or new Focus, are judged insanely expensive if they breach the $90k mark. Go figure indeed... [dizzy]

Edited by Seansene
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Bimmer

Bimmer

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ya i agree. the last astra not bad mah, looks good and drives well to me. y the writer say he rather take bus if his parents give him that..dizzy.gif

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Normal_aspirated

Normal_aspirated

Clutched
ya i agree. the last astra not bad mah, looks good and drives well to me. y the writer say he rather take bus if his parents give him that..

 

U noe local writer tend to be "paid" to write by the local distributors, views not necessary his own. [shakehead]

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