When the previous generation Astra is on US shores - dressed in leather, wood Buick Verano badges - it was not a foreign invasion. Instead, Astra-cum-Verano was a good soldier comes home; Astra J always felt as a Buick.
The A stra brand new, now bears the designator K, is lighter, more agile and stuffed with a lot of new kind of technology. Europeans love, as shown by its European car of the year. But will Americans like the next Verano, which is related to the basis of the European Pact?
The new generation of the Astra will change that
to start the new Astra goes up on the new D2XX of platform General Motors, which the company says is "completely new" and - managing to save 260-400 pounds (depending on the engine, body style and trim level) - should disappear around the reservoir and demand the previous Astra J. Opel in a whole new platform seems a little fishy, ​​however. First, GM said it spent $ 220 million on the development of the new modular platform and supposedly D 2XX. This money facelift in the world of the automotive industry, and not silver we-built-this-thing from scratch. For context, Volkswagen would have spent north of $ 50 billion on the MQB platform.
I spent a week watching the Astra closely. As someone who has a well-developed vis ual memory, a lot of experience with the previous Astra, and access to Google Images, I do not subscribe to the notion that the Astra K is as new as Opel claims. Like the Corsa, the car is made to look new enough with superficial lines and details But when you focus on the hard points -. Doors, windows or opening the tailgate - the lines of the general body and their relationship with the wheelbase Astra are like the old model with the new sheetmetal hidden. Most owners will not notice, however, that the design settings are real enough to make the new Astra look much more modern and visually lighter.
Unlike the exterior, which alludes to the bone of an ancient Astra below, the cockpit feels good again. Astra which last year tried to drown you in a sea of ​​gray plastic and a numbing ocean buttons, the current model offers lines and a touch of snazzy infotainment system flowing. In addition, you no longer feel like youre trapped in a dystopian arm ored car outside visibility is greatly improved.
The biggest difference comes from the driving experience of the Astra. The idea that it is the interpretation of a European Buick is most of the time disappeared. The car feels light on its feet, its steering response is quick and agile, and its suspension is softer than it used to be. It feels as if Opel removed concrete boots Astra.
Do not misunderstand. This is not always a Mazda3 or Ford Focus. The Astra lack the joyful commitment of these cars. And it does not offer nearly the same precision driving the Golf. Management is not nearly as tactile and linear than the Volkswagen. manual transmission Astra can be a bit notchy, and his throws are certainly more than one would expect from a premium product. He still can not run with the best, but at least he is nipping the heels of his rivals now.
Being slightly behind can be enough, as long as you have something to do for her. In the case of Astra, something that is in the form of technology. Opel boasts of being able to offer luxury options of a luxury car at an affordable price in a compact. And it is true. Type of. If you consider the Golf or Å koda be a premium car
Another highlight -. Ventilation, massage seats - has not been equipped with the example discussed, so that we can t compare with premium brands. And except Citroens false "massage seats" (lumbar moving back and forth), no competitor offers massage seats, and I do not know of a direct competitor with those broken, either. The seats themselves are "Aktion Gesunder Rücken (Campa ign for Healthy Backs) certified," meaning supposedly they are approved by the Association of Healthy Back-Better Living and Federal Association of German Back Schools - whatever that means. The seats are very comfortable. Given the importance that the seats play in comfort, this is probably more than worth the extra cost option. Too bad it is unlikely they will do in the future potential Verano.
What will certainly in North America is the full driver assistance package. You get the usual fare better equipped cars today - lane assist, forward collision warning and recognition of traffic signs - but despite the presence of the radar before, adaptive cruise control is not available, nor is it possible to order an automatic parking. The systems also lag somewhat behind competitors. Lane assist reacts only when you cross the line, unlike the equivalent of VW, which is able to keep within the track and basically drive himself -. As long as you keep your han ds on the wheel
and then theres traffic sign recognition of the Astra, which deserves its own paragraph, and place in hell. Unlike the system of the Astra of the previous generation - or, indeed, to any competitor - it does not just show tiny traffic signs somewhere in the display of the dashboar d. He feels compelled to inform you - no, preventing you and alert you - every time you pass a speed limit sign, with a window that covers the screen. Ran past another sign "50"? The window appears. And then again. And even. Basically, the entire 4-inch or so display in the dashboard, also useful for instructions sat nav or trip computer, becomes a place to display signs -. and it can not be disabled
again, it seems the knowledge of Opel ergonomics is limited to the wonderful seats, as many controls Astra for different embedded systems are decidedly lacking in their ease of use. While infotainment touch screen is certainly a big step forward compared to incomprehensible hell button of the previous generation, it is still a little behind the competition when it comes to logic and ease of use. Some issues, such as orders that are not immediately clear, perhaps a matter of familiarity. Others, like the fact that you must return to the screen "at home" almost every time you go between sections infotainment - such as the media, telephone or navigation -. Are infuriating
Verdict
Astra earlier was also-ran in the segment. It was not a bad car, but there were a few annoying features, obese felt, and mostly mis s something to really like. In todays market, that spells failure.
The new Astra is not yet perfect. Ergonomics is often bizarre, the highly touted-on technological gadgets lack finesse of its competitors, and - while the car is running well enough - he can not play with the best in class. The overall package, however, is now more compelling than ever. Its unique selling point is now "affordable luxury". You can have features such as ventilated seats, heated steering wheel and massage, a good number of passes, LED headlights big cars in a compact package. A well optioned Golf can be a better car, but it is also so expensive that it ceases to be a true competitor. Against the aging Focus, or new offers from France, the Astra is a formidable opponent.
Will it be a good Buick?
All the qualities that make a good offer Astra on the European market are those traditionally connected with American cars. For the price , its bigger, better equipped, and comes with powerful enough engines well suited for automatic transmissions. It has many features. It is comfortable. Of course, it is not as a premium European car, and some of the features are not the best in the business, but it will make a wonderful Buick with an extra splash of agility and European style.
To be a Verano, all it takes is a trunk, a little beige leather, wood trim and an automatic transmission
[Image: © 2016 Viola Procházková/The Truth About Cars]
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