Opel Astra in the test: Freshly renovated compact model from Rüsselsheim

The first impression: Proven, but also old - in the design of five-door and station wagon Opel has hardly changed anything. Only the grille has been retouched a bit.

The manufacturer says: It does not always have to be an SUV, assures Opel Marketing Director Christina Herzog. Although the share of SUV is growing steadily in the compact class as well, but cars like the Astra would continue to boom, which is why they deserve the necessary attention when it comes to caring for the model. The real reason for the thorough update for the Astra, Herzog certainly does not mention: The main competitor VW Golf is the new eighth edition in the starting blocks. If the Astra does not want to completely lag behind, he needs a few fresh cells.

photo gallery

9 pictures

Matthias Alt is responsible for the cure. He heads the development of gasoline engines in Rüsselsheim and has made a strong effort for the Astra facelift. All engines are new and, with up to 21 percent less CO2 emissions, make a noteworthy contribution to making Opel come as close as possible to fleet targets. Even Alt does not tell the whole story. Those who do not ask, learn nothing about the origin of the engines and closes because of identical displacement sizes on aggregates from the PSA Group.

"Wrong," corrected Opel spokesman David Hamprecht, the engines are real home grown and developed in Rüsselsheim. And as a sort of farewell gift for the former parent company General Motors. Probably that is the reason why the alto does not hang the genesis story on the big bell.

We noticed that: always with peace. Normally, three-cylinder engines are very communicative. But thanks to a balancer shaft and a thorough soundproofing that makes the bonnet so heavy that you better lop it with two hands, the Astra is a real Leisetreter. At least the strongest diesel engine in combination with the only nine-speed automatic transmission in the segment makes a decidedly cultivated impression. There is no growl or groan, and with the additional gear ratios, the engine speed always stays at a comfortable level.

But what you have to say goodbye to with the facelift is the sport spirit. A GSI variant or even an Astra OPC will not exist, Opel is consistently on reducing CO2 emissions. In the future there will only be three-cylinder engines, so five out of seven drive combinations will remain at a CO2 emission of less than 100 g / km.

Take a look inside the interior of the Opel Astra - with our 360 degree photo:

Except for the engines Opel has also added to the electronics. So there is now at least between the two analog instruments in the cockpit a monitor, the revised infotainment system goes online to navigate, the smartphone can be charged wirelessly, the emergency brake assistant now recognizes pedestrians and in the bow plug new LED headlights, which need less energy ,

You have to know that: The revised Astra has celebrated its premiere at the IAA and will be available in a few weeks' time. As a five-door car costs at least 19,990 euros, the sports tourer called Kombi is exactly 1000 euros more expensive. It will be offered as the only model in the compact class future only with three-cylinder engines. In addition, because the aerodynamics has been revised and there is now, for example, a radiator shutter, the consumption goes back by up to 21 percent. As gasoline engine, there is now a 1.2-liter turbo with 110 or 130 hp and a unit with 1.4-liter displacement and 145 hp. For diesel drivers, the Hesse have a 1.5-liter engine on offer, which makes 105 or 122 hp.

We will not forget that: the shark, who laughs at the inmates from the bottom of the cup holder and for many years has been a recurring search element of the designer in all Opel cars. Because every time they hide the predatory fish elsewhere. The creatives at Opel, that's for sure, have not forgotten how to joke.

Thomas Geiger is a freelance author and was supported in his research by Opel. Reporting is independent of this.

vehicle registration