Electric is preferable to the plug-in hybrid
After the Mokka and the Corsa, Opel now comes with a fully electric Astra, which is listed as Electric in the price list. With the new electric powertrain, so a larger battery, more engine power and, above all, better efficiency. In and around Berlin we gain our first experiences and try to get an impression of consumption.
Low consumption is essential for every EV, especially if the battery capacity is not too large. In this case, it amounts to a usable 51 kWh and assuming the WLTP consumption of 14.8 kWh/100 km, you would have to look for a charging station or fast charger after about 330 kilometers, if you do not want to continue driving until all kinds of alarm lights appear on the dashboard light up. The engine is located transversely in the front and delivers 156 hp and 270 Nm of torque, good for a top speed of 170 km / h and 0-100 km / h in 9.2 seconds.
What are the Astra Electric’s competitors?
The Astra – in peak year 1999 good for more than 40,000 registrations in the Netherlands – operates in the c-segment and is not doing great in terms of sales this year, not even on the home market. If we look at the electric version and purely at the segment of the five-door hatchback or station wagon, then he comes across the new Peugeot e-308 from his own stable and, as a dead competitor, of course the VW ID3. Other hijackers on the coast are the MG4 and MG5, the Cupra Born and the Renault Megane E-tech
Is it somewhat efficient EV?
During a first driving test like this, it is difficult to note a representative consumption. Nevertheless, we made an effort and took the motorway directly from Berlin airport. Yes, the highway. But with Dutch pace. In short, the cruise control at 105 km / h and that for almost fifty kilometers, with the final result being a neat 14.5 kWh / 100 km. As said, not really representative yet, but it still gives a good indication. Later we also drove a bit at 130 km / h and further a lot of back roads with a lot of stopping and accelerating for the video. After 250 km, the on-board computer indicated an average of 15.8 kWh/100 km.
Is the electric Astra just as spacious as the other versions?
It is quite a smart strategy from Stellantis to also supply an existing model as fully electric, as is already the case with the Corsa, Mokka, Peugeot 208 and 2008, for example. The battery packs get a place under the front seats, the rear seat and partly under the luggage floor. The latter takes up space. The trunk of an Astra hatchback with a petrol engine has a volume of 422 litres, with the Electric (and the plug-in hybrid) it is 352 litres. In the case of the Sports Tourer, we are talking about 598 liters versus 516 liters. In the interior you hardly notice the batteries, except for the increase in the front seats. Unfortunately, a trailer is not allowed behind it, a towbar will be available for the ST that can accommodate a bicycle carrier.
How different from the ‘regular’ Astra does the Electric drive?
We often report it when driving the electric version of an existing model: the spontaneous response to the power pedal, the immediately available torque, the lack of engine vibration and the quiet and smooth acceleration make it the nicer car. And yes, an EV is more expensive and may impose some restrictions on your freedom, regardless of the fact that an electric motor is much more efficient than an internal combustion engine and hardly requires maintenance. The Astra Electric weighs the same as the plug-in hybrid, but the weight distribution is slightly better. Suspension and damping are here or tuned and Opel has also done its homework well in that area; the Astra Electric steers fine and, although it is firmly sprung to keep the weight in check, it is not annoyingly hard.
Is the Astra Electric recommended?
The electric Opel Astra turns out to be a pleasant driving car with a reasonably good range, partly thanks to the improved efficiency of this new powertrain from Stellantis. The interior is not the most spacious in its class and the luggage space lost some liters in favor of the battery pack. We don’t have a price yet, but it will certainly be at the level of a VW ID3 and Renault Megane E-Tech.
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– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl