Autotest 07-12-2022 Opel Astra 1.2 Turbo 130 hp – Welcome Endurance test The Opel Astra is new in AutoWeek’s endurance test fleet. We set the 1.2 Turbo 130 hp… 28

The Opel Astra looks nothing like its French cousin from the outside. Opel has created a very recognizable family face, with the front design inspired by the Manta A. In Opel language: the Vizor grille. Especially with the black accents that our version has, that makes the Astra low, wide and nice and thick. Now our endurance tester is an Astra Ultimate, with all the trimmings. Unfortunately, this version has since disappeared from the price list. If you want to order an Astra that looks just like our endurance tester, go for a GS-Line. Then order 18-inch alloy wheels and have accents that are chrome-coloured on the GS Line painted in black.

Another powertrain chosen for the Opel Astra

We have deliberately opted for a different powertrain and that means that the Astra does it with a 1.2 three-cylinder turbo engine on petrol. It is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Peugeot 308 SW Hybrid 180 that we drove was a plug-in hybrid. You can also order the new Astra with the same technology. The 1.2 turbo engine delivers 130 hp in both the Astra and the 308.

Automatic selector lever identical

In fact, in the Astra we only see one clear landmark of the Peugeot that we recently said goodbye to: the selector lever of the automatic transmission is identical. Furthermore, the Astra inside is very much an Opel. Just that larger round steering wheel, instead of the rectangular Peugeot steering wheel, makes the Astra feel very different. Furthermore, the design differs substantially. The efforts to make it a real Opel from the inside are mainly reflected in the multimedia system. There you can set various user profiles. That is very nice for an endurance tester at an editorial office with many different directors. This way everyone can choose their own stand with personal preferences and the avatars that you can link to it are very nice. Those are pictures of Opel models. Not only legendary ones such as the first Manta or the GT, but also a Corsa A is possible. Or brand concept cars. You can also choose modern models as an avatar, so that you soon imagine yourself in a warm Opel bath.

Opel Astra Ultimate: not the last but the first

There are so many settings that you really have to sit down for it. You can not only arrange the layout of the central screen to your personal taste, but also that of the display right in front of you. The instruments are divided into compartments; which display you want in which position, you set in the settings linked to the driver profile. Because it’s an Astra Ultimate, we also have a head-up display. It took us a while to figure out how to make it appear. For this you have to go to the menu ‘brightness’ in the central screen. You can then easily adjust the height of the ‘HUD’ with the same button that you use to adjust the mirrors. Yes, modern cars, you almost have to have studied for that. Fortunately, there are several manuals that you can consult in the central menu. Of course, they only work when the car is stationary.

Lighter than a plug-in hybrid

The fact that the Astra feels like a lighter and more dynamic car than our endurance test 308 is due to the lighter three-cylinder powertrain. Much less kilos press on the nose and that makes this Astra a somewhat more enthusiastic car. Of course there are adjustment differences between the two brands. In addition, an Astra with a 180 hp plug-in hybrid powertrain feels clearly heavier than this Astra with only a three-cylinder turbo in the nose, partly due to its battery pack.

The steering feel is also completely different from that of a Peugeot 308. Let’s bring it up again: such a large round steering wheel is simply much nicer than a small, almost rectangular steering wheel that also obstructs the view of the instruments. We can reassure die-hard Opel fans who are afraid that after many GM years the brand’s products have degenerated into French cars with a German look and feel. Opels definitely have their own character.

1.2 turbo 130 hp with eight-speed automatic transmission is old acquaintance

Incidentally, we know the 130 hp three-cylinder engine with eight-speed automatic transmission well. We already drove this powertrain in an endurance test with another Stellantis product. The Citroën C4 that we drove a year and a half ago did it with the same technology, although the engine is called PureTech at Peugeots and Citroëns and Opel uses the name 1.2 Turbo. There is also a variant of that power source with 110 hp. It would be interesting to compare them directly with our endurance tester. For example, do you notice the difference of 20 hp, or is it mainly a matter of torque? The first comparison scheduled for this Astra endurance tester is a classic: how does it compare to a Volkswagen Golf?

Astra times of old

We dive into history, of course, and we look for a first-generation Astra. Thirty-one years ago it took over from the Kadett and in 1992 the model was an instant sales hit. Only in 1999 more Astras were sold, both years resulted in more than 40,000 orders from Opel Netherlands. Those years will never come back. After all, there are so many body styles these days and there are so many people who want a long-legged model. But for now we are very satisfied with this nice and low, compact mid-sized car.