SUNWHEELS took the new Opel Astra hatch for a spin, and besides the good looks, this car is a great performer!
The new Opel Astra GTC is available in Mzansi with a choice of either a 1,4 or 1,6-litre turbocharged petrol engine. Both follow the latest in engineering technology that pushes power from small engines.
At the heart of this technology is the application of a new generation of electronically controlled turbochargers and engine management systems.
Both the 1,4 and 1,6 turbocharged engines are fully compliant with Euro-5 emissions standards and both are fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox.
The engines offer plenty of power that’s combined with excellent fuel efficiency and low carbon-pollution emissions of 139g/km.
In vehicle tests conducted by Opel, engineers discovered the Astra has an average fuel consumption of just 5,9 litres every 100km over open-road cruising and driving in city traffic. And this level of fuel efficiency is delivered without compromising its performance.
The Astra GTC 1.4T Enjoy is capable of accelerating from standstill to 100km/h in 9,9 seconds. The top speed achieved by Opel technician tests is 201km/h.
A standard feature on the 1,4 turbo engine of the Astra GTC Enjoy includes Opel’s start-stop technology. Together with the latest developments in electronic engine management, stop-start technology significantly improves the overall fuel efficiency of an engine. Start-stop does this by shutting the engine down when not moving – as happens in peak hour traffic jams on Mzansi roads – and firing up the engine instantly when the accelerator pedal is tapped so you can move the car forward another few centimetres before stopping again.
The trick to the engine is the variable valve timing that operates on both the inlet and exhaust camshafts. This makes sure that the four valves at every cylinder are timed to optimise engine performance and efficiency every time the engine is used.
The inlet-outlet valve control is the basis of the wide range of power available from the engine and its superb delivery across the engine speed range.
The Opel Astra hatch ranges in price from R264 300 to R341 300.
