SA Roadtests
South Africa
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This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. We drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under South African conditions. It also just happens that most of the vehicles we drive are world cars as well, so what you read here probably applies to the models you can get at home.
*To read one of our road tests, just select from the menu on the left.Touch on the manufacturer’s name and choose from the drop down list.
*Please remember too, that prices quoted were those ruling on the days I wrote the stories.
This is a launch report. In other words, it's simply a new model announcement. The driving experience was limited to a short drive over a prepared course chosen to make the product look good. We can therefore not tell you what it will be like to live with over an extended period, how economical it is, or how reliable it will be. A very brief first impression is all we can give you until such time as we get an actual test unit for trial. Thank you for your patience.
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Published in The Witness Motoring on Wednesday October 13, 2010
Remember the last time someone dangled lusciousness just beyond your outstretched fingertips then snatched it away? Tantalisation is the word you seek and almost half the press squad attending Opel's recent reveal of the new Astra range experienced it.
The restyled, longer and wider car comes with three engines and in four models. Oddly enough, the most interesting version for performance and handling junkies will be one of those with the mid-range engine while the obvious jewel, the one with the most powerful engine and the handling package, won't be coming to this market. Like you, I'm waiting for a whispered "just yet," but GMSA is keeping mum.
Built on the Cruze platform, the new Astra benefits from a clean sheet design with an increased footprint for enhanced stability and handling. The wheelbase is 71mm longer than that of its predecessor, while increased overall width allows tracks to be increased by 56mm in front and 70mm in the rear.
Core body stiffness is improved by 43 percent torsionally, with a 10 percent increase in bending strength to provide a firm platform to optimise ride and handling. The increased stiffness of the platform also benefits comfort as it reduces transfer of noise and vibration into the passenger compartment.
Astra introduces its own interpretation of GM's award-winning design language with its strong coupé-like silhouette and fresh sporty look. A steeply raked windshield and a roofline that falls off to the rear for an element of visual excitement, define elegant proportions. Flanks feature a dynamic inverted blade styling cue visually connecting rear window and ‘C’ pillar. Double wing-shapes in each of the rear light clusters add visual interest.
Flowing bodywork form is carried through to the interior where sweeping lines and curvaceous shapes typify the Opel design language. A signature design cue is the wraparound wing shape of the instrument panel that arcs to blend into the tops of the door mouldings. This provides the illusion of a warm embrace for occupants and a welcoming ambience, enhanced at night by diffused red lighting illuminating the base of the centre console and the front door panels.
The base model is a 1600cc, 85 kW, naturally aspirated unit in Essentia trim with a generous package of standard equipment. Look for 17X7J multi-spoke alloy wheels with 215/50 R17 tyres, five-speed manual gearbox, ABS with EBD, ESP, power steering, steering wheel mounted audio controls, steering wheel rake and reach adjustment, cruise control, power adjusted heated side mirrors, daytime running lamps, height adjustable driver’s seat, air conditioner, power windows front and rear, six airbags, car alarm with inclination and interior movement sensors, transponder immobiliser, remote central locking with deadlock, 4- speaker radio/CD combination with MP3 compatibility and auxiliary input, triple information display and on-board computer with graphic information display.
Next up is a 1400cc turbocharged Enjoy version putting out 103 kW at 4 900 rpm and 200 Nm of torque between 1 850 and 4 900 rpm. The following items are added: 6-speed manual transmission, front fog lamps, leather covered steering wheel and 7-speaker sound system with graphic information display.
Enjoy Plus adds lowered Sports Chassis, the FlexRide adaptive suspension, steering and throttle response package (a choice of sport, touring and normal modes), Bi-Xenon headlights with washers, automatic headlight control, Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL), Control Intelligent High Beam and automatic headlamp levelling, rain sensing windscreen wipers and anti-dazzle rear view mirror.
The 1,6-litre turbocharged Sport version develops 132 kW at 5 500 rpm and 230 Nm of torque between 2 200 and 5 400 rpm. Extra kit in addition to the Enjoy (not Plus) specification includes bigger wheels and tyres, bigger brakes, lowered Sports Chassis, sports type steering wheel, chrome moulded belt line, headlamp washers, automatic headlamp control, ergonomic driver’s sports seat with powered lumbar adjustment, heated front seats, leather trim, Climate Control, rear park assist, Hill Start Assist and anti-dazzle rear view mirror.
The most evident additions to the Sport Plus version some of us drove "accidentally" include the FlexiRide package, a sports seat for the copilot and the rest of the "Enjoy Plus" kit. While the 85 kW car is good luxurious family transport and the two 1400s provide extra levels of "nice," the 1600 turbo goes like the clappers while the extra-kit-that-tantalises makes the Sport Plus truly drool-worthy. Pity we can't have it.
The numbers
Prices: R218 000 to R280 300
Engines: see text
Warranty: 5 years/120 000 km
Service intervals: yearly/15 000 km
Service plan: 5 years/ 90 000 km
To read our review of the 2013 Astra 1.4T enjoy, Click Here
This is a one-man show, which means that road test cars entrusted to me are driven only by me. Some reviewers hand test cars over to their partners to use as day-to-day transport and barely experience them for themselves.
What this means to you is that every car reviewed is given my own personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.
Every car goes through real world testing; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads as well.
I am based in Pietermaritzburg, KZN, South Africa. This is the central hub of the KZN Midlands farming community; the place farmers go to to buy their supplies and equipment, truck their goods to market, send their kids to school and go to kick back and relax.
So occasionally a cow, a goat or a horse may add a little local colour by finding its way into the story or one of the pictures. It's all part of the ambience!
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SA Roadtests
South Africa
ctjag8