With the arrival of the Astra to the battle of the hatchbacks, the stakes are raised yet again, while the would-be buyers stand back in delight, says Motoring Editor Michael McAleer
Round three in the battle of the hatchbacks sees the arrival of the all-important Opel Astra to the fray. Following on from the new Mazda3 and updated Volkswagen Golf, Opel has turned up the heat on the long-time king of the class - the Golf.
In a class that's ripe with progress, motorists contemplating what to buy have never had it so good. The Golf was once streets ahead of its competitors in terms of styling, build and driver fun. However, over the last few years the gap has closed and VW now has several very competent competitors breathing down its neck.
In terms of styling, the new Opel is right in tune with modern trends - dynamic and good-looking without being so retro as to scare off its large conservative base. The rear has certain ostentatious similarities to the new Mazda3, but also carries styling cues from its larger sibling, the Signum. The more sculpted rear window and prominent boot line give a sporty look to the car, while at the front a more traditional approach has been taken.
Simply closing the door with a solid clunk gives the impression of a much better build quality as well. In fact, it's on a par with the VW Golf for roominess, trim and build quality. That could not be said of older models, and proof perhaps that statements from GM boss Rick Wagoner this time last year about the need to improve Opel's quality and finish are being taken seriously on the production line.
The car is larger in all dimensions than the current model and both front and rear legroom is on a par with the best in class. The new car is slightly taller, longer and nearly 50 mm wider than its predecessor - in keeping with its main competitors all of whom have widened their girth. The boot is also slightly bigger, offering up to 1,300 litres of space with the rear seats folded down, and there's no protruding wheel arches to overcome. However, there is a significant lip that could hinder keen shoppers.
The new Astra features the same vertical central console design as in the Vectra range, with all the positives and negatives that connotes. While the overall impression is of a solid finish, some of the plastics let it down somewhat. The good news is that Opel has taken the vocal criticism of its "spongy" wiper and indicator controls and have slightly stiffened them.
The new Astra will come with eight engine variants - five petrol and three turbodiesel - with power outputs ranging from 80 bhp to 200 bhp. The petrol engines range from 1.4-litre to a turbocharged 2-litre, and the diesel options are two 1.7-litre CDTis and a 1.9-litre unit.
The big seller here will continue to be the 1.4-litre petrol, developing 90 bhp with a 0 to 62 mph speed of 13.7 seconds and a top speed of 110 mph. In terms of fuel consumption, Opel claims a combined figure of 44.8 mpg.
Unfortunately there was no 1.4-litre model available for test. We test drove the 1.6-litre petrol with Easytronic automatic control, the 2-litre turbo petrol with six-speed manual and the 1.7 CDTi diesel mated with five-speed gearbox. Of those we tried we found the 1.6-litre a solid performer, though the automatic gearbox caused a certain lurching between gears when in full automatic. The diesel offered good low down pulling power, as expected, though it was quite rough around the edges.
Ride quality was comfortable, and the overall impression on the road is of a well-weighted car. On a closed airstrip we got the chance to put the car's various traction and safety systems to the test, along with the sports and comfort suspension settings.
Both here and on the road the steering felt relaxed and secure, if less involving than, say, the Ford Focus, partially due we suspect to the electric assistance steering. But for many buyers in this market, smooth and steady are the desired traits.
John Maher, managing director of Opel Ireland says prices for Ireland will be on par with the current range, starting just below €20,000. Opel Ireland will be hoping the new car will resuscitate its sales efforts. Its market share has slipped significantly in recent years and the Opel range has slipped out of the top five this year. Ties with sister firm Vauxhall in Britain are now increasingly strong and all Irish cars will come with Vauxhall specification levels, though still under the Opel brand. Thus, all seven specification models from Britain will be available here with optional extras including tyre pressure monitor systems, hill start assist, and dynamic headlamps, linked to the movement of the steering wheel.
The Astra is a welcome addition to the hatchback battle and brings the car closer to the front of the class than it's ever been, even back at its origins as the Kadett in 1962.