2004 Opel Astra 2.2 Exec
2004-03-15 17:56
There was a time when Opel Astras were all about going fast and making lots of "brmm-brmm" noises.
But just like (most) men, the Astra owner has eventually grown up and developed a maturity and sense of responsibility - and with it, a need for comfort and safety as well as a desire to validate his (or her) growth within society.
Naturally Opel hasn't been blind to this, and so the Astra, too, has grown (although there are still Astra models for those who haven't) with luxury features, ride comfort, and smart styling becoming more important.
Fortunately at the same time Opel has not forgotten what has drawn its customers to its products over the years, so power, performance, and taut handling remain core values.
And this is personified in the Astra Classic 2.2 Executive, the four-door sedan flagship, and subject of our road test.
Styling
Opel styling has always been modern and contemporary, and the latest version is no exception. Clean and smooth lines are appealing, and the booted sedan looks little different from the five-door hatchback.
The top-of-the-range sedan is good-looking, with black door handles, side mouldings and side sills contrasting nicely with the body colour.
Good-looking 10-spoke alloy wheels complete the picture.
Interior
Although the overall look of the Astra range has not changed, the detailing definitely takes it to a new level, especially inside, where the cars appear less austere and more upmarket.
Thus we see a nicely styled and flowing dashboard, with the main instruments directly in front of the driver, and comprising speedo and revcounter in large dials, flanked by smaller fuel and water temperature gauges, with white lettering on a dark background.
The centre console is finished in a dark walnut-like plastic - very classy it looks - and there's also a similarly-finished gearknob.
The steering wheel has three spokes, and contains satellite controls for the radio/CD player.
Switches for all four electric windows are mounted on the driver's door.
Leather upholstery looks soft and inviting, and chrome door handles complete the interior styling package.
Equipment
This Opel Astra is comprehensively equipped with dual front air bags, in-seat side bags, anti-locking disc brakes all round with EBD, a six speaker radio/front loading CD combination, remote speed sensitive central locking and a sophisticated transponder immobiliser part of the lengthy list.
For the 2003 model year all models in the range had a specification upgrade that brought in new "plush" carpets, rear courtesy lights, revised styling for the instrumentation and a new "Ultrasonics" alarm system.
Colour-coded bumpers and mirrors, a tri-band bee sting antenna, remote speed sensitive central locking and a sophisticated transponder immobiliser are also featured.
Tinted glass, cup holders, full instrumentation including a rev counter and triple information display/onboard computer complete the picture.
A 36 month, 100 000 km and 36 months anti-corrosion warranty is standard, with customers also benefiting from the added reassurance of Delta Motor Corporation's VIP Driver Support Plan that covers the vehicle for the full warranty period.
In addition Delta offers, as standard, a 5 year or 100 000 km maintenance plan, which includes free service, maintenance and accident management, all of which can be upgraded at extra cost) to include tyres and extra mileage.
Under the skin
Premiered internationally in the Opel Astra Coupé, this 2.2-litre 16-valve engine is the first of a new generation of four-cylinder ECOTEC engines with aluminium cylinder heads and cylinder blocks. Designed for efficiency and power it produces 108 kW with maximum torque of 203 Nm.
This engine route plan by Opel also aims to keep making improvements to overall fuel consumption as well as keeping noise levels low and vibration to a minimum in a package that offers an ultra low maintenance requirement with oil and oil filter change as the only routine service requirement.
The resulting 9.1 litres/100 km average consumption from a car able to accelerate to 100 km/ in 9.8 seconds and exceed 200 km/h, is testament to the concept working in practice - and that average figure, which includes city, rural and highway driving, can be brought down quite significantly when the Astra is cruising the open roads.
The lightweight engine's timing chain has a hydraulic tensioner that requires no routine maintenance or adjustment over its entire working life, and thanks to hydraulic valve clearance adjustment no tappet clearance adjustment is required either.
There's also a close ratio five-speed manual transmission, an advanced Lotus engineered chassis, DSA (Dynamic Safety Action) Lotus tuned suspension, electro-hydraulic power steering and corrosion resistant zinc-coated body panels.
Driving it
The Astra has excellent road manners and returns a ride that is both comfortable and satisfying to the more sport orientated.
Small enough in stature to earn the adjective "zippy" it is nevertheless a car happy enough to seat four adults comfortably with 368 litres of boot space - this increasing to 998 litres when the 60/40 split rear seats are folded.
Pressed hard the Astra is largely neutral through the twisty bits with accurate turn-in and just a hint of understeer approaching the limits.
Conclusion
Opel has come a long way from its boy racer days. The new 2.2-litre engine is particularly impressive, with a good torque spread as well as lots of torque, and the general overall standards of fit and finish show great improvement.
As a flagship the Astra Classic 2.2 Executive offers a great alternative to much more expensive models from other manufacturers.
It has the pace, and it has enough space, and the only thing missing is the huge chunk of ego-juice that comes with a "premium" badge.
Do you really need that?
Pluses
- Good pricing
- Well finished
- Torquey engine
Minuses
- Image