nobody commenting on new Astra?
Discussion
http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-news/motor-shows-...
200kg lighter...
crisper styling seemingly nicked from previous Astra, Hyundai and BMW...
not keen myself...
200kg lighter...
crisper styling seemingly nicked from previous Astra, Hyundai and BMW...
not keen myself...
That's the first set of photo's I've seen without some of the camouflage on.
I like it, I'll be make or break on the new engines though as I see it. The Insignia and Astra J have gone some way to repairing the residual's of VX of late, much to my shame as I'll have to save longer!
I'm really looking forward to seeing one in the flesh and finding out how the 1.4T engine fairs - I just hope the some people buy those so there is a choice on the s/h market. The 1.4T is IMHO the pick of the J's engines, and also preferable in the Insignia to the 1.8 VVT, but both markets are full of the N/A engine used.
By the look of the lineup maybe they've ditched the entry level N/A engines? I'll certainly probably skip the J and get one of these especially if the estate looks handsome.
I like it, I'll be make or break on the new engines though as I see it. The Insignia and Astra J have gone some way to repairing the residual's of VX of late, much to my shame as I'll have to save longer!
I'm really looking forward to seeing one in the flesh and finding out how the 1.4T engine fairs - I just hope the some people buy those so there is a choice on the s/h market. The 1.4T is IMHO the pick of the J's engines, and also preferable in the Insignia to the 1.8 VVT, but both markets are full of the N/A engine used.
By the look of the lineup maybe they've ditched the entry level N/A engines? I'll certainly probably skip the J and get one of these especially if the estate looks handsome.
Interesting.
With Europe's hot hatch ranks presently experiencing a resurgence in sales, more powerful versions of the new Astra are planned. Nothing is official at this stage, although Neumann recently hinted at a return of the Astra GSi. It is earmarked to run a powered up version of the company's turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which already develops 184kW in the larger Insignia. This would provide it with the same output as the highly regarded Ford Focus ST.
With Europe's hot hatch ranks presently experiencing a resurgence in sales, more powerful versions of the new Astra are planned. Nothing is official at this stage, although Neumann recently hinted at a return of the Astra GSi. It is earmarked to run a powered up version of the company's turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which already develops 184kW in the larger Insignia. This would provide it with the same output as the highly regarded Ford Focus ST.
Ok update after 6 months of new Astra ownership and its not great to be honest. I'll start with the engine, it averages around 30-35mpg stretched to 40-45mpg on a run and has a flat spot at 3k rpm when under load ( other owners on the Astra k forum also have this but Vauxhall say nothing wrong).
The Parking sensors (optional extra even on the Elite) always been on under 7 mph are infuriating! Sitting at a junction in 1st gear trying to concentrate on pulling out and someone walks behind the car setting off the rear parking sensors. Why would you want that!!
The paint's already full of chips and scratches after only 4.5k miles.
Some of the big selling points like On Star i just don't need. Think i've used it twice, once to make sure it works and another time to demonstrate to a friend what it was.
The Fuel guage can't be trusted. Had it updated not long after i got the car as it never read full (again a well documented problem). Now it reads full when 1st filled up but after around 20 miles is down to 7/8ths and down to half a tank after around 120 miles or less.
Be glad to hand it back at the end of the 3 year lease and go back to V.A.G.
The Parking sensors (optional extra even on the Elite) always been on under 7 mph are infuriating! Sitting at a junction in 1st gear trying to concentrate on pulling out and someone walks behind the car setting off the rear parking sensors. Why would you want that!!
The paint's already full of chips and scratches after only 4.5k miles.
Some of the big selling points like On Star i just don't need. Think i've used it twice, once to make sure it works and another time to demonstrate to a friend what it was.
The Fuel guage can't be trusted. Had it updated not long after i got the car as it never read full (again a well documented problem). Now it reads full when 1st filled up but after around 20 miles is down to 7/8ths and down to half a tank after around 120 miles or less.
Be glad to hand it back at the end of the 3 year lease and go back to V.A.G.
I've got a 1.4T 150 PS Elite model. TBH I'm a total petrol head and would never have dreamed of getting a Vauxhall Astra, but a change in circumstances required a white good to get me from A to B as cheaply as possible. I got the car on a 1 year PCP deal with 500 down and 119 per month (5k miles p.a.). For a top of the range brand new car that really can't be beaten.
Anyways my initial impressions (bear in mind I've never driven a 'normal' car like this really before:
Good:
Well, price.
Interior is solidly built with nice materials.
Comfy leather chairs.
Smooth quiet ride.
Practical (it's actually a pretty damn big car so I'd expect this).
Good kit on Elite model: auto everything, cruise, apple car play, leather. Parking sensors unfortunately an extra though.
I'm getting 40mpg with mixed driving (I came from an RX8 hence why this is in the good bit)
Actually pretty "real world fast" fast*
Bad:
While the interior feels quality there is an annoying rattle in my driver's door.
On Star. Totally pointless.
Visibility. Terrible out the back due to small back window and large back pillars. Also not the best out the front sides due to large A pillars. Must say I thought these type of cars would have these things nailed...
Seems to attract a lot of water on the inside of the windscreen in winter.
All in all for the price I'm not unhappy, but at the same time I definitely still view it as a white good rather than something I cherish.
Anyways my initial impressions (bear in mind I've never driven a 'normal' car like this really before:
Good:
Well, price.
Interior is solidly built with nice materials.
Comfy leather chairs.
Smooth quiet ride.
Practical (it's actually a pretty damn big car so I'd expect this).
Good kit on Elite model: auto everything, cruise, apple car play, leather. Parking sensors unfortunately an extra though.
I'm getting 40mpg with mixed driving (I came from an RX8 hence why this is in the good bit)
Actually pretty "real world fast" fast*
Bad:
- but it never feels fast. All the power is before 4K rpm; it feels like a diesel without the canal boat noise.
While the interior feels quality there is an annoying rattle in my driver's door.
On Star. Totally pointless.
Visibility. Terrible out the back due to small back window and large back pillars. Also not the best out the front sides due to large A pillars. Must say I thought these type of cars would have these things nailed...
Seems to attract a lot of water on the inside of the windscreen in winter.
All in all for the price I'm not unhappy, but at the same time I definitely still view it as a white good rather than something I cherish.
Edited by Pillskii on Sunday 20th November 08:14
Was given one of these as a courtesy car and hated it. It was the 1.4 SRI model with a sport button. It felt like they had made a car as best as they can but only in Sport mode where it felt reasonably good. In normal it was a fat wallowing gutless hard to see out of (compared to a MK1 Focus) car i couldnt wait to hand it back (Handed it back early due to dislike of it and walked instead)
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