RE: Driven: Vauxhall Astra GTC
Discussion
Riggers said:
Well... the general 'feel' of the plastics and other materials is part of it (compare the interior of a basic Clio with that of, say a Lexus - it's like low-end Ikea versus something properly top-end), but a relatively small part.
The key is really how easy, effective and intuitive the interior is to use as a whole, as well as the (utterly subjective) measure of how the whole thing hangs together in design terms.
In these respects, the Astra GTC doesn't feel quite as good as some of its competitors - not bad by any means, just not as good.
not as easy to use, as pleasing to the eye, or as reassuringly squidgy to the fingertips...
Hope that's of some help...
Cheers Riggers, very informative reply The key is really how easy, effective and intuitive the interior is to use as a whole, as well as the (utterly subjective) measure of how the whole thing hangs together in design terms.
In these respects, the Astra GTC doesn't feel quite as good as some of its competitors - not bad by any means, just not as good.
not as easy to use, as pleasing to the eye, or as reassuringly squidgy to the fingertips...
Hope that's of some help...
. I've had hire Fiestas and Corsas with work recently, and there's no comparison on the interior quality - the bits you touch on the Vauxhall just feel and look very cheap, tatty and insubstantial - Argos spec rather than John Lewis.
Mind you, they could trim the Corsa like a Zonda, and it wouldn't matter even half a turd if they didn't sort out those INTENSELY STUPID INDICATORS at the same time.
Mind you, they could trim the Corsa like a Zonda, and it wouldn't matter even half a turd if they didn't sort out those INTENSELY STUPID INDICATORS at the same time.
AlexKing said:
I've had hire Fiestas and Corsas with work recently, and there's no comparison on the interior quality - the bits you touch on the Vauxhall just feel and look very cheap, tatty and insubstantial - Argos spec rather than John Lewis.
Mind you, they could trim the Corsa like a Zonda, and it wouldn't matter even half a turd if they didn't sort out those INTENSELY STUPID INDICATORS at the same time.
Vauxhall are weird - back in the early 90s, the Astra 'F' was miles ahead of other cars in it's class with soft-touch interior plastics - and Vauxhall have fitted deeper/more supportive/comfier seats than direct rivals (e.g. Ford) for decades...Mind you, they could trim the Corsa like a Zonda, and it wouldn't matter even half a turd if they didn't sort out those INTENSELY STUPID INDICATORS at the same time.
Then they did the Astra 'G' and Vectra 'B' which seemed a bit of a backwards step (I've had 2 Vectra Bs, the GLX was nicely trimmed but the regular L felt really really tatty and out fleet was awash with Cav/Vectra As and Astra G/Hs for years) - whilst VW were flying off in the future and Ford were realisting that chocolate-box-liner plastic was a thing of the past, Vauxhall were gluing hard/easily scratched plastic to everything (and those f
king awful orange LED displays for teh radio, of course).Is it the US throwing all this tat at us or what??
leon_t said:
Riggers, I'm sure you just reused a reply from another thread where you gave exactly the same reply on some other cars interior not being upto standard. Ginetta or some similar sports car I thought?
Not intentionally, I assure you - must just be a super-consistent fellow
.I quite like it - and it IS nicer in the flesh (like the new 1-series which is FAR nicer than it's pictures would have you believe). Spec'd up with some decent trim, it's okay and (unfortunately) it needs the 19s to look like it "fits" the body it's wearing. The VXR gets 20s too, which is crazy for an Astra.. a bleedin' Astra! My old Mk2 had 13s.. heh.
The thing that lets it down is the price - it's just not worth that new.
The thing that lets it down is the price - it's just not worth that new.
willisit said:
I quite like it - and it IS nicer in the flesh (like the new 1-series which is FAR nicer than it's pictures would have you believe). Spec'd up with some decent trim, it's okay and (unfortunately) it needs the 19s to look like it "fits" the body it's wearing. The VXR gets 20s too, which is crazy for an Astra.. a bleedin' Astra! My old Mk2 had 13s.. heh.
The thing that lets it down is the price - it's just not worth that new.
the upcoming VXR version will be comparable in price to the Scirocco R.The thing that lets it down is the price - it's just not worth that new.
ALL-NEW 155MPH ASTRA VXR REVEALED
First pics released of most powerful production Astra ever built.
Trailblazing 280PS and 400Nm outputs trounce those of key rivals
Bespoke chassis with limited slip diff and Brembo brakes
ALL-NEW 155MPH ASTRA VXR REVEALED
First pics released of most powerful production Astra ever built
Trailblazing 280PS and 400Nm outputs trounce those of key rivals[/FONT][/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]
Bespoke chassis with limited slip diff and Brembo brakes
On sale in 2012
Hot on the heels of the recently launched GTC, these are the first official pics of the new Astra VXR, which goes on sale next year and is set to become one of the most powerful cars in its class and the fastest production Astra in Vauxhall’s history
Based on the GTC’s platform and powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged direct injection engine, the Astra VXR produces 280hp of power and a mighty 400Nm of torque, enough for it to achieve a top speed of 155mph
But while the Astra VXR is based on the new GTC, it has benefited from a raft of bespoke chassis modifications, transforming it into a focused, high-performance coupe. Setting it apart from all other current Astras is a specially developed mechanical limited slip differential, which works on the front wheels. In conjunction with the GTC’s sophisticated HiPerStrut (High Performance Strut), the LSD provides the Astra VXR with exceptional lateral grip and traction through bends.
Further changes to the chassis include brakes developed by competition supplier, Brembo, and standard fitment of Vauxhall’s fully adaptive FlexRide system. In the Astra VXR, FlexRide features not only a Sport button, but a VXR button, offering drivers the choice of two, more focused stages of damper, throttle and steering control
Much of the chassis sign-off was done at the Northern Loop (Nordschleife) of the Nürburgring, and was overseen by Le Mans 24-hour race winner, “Smokin’ Jo” Winkelhock. “We have devised a great package that will convince even the most experienced and enthusiastic drivers – and not just on the Nürburgring!” said Winkelhock
Visual identifiers for the Astra GTC comprise a set of specially sculpted front and rear bumpers, side skirts, an aerodynamic roof spoiler and two exhaust tail pipes in a trapeze shape. Inside, the VXR’s cabin gets bespoke performance seats with embossed logos in the backs, a flat-bottomed VXR steering wheel and upgraded instruments
The UK is by far the Astra VXR’s biggest market in Europe, so sales interest in the car is set to be strong. More details, including pricing and on-sale dates, will be revealed early next year.
First pics released of most powerful production Astra ever built.
Trailblazing 280PS and 400Nm outputs trounce those of key rivals
Bespoke chassis with limited slip diff and Brembo brakes
ALL-NEW 155MPH ASTRA VXR REVEALED
First pics released of most powerful production Astra ever built
Trailblazing 280PS and 400Nm outputs trounce those of key rivals[/FONT][/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]
Bespoke chassis with limited slip diff and Brembo brakes
On sale in 2012
Hot on the heels of the recently launched GTC, these are the first official pics of the new Astra VXR, which goes on sale next year and is set to become one of the most powerful cars in its class and the fastest production Astra in Vauxhall’s history
Based on the GTC’s platform and powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged direct injection engine, the Astra VXR produces 280hp of power and a mighty 400Nm of torque, enough for it to achieve a top speed of 155mph
But while the Astra VXR is based on the new GTC, it has benefited from a raft of bespoke chassis modifications, transforming it into a focused, high-performance coupe. Setting it apart from all other current Astras is a specially developed mechanical limited slip differential, which works on the front wheels. In conjunction with the GTC’s sophisticated HiPerStrut (High Performance Strut), the LSD provides the Astra VXR with exceptional lateral grip and traction through bends.
Further changes to the chassis include brakes developed by competition supplier, Brembo, and standard fitment of Vauxhall’s fully adaptive FlexRide system. In the Astra VXR, FlexRide features not only a Sport button, but a VXR button, offering drivers the choice of two, more focused stages of damper, throttle and steering control
Much of the chassis sign-off was done at the Northern Loop (Nordschleife) of the Nürburgring, and was overseen by Le Mans 24-hour race winner, “Smokin’ Jo” Winkelhock. “We have devised a great package that will convince even the most experienced and enthusiastic drivers – and not just on the Nürburgring!” said Winkelhock
Visual identifiers for the Astra GTC comprise a set of specially sculpted front and rear bumpers, side skirts, an aerodynamic roof spoiler and two exhaust tail pipes in a trapeze shape. Inside, the VXR’s cabin gets bespoke performance seats with embossed logos in the backs, a flat-bottomed VXR steering wheel and upgraded instruments
The UK is by far the Astra VXR’s biggest market in Europe, so sales interest in the car is set to be strong. More details, including pricing and on-sale dates, will be revealed early next year.
Edited by badboyburt on Friday 4th November 09:49
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