If the 'Opel' brand name seems unfamiliar to you, it's entirely understandable. During an interview at the local launch of the new Opel Astra, Auto Germany Director David Pang explains how the brand has struggled in the past couple of years. Now, the brand is looking to reaffirm its place in Singapore, and the new Astra is the first in an extensive lineup of cars that will be brought here in the coming years.
The new Astra comes amidst a lot of hoopla - it was awarded the '2016 European Car of the Year' award, and the brand is not shy about this achievement. You will see the 'Car of the Year' stickers adorning all the models in the showroom, including the test unit we drove.
But why is this achievement so significant? Well, the Astra has always been a popular car, especially in European markets. In the U.K., statistics estimate that one in four drivers have owned and/or driven an Astra at some point in their lives. However, Opel's popularity is often attributed to its relative affordability - it comes across as a blue-collar car of sorts. It has never been particularly flashy nor elaborate, but excelled in functionality and everyday usability.
With this new generation Astra, Opel is looking to recapture the imagination of drivers worldwide with a comprehensive blend of style, drivability, equipment and quality. As the '2016 European Car of the Year', the new Astra would be the jewel in Opel's crown. Time to find out how bright it can shine.
The new Astra comes amidst a lot of hoopla - it was awarded the '2016 European Car of the Year' award, and the brand is not shy about this achievement. You will see the 'Car of the Year' stickers adorning all the models in the showroom, including the test unit we drove.
But why is this achievement so significant? Well, the Astra has always been a popular car, especially in European markets. In the U.K., statistics estimate that one in four drivers have owned and/or driven an Astra at some point in their lives. However, Opel's popularity is often attributed to its relative affordability - it comes across as a blue-collar car of sorts. It has never been particularly flashy nor elaborate, but excelled in functionality and everyday usability.
With this new generation Astra, Opel is looking to recapture the imagination of drivers worldwide with a comprehensive blend of style, drivability, equipment and quality. As the '2016 European Car of the Year', the new Astra would be the jewel in Opel's crown. Time to find out how bright it can shine.
Exterior
From the outside, the new Astra is a handsome-looking hatch. It is wide and low slung, and cuts an aggressive figure on the road.
The chrome strip just underneath the roof line creates what the brand terms as 'flying roof', which adds to the car's stylish demeanour. The body panels also have pinched-out lines that add to the car's sporty image. The sloping roofline tapers off nicely towards an attractive rear end, culminating in pop out taillights.
If there is one aspect of the car's exterior we would change, it would be the rims - the ones fitted on the Astra are rather basic and not particularly attractive, and is somewhat at odds with the rest of the car's attractive good looks.
Interior
The interior is comfortable and well-equipped. The seats are cushy all around, and you get modern amenities such as dual-zone air-conditioning and keyless start.
One interesting aspect of the Astra is that it has a modular slot that allows you to attach various sorts of add-ons to the centre console - accessories include an AirWellness Fragrance Diffusor and a PowerFlex Smartphone Holder.
The R4.0 IntelliLink System is responsive and easy to use, accessible via a 7.0-inch touchscreen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality means you can connect your smartphone to the system, and use apps such as Spotify for music and Maps for navigation. The only minor quibble here is that you can hear the sound from the speakers distort and begin to break up at louder volumes.
In terms of space, the Astra doesn't disappoint. There is sufficient head and legroom at the back. Even with the front seats moved all the way back, there's still acceptable knee space for the average Singaporean adults.
If we had to compare, the Astra probably falls just short of the Volkswagen Golf (its most obvious and direct rival) in terms of interior refinement - the shiny plastics do look a little tacky, and it does not reach the level of engineering precision that Volkswagens are known for. One example is that the steering-mounted controls can occassionally be unresponsive, such as when switching music tracks.
While boot space is decent at 370 litres, the low boot floor, combined with the high boot lid, means that getting bulky equipment in and out of the boot can be a rather clumsy affair.
If we had to compare, the Astra probably falls just short of the Volkswagen Golf (its most obvious and direct rival) in terms of interior refinement - the shiny plastics do look a little tacky, and it does not reach the level of engineering precision that Volkswagens are known for. One example is that the steering-mounted controls can occassionally be unresponsive, such as when switching music tracks.
While boot space is decent at 370 litres, the low boot floor, combined with the high boot lid, means that getting bulky equipment in and out of the boot can be a rather clumsy affair.
The Drive
Where the Astra resonates strongest is in the way it drives. It is powered by a punchy 1.4-litre turbocharged engine with 148bhp and 245Nm of torque. The powerplant is more than willing to rev, and gathers speed in a shockingly uneventful way - because the car feels so stable despite being pretty light (1,188kg), it's easy to get into three-digit speeds without even realising it.
The six-speed automatic transmission is smooth and fairly quick to shift gears. You could also drive it in manual mode, with the reassuring chunkiness of the gear lever offering good tactile feedback.
On the highway, the Astra makes for a very enjoyable and easy drive. Suspension is firm without being harsh, doing a good job of soaking up bumps on the road.
The steering is solid and nicely weighted, which actually makes the car quite fun in corners. The wheels offer good grip, and the body feels taut and extremely balanced. While steering feedback leans toward the artificial end of the spectrum, you can still place the car with ease and move hastily through a set of bends.
One aspect that the car really stands out is its safety systems. You get to enjoy standard equipment on the Astra that are normally only seen in more premium cars, such as Lane Keep Assist, Forward Collision Alert with Collision Imminent Braking, as well as Traffic Sign Recognition.
However, the safety systems clearly err on the side of caution, and are a tad too cautious for our liking. The parking sensors will beep annoyingly when motorbikes whisk past you on the highway. The Traffic Sign Recognition system is also very insistent on reminding you of the speed limit of the road you are currently on (especially if you are exceeding it).
Conclusion
The Opel Astra 1.4 will surprise you, no matter your expectations. It's a stylish and well-equipped package that certainly offers you good value for your money. And when it comes to its driving capabilities, we dare say it performs with the same vigour and playful eagerness as a Volkswagen Golf.
Priced at $124,888 (as of 26 July 2016), the Astra 1.4 is about $13,000 cheaper than the equivalent Golf 1.4 R-Line (which has almost identical power output), but certainly packs more equipment.
The only aspect that will hold this car back is its lack of brand recognition and desirability, which may affect its resale value. However, as a re-introduction for the brand to the Singapore market, the new Astra is a gem of a car that will shine brightly in Opel's crown.
Conclusion
The Opel Astra 1.4 will surprise you, no matter your expectations. It's a stylish and well-equipped package that certainly offers you good value for your money. And when it comes to its driving capabilities, we dare say it performs with the same vigour and playful eagerness as a Volkswagen Golf.
Priced at $124,888 (as of 26 July 2016), the Astra 1.4 is about $13,000 cheaper than the equivalent Golf 1.4 R-Line (which has almost identical power output), but certainly packs more equipment.
The only aspect that will hold this car back is its lack of brand recognition and desirability, which may affect its resale value. However, as a re-introduction for the brand to the Singapore market, the new Astra is a gem of a car that will shine brightly in Opel's crown.
