Opel Astra Sports Tourer (2022) – proof of the familiar petrol, diesel and plug-in

A segment almost forgotten that of the Station Wagon but Opel still believes in it, proposing the new one Opel Astra Sports Tourer, based on the sixth generation hatchback (already tested by us with the 180 HP plug-in engine). This is the first family car built starting from the mechanics and technologies of the Stellantis group, with a new electrified platform and new engines, including plug-in hybrids and, from 2023, also available in a 100% electric version.

The new Opel Astra Sports Tourer uses technology EMP2 modular platform (former PSA, now Stellantis), the same already seen on Peugeot 308, Peugeot 408 and others, therefore able to accommodate endothermic engines, plug-in hybrids but also fully electric. It considerably increases the torsional stiffness values ​​compared to the past, as well as designed to accommodate ADAS up to the second level of assistance and maximize the space on board for the occupants. Contrary to the current trend, the new Opel Astra Station Wagon reduces the size compared to the pastwith a length of 4.64 meters (- 6 cm) and one width of 1.86 meters (+ 6 cm). It is therefore shorter and wider than the fifth generation, so as to improve road holding, considerably increase the track and restore a better feeling while driving.

The length is reduced but it grows a lot, the stepnow coming to 2.72 meters (well 6cm more than before and 7cm more than the five doors). This allows the new Astra Sports Tourer not to change the values ​​of space on board, even if it results 6 cm shorter than before. A better organization of spaces, ensured by the new EMP2 platform, makes it possible to obtain a capacity of trunk starting of 608 liters (against the 580 of the fifth generation) who go down to 516 liters for plug-in hybrid engines, not having the double bottom. Then by knocking down the second row of seats – with a 40:20:40 scheme – the capacity rises to 1,634 liters for the petrol engine and 1,553 for the hybrids.

The rather low loading sill (60 cm), to facilitate access, without steps and with various intelligent solutions: the parcel shelf can be stowed away in the space under the double bottom, as well as the charging cables for hybrid engines. The tire repair kit is then placed near the second row of seats, so that you don’t have to remove the entire load from the trunk in case you have a sudden puncture during a trip. The bulkhead of the double bottom can also be locked at 45 degrees, to facilitate life during loading / unloading operations.

All new then theinternal, where we find a setting substantially unchanged compared to that of the Astra 5-door. The three-spoke steering wheel is new as well as the shape of the dashboard which, in the other area, presents the new one Opel Pure Panelsetting with double screen which incorporates infotainment and digital instrumentation, both from 10 “ and in high resolution. There is no lack of all the appropriate technologies, such as Apple CarPlay, Android Autoalso wireless and the network connection of the system. The choice of placing a good dose of physical keys in the area in front of the central screen is appreciable, so as to facilitate life while driving. Wherever the hands then arrive they find themselves good materialswell-made assemblies and soft plastics, so as to never cause creaking while driving.

Also noteworthy space for passengers rear, thanks to the wheelbase increased to 2.72 meters. There is enough room for legs and head, with dedicated air vents and USB sockets. The posture is also excellent behind, although it cannot boast the AGR certification as it is found for the front seats, which are decidedly comfortable and ergonomic.

We decided to conduct the first test session with the “little one” 1.2 130 HP Turbo Petrol and 230 Nm of torque (also available in the 110 HP version), combined with the automatic transmission EAT8, an eight-speed Aisin torque converter. The declared performances are promising, with a 0-100 km / h concluded in 9.8 seconds. Despite the rather generous dimensions, the reactivity of the mechanics, never appeared underpowered for the car. The “autobahn test” carried out near the Russelsheim headquarters, just outside Frankfurt, also passed with flying colors. The engine picks up very well, aided by the excellent automatic, which is always able to “pick up” the best gear in relation to speed and pressure on the gas pedal. The extension of this three-cylinder is surprising, capable of traveling over 170 km / h without major problems, keeping pace with many other cars, even of a higher category.

Acoustic comfort is praiseworthy and the reduction of vibrations from the road surface, in some ways better than those of the Peugeot 308 cousin.excellent steering calibration and a surprising sense of general stability. We see that there has been careful work by Opel technicians to give the new Astra a solid set-up, capable of supporting heavy loads in the rear without ever making it appear too stiff or nervous. The body roll is rather low, with great road holding considering the segment to which it belongs and the type of car.

Side consumption, we refer to a complete test to be able to communicate a precise and more reliable value. In the approximately 70 km traveled in Germany, along a route mainly suburban and motorway, the on-board computer showed average distances of about 17km / lremarkable considering a dry weight of less than 1,400 kg.

We also got our hands on the engine 180hp plug-in hybrid and 360 Nm of maximum torque, the same also tested on the Astra 5-door. powered by 1.6 4-cylinder turbo petrol combined with an electric unit, powered by a 12.4 kWh lithium-ion battery, located between the rear bench and the boot. The engine is very efficient, capable of adequately “spreading” the battery charge along the path entered on the navigator, so that we never run out of energy after a few km. L’autonomy maximum in zero emission mode stands at about 60 kmbut I believe the system achieves better efficiency by making both units work simultaneously (Hybrid mode).

With an extra-urban route of about 90 km, the car recorded an average consumption close to 3.0 liters / 100 kmreaching its destination with over 25% of the battery (we have deliberately forced the system to work in Hybrid mode and not just EV).

The car has a integrated charger up to 3.7 kW (optional 7.4 kW), so as to ensure recharging times from 2 hours to a maximum of 7 and a half hours from a home network.

The package of Intell-Drive 2.0 driving assistance systems is also quite rich, at the level of the main flagships of the market. In fact, one arrives by right at second levelthus including the adaptive cruise control (with haptic reader to detect the presence of hands on the steering wheel), active lane keeping and many other systems, including blind spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, adaptive full-led headlights, driver fatigue detector, rear traffic alert, pedestrian detection and even road signs. There are also perimeter sensors and 360 degree cameras, on request.

TECHNIQUE

• ENGINE: 1.2 3-cylinder turbo petrol
• DRIVEN BY NEW DRIVERS: no
• POWER: 130 CV (96 kW)
• TORQUE: 230 Nm between and revolutions
• Front-wheel drive
• GEARBOX: automatic EAT8, torque converter
• SUSPENSIONS: Front MacPherson, rear torsion beam

DIMENSIONS

• LENGTH: 4,640 mm
• WIDTH: 1,860 mm
• HEIGHT: 1,480 mm
• PITCH: 2.720 mm
• LUGGAGE: 608 liters
• RIMS: 18 “
• WEIGHT: 1.390 Kg

PERFORMANCE

• MAXIMUM SPEED: 210 km / h
• ACCELERATION 0-100 Km / h: 9.8 seconds
• CONSUMPTION: 5.2-5.4 l / 100 km (combined WLTP)
• CO2 EMISSIONS: 132 grams per km (combined WLTP)

PRICE: from € 26.700;

A detailed list of the new Astra Sports Tourer has not yet been released but we know that you can choose, as for the Astra 5-door, among the fittings Elegance, GSLine And Ultimate, at the top of the range. The base price, for the first set-up combined with the 130 HP petrol engine and with manual gearbox, starts from one base of 26,650 euroswhile for the 180 HP plug-in hybrid the base figure of 37,700 euros, excluding eco-incentives.