воскресенье, 23 сентября 2012 г.

Moving onto another Astra plane - The Irish Times

Opel has published official shots of its fifth generation Astra,due for debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September, where itwill vie for attention with the new VW Golf.

Hatchback owners are in for a battle royal as VW launches itsGolf Mk5, with sales expected in mid-2004, while the new Ford Focusis due to hit the market by the end of 2004.

The Astra is due in Ireland next Easter. A five-door version willbe the first on offer, then a three-door coupe, a cabriolet(probably in hard-top format) and a wagon.

There's a new front-wheel-drive platform with a reworkedMacPherson-strut suspension to the front, combined with a torsion-beam rear suspension.

The technological highlights of the new Astra include theadaptive suspension system IDSPlus (Interactive Driving System) withContinuous Damping Control (CDC), whereby the driver can switch to asport mode that regulates the damping characteristics as well as theresponse of the accelerator pedal and the power assistance of theelectro-hydraulic steering.

Interior quality, seen as a flaw in previous models, is said tobe significantly better, borrowing from the Vectra and Signum.

The new Astra offers more passenger space than its predecessor,thanks to its slightly increased overall dimensions (around 14 cmlonger, two cm wider and four cm higher). Initially five petrol andthree turbo-diesel engines - 1.4 to 2.0 litre with power outputs inthe 80-200 bhp range - will be available.

New to the range are the 1.9-litre CDTI diesel (150 hp) and the170 hp 2.0-litre turbo petrol engines (alongside the 200 hp versiondue to go into Astra in 2005), coupled as standard to a new six-speed manual transmission. A five-speed manual gearbox, andautomatic and Easytronic automated manual transmissions will beoptions.

Externally there's a high shoulder-line, strong wedge shape,pronounced wheel arches and clear-cut window.