Opel Astra Turbo - turbo ecologized youth hatchback with a sporty appearance

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

In the Russian line of cars offered for sale by Opel, Astra is the only model that has three special varieties: “just” Astra, Astra Family and Astra GTS. Where does such a variety of Asters come from? For the appearance of the term Astra itself, one should “thank” the English division of the General Motors concern, called Vauxhall Motors. Vauxhall began to produce and sell to the British since 1979 a right-hand drive Opel Cadet car called the Vauxhall Astra. Subsequently, namely in 1991, Opel itself renamed the next generation of Cadet cars to Astra, although the letter indices of the “Cadet” generations went to Astra without changes, though with omissions of some letters.

The current, so far the last generation of Asters, has been assigned the index Jay (J) since the start of production in 2009. The previous generation has been produced under the H index (H) since 2004, and those who know it well externally and internally will easily find that the new Astra Family is the old Opel Astra in Sedan, Station wagon and Hatchback bodies. Moreover, in the Ukrainian line of Opel models they are called Astra Classic. How is the new generation of Asters different? Yes, almost everyone: a new body,different suspension, gearboxes and a new line of engines. Apparently, for the presence of turbocharged engines in the entire line of the new Astra, it is often called the Astra Turbo.

Turbocharged engines were present in the old Astra when it was tuned and sought to give a sporty character. The current turbocharger is more of an optimization of small displacement engines to give them enough power while meeting stringent environmental standards and equally stringent fuel efficiency requirements. It is significant that the 1.4-liter turbocharged engine of the Astra Turbo has the same power of 140 hp as the naturally aspirated 1.8-liter engine of the Astra Family. At the same time, the dynamic characteristics of the Opel Astra Turbo are higher, especially in the initial rev range, but with a set speed they are aligned with the "parent" model of the same power.

As for the turbocharged engine of 1.6 liters with a capacity of 180 hp, this configuration of the Opel Astra Turbo makes it possible to “ignite like an adult” with “children's” fuel costs. This is despite the fact that the chassis of the Opel Astra Turbo, built similarly, for example, to the Chevrolet Cruze, works much more clearly and more assembled. The rear semi-independent suspension is built on the Watt mechanism, combined with a custom MacPherson type front suspension. To control the suspension modes, a system of continuous adjustment of the damping of shock absorbers is used. Together with a customizable electric power steering, this allows you to customize the suspension of the Opel Astra Turbo tothree modes: "Tour", "Normal" and "Sport". The "tourist" setting makes the suspension softly enveloping even large road bumps, such a setting is indispensable for detours, in industrial areas and on other damaged road sections. The “Normal” setting is good in the city, and “Sport” is intended for the track, signaling its inclusion with the red illumination of the instrument panel. "Sport" not only makes the suspension stiff and keeps from lateral rolls in turns, but also changes the car's response to the gas pedal.

The 2012 Opel Astra Turbo is a dynamic and elegant car for modern boys and girls who love speed, comfort and low fuel costs.