2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 15:44
The Opel Astra GTC turns many road users' heads. The Ecoflex variant focuses on saving instead of heating.
By Günter Weigel
The Opel Astra GTC is without a doubt a car that stands out. People who otherwise prefer premium brands also take a look. And from the other side of the potential customer spectrum, i.e. drivers of the middle-class and nowadays often imported compact class, there is always open admiration when you drive the GTC.
Opel Astra GTC looks similar to the GT
In fact, our bright yellow test car looks good with its 19-inch wheels, the coupé-like line, the wide track - a real little athlete and the opposite of subtle. It is more in the tradition of an Opel GT or a Manta of the first series than, for example, a Kadett GSI. Our special car has one thing in common with the models mentioned: It is more appearance than it is.
Where you might not have the turbo of the OPC model with its 280 hp, but at least suspect its 180 under the lush bonnet, in this case there is a simple 1.4-liter turbo with 120 hp. The Opel GT would be about this performanceThose who were delighted in the past had to be content with 90 or even 60 little horses. But today, when the horsepower, also a kW value - in this case 88 - is presented, 120 hp is rather at the lower end of the spectrum.
Formidable chassis in the Opel Astra GTC
That doesn't have to be a bad thing, though. With a starting price of 21,750 euros, this GTC offers a lot of cars for the money. The same engine is also available with 74 kW / 100 PS, starting at 19,900 euros, but with identical consumption values. These, in turn, are an argument for the small turbo. Opel specifies a standard value of 5.9 liters. That corresponds to 139 grams of CO2 per kilometer. But in practice it is more. In fact, you can increase values by seven liters with a restrained gas foot. We came to an average of no less than eight liters, which is on the one hand a clear deviation from the norm, but on the other hand no big deal. On the one hand, the formidable chassis leads to a faster pace, on the other hand, most small petrol engines have so far not been able to confirm their book values.
For the often quoted Otto normal driver, they are still the best choice in the compact class, as Otto does not even come close to an annual mileage of 10,000 kilometers, from which a diesel usually pays off. And on the other hand, Otto doesn't drive his GTC over the Nürburgring's Nordschleife at the weekend. At least not with a 1.4 Turbo EcoFlex.
Have fun on the country road with the Opel Astra GTC
With the little turbo you can have a lot of fun on the country road. However, you have to switch hard. Its maximum 200 Newton meters do not allow surfing on the torque wave and one or the other overtaking maneuver has to be avoided. It does not matter anyway. The GTC is most fun on winding roads. The car steers in exactly, wags around the corner that it's a pleasure, and always gives a high feeling of security. The option of setting the chassis for sport or touring can be safely neglected. The seats are - typical for Opel - suitable for long journeys.
Overall, the car is quiet and comfortable enough, even for a longer trip - after all, Otto N. usually only has one car and takes it on vacation. He will be a little grieved, because the overhead locker suffers from the second level that Opel has pulled in. Nominally it holds 380 liters of luggage, an average value in the compact class. However, handling with a double bottom is not immediately apparent and makes loading bulky objects more difficult. After all: the crate of beer and grilled food for the weekend fit in. That would have been much more difficult in the Opel GT back then. (SP-X)
