2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 15:44
With the folding roof Astra, Opel skilfully swims along with the current CC wave. Coupé and Cabriolet - the TwinTop makes the best of every season for its passengers. Our test shows how practical the airy Astra is in everyday life.
From Jürgen Wolff
Mechanics in physics lessons? It was a plague. Only in old man do you notice what wonderful things you have slept through. Then, for example, when you watch with fascination how the folding roof of one of the modern Coupé Cabriolets folds up and stows under the tailgate. In modern car engines, what should be fascinating is usually hidden under plastic covers for a long time - and makes them look as exciting as an organic waste container. If you want to experience the art of engineering not only indirectly while driving but directly when you look, you should simply stand next to a VW Eos or Volvo C70 - or next to an Opel Astra TwinTop.
Impressive folding technique
At the push of a button, five electric motors, eight hydraulic cylinders and a linkage with 14 joints fold the roof into three parts, artfully pushing them over and under each other, lifting, folding, lowering covers and window panes in perfect rhythm to each other - and with a quiet buzzing sound When this ballet is over after 27 seconds, which is suitable for traffic lights, the roof, rods and wiring are neatly layered and sorted and stowed under the tailgate. Was there something? Except amazement? How long such a complicated mechanism can survive the dangers, potholes and centrifugal forces of a car's life, the next few years of driving experience and breakdown service will have to prove. It is still an experience.
And practically always. A sleek coupé for late autumn and winter, an airy, sunny convertible for warm spring and summer days. No more compulsory baseball caps under a moderately insulated fabric hood on cold winter days. No more patchwork after five years of wear and tear and knife-slicer attacks. The CC-Class may not meet all the requirements of convertible purists - but it is practical.
And in the case of the Astra TwinTop, it is also quite attractive. The sideline rises in a wedge shape, the rear is rounded, but not pudgy as it is with some competitors. The diamond-shaped lights, together with the striking chrome clasp, give it an independent character at the back. When closed, a classic coupé with an exciting, stretched roof line. Openly a convertible in which the optical waterline runs straight up from the headlights to the rear lights - almost 4.5 meters long. Something like that is called “compact class” today.
Little space in the back
Even if the eye discovers four molded seats: The Astra TwinTop is a 2 + 2-seater. The space at the front is pleasantly generous - at the back, as usual, rather sparse. The approach is difficult, especially in the rear and with the roof closed. The seats themselves are tightly padded, shaped to fit the body and offer good lateral support. The cockpit, materials and instrumentation are largely the same as in the Astra.
In other words: They are clear, not too complicated and arranged logically. Only the convertible top switch and the central button for the four window panes cannot be found immediately upon first contact - at the top of the rearview mirror. The view to the front is good, the wide window pillars to the rear when closed. The high rear hides flower pots and other friends of body shops - the parking sensors (340 euros extra) are strongly recommended. You have to get used to the trunk lid mentally. When opening it wobbles unusually - but since it is part of the roof mechanics, there was nothing with fixed hinges behind the passenger compartment. But the trunk is not only called that, but also lives up to its name. 440 liters of storage space are available as a coupé. That is quite neat - a C-Class sedan with the star has just 15 liters more space in the rear, the competitor VW Eos 60 liters less.
With the roof in place, the TwinTop still has 215 liters left. But thanks to a separate lifting mechanism, they can be loaded and unloaded reasonably well. Only with soda boxes does it get a little tight. There is no spare tire.
Recommended wind deflector
When the roof is open, the draft inside is at least up to 80 km / h. If you want to go faster without a natural blow dryer, you should get the large wind deflector (265 euros). Or stop for a moment and close the roof. After all, this show also works by remote control (for a surcharge). And up to a speed of 30 km / h.
The engine has a displacement of 1.8 liters, 103 kW / 140 hp, 175 Nm torque. Reads well, but only really goes well with the TwinTop if you are a committed cruiser. Those who like it sporty will not be really satisfied and better choose one of the two more powerful 2-liter turbo gasoline engines with 170 or 200 hp. Or the powerful 1.9-liter diesel with 150 hp. The 1.8-liter gasoline engine runs smoothly and cultivated, but occasionally has its problems with the almost two-tonner. 11.4 seconds for the sprint to 100 km / h are not thrilling. And those who drive as smoothly as the engine demands will be punished with a consumption of no less than nine liters of super.
The chassis is well aligned and sporty - especially the IDS sports chassis, which costs 615 euros extra. At the push of a button, it gets a little harder. Which goes well with the Astra TwinTop. The well-coordinated 5-speed manual transmission can be operated precisely and with short distances. The steering wheel, which is adjustable in height and depth, reacts directly, precisely and provides good contact with the road.
If you want to drive an Opel Astra open-top, you have to pay at least 23,650 euros - for the 105 hp 1.6-liter basic petrol engine. The 1.8-liter TwinTop we drive is available from 25,400 euros. And for the diesel in the recommended Cosmo version with air conditioning, parking aid, cruise control and on-board computer, at least 28,980 euros are due.
