With the new Sports Tourer, there are now eleven generations of compact station wagons at Opel – from A to L. We drive the new Sports Tourer as a plug-in. It will be available from dealers from autumn, like the cheaper petrol and diesel engines. All versions cost 1,100 euros more than the hatchback - so the station wagon starts at 27,750 euros.
It's on the "I". So that there are eleven generations and not one more, as one would expect, because the "L" is the twelfth letter. At this point we particularly welcome you Scrabble professionals and primary school teachers, who certainly noticed this immediately. Incidentally, there was no Astra I so that there could be no confusion with the "1". And so we get to the driving report, the Astra L as a station wagon had the talent to be number 1 - not only in the Opel model ensemble, but also among customers.
They have to pay an extra 1,100 euros for the Tourer compared to the hatchback, but in return they get a much more stately car in addition to a standard charging net and the three-part folding rear seat backrest. The station wagon is 26.8 cm longer, of which 5.7 cm extends the wheelbase and thus enriches the space in the rear. The remaining 21.1 cm extend the rear and create a loading compartment with a volume of 597 l (predecessor 540 l). Now if you just had a washing machine at hand? With dimensions of 103 x 103 x 80 cm, one of these should fit in the trunk without having to lower the variable loading floor or fold the rear seat backrest. The maximum is 185 x 103 x 103 cm or a volume of 1,634 liters – including the basement. In the pure combustion engines, this is bridged by a variable loading floor, which can not only be lowered, but also locked at an angle of 45 degrees. In addition, the loading roller blind now fits firmly in a recess under the floor if it flapped around in the way above.,
With the plug-in, the loading volume is reduced to 516 to 1,553 liters because the 12.4 kW lithium Ion battery sets up under the 81-liter trunk UG. The 230 V charger (standard) or the optional wall box cable (250 euros) can be folded up next to it. Speaking of charging: the 3.7 kW onboarder is standard, the 7.4 kW charger costs 500 euros and shortens the full charge to 22 kW to just under two hours.
About the fifth new base since the Kadett A
The E-Werk now comes from the Stellantis Group's fund, just like the complete technical base. The EMP2 platform is - depending on how you count - about the fifth completely changed basis for Opel's compact station wagon since the launch of the Kadet A CarAVan in 1963. But although the ingredients are the same as for example the Peugeot 308 SW, the platform makes it possible for the cars to construct a more pointed characteristic, according to Thomas Overhaus, who is responsible for the development of the compact models at Opel.The - in the best sense - opulence of the Astra is therefore not only evident in the brand-typical equipment and sorting of controls. Much more important: He doesn't drive around in a way that can be confused with the whole group. But: with a streamlined attitude in the chassis and steering. This distinguishes it from the softening waves of the Citroën relatives, for example, without sharpening it too much. In this way, the steering of the Sports Tourer maintains a calm suppleness, but has a high level of precision and good feedback ready when you need it. It starts purely electrically with a full battery - a sweet sound and emphatic through the temperament of the 81 kW electric motor. Power and energy are sufficient for up to 135 km/h and 60 realistic km of commuting. Beyond that, the 1.6-liter four-cylinder turbo petrol engine with 150 hp and 250 Nm turns on. Even if its storage capacity is no longer sufficient for driving alone, the battery collects energy via recuperation for powerful boosting. The back and forth, on and off of the drives, the conversion of the automatic system through steps is seamless.
And whatever else fits, even financially. Even the base comes with a lively three-cylinder turbo petrol engine and generous equipment - including LED headlights, extensive assistance program (emergency braking system, lane keepers, speed limit display and even distance cruise control with speed limit takeover), parking sensors all around, reversing camera, two-zone air conditioning and touchscreen infotainment including telephone integration via Apple Car Play or Android Auto. Opel also offers matrix LED light as an option, in which 84 LEDs per headlight are controlled in such a way that the light is always optimally distributed and oncoming traffic is hidden from the high beam cone.
Only one diesel, but soon two plug-ins and an E
There are only two pure combustion engines: on the one hand, the 1.2-liter turbo petrol three-cylinder with 110 and 130 hp (the one for 2,400 euros also with automatic) and on the other hand: the 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbo diesel with 130 hp (same game with the automatic here). Next year, the Astra will come as a pure electric version. Even then, the plug-in hybrid will remain the top motorization. Currently with 180 hp, but Opel will soon add a version with 225 hp. But then it may be too late and the purchase bonus has already expired. But if you already order the 180 hp plug-in, Opel guarantees at least the 3,000 euros manufacturer's share if the car is not delivered in time before the end of the e-car premium period. So it fits with the Astra Sports Tourer - not only from A to L, but to Z.,
Conclusion
As a Sports Tourer, the Astra is only 1,100 euros more expensive and is one of the best affordable family first and only cars: spacious and practical, comfortable yet fun to drive, modern but easy to operate.
