Already being driven: New 156 hp Astra Electric: Opel picks up dust electrically

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What’s the biggest catch of VW’s ID.3? That your name isn’t Golf. Because: Especially with affordable bulk cars, the model name is a seal of trust, not just smoke and mirrors. Anyone who has driven the VW Golf for decades knows what that means. It is then difficult to switch to another model, even if it is better and even fully electric. Toyota also had to learn that the Corolla, the world’s best-selling car with 50 million units, was called Auris for two generations and customers overlooked it. But since returning to Corolla it has been working again.

That’s why the Opel Astra stays true to its name, even if it’s currently launched with a new electric motor. tradition consciousness? “No, we’re not as dusty as other German manufacturers,” says Colin Yong of the Opel product team. The brand, which has modernized itself with giant steps in the last two years, will become a pure electricity supplier in 2028. And Opel sells every seventh car online.

Sit in the car instead of sitting in the car

Other than the missing exhaust pipe, the Astra Electric is no different from its internal combustion or plug-in hybrid (PHEV) versions. Even in terms of weight, it’s only slightly above the most powerful PHEV despite the heavy battery. First surprise when riding: low sitting position. Instead of sitting high with a constant battery in the lower body, you actually feel like you’re sitting in a car. Because the battery is scattered in several blocks under the seats. The feet rest on the floor panel, as with any internal combustion engine model. At the same time, the electric drive does not increase the loading volume from 352 liters to 1268 liters, and this also applies to the upcoming electric station wagon, the Astra Sports Tourer.

Sure, the Stromer-specific screens light up in the cockpit, but apart from that, the very deep black look remains, with sober buttons and instruments and two large screens for infotainment. It’s much simpler than the slightly baroque cockpit on its sister model Peugeot 308, but we love it. Travel direction and recovery are controlled by the same switch as on all models from parent company Stellantis. It’s a pity because it’s a bit slow to respond and often needs a second press to really change direction.

As for the propulsion system, Stellantis also continues its modular strategy on the Astra: to date, all all-electric models in the group have rolled off the assembly line with a battery of 136 hp (100 kW) and a net capacity of 50 kW. kilowatt hour (kWh). There’s a new drive package for the Astra Electric, which made its debut in the Jeep Avenger, delivering 156 hp (115 kW) and adding one kilowatt-hour to battery capacity. However, full power is only available when the accelerator is pressed hard or in sport mode: only 100 hp in Eco mode and only 136 hp in Normal mode. A typical German, however: most Stromers, from VW, for example, are limited to a top speed of 160 km/h, while the Astra manages 170 km/h. Our northern neighbors are obviously still interested in gaining prestige when it comes to electricity. At Opel they call it “highway durable”.

Easily below factory consumption

But driving the Astra Electric is actually quite sporty: When you lean down, you can feel the car much better than any other electric car. Thanks to the relatively low weight of 1.7 tonnes, the suspension springs and dampens tautly – sometimes a little too tight. On the test tour in and around Berlin (D) we easily reduced the factory consumption of around 12.8 kWh/100 km without Eco mode, without having to back out. So in everyday life around 400 kilometers should be possible. The only drawback: the fast charger’s maximum charging capacity of 100 kilowatts is far below its competitors – for example, VW now produces 170 kW.

Still: Opel’s all-electric Astra convinces everyone. It is currently the only electric station wagon, following the Sport Tourer with a loading volume of 516 to 1553 liters. The five-door can only be ordered in the best GS equipment for CHF 46,500, the station wagon will not be available until autumn.

Source: Blick