Opel Astra GTC - stylish, powerful, safe

The premiere of the three-door version of the front-drive five-seat hatchback C-class - model Opel Astra GTC - took place in late 2011. Despite the external resemblance to his older five-door "brother," the three-door family inherited from him only three elements - door handles, side mirrors and an antenna on the roof. In all other respects, this model is absolutely original.

Designers of the company Opel have developed a completely new, stylish look of the car, but left him some features peculiar to the Astra range. Visually three-door version seems not just compact, but miniature in comparison with five-door Opel Astra GTC, but the impression is deceptive, since its dimensions even slightly increased.

The exterior design of the car clearly speaks of its sporting propensity: a peculiar bend of the roof, wedge-shaped side windows and stamped "blades" of the sides perfectly underline the dynamic character of this model. A low landing, obtained by reducing the ground clearance, made the final touch in the energetic and sporty appearance of the Astra GTC.

The external compactness of the three-door hatchback did not affect the size of its saloon - and the driver and passengers will not have to complain about the lack of space. The basic equipment of this model provides the presence of sports seats, but optionally you can install more expensive, anatomical seats.

In the interior of the Opel Astra GTC feel the thoughtfulness of every detail and concern for the maximum comfort of the driver and passengers. Smooth lines of internal surfaces, high-quality upholstery materials and ergonomically arranged controls ensure comfort even during long trips.

This model has received a standard trunk with a volume of 370 liters, but it is possible to increase its dimensions: as an option, a multilevel floor is provided - this solution allows significantly expanding the space of the luggage compartment.

Particular attention deserves the front and rear suspension of the three-door Opel Astra, the characteristics of which have improved the controllability of the car during acceleration and cornering. Thanks to a wider platform, the stability of the machine increased with various maneuvers, and the increased length reduced the sensitivity of the car to unevenness on the roads. Adapt to the road conditions and driver's style helps the adaptive FlexRide chassis, which provided the Opel Astra GTC with improved dynamic qualities and additional comfort.

This model can be equipped with three types of gasoline engines (140 - 180 hp) and a diesel engine with a capacity of 165 hp. All versions of the three-door version received a fuel economy system called Start / Stop. The principle of its work is as follows: when stopping in traffic jams or at a traffic light, only the driver turns on neutral transmission, the engine stops working, and for its start it is necessary to press the clutch pedal. Owners of cars that do not need this function can disable it using a special key on the dashboard.

Happy road with the author car Opel Astra GTS!