Opel Astra TwinTop: First Look
By Motoring Channel Staff - 2/8/2005
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Opel Astra TwinTop
The segmented metal roof has three sections
that allows for a more efficient use of boot space
when it's folded away - which takes 30 seconds
The Opel drop top has a sharp new design
that's instantly recognisable as an Astra
Folding
Roofs Evolve
The folding roof used to be a unique option for
a select few at the top of the monetary food chain
up until recently, but now more and more carmakers
are trying their collective hands at folding metal
roofs.
General Motor's German operation has weighed
into the hydraulically-operated debate with a
tweaked three-part folding system. Opel says that
its engineers created a new three-part roof system
for the Astra TwinTop that, because of its three
smaller roof sections, can be folded away more
efficiently than current systems. In real world
terms this equates to more boot and rear seat
space, but could make for a less rigid roof that
requires more maintenance in the long run.
- Feann Torr, Editor
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German car builder Opel took the wraps off its all-new convertible
coupe, the Astra TwinTop, at the glitzy 2005 Frankfurt Motor
Show.
Following the successful launches of the sedan, station wagon
and GTC hot hatch, all of which have/will be imported to Australian
markets, Opel's fourth distinctive Astra model will rival
cars such as the Peugeot 307 CC and Renault Megane Coupe Cabriolet.
Opel says that the Astra TwinTop (likely to be named 'Astra
Convertible' in Australia) is an elegant 4-seater with a new-generation
electro-hydraulic retractable steel roof, and will be at dealerships
in Europe in Spring of 2006.
The progressive design of the Astra TwinTop with its dynamic,
arrow-shaped front section clearly identifies it as a member
of the Astra family. 70 percent of the TwinTop body parts
have, however, been newly developed.
According to Opel, the proportions of the cabrio-coupé
are particularly visible in the side profile, which is highlighted
by the wedge-shaped rising shoulder-line and arched, flowing
roof line.
The Astra TwinTop is also well proportioned at the rear.
Regardless of whether the roof is open or closed, there is
no bulky tail spoiling the car's look, as is often the case
with cabriolets with retractable steel roof concepts.
At the touch of a button, or through use of the optional
remote control, the TwinTop roof can be fully automatically
opened or closed in less than 30 seconds.
Alain Visser from Opel's marketing department said: "Following
the successful Tigra, the Astra TwinTop is our second cabrio-coupé
with an innovative retractable steel roof system. Harmonious,
sporty and elegant design, unique technology features, typical
Opel versatility, large trunk and ample space for four - the
Astra TwinTop is a real eye-catcher that's a lot of fun to
drive all year round."
The new-look Astra tin-top will be available with a wide
range of GM powerplants, four of them petrol and one of them
a 110kW (150hp) diesel. The petrol engines will range in power
from 77 to 147kW (105 to 200hp), with the top-of-the-line
2.0-litre turbo motor reaching a top speed of over 230 km/h.
Unique options such as the adaptive IDSPlus chassis (Interactive
Driving System) with electronic Continuous Damping Control
(CDC), Sport mode and steering-linked AFL bi-xenon headlamps
(Adaptive Forward Lighting), set the new Astra TwinTop further
apart from its competitors.
Opel has revealed a special highlight of the new Astra TwinTop
in its lead up to the vehicle's launch: the intelligent kinematics
of its three-part roof system, which enables generous boot
space of around 440 litres. In the cabrio configuration, more
than 200 litres are still available.
A state-of-the-art “Easy Load” function increases
practicality: at the touch of a button, the horizontally stacked
roof parts in the trunk can be raised, so that cargo is easily
accessible.
In addition to generous luggage compartment space, the innovative
roof technology also enables a dynamic, harmonious design
with well-balanced proportions. With a length of almost 4.5
meters, the Astra TwinTop reaches dimensions comparable to
mid-size segment cabrios.
The new Astra TwinTop continues a successful tradition that
has seen more than 55,000 customers across Europe chose the
previous Astra cabrio, which was built from the year 2000
at Bertone in Italy, and the first convertible Astra from
1993 and the Kadett cabrio from 1987 together sold over 100,000
units. With the spritely Tigra TwinTop, Opel has already had
a two-seat cabrio-coupé with folding steel roof in
the range since September 2004, and since then, over 41,000
units have been produced.
"With the Astra TwinTop we are introducing another exciting
niche car, while extending our model range in the important
compact segment. Four Astra versions and the Zafira represent
five different car concepts on one technical basis. That makes
us more attractively positioned in this segment than any other
competitor," said Hans H. Demant, the managing director
of Opel and General Motors Europe.
Production start for the new Astra TwinTop will be early
2006 in Antwerp, Belgium, where it will share a production
line with the Astra sedan and GTC.
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