Opel Astra GTC in China: Award for “Most Fashionable Vehicle”

[Toto]

Source and more: http://www.gmeurope.info/social_medi...Astra-GTC.html

The Opel Astra GTC with panorama windshield has been recognized as the most fashionable trendsetter among imported vehicles 2007 in China. The “Most Fashionable Vehicle” award was presented by the Chinese Trading Center for Automobile Imports and Sina.com, the largest Chinese-language infotainment web portal. The real eye-catcher was the GTC’s innovative XXL windshield: it extends back into the B-pillar and offers occupants a unique view. The jury of economic and media experts, as well as Internet users, evaluated the dynamic three-door Astra model in a total of ten categories against criteria such as performance, safety, technological innovation, brand image and styling.

[nsap]

Yeah, I want that roof on an Astra here!

[psece]

They probably won't with this on the horizon: New Roof Regulations

[Joevette]

We only get one model of the Astra, a cheapo no frills version. Everyone else gets all the rest

[Bravada]

Originally Posted by psece

They probably won't with this on the horizon: New Roof Regulations

Originally Posted by article

cautioned any new rule would save only a small number of the roughly 10,000 motorists killed in rollover accidents each year

Originally Posted by article

Part of that criticism stems from a long-running dispute over the exact cause of deaths in rollover accidents and how much blame rests with a vehicle's roof strength.

That's the point - the problem with rollovers is not the roof's strenght, which usually is either sufficient or making it sufficient for the cases when it gives is almost unfeasible from the technical/cost point of view (either making the vehicle top-heavy or using very costly materials, not to mention chunkier vision-obscuring pillars).

Rollover deaths/injuries result often from the fact that the bodies of occupants are thrown sideways during the rollover itself, sometimes throwing them out of the windows (imagine your head goes smashing through the window only to meet the road surface a moment later). And the fact that they occur result from the fact that there ARE rollovers, so rather than build armored vehicles, regulators should focus on factors enhancing the occurence of rollovers.

The most important (to me) factor is the relatively high share of vehicles with tall centre of gravity on American roads. All those pregnant "crossover SUVs" (and regular SUVs for that matter) are much more prone to roll over than cars riding "closer to the ground". The current US legislations favors SUVs/crossovers in many ways, so reviving the traditional American sedan and coupe should be job no. 1 for concerned lawmakers.

[psece]

Originally Posted by Bravada

That's the point - the problem with rollovers is not the roof's strenght, which usually is either sufficient or making it sufficient for the cases when it gives is almost unfeasible from the technical/cost point of view (either making the vehicle top-heavy or using very costly materials, not to mention chunkier vision-obscuring pillars).

Rollover deaths/injuries result often from the fact that the bodies of occupants are thrown sideways during the rollover itself, sometimes throwing them out of the windows (imagine your head goes smashing through the window only to meet the road surface a moment later). And the fact that they occur result from the fact that there ARE rollovers, so rather than build armored vehicles, regulators should focus on factors enhancing the occurence of rollovers.

The most important (to me) factor is the relatively high share of vehicles with tall centre of gravity on American roads. All those pregnant "crossover SUVs" (and regular SUVs for that matter) are much more prone to roll over than cars riding "closer to the ground". The current US legislations favors SUVs/crossovers in many ways, so reviving the traditional American sedan and coupe should be job no. 1 for concerned lawmakers.

Not arguing with you about the merits. But suffice to say that the legislature isn't exactly a poster boy for common sense or realistic solutions..... Which is why I posted it....

[CobaltSScrazy]

Originally Posted by Bravada

That's the point - the problem with rollovers is not the roof's strenght, which usually is either sufficient or making it sufficient for the cases when it gives is almost unfeasible from the technical/cost point of view (either making the vehicle top-heavy or using very costly materials, not to mention chunkier vision-obscuring pillars).

Rollover deaths/injuries result often from the fact that the bodies of occupants are thrown sideways during the rollover itself, sometimes throwing them out of the windows (imagine your head goes smashing through the window only to meet the road surface a moment later). And the fact that they occur result from the fact that there ARE rollovers, so rather than build armored vehicles, regulators should focus on factors enhancing the occurence of rollovers.

The most important (to me) factor is the relatively high share of vehicles with tall centre of gravity on American roads. All those pregnant "crossover SUVs" (and regular SUVs for that matter) are much more prone to roll over than cars riding "closer to the ground". The current US legislations favors SUVs/crossovers in many ways, so reviving the traditional American sedan and coupe should be job no. 1 for concerned lawmakers.

Well you could start by NOT making stricter CAFE regulations for cars and just raise truck/suv standards and get crossovers considered as trucks not cars...

next you could increase safety/etc. requirements for SUV/X-overs and then provide incentives for driving higher fuel economy sedans and coupes and charge a 'safety/high center of gravity' tax on all non-pickup truck BOF vehicles that are not cars...that'd be a great start.

On topic...Opel Astra looks very nice, wish we had that TURBO engine in the USA but hey, it just simplifies my SS Turbo Cobalt vehicle selection

CobaltSScrazy

[GMusa]

Is the Astra going to get that roof??

[LI CADILLAC]

Originally Posted by Joevette

We only get one model of the Astra, a cheapo no frills version. Everyone else gets all the rest

it's so goddamn true!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[LI CADILLAC]

Originally Posted by GMusa

Is the Astra going to get that roof??

what do you think? NOOOOOOOOOO

[HoosierRon]

Has anyone found the youtube video of that vehicle's NHTSA rollover test?

[LI CADILLAC]

this is the closest thing we in the states will ever get to that http://www.netcarshow.com/mercedes-b...llpaper_18.htm

[Cassie]

Id be happy with the convertible version myself....but I'm not holding my breath.

[Hurricane]

That is a really cool roof!

Went to the DC Auto Show this weekend and saw the Saab Aero X (is that right?) concept for the first time in person. Now that was a cool windshield!!!

[70eldo]

Originally Posted by psece

They probably won't with this on the horizon: New Roof Regulations

That Astra with extended windshield is selling well in Europe. New roof regulations??? How about convertibles?

How long do you have the Saturn Astra in the USA? Maybe it will take a while before more model versions will show up. In Europe you have a lot of engines to chose from for the Opel Astra: 5 editions, 3 petrol engines (1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 turbo) and 2 diesels (1.7 and 1.9 TD).