Review: the new Astra goes "straight to the top of its class"

[usa1]

No independent rear suspension? Wow. That's lame. Please don't tell me a torsion bar is world class.

I find the UK press is hopelessly biased towards the home team, be it built (like Astra) or designed and built (like Jauguar) in the UK. More reviews needed.

[Bravada]

I sure hope GM didn't waste any of their money on "unique" sheetmetal for the Verano, and the dealers were just shown the Excelle replacement Astra sedan.

The Insignia is coming as-is, THIS is the new Buick style, and I find it quite befitting for the brand's new image. Buick's 1990s styling theme is totally out of place if Buick is to sell an Astra.

[Toto]

Originally Posted by usa1

No independent rear suspension? Wow. That's lame. Please don't tell me a torsion bar is world class.

I find the UK press is hopelessly biased towards the home team, be it built (like Astra) or designed and built (like Jauguar) in the UK. More reviews needed.

It's torsion beam with Watts link to be correct. This video show how it work:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsU5SnWvqG8

Even very (VW) biased car mags like the German AutoBILD say that the driving comfort is on par or better compared to the competition from VW or Ford. Combined with the optional active suspension FlexRide the Astra is more as competitive.

[GMJoe]

Originally Posted by usa1

No independent rear suspension? Wow. That's lame. Please don't tell me a torsion bar is world class.

I find the UK press is hopelessly biased towards the home team, be it built (like Astra) or designed and built (like Jauguar) in the UK. More reviews needed.

As long as it rides and handles like an independent suspension, who cares?

[BlueMontreal]

Originally Posted by GMJoe

As long as it rides and handles like an independent suspension, who cares?

Auto journalist.

[steve333]

Originally Posted by ford&holden

If the cruze and astra share the same platform, why the difference in expense?? please enlighten us...

The cruze isn't class leader, it appears the astra is...
See the difference yet??

VW, Ford and MANY others manage to sell the same vehicles globally, why can't GM!?

Oh thats right...they can't

The Astra gets the watts link, the Cruze doesn't. Basically the same thing happened with the old Astra-Cobalt. The Astra had a superior suspension and steering.
Chevy gets dumbed down crap while Opel gets the good stuff.
Ford will get the Euro Focus without that dumbing down.

The difference between a well run company (Ford) and a poorly run company (GM).

[Bravada]

The difference between a well run company (Ford) and a poorly run company (GM).

GM has more market share to defend. GM will be able to defend itself both from the cheapo stuff from Hyundai and Kia (Chevrolet) and the more refined stuff from more upmarket manufacturers (Buick/Opel).