Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Automotive News & Views Saturn gets Opel Astra
154 messages, Last post on Feb 21, 2008 at 2:23 PM
You are in the Automotive News & Views Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & claires
|
|
|---|---|
|
When was the last time anybody over the age of 19 floored their accelerator from a standstill to reach 60mph in the least amount of time? It amazes me how Americans consider this and BHP as important stats. Torque, specifically the torque band, and mid-range acceleration figures are the real world figures that count, because they dictate your ability to accelerate under real world conditions. You avoid being run over by an SUV by being a good driver, not sitting in a hot rod. I drove a Saturn SL2 for years which was a total dog with no mid range pickup whatsoever and I just learned to not put myself in situations where I needed to accelerate hard. Some facts from the Vauxhall ( UK Opel ) site in Europe. The 1.8 VVT engine variant there develops 140BHP and 175 ft/lbs of torque at 3800 rpm. It looks like the US version has lost 45 ft/lbs of the torque and so it will possibly not perform that well. Begs the question as to why they would detune the engine in this way? I suspect so that they can con the Americans into paying another $3k for a 6 cylinder variant they don't really need that gets crap mpg. It is hard to relate fuel economy figures but the mixed cycle UK figure is 36.2mpg which translates to 30mpg using US gallons. Highway consumption in US gallons is 37.8mpg which seems to be pretty good. Overall it looks as economical as one would expect. It's a pity for me that they are not out yet. I just bought a Golf ( i.e. Rabbit ) and I was not chuffed at having only a 2.5 liter engine option. I for one don't need to be catapulted to 60mph in under 10 seconds.
|
|
|
Replying to: helmutvonkopf (Sep 12, 2007 6:45 am) |
|
|
Replying to: helmutvonkopf (Sep 12, 2007 6:45 am) It happens every morning on the Saw Mill and Hutchinson River Parkways in the New York area. |
|
|
It happens every morning on the Saw Mill and Hutchinson River Parkways in the New York area. Sounds like they need to relax a little out there. No wonder so many people complain about poor gas mileage. 
|
|
|
It happens every morning on the Saw Mill and Hutchinson River Parkways in the New York area. Even though I don't live in NY, I have visited there a number of times and the issue is that those roads were built in the 30's and 40's and the on ramps are devilishly short -- maybe 100' long, in some cases. You have to floor it to get up to a speed where you can safely merge into traffic. Here's hoping for an Astra Red Line - 260HP turbo from the Sky RL -- woo hoo!
|
|
|
Replying to: michaell (Sep 14, 2007 1:07 pm) It's been a long time for me but the Merritt Parkway in CT is the same way.
|
|
|
Replying to: fezo (Sep 14, 2007 6:18 pm) Unfortunately most drivers have never visited the last two thirds of their accelerator pedal so they dribble onto the parkways at 35 or 40 endangering themselves and oncoming traffic.  True Confession: Perhaps it's because I come from the NY area but I still floor it when merging onto any limited access highway (assuming the ramp is straight enough to see if the entry's clear) and it's been quite a few years since I've seen nineteen.
|
|
|
Sounds like the speed limits are too high to support the on ramps. You guys should holler at your local reps to lower the speed limits. Like that will happen. 
|
|
|
Replying to: andys120 (Sep 16, 2007 5:34 am) The original design of the Parkway was fine, but it was built for a state with the half the population of today's New Jersey.
|
|
|
|
|
Replying to: fezo (Sep 17, 2007 4:37 am) If they want to sell this car in the north east, it better have a 55 or 60 sidewal option rather than the mazda 50 or below. Anyone of you Europeans have an idea?
|
|
You are here:
Forums
Automotive News & Views Saturn gets Opel Astra
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2008 Saturn Astra
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
