Vauxhall Astra TwinTop Road Test

Vauxhall Astra

I found the engine’s performance to be good but not sparkling. For sure, it is willing and able but it seems to run out of breath quite quickly making it necessary to drop a gear for effective motorway overtakes.

The body is 30 per cent stiffer than the previous Astra Convertible due to lots of unseen reinforcements that compensate for the lack of roof. This, together with the long wheelbase and wide track, which gives the car a low centre of gravity, makes the TwinTop agile and stable on fast bends. I wanted to say flexible but it’s the wrong word for a convertible.

Despite the stiffened chassis and windscreen, there is still a fair bit of ‘scuttle-shake’ and not always on very uneven surfaces and the ultra-low profile tyres make sure that you are aware of every bump and nuance in the road.

The TwinTop has all the usual safety features such as ABS with EBD and Cornering Brake Control. CBC is part of the ABS system and is designed to make the car easier to control in emergency situations. There are airbags for the front passenger and the driver, as well front seat side-impact bags. In the event of a collision, the driver also benefits from a collapsible steering column and pedal release system. ESP is standard on the Design model and on the Sport with the 1.9CDTi engine only.

I really enjoyed the Astra Twin Top’s driveability and smooth good looks. I particularly liked the roof’s action as did the audience it attracted almost every time it was in operation. It’s more than a fair-weather friend.

Vauxhall Astra TwinTop