Holden Astra Convertible and SRi Hatch 2.2 Litre Manual sample
The Astra convertible is built by design specialists Bertone in Italy, and their work is impressive both from the car’s good looks and the quality of the conversion. The power-operated soft-top has triple fabric layers for better heat and sound insulation, and has a scratch-resistant (and heated) glass rear window. There is also a detachable windbreak screen that clips in behind the front seats. The soft-top can be raised or lowered from outside the car via the remote key, or by a button on the console. I’ve driven the Convertible during inclement weather and the hood proved to be both weathertight and free of undue wind noises.
The Convertible’s body also impresses as being much stiffer than some other convertibles, with a pleasing absence of scuttle shake over rough surfaces. Compared to the standard Astra hatchbacks, the SRi version gets some sporty exterior touches with a body kit from the Opel Performance Centre. It comprises a front air dam and a rather large rear spoiler. The SRi also has a lower ride height and features integrated fog lamps, and special badging. Though not as glamorous as the Convertible, the Astra SRi hatch is an attractive and neat looking package that should prove popular with younger buyers particularly. COMFORT AND SPACE: Both models offer plenty of leg room up front and the driver and front passenger are comfortably seated and well supported by the generously bolstered sports seats. In the back, the SRi is a clear winner on space. The Convertible’s hood mechanism reduces the rear seat capacity to two and that’s OK except that there is very little leg room unless the front seats can be set forward a few notches. Though the SRi provides seating for three in the back (and three lap/sash seat belts), its seat width and shaping is best suited to just two people anyway. But rear legroom is much better than in the Convertible, which means a couple of adults could be accommodated if the occasion required it. It’s no contest on luggage space, with the SRi hatch winning hands down. The Convertible’s boot space is significantly reduced by the intrusion of the hood and its mechanism. However by sliding a couple of smaller soft bags forward under the hood compartment and standing a larger bag upright behind them, a reasonable amount of luggage could be carried. The SRi has a good size load area (for this class of hatch), plus it offers the option of folding one third or two thirds of the rear seat backrest. Alternatively, there’s a ‘ski’ hatch behind the rear centre armrest that allows long thin items to be carried at the same time as two rear passengers
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