15.4.2003
Auto Strassenverkehr ranks Zafira and Astra over VW rivals

In a comparison test carried out by the German car magazine Auto Strassenverkehr, the Opel Zafira and Astra score victory over VW.

The Opel Zafira scored a close victory over its new rival, the VW Touran, in a comparison test carried out by the German car magazine, Auto Strassenverkehr (April 11, 2003). In a four-page story entitled "Duel of the year", the authors pitted the Zafira 1.8 (125 hp) against the Touran with 115 hp, 1.6-liter, direct-injection gasoline engine.

Despite featuring the chassis of the future Golf V, the Touran "has a tough job", says the magazine. "Since Opel has patented the Zafira's Flex-7 seating system... VW had no choice but to further develop already existing concepts (such as three individual seats in the second row and folding seats for the third row)."

"VW's engineers did well", reports Auto Strassenverkehr. "The Touran is even roomier than the Zafira, but only when each 16-kg seat has been removed." The authors, recognizing the Zafira's crucial advantage over the Touran, ask: "what do you do with the seats? Garage owners have no problem, but people who park on the street do. Are they supposed to put the seats in the living room?"

Auto Strassenverkehr concludes: "As expected, a photo-finish. We put the Zafira ahead, above all because of its unbeatable concept and the more comfortable seats in the second and third row. The Zafira also has the more powerful engine, which makes it more relaxing to drive."

However, the Zafira cannot afford to rest on its laurels, says the authoritative magazine: "If you're looking for a family van with which you can have some real fun - on your own - the agile VW is the better choice. Especially as the purchase price and running costs are also in the Touran's favor."

"Less is more" - Astra 1.6 Twinport versus VW 1.6 Golf FSI
Comparing the advanced fuel-saving Twinport and FSI engines from Opel and VW, Auto Strassenverkehr, wanted to know "who has the better concept?"

According to the German car magazine, "Opel shows that complicated technology isn't necessarily the better choice. The simple Twinport principle functions perfectly with small-displacement engines.... Fuel costs are lower with the Opel Astra, not only because it consumes less, but also because it runs on cheaper grade fuel.... FSI (gasoline direct-injection) has a lot of potential, but when engines have to work hard, as is often the case in the VW Golf 1.6 FSI, this technology can't always deliver the goods."

For example, Auto Strassenverkehr recorded average fuel consumption of 6.0 l/100 km for the Astra, and 6.3 l/100 km for the Golf. The magazine also discovered that, when driven at high-speed, sometimes flat-out over the Autobahn with 200 kg in the trunk, the Golf FSI consumed nearly two liters of fuel per 100 km more than the Astra. "Under these conditions," it said, "FSI doesn't work, since it's only designed to operate like a normal fuel-injection engine at full throttle."

The verdict from Auto Strassenverkehr: "Our exhaustive test drives with the engines of tomorrow make it clear that Opel is apparently better prepared for the on-going duel with VW...... The Opel Astra Twinport is the better choice for those who think twice before spending every cent. Less sometimes means more, after all."