Opel Grandland GSe, first test for the 300 HP SUV (and 225 HP Astra GSe) | Video

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The Opel Grandland GSe, Astra GSe and Opel Astra Sports Tourer GSe are new to the market. just launched at the Brussels show. For these models, the builder's enthusiasm is the key. such as to have immediately put them on the road, those of Spain, for a dynamic preview and a first contact behind the wheel. GSe means Grand Sport Electric, a name that suggests that these are cars that focus on two aspects: a pleasant drive and the use of Plug-In hybrid technology to give you more power. power available.

The project is not distorted, but there are some key points on which Opel has worked to improve the driving dynamics part compared to the traditional version, also in terms of mechanics, without counting the obvious advantage of the instantaneous torque of the electric to help the heat, for a total system of 225 HP and 360 Nm on the Astra and 300 HP and 520 Nm on the Grandlandwith four-wheel drive (power already tested when it was called "Grandland X Hybrid4" and didn't have the new setup.

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Sporty today & egrave; a term that must necessarily be contextualized: we are not talking about cars abundantly under the ton of the era of 205 Rallye and the like. Other times, other (poor) safety equipment. In 2023, a sports car for the mass market means having greater driving pleasure that is also accessible to those who are not in the know. a professional driver, a safety that remains at the top and all the comforts to which the average customer is now accustomed; used in terms of accessories.

HOW KONI FSD WORK

With this premise, Opel gave a blow to the circle working on the steering and chassis (with KONI FSD technology), and a blow to the barrelpleasing the eye with new rims, new bumpers and dedicated GSe seats: the look is perfect. more attractive, but remains the AGR certification relating to comfort and ergonomic support for the back and body.

KONI FSD, an acronym for Frequency Selective Dampening, is the name of the KONI FSD. the variable-calibration damping system that will surely turn on a light bulb for those who are on the move. busy with tuning. The basic idea is; that of adapting the answerbased on the surface we are facing: usually a shock absorber works at a frequency, determined by the cycles of movement in extension and compression, in response to the road surface (low frequency if "flat", high frequency if bumpy) and in response to curves and at the speed; of approach to them.

Each shock absorber does this job and changes the response with a valve clearance by adapting the braking by working on the oil flow control (which depends precisely on the internal valves). Koni has put a patented one more; which opens up additional oil flow in specific situations. Everything is done hydraulically and without electronics. bad and the shock absorber works at a higher frequency, the valve is activated and the secondary flow allows the suspension to maintain more contact with the road. In a nutshell, the result is; maintain a rigid setup when the road is flat and the asphalt is flat. optimal, without however; break our backs when we are in the opposite situation.

In short, Opel is; gone to draw on a tested mechanical technology, almost "old school" given the absence of electronics (less maintenance and costs in case of problems) and which has characterized various aftermarket preparations (or standard in other models, for example the 595 Competizione) of tuning enthusiasts of each brand, clearly remaining in the road world and without ambitions; for the track.

Born in the 2000s, Koni's FSD was born in the 2000s. in fact survived to 2023 with incremental improvements, without distorting however; the mechanical-hydraulic base.

The modifications to the chassis set-up of the Grandland GSe and Astra GSe don't stop at the suspension unit: it was also worked on the steering and brakes which return a more responsive response; direct and effectively tangible in this first test, without forgetting the increase in the ESP intervention threshold.

On the street it is more hard to notice, but when the bends come in and the traffic clears, a little bit of “cheerful” driving is a must. in addition; allows me to discover that indeed the classic cut typical of invasive electronics is here; less incisive at the beginning and leaves room for a little more fun, while remaining alert and ready.


Finally, the aesthetics are enriched by 18″ alloy wheels ;/19" inspired by the Manta GSe, sporty front bumper, the classic logos scattered a bit everywhere and already; mentioned sporty and ergonomic Alcantara seats.

FIRST ROAD TEST OF THE DIFFERENT TWINS

After the theory, it is; practice time, and the first road test for the Astra GSe and for the Grandland GSe was completed. of the tough ones. Spanish roads are always a pleasure to travel on, and the journey between Malaga and Ronda is a smooth one. dotted with tight bends, a few hairpin bends, medium and fast bends and a few passages in the city.

The Grandland GSe has changed its face since last timethat I had tried it: the steering improves in precision and it's easier. more direct, the roll is; clearly reduced, while the power remains the right one. The 300 HP are fun to manage, especially when the car faces overtaking uphill without the slightest trouble thanks to the two electric motors and 520 Nm of torque.

If the battery is charged, it is a nice trip, with a flat battery, fortunately, Grandland GSe is not resting on its laurels. A decrease in performance is noted, but it is not; never such as to transform it from a wolf cub to a lamb: when needed, it manages to get its muscles out for a quick overtaking without worries.

Stressed for a long time with the battery at zero (it's never really at zero anyway), Grandland GSe continues to maintain performance and continues to make the electrics work when needed for all-wheel drive.


Finally, the Koni FSDs prove to be truly capable of defining a new set-up< /strong>: springs more; rigid, less body roll, driving pleasure and an interesting progressive support in medium-radius and high-radius corners with fast travel. The new shock absorbers can't do miracles from a roll point of view, but they restore a feeling of confidence to the driver, even when the pace picks up.

On uneven ground they greatly reduce the blow to the back of the passengers. It is a pity that the seats lack lateral containment, despite being very comfortable and providing good support to the hips (non-yielding but small) and to the pelvis, and that a center of gravity is in any case more positive. high makes this Grandland GSe less reactive in tight mixes than its sister Astra GSe.

Astra GSe, for its part, must be satisfied with 225 HP for the moment and renounces all-wheel drive since it uses only one electric motor: here one feels the lack of that powerful torque of the Crossover, but the performances are respectable and in line with that sportsmanship; comfortable to which the Germans of the Stellantis group aspire.

On consumptionFinally, the plug-in hybrid fitted to the 300 HP Grandland is not a hybrid. the most efficient among HEV/PHEV, but in mode; Hybrid returns a respectable result considering the uphill route and the pace maintained: 6 liters every 100 kilometers by pushing hard and often. As usual, this is a first indicative result in a path with a heavy foot and uphill.

City and extra-urban, at speed; from daily traffic, on the other hand, they discharge the 12/14 kWh battery of the Astra and Grandland GSe in about forty kilometres, below the declared figure unless particularly favorable conditions are found.

PRICES AND EQUIPMENT

The Opel Astra GSe costs 48,050 euros while the Grandland GSe costs 55,000 euros. Especially for the crossover the price is not much. Sure, it's low, but it's a top-of-the-line plug-in hybrid SUV that can do more than that. become interesting if purchased by taking advantage of the incentives (there are in Italy, but it is clear that the German market is more generous from this point of view, and for this reason the success of the PHEVs in Teutonic territory is justified.

Car incentives 2023, today the reservations 66

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The main criticism concerns the interior which for such figures is too sober and with too much plastic on the doors, even for the upper part. it would have helped justify a higher price, it being understood that the technical contents are there and that the Grandland GSe, in this setup, is a 300 HP all-wheel drive car.

OPEL GRANDLAND GSE ONLINE CONFIGURATOR

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