Performance Review: Vauxhall-Opel Astra 2.2 16V - [2003]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Vauxhall-Opel Astra Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Vauxhall-Opel Astra 2.2 16V is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2003. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2004 Westfield Sport 2000S and the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR FQ 400.This particular Vauxhall-Opel Astra has a 2198cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Astra shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Astra's Front Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1295 kgs (2854 lbs) this makes the Vauxhall-Opel Astra 2.2 16V in the same weight category as the 2023 Pagani Utopia 6.0 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Vauxhall-Opel Astra shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 2198cc 16V St4 engine produces 144 bhp (107 kW) @ 5800 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 150 lb-ft (203.3 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (170 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Vauxhall-Opel Astra you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2006 Pontiac Solstice Coupe 2.4 16V (136.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Vauxhall-Opel Astra.

The Vauxhall-Opel Astra has a Power to weight ratio of 111.1 bhp per ton and 115.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2003 Astra competing with the 2006 Pontiac Solstice Coupe 2.4 16V (136.1 bhp per ton) or the 2001 BMW 3 Series 330ci E46 (136.1 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Vauxhall-Opel Astra generating around 115.8 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2005 Skoda Octavia 2.0 FSI vRS (140.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 1998 BMW 3 Series 328CI Saloon E46 (140.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.7 secs, this made the Vauxhall-Opel Astra 2.2 16V as fast as the 2007 Seat Ibiza 1.8 20vt FR (8.40 secs) the 2006 Peugeot 207 CC GT (8.40 secs) the 1996 Peugeot 106 16v GTi (8.40 secs) the or the 1989 Citroen XM 3.0 V6 (8.40 secs). This Vauxhall-Opel Astra 2.2 16V is also faster than the 2012 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 TDV6 (8.50 secs) the 2004 Land-Rover Discovery 3 4.4 V8 (8.50 secs) the 2000 Volkswagen-VW Golf GT TDi 150 (8.50 secs) the and the 1997 Peugeot 306 2.0 XSi (8.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Astra and the 2002 Renault Clio 3.0 V6 230

When talking about the performance of the Vauxhall-Opel Astra on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.72 secs @ 81.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2002 Renault Clio 3.0 V6 230 (16.64 secs), the 2007 Ford Taurus AWD 3.5 V6 (16.64 secs), and the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo (16.64 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2003 version of the Vauxhall-Opel Astra 2.2 16V has a maximum speed of 133mph.

Top Speed of the 2003 Astra equals the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo 5 door (144 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2003 Vauxhall-Opel Astra 2.2 16V then how about the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo 5 door (144 mph), the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo (144 mph), or the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo (144 mph).

Related Links:

2003 Astra Rivals List.

A Brief History of Vauxhall-Opel

Car Comparison