I've owned and driven a number of Opel models, from the early box-shaped Kadett to the Astra Estate, and it's pleasing to see that a number of key design elements and handling characteristics have been retained in the Opel Astra TwinTop.
Headlight controls, indicator and wiper stems and many of the central console switches for the aircon are all similarly shaped and placed for those familiar with Opel interiors. The same goes for seat adjustment levers, gear lever and handbrake.
Even those unfamiliar with Opel models will find it easy to operate the well placed and intuitively marked controls whose usual analogue connections have been replaced with diodes that can be activated with just a light touch.
However, the history of good design is accompanied by a gremlin that has also plagued the Opels I knew.
Shimmy and shake
Most cars will give you an earful of squealing tires when you from a standstill step on the accelerator and drop the clutch. The more powerful of those will even do it while on the move. The Opel opts for a tap dance.
Give the TwinTop some 'wellie' and drop the clutch and you'll be greeted by a full-body (yours and the Opel's) vibration treatment as the engine, gearbox and diff engage in a tense battle for dominance that causes the front wheels to judder and shake. About as enjoyable and productive as tightly clutching to your chest three angry tomcats stuffed in a hessian sack.
Once the judders dissapear and the power starts to feed through the front wheels begin to feel a little light and the car tugs gently to the right.
But don't let this dampen your enthusiasm for the TwinTop.
Power play
The two-litre engine pumps out 147kW at 5400 rpm and 262Nm of torque at 4200rpm and judicious use of this power, combined with some practice on the clutch, avoid those take-off judders.
All this output - transferred to the tar via 225/40 R18 tyres on alloy rims - is made even more enjoyable with Opel's addition of a sport button on the centre console. Give this unassuming little switch a jab and the reactions of the electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) are adapted for a "more direct road feel", cornering characteristics are altered and the power comes out in great gobs, with an additional kick in the backside when the turbo comes in just after 3000rpm. Ooh, goosebumps!
While you're flying along you can add to the atmosphere with something appropriate from the CD/MP3 player. Just don't glance at the trip comuter display for too long when choosing music tracks or the fuel consumption data will remind you that driving with your foot down is thirsty work. Thankfully, the TwinTop's 52-litre fuel tank allows you to act like a hooligan and still get home with a few litres of petrol to spare.
The car is also perfectly suited to putting the top down (did I mention that the hard top folds away neatly into the boot in about 30 seconds?) and cruising leisurely along quiet roads. Throw the kids or two extra adult passengers in the back - it's rather comfortable there - and you're set for a pleasant outing.
Easy-access storage
The TwinTop has a boot capacity of 205 litres in the cabriolet configuration and 440 with the roof closed. And, to prove Opel's engineers spend time thinking carefully about the things they design, there's even a small red button in the boot that allows you to raise the horizontally stacked roof panels by about 25 centimeters when you want to stow the groceries - or weekend bag - with the roof open.
And if, while on your outing, you happen to pick up a stray nail or other debris in your tread the deflation detection system will sense the reduction in diameter - and subsequent increase in rotation speed - of the punctured tyre and warn you to pull off the road and attend to the problem before you do some permanent damage to the tyre.
Try to avoid the punctures though. The spare wheel is of the space-saver variety and nothing looks as glaringly uncouth as a sporty cabriolet with a 'Marie biscuit' wheel on one of its hubs.
Warrantees and pricing:
The TwinTop is covered by a three-year or 100 000km warranty with three-year non-rust through warranty. A five-year or 100 000km maintenance plan is included in the recommended retail selling prices, which are:
- Astra TwinTop 1.8 Enjoy - R256 760
- Astra TwinTop 2.0 Cosmo R308 360