With its elegant, athletic figure, the Astra TwinTop stands out clearly among the new generation of hard-top cabrios. The first impression of the four-seater is reminiscent of that of a well trained athlete - not a gram of fat anywhere. Gradually the particularly elegant profile appears, confirming the Astra TwinTop as the coupé among cabrios; clean and uncomplicated lines from the arrow-shaped front end and the wedge-shape rising to the rear, to the curved roof and the taut rear end.

2006 Opel Astra TwinTop

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2006 Opel Astra TwinTop
  • Horsepower: 200@5400
  • Torque: 4200
  • Transmission: 6-Speed Manual

Design and high demands on functional quality were top priorities during development of the Astra TwinTop. With a length of almost 4.5 meters, the quick-change artist reaches dimensions comparable to a mid-size cabrio.

Its long wheelbase of 2.61 meters enables a spacious interior; thanks to best-in-class shoulder and knee room, adults can comfortably travel in the rear, even on longer journeys. Engineers made this possible through the realization of an efficient three-part roof system. The individual roof sections are smaller than in conventional concepts and therefore can be stowed in the trunk in a space-saving manner to the advantage of luggage space: 440 liters with the top up, and with the top down, 205 liters of luggage space are available. The state-of-the-art loading system “Easy Load” makes the trunk easily accessible: at the touch of a button, the horizontally stacked roof parts in the car trunk are raised automatically by around 25 centimeters. In contrast to other hard-top cabrios, luggage in the Astra TwinTop’s trunk can thus be comfortably loaded and unloaded when the top is down. Another highlight: the roof can be opened or closed while the car is in motion, up to a speed of 30 km/h. Every cabrio driver that has experienced a sudden downpour with the top down, or a quick-changing traffic light while opening or closing the roof, will appreciate this comfort feature.

The Astra TwinTop interior displays top workmanship, high quality materials and optional leather upholstery in saddle-seam look. The clearly laid-out center console with large, centrally-located display features the Opel crease, and the instruments are elegantly ringed in chrome.

The TwinTop goes on sale offering the Astra’s traditionally good value for money. Prices for the extensively equipped convertible with CD-radio, on-board computer and cruise control start at 23,650 euros in Germany. In its most popular versions between 100 and 150 hp, it is 3000 euros less expensive than its closest competitor.

Standard equipment includes air conditioning, cruise control, CD-radio with six loudspeakers, power windows, on-board computer, heated power exterior mirrors, radio remote control central locking, height and reach-adjustable leather steering wheel, height-adjustable “Easy Entry” seats with memory function, rear seats with armrest and load-through hatch, and fog lamps.

The standard stereo CD-radio has six loudspeakers, RDS and speed-dependent volume control. It is also available with MP3 function. Hi-fi fans will appreciate the CDC 40 Opera sound system with 6 x CD changer; thanks to its powerful 150 watts and seven premium loudspeakers, it has superior sound. The CD 70 Navi complements this with a navigation system including dynamic route guidance. The top DVD 90 Navi includes a DVD-ROM with street maps from 23 European countries and digital travel guide. The 6.5-inch color info display (16.5 cm; optional for CD 70 Navi) allows for precise map display with direct destination selection.

High-tech for driving dynamics and active safety

Top driving performance is ensured by a range of engines featuring four gasoline units (105 hp to 200 hp) and the 150 hp 1.9 CDTI common-rail diesel with Diiesel Particulate Filter (DPF) as standard. The top-of-the-line engine is the 200 hp 2.0 turbo ECOTEC unit enabling a top speed of 129 mph. The turbo engines come with front-wheel drive and six-speed manual transmission. The Astra TwinTop’s drag coefficient is an excellent 0.31.

Active roll-over protection system

The Astra TwinTop body and underbody, based on its Astra GTC sister model, were specially reinforced for the particular demands of a cabriolet. Engineers were therefore able to increase torsional rigidity, important for extremely precise chassis tuning. Compared to the previous Astra Cabrio, an improvement of 30 percent was achieved. To minimize the consequences of a roll-over, the Astra TwinTop features a highly stable windshield frame and active roll-over protection system as standard. A special yaw rate sensor in the airbag control system recognizes sudden vehicle turning motions along the longitudinal or transversal axis. In the event of an impending roll-over, the control system activates the seat-belt tensioners. Simultaneously, two solid aluminum safety roll bars behind the rear seats deploy upwards and lock tight within 0.2 seconds. The system is also activated if the airbag sensors for front or side impacts report a collision. This means the roll bars are in place even if the collision causes a power failure and then a roll-over occurs. The mechanism also works with the roof closed, offering even greater protection. The additional SAFETEC system, which encompasses all active and passive safety elements, also includes two-stage front airbags for driver and front passenger, thorax/pelvis side airbags in front, and three-point safety belts for all passengers. Driver and front passenger also benefit from active head restraints which help to reduce the risk of whiplash in the event of a rear collision.