Vauxhall Astra Electric - First Impressions

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Tue 27 Jun 2023 15:26
Vauxhall Astra Electric - First Impressions - mcb100
I’ve done about 300 miles in it now, and all good.
It’s impossible to offer any impressions on drivetrain simply because it’s electric, and one motor is pretty much like another.
I’ve been Oldham - Mansfield - Oldham today, and because of an M1 closure I went out over Snake Pass and back via Woodhead, either way a couple of big climbs over the Peak District. It’s done an indicated 4.5 mi/kWh, meaning a 254 mile range. Tomorrow is Oldham - Canterbury, so we’ll see what a motorway cruise range is.
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Tue 27 Jun 2023 15:58
Vauxhall Astra Electric - First Impressions - mcb100
I will add that on trans-Pennine A roads it does feel pretty nimble and light. There’s a 54kWh battery, so it’s obviously heavier than an equivalent ICE version, but it manages the extra mass very well indeed.
Internally, there are a pair of 10” screens - one ahead of the driver and a second, touch, screen more central but angled towards the driver’s seat. All nicely responsive in use.
The driver’s seat in the Ultimate spec I’ve got is comfortable and supportive (Vauxhall/Opel/GM/PSA/Stellantis have a long relationship with a German back care organisation who certify the seats in their top grade of vehicles).
More to follow as the miles rack up.
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Tue 27 Jun 2023 17:09
Vauxhall Astra Electric - First Impressions - pd

I think my first question with the Astra is whether it is £13,000 better than a MG4 as that is the price difference for similar spec/battery size.

I really don't think Vauxhall is going to be selling many of these for list, particularly looking at the discounts available on the likes of the ID3 (yes, I know it is due a facelift).

Edited by pd on 27/06/2023 at 17:09

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Tue 27 Jun 2023 18:03
Vauxhall Astra Electric - First Impressions - mcb100
I’ve sat in but not driven the other two so I can’t offer much of a comparison.
The other car to compare Astra with is Renault Megane E-Tech.
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Wed 28 Jun 2023 08:48
Vauxhall Astra Electric - First Impressions - pd

Megane I'd agree is a close competitor.

I think both will struggle to command £40k+ prices. That's getting into Tesla territory. However good they are whilst they might get a few fleet sales I suspect retail appeal will struggle.

The Mégane is already being discounted by £5k more and nearly new examples are about £30k which I suspect is the region they need to be in.

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Wed 28 Jun 2023 19:03
Vauxhall Astra Electric - First Impressions - mcb100
Oldham - Whitstable today, probably 280 miles with detours off the M25 because of traffic.
Left with 95% battery, made three stops but only plugged the car in once (at Toddington) for 38 minutes and 29 seconds and arrived with 33% battery.
On the motorway I use the eco setting as it’s all the performance you need at an indicated 73mph on adaptive cruise.
No queueing to charge either before setting off or mid-journey, and two successful charges from functioning chargers.
Very comfortable driver’s seat, not a twinge after a seven hour journey.
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Wed 28 Jun 2023 19:12
Vauxhall Astra Electric - First Impressions - movilogo

It’s impossible to offer any impressions on drivetrain simply because it’s electric, and one motor is pretty much like another.

Hence I wonder how the premium brands will command premium prices.

Do all manufacturers make their own motors and batteries or source them from 3rd parties?

Nowadays nobody cars what phone you have - it is either iPhone or Android. So effectively Apple vs 50 other brands (which all behave in same manner due to OS).

Are EVs going in same way?

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Wed 28 Jun 2023 20:21
Vauxhall Astra Electric - First Impressions - sammy1

It’s impossible to offer any impressions on drivetrain simply because it’s electric, and one motor is pretty much like another.

Hence I wonder how the premium brands will command premium prices.

Do all manufacturers make their own motors and batteries or source them from 3rd parties?

Nowadays nobody cars what phone you have - it is either iPhone or Android. So effectively Apple vs 50 other brands (which all behave in same manner due to OS).

Are EVs going in same way?

From a drive train perspective I think they are all much the same I still fail to understand why EVs are so expensive compared to the equivalent ICE car. So much of the ICE car has gone leaving a battery and an electric motor which has been around for yonks in industry in one form or another. and yes I know the battery is expensive.

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Wed 28 Jun 2023 21:44
Vauxhall Astra Electric - First Impressions - alan1302

It’s impossible to offer any impressions on drivetrain simply because it’s electric, and one motor is pretty much like another.

Hence I wonder how the premium brands will command premium prices.

Do all manufacturers make their own motors and batteries or source them from 3rd parties?

Nowadays nobody cars what phone you have - it is either iPhone or Android. So effectively Apple vs 50 other brands (which all behave in same manner due to OS).

Are EVs going in same way?

From a drive train perspective I think they are all much the same I still fail to understand why EVs are so expensive compared to the equivalent ICE car. So much of the ICE car has gone leaving a battery and an electric motor which has been around for yonks in industry in one form or another. and yes I know the battery is expensive.

New car designs cost money, new production facilities cost money, as you mentioned batteries are expensive, new engineering for motors etc caos money, new interiors cost money, inflation as well.

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Wed 28 Jun 2023 22:05
Vauxhall Astra Electric - First Impressions - FiestaOwner

From a drive train perspective I think they are all much the same I still fail to understand why EVs are so expensive compared to the equivalent ICE car. So much of the ICE car has gone leaving a battery and an electric motor which has been around for yonks in industry in one form or another. and yes I know the battery is expensive.

The VW ID.2 is meant to be starting at £22,000 when it launches in 2025. Hopefully, this will force the competitors in this segment to slash their prices. I don't think £22,000 is cheap, but it's a lot better than the astronomical prices being quoted just now.

https://heycar.co.uk/blog/n2025-new-volkswagen-id-life-id-2-price-specs

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Wed 28 Jun 2023 21:12
Vauxhall Astra Electric - First Impressions - Adampr

It’s impossible to offer any impressions on drivetrain simply because it’s electric, and one motor is pretty much like another.

Hence I wonder how the premium brands will command premium prices.

Do all manufacturers make their own motors and batteries or source them from 3rd parties?

Nowadays nobody cars what phone you have - it is either iPhone or Android. So effectively Apple vs 50 other brands (which all behave in same manner due to OS).

Are EVs going in same way?

Premium brands will command premium prices they way they always have; nice interiors, lots of toys and big marketing budgets. Engines don't really differentiate them much when you have Mercedes using Renault engines, BMW using Peugeot engines (historically at least), Audi using VW engines, Lexus using Toyota engines etc. The only premium brand using their own engines is JLR, and they're absolute garbage.

Granted, some premium brands use their own engines in more expensive models, but more expensive EVs are differentiated by having more motors, bigger batteries etc.

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Thu 29 Jun 2023 11:42
Vauxhall Astra Electric - First Impressions - Ethan Edwards

The warmer weather is helping you there. I've been getting 4.9m per kw with my Mokka-e, smaller battery means 220m range it ought to have 201. Once you gain familiarity you'll get that closer to 5. During the winter mines been down to 3.8 Stellantis EVs seem to be more affected by cold weather than others.

Looks a nice car.

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Thu 29 Jun 2023 13:24
Vauxhall Astra Electric - First Impressions - mcb100
I’m not going to get the chance to gain familiarity, unfortunately, as it goes back on Wednesday.
Undoubtedly the warm weather is helping, but the main point of posting trip reports is to show that a 280 mile journey is possible with only a 38 minute mid-journey charge ( in hindsight I could have made it shorter, given that I arrived at the hotel with 33%).
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Thu 29 Jun 2023 13:48
Vauxhall Astra Electric - First Impressions - Ethan Edwards

Sure but it's a wise idea to arrive at your destination or a intermediate stop with at least 10% in hand in case its 'out of order' or there's a lot of people waiting etc.

I'm already convinced that an EV with 250m range is suitable for virtually all drivers vehicular requirements, as I myself easily manage with much less.

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Thu 29 Jun 2023 14:18
Vauxhall Astra Electric - First Impressions - mcb100
Absolutely agree on the 250 mile range. I had to stop three times (Corley, Toddington and, frustratingly, Medway (20 miles from my destination)), but the car only needed one stop.
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Thu 29 Jun 2023 18:10
Vauxhall Astra Electric - First Impressions - sammy1
Absolutely agree on the 250 mile range. I had to stop three times (Corley, Toddington and, frustratingly, Medway (20 miles from my destination)), but the car only needed one stop.

With respect just what are you accessing on these EVs. Are you coming at it from a consumer point of view as surely the manufacturer has done all the testing that matters and it is probably in their brochure or website exactly what the car is capable of? More independent info on steering handling suspension road noise etc would be more help than the range of the car. Another thing you may answer with your experience of EVs is tyres. Are the days of low profile tyres numbered weight? as most I see seem to sit high and fill the wheel arch

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Thu 29 Jun 2023 18:37
Vauxhall Astra Electric - First Impressions - mcb100
I’m not accessing anything on them, nor am I assessing them.
In the case of the Astra I’m visiting a handful of dealers to enable them to see the car and to allow customers a test drive ahead of its first delivery date in August.
As I’ve mentioned above, the steering and handling are as close to an ICE version as I’ve come across in an EV. It’s on 215/45-18 tyres. The ICE & Plug-in versions are on 225/40-18’s.
It’s all well controlled in the suspension department, with no float, and it’s nicely hustleable along the lanes even using the ‘B’ mode for regenerative braking.
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Thu 29 Jun 2023 18:41
Vauxhall Astra Electric - First Impressions - badbusdriver

With respect just what are you accessing on these EVs. Are you coming at it from a consumer point of view as surely the manufacturer has done all the testing that matters and it is probably in their brochure or website exactly what the car is capable of?

So I take it you believe the range figures and the MPG figures manufacturers state in brochures and on their websites then?. I don't, and history has shown time and time again that neither should anyone else.

So personally, If I was looking to get one I'd be only too happy to get some independent verification on just what sort of range can be expected in the real world.

Edited by badbusdriver on 29/06/2023 at 19:01

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Sun 2 Jul 2023 10:09
Vauxhall Astra Electric - First Impressions - barney100

I too am sceptical on the claimed ranges, Audi for one recommend...according to one owner on here...that the battery be charged to 80% to save degradation of range. Motorway driving lowers range and the passing of time lowers range.

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Sun 2 Jul 2023 10:31
Vauxhall Astra Electric - First Impressions - mcb100
80% if you’re using a DC rapid charger. Not so much a battery preservation issue as the battery slows down the rate of charge past 80%, more a case of it being quicker on a long journey to make a second, short stop than wait for the car to get from 80-100%.
If it’s on an AC point, routinely charge to 90% but if you’ve a long trip the following day it won’t come to any harm going to 100%.
Expect a 1-2% per annum range loss.
No, EV’s tend not to hit range figures. It’s the same WLTP process as ICE, and they don’t tend to, either.
The range works the other way round re motorway vs urban - around town they get lots of opportunities to regenerate, whilst on a motorway they’re under power most of the time. An ICE will inevitably be more fuel efficient at cruise than bimbling around town.

Edited by mcb100 on 02/07/2023 at 10:34

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