Vauxhall AntaraIt’s been around since 2007 as a straight 4x4, though not too much has been made of it so you might not have noticed. The new model was launched up in Scotland, a destination made especially suitable by the fact that Vauxhall outsells Ford north of the border. It differs from the last Antara in most respects, notably an enhanced chassis for better road manners, new power line-up, and a fresh exterior look.The new engines, as before, are a big talking point, because neither of them is powered by petrol. That might seem short-sighted and a sure way of dumping half your sales, but in fact the company is confident that sales of a petrol-fuelled model would be minuscule, and they should know because the last Antara used to have one.Both diesels are 2.2-litres, and I drove the more powerful of them which comes with 4WD as standard – a fully automatic system which distributes power to front wheels alone until it detects slippage, when it will redistribute the power fore and aft as conditions dictate, from 100% down to 50% front-wheel drive, with the remainder going to the rear. The advantage of a set-up like this is that you should benefit from good fuel consumption most of the time as the 4WD machinery isn’t being used; but of course even if you never have need of it you’ve still got to carry its weight around with you. The lower powered engine is available with front-drive only – a saving in both fuel and purchase price.Like the best of today’s diesels this one is a remarkably refined unit, and you’re hard pressed to tell that it’s an oil burner, other than from the large amounts of torque readily available under your right boot. Gearbox is 6-speed manual as standard with both engines, but auto is available as an option, again a 6-speeder and again with either engine.The combination of firm seats (ours were leather which emphasises that aspect) and even firmer ride does result in some bounciness on rough surfaces, but if you can live with that you’ll certainly enjoy the excellent handling and lack of body roll. It’s a good car to drive, though the steering does feel a touch vague – a not uncommon trait with SUVs. One inherent benefit of the SUV format is of course the high seating position, giving an unrivalled view to front and sides.The upgraded Antara interior features a standard electric parking brake operated by push button. When these devices first appeared a few years ago I have to admit I wasn’t sold on the idea. Time passes, the electrics get cleverer, and it does now seem to me an effective and labour-saving gadget. As well as making the car easier to use, especially during town driving, the system also liberates more space, which has allowed designers to integrate a larger stowage area for everyday items. More slots for your knick-knacks are offered in the pull-out compartment under the front passenger seat, a holder for sunglasses in the roof lining, nets on the front seat backs and a parking ticket holder in the dashboard.Vauxhall engineers have tried to minimise NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) in the cabin with a raft of measures too numerous to mention, and the results are impressive. As already stated, the engines are quiet and refined, and even at motorway speeds you’ll be able to chat to your passengers at drawing room voice levels.The Antara luggage compartment holds up to 402 litres of cargo with its rear seats up; this grows to 795 litres when the back seat is folded down and up to 1,391 litres when loaded to the roof. The rear backrest (split 60:40) and the front passenger backrest can be folded down to accommodate objects up to 2.63 metres in length. Three specs are offered, but on all models standard equipment includes front, side and curtain airbags, ESP with traction control, hill start assist and descent control system, air con, electric windows/mirrors, and loadspace cover. The radio/CD is an MP3 player with AUX-in and steering wheel controls.Vauxhall reckon the new Antara “combines the rugged looks of an off-roader with a hint of urban chic”, and one of the means employed to instil that latter quality is the option of an interior not confined to the ubiquitous dark grey/black; whatever you think about that, there’s no doubt that it can definitely lift the car out of the ordinary. If you’re in the market for an SUV that really does drive well and doesn’t look like a budget buy, the Antara is definitely worth a try.Size: 4.60m x 1.85mEngines: Diesel: 2.2 litres – 163 & 184PSGearbox: 6-speed FWD/4WDBest Consumption: Diesel FWD – 44.8mpgPrice at Mar ’11: from £19,995Full details of the Antara are available on the manufacturer’s website: www.vauxhall.co.ukPeter Cracknell – March 2011
Vauxhall Antara
It’s been around since 2007 as a straight 4x4, though
not too much has been made of it so you might not
have noticed. The new model was launched up in
Scotland, a destination made especially suitable by
the fact that Vauxhall outsells Ford north of the border.
It differs from the last Antara in most respects, notably
an enhanced chassis for better road manners, new
power line-up, and a fresh exterior look.
The new engines, as before, are a big talking point,
because neither of them is powered by petrol. That
might seem short-sighted and a sure way of dumping
half your sales, but in fact the company is confident
that sales of a petrol-fuelled model would be
minuscule, and they
should know because
the last Antara used to
have one.
Both diesels are 2.2-
litres, and I drove the
more powerful of them
which comes with
4WD as standard – a
fully automatic system
which distributes
power to front wheels
alone until it detects
slippage, when it will
redistribute the power
fore and aft as
conditions dictate,
from 100% down to
50% front-wheel drive,
with the remainder
going to the rear. The advantage of a set-up like this is
that you should benefit from good fuel consumption
most of the time as the 4WD machinery isn’t being
used; but of course even if you never have need of it
you’ve still got to carry its weight around with you. The
lower powered engine is available with front-drive only
– a saving in both fuel and purchase price.
Like the best of today’s diesels this one is a
remarkably refined unit, and you’re hard pressed to
tell that it’s an oil burner, other than from the large
amounts of torque readily available under your right
boot. Gearbox is 6-speed manual as standard with
both engines, but auto is available as an option, again
a 6-speeder and again with either engine.
The combination of firm seats (ours were leather
which emphasises that aspect) and even firmer ride
does result in some bounciness on rough surfaces,
but if you can live with that you’ll certainly enjoy the
excellent handling and lack of body roll. It’s a good car
to drive, though the steering does feel a touch vague
– a not uncommon trait with SUVs. One inherent
benefit of the SUV format is of course the high seating
position, giving an unrivalled view to front and sides.
The upgraded Antara interior features a standard
electric parking brake operated by push button. When
these devices first appeared a few years ago I have to
admit I wasn’t sold on the idea. Time passes, the
electrics get cleverer, and it does now seem to me an
effective and labour-saving gadget. As well as making
the car easier to use, especially during town driving, the
system also liberates more space, which has allowed
designers to integrate a larger stowage area for
everyday items. More slots for your knick-knacks are
offered in the pull-out compartment under the front
passenger seat, a holder for sunglasses in the roof
lining, nets on the front seat backs and a parking ticket
holder in the dashboard.
Vauxhall engineers have tried to minimise NVH (noise,
vibration, harshness) in the cabin with a raft of measures
too numerous to mention, and the results are impressive.
As already stated, the engines are quiet and refined, and
even at motorway speeds you’ll be able to chat to your
passengers at drawing room voice levels.
The Antara luggage
compartment holds up to
402 litres of cargo with its
rear seats up; this grows to
795 litres when the back
seat is folded down and up
to 1,391 litres when loaded
to the roof. The rear backrest
(split 60:40) and the front
passenger backrest can be
folded down to
accommodate objects up to
2.63 metres in length.
Three specs are offered, but
on all models standard
equipment includes front,
side and curtain airbags,
ESP with traction control, hill
start assist and descent
control system, air con, electric windows/mirrors, and
loadspace cover. The radio/CD is an MP3 player with
AUX-in and steering wheel controls.
Vauxhall reckon the new Antara “combines the rugged
looks of an off-roader with a hint of urban chic”, and one
of the means employed to instil that latter quality is the
option of an interior not confined to the ubiquitous dark
grey/black; whatever you think about that, there’s no
doubt that it can definitely lift the car out of the ordinary.
If you’re in the market for an SUV that really does drive
well and doesn’t look like a budget buy, the Antara is
definitely worth a try.
Size:
4.60m x 1.85m
Engines:
Diesel: 2.2 litres – 163 & 184PS
Gearbox:
6-speed FWD/4WD
Best Consumption:
Diesel FWD – 44.8mpg
Price at Mar ’11:
from £19,995
Full details of the Antara are available on the manufacturer’s
website: www.vauxhall.co.uk
Peter Cracknell – March 2011
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