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[STEMO]

We're up in N Yorkshire for a week away. I decided to take the wife's grandland because we can fit everything, including doggie, in one car. Coming back from Pickering towards Kirkbymoorside on the A170, 60mph limit, some old bastard pulled out about 200 yds in front of me in a Chinese MG and decided 40mph was plenty. There was plenty of room (thank 'A bit of how's yer father') so put my foot down and pulled out. Auto box dropped from 7th to 6th and off we went. Nothing, eff all. I was waiting for the kick I get from my 1.6 astra but it never came. We got past quite easily but I'm glad I did that on a clear road with nothing coming in the opposite direction. I might have come cropper with less time to overtake.
1.5 diesel in a big car......no.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

We're up in N Yorkshire for a week away. I decided to take the wife's grandland because we can fit everything, including doggie, in one car. Coming back from Pickering towards Kirkbymoorside on the A170, 60mph limit, some old bastard pulled out about 200 yds in front of me in a Chinese MG and decided 40mph was plenty. There was plenty of room (thank 'A bit of how's yer father') so put my foot down and pulled out. Auto box dropped from 7th to 6th and off we went. Nothing, eff all. I was waiting for the kick I get from my 1.6 astra but it never came. We got past quite easily but I'm glad I did that on a clear road with nothing coming in the opposite direction. I might have come cropper with less time to overtake.
1.5 diesel in a big car......no.

At 40 MPH it should kickdown to 2nd or 3rd.

Does it have a sport mode for more response?

[STEMO]

We're up in N Yorkshire for a week away. I decided to take the wife's grandland because we can fit everything, including doggie, in one car. Coming back from Pickering towards Kirkbymoorside on the A170, 60mph limit, some old bastard pulled out about 200 yds in front of me in a Chinese MG and decided 40mph was plenty. There was plenty of room (thank 'A bit of how's yer father') so put my foot down and pulled out. Auto box dropped from 7th to 6th and off we went. Nothing, eff all. I was waiting for the kick I get from my 1.6 astra but it never came. We got past quite easily but I'm glad I did that on a clear road with nothing coming in the opposite direction. I might have come cropper with less time to overtake.
1.5 diesel in a big car......no.

At 40 MPH it should kickdown to 2nd or 3rd.

Does it have a sport mode for more response?

I probably didn't kick down hard enough, not used to the car, but it's still very slow.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

We're up in N Yorkshire for a week away. I decided to take the wife's grandland because we can fit everything, including doggie, in one car. Coming back from Pickering towards Kirkbymoorside on the A170, 60mph limit, some old bastard pulled out about 200 yds in front of me in a Chinese MG and decided 40mph was plenty. There was plenty of room (thank 'A bit of how's yer father') so put my foot down and pulled out. Auto box dropped from 7th to 6th and off we went. Nothing, eff all. I was waiting for the kick I get from my 1.6 astra but it never came. We got past quite easily but I'm glad I did that on a clear road with nothing coming in the opposite direction. I might have come cropper with less time to overtake.
1.5 diesel in a big car......no.

At 40 MPH it should kickdown to 2nd or 3rd.

Does it have a sport mode for more response?

Even if, like my Signum, there is no sport button, it should kickdown far more gears at that speed.

7th to 6th does not seem right.....so little wonder it struggled.

[STEMO]

It's a heavy car, with 128bhp, what can I say ?


Correction, 118bhp.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

It's a heavy car, with 128bhp, what can I say ?

Time for a change.

A paltry 118BHP in something that weighs the same as an old steam  train is never going to rip your face off. Did you not notice this lack of urge when you had the test drive? 

[STEMO]

It's a heavy car, with 128bhp, what can I say ?

Time for a change.

Not my car. She only does town driving, so it will do.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Back in the day 118BHP was a respectable amount of power for a 'sporting saloon car'

When cars were not fat bastards and  car owners were not fat bastards.

[STEMO]

Back in the day 118BHP was a respectable amount of power for a 'sporting saloon car'

When cars were not fat bastards and  car owners were not fat bastards.

My astra (K) is very light compared to the J. It manages to pick up its skirts quite nicely on only 136bhp.

[TheBoy]

And I grumble about the pathetic 163bhp (allegedly) in hers

[ronnyd]

Why the hell do manufacturers put puny engines into bigger and bigger cars? Ford stick a 1 litre engine in a Mundano for gods sake. 

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Why the hell do manufacturers put puny engines into bigger and bigger cars? Ford stick a 1 litre engine in a Mundano for gods sake. 

1 litre is not even a decent bike engine. My FJ1200 had an extra 200cc.

[STEMO]

Why the hell do manufacturers put puny engines into bigger and bigger cars? Ford stick a 1 litre engine in a Mundano for gods sake. 

50mpg in the grandland, if driven sensibly 

A lot of these modern diesels seem to have a 1.5L engine, don't know if it's the same derivative.

[STEMO]

TBH, at my age and with my driving style these days, I would have one. Very roomy and, although the engine isn't very pokey, it's quiet and smooth. Unfortunately, the tech that comes with them is a bit 'nannying'.

[Andy B]

Why the hell do manufacturers put puny engines into bigger and bigger cars? Ford stick a 1 litre engine in a Mundano for gods sake. 

Isn't that the Ecoboom?