Road Test/Opel Speedster: It's no soft-option boulevard cruiser. Nor is it for those seeking out luxurious leather and walnut trim. It's a thoroughbred roadster that just demands to be driven, writes Michael McAleer
With great expectations we approached the Opel Speedster, standing all of 43 inches off the ground (that's to the roofline, not the chassis). At Dublin's Eastlink Bridge it was out of decency and social responsibility that we decided to pay the toll, for at this height the barrier offers no restriction. The indifferent attendant probably would not even have noticed - if it weren't for the fact the test car was day-glo orange.
It happened we collected the car on Friday at the Dublin Horse Show, and found ourselves weaving through the horseboxes in Donnybrook. While the colour may have dazzled many of the equine competitors, when you are dependent on distracted lorry drivers to notice your existence and not take you for yet another speed ramp, you're thankful of any assistance.
But there's more to attracting attention than simply for safety. Introverts beware: regardless of hue, this car attracts onlookers, car fanatics and fingerprints like the Brown Thomas window at Christmas. If you do decide to spoil yourself and purchase a Speedster, we suggest two accessories: a dust cloth and some photocopies of the car's factfile.
The dust cloth should be kept at hand to wipe off the paw prints that cover the car every time you park it in the open; the factfile to hand out to the incessant questioners who want to know everything from engine size to the type of air you use in the tyres.
The more astute observers quickly spot, or have heard of, the comparisons with the Lotus Elise. The Speedster is a hybrid from the Colin Chapman stable and built at the Lotus plant in Norwich, although only 10 per cent of parts are common to both the Speedster and Elise.
It manages to get the best of both worlds: the racing frame of Lotus and the reliability of Opel. The Speedster is the result of attempts by Opel to move its image away from simply the badge of choice for comfortable family cars - for which it has built up a sizeable market share - and into more fun and sporty segments. While it may not result in thousands of extra sales, it certainly makes you think twice about associating Opel with company car drivers.
As for those who may scoff when they see the Opel badge, with a 0-60 mph of 5.9 seconds, it soon forces them to rethink their preconceptions.
At its heart beats the 2.2-litre Opel Astra coupé engine with a top speed of 134 mph - irrelevant in a car really designed for country roads, or the racetrack. Yet these figures belie a car with the flexible responses that makes it enjoyable for drivers more used to a modern family saloon.
The car exhibits exemplary road holding and superb handling characteristics that are matched by few, if any, cars at the price. The ride is firm to the point of jolting at slow speeds on poorly surfaced roads. The suspension is so firm that heavy braking produces almost no dive and offer a secure bite once called upon.
We truly enjoyed the near race car experience of the small 'Momo' steering wheel with no power assist, a short-throw gear change, the linkage for which can be heard making its every move, and a physical relationship with the road. The well-spaced ratios of the gearbox were perfect for shooting along country roads as well as steady cruising.
A quick tap on the exterior body and you soon realise that you are really riding on an engine with the luxury of a composite shell to protect you from the elements.
Coming in at just 875 kg, it means the vast bulk of output from the engine works to propel you into the quickly approaching horizon.
You just can't avoid pushing this car on. The brainwave about increasing your speed has barely left your brain and reached your left foot than you're already doing 70 mph on the motorway, arriving at the legal limit in less than seven seconds. It's a full-time job trying to keep your speed in check.
It takes a strong resolve not to fall to the temptation of pushing it to the limit. Such is the confidence-building nature of the low, wide, road-hugging platform that drivers might be excused for getting carried away by the sheer exuberance of it all.
As with many roadsters, the greatest reward comes not from hurtling along motorways but in exploring the handling and road-holding capabilities that characterise the car. The Speedster takes corners with incredible pace and poise, and the steering response is excellent.
You are sitting within a chassis that is first cousin to a track car, and the 175/55 Bridgestone Potenza tyres on the 17-inch alloys seem to be attached to the road with glue. This is assisted by the squat position on the road, and a width of 1.7 metres, and length of nearly 3.8 metres.
Yet even around town, the car pulls well enough in intermediate gears to avoid the necessity of continual gear changing to handle the slower pace. It also rides with surprising comfort which means that long distances can be covered in comfort.
With all that in mind, the fuel consumption at a combined figure of 27.8 mpg seems quite reasonable for such a high-performance car. Visibility is limited, with the small exterior mirrors demanding more than occasional over-the-shoulder glances in the sill-window to keep track of surrounding traffic.
Alas, we face the endless dichotomy of sports cars: more fun than a roller-coaster ride at Euro Disney, but just as much comfort.
Entry is mighty tight. Those over six foot tall will need the suppleness of a Romanian gymnast to get in and out without emitting a fateful sigh or groan.
There is a trick to it, however. Once the roof is folded back or even taken off - which is surprisingly easy - you can hop in behind the wheel with relative ease.
The only worry arises for couch potatoes who, if they do manage to get in, may require cutting equipment from the fire brigade to get out. Unfortunately for Opel, it is often these couch potatoes who have the financial wherewithal to opt for just such a fun second car for the driveway. The other warning is to those who wear dresses or sarongs. It's virtually impossible to enter or exit this car with dignity intact.
Another indicator that this car was designed with only lithe good-looking athletes in mind, is the lack of sun visors. Designers must believe that owners never leave their front door without a pair of sunglasses perched on their head.
Inside the aluminium cockpit, specification is functional and there are no frills. There is no glovebox and limited storage.
Also the passenger seat cannot be adjusted, so make sure the aluminium cross-member beneath the bulkhead is moved into position for them before demonstrating the excellent stopping power of the vented discs, with their AP racing and Brembo callipers.
There's also a single cup holder between the slimmed-down, racing-style seats. Plastic knobs similar to an old 1950s radio control the heater. The only concession to ergonomic modernity is an LCD fuel gauge. Yet the cabin is more spacious than it first appears, and the seats comfortable enough to deal with long journeys.
The boot is about the size of the average fish tank (206 litres) and, located next to the engine block in the rear, is large enough to carry a couple of briefcases and laptop bags, or soft weekend bags. But who needs to bring more than a change of underwear when you drive a Speedster? The car will get all the attention in any event, so no one will care about your attire.
Wind noise is relatively low, and even with the top off there is very little buffeting, keeping every hair in place.
THE STEREO system comprises two speakers located behind the seat at the door-side rear. In the car we drove it included a CD player but the task of changing stations, never mind the CD, is strictly for the passenger, as the stereo is located a good arm's length from the driver.
The fact is that this is a mid-engined, soft-top roadster. Consequently, don't expect high levels of creature comfort.
The stereo is in many ways immaterial, as it's for the sweet sound of the engine that you buy this car. It dominates your aural senses from the minute you push the starter button until you switch it off, and hear the minor twitches and tweaks as it cools down.
Turn the key, push the aluminium starter button clearly located at the centre of the dash, and listen to the engine explode into action behind your left ear.
Colour is immaterial, so is the entry and exit issues and even the specification. This car was made for driving and drivers.
FACTFILE Opel Speedster
ENGINE/TRANSMISSION: a four-cylinder 16-valve 2.2 litre ECOTEC aluminium engine unit mid-mounted, and developing 147 bhp at 4,000 rpm. Sits on an aluminium chassis developed by Lotus motor sport.
PERFORMANCE: a top speed of 135 mph with a 0-60 mph of 5.9 seconds.
SPECIFICATION: utilitarian approach. Front and rear fog lamps, bucket racing seats, three-spoke Momo leather steering wheel with driver airbag, car alarm.
FUEL CONSUMPTION: official figures, urban 34.4 mpg, extra urban 44.8 mpg and combined 27.8 mpg.
PRICE: €43,630 ex-works
THE COMPETITION:
Honda S2000 ......................................€53,965
Mercedes 230 SLK.............................. €55,915
BMW Z3 2.2........................................ €41,800
Audi TT-Roadster Quattro 1.8................. €51,690