Opel has brought the latest adaptive cruise control (ACC) technology to the compact segment by introducing it on the Astra hatch and Sports Tourer estate.
Currently available as an option to the 150 PS (148 HP) 1.4-liter EcoTec, 200 PS (197 HP) 1.6-liter EcoTec, and 136 PS (134 HP) CDTI, mated solely with the six-speed automatic transmission, the system uses the radar and front camera to maintain a certain distance to the vehicle ahead.
Operating at speeds between 30 and 180 km/h (19-112 mph), the ACC can automatically adjust the speed to follow the car in front, according to the selected distance – near, mid or far. Additionally, it can automatically decelerate when approaching a slower moving vehicle, braking the car to a full stop if needed, and it can also accelerate on its own if the vehicle in front does the same.
The Adaptive Cruise Control behaves like conventional cruise control if there is no car in the driving lane ahead, and Opel says that it also functions in traffic jams, by either resuming following the vehicle ahead, within three seconds, with a function available on the 1.6 CDTI and 1.6 EcoTec, or if the driver presses the switch or accelerator pedal. It also gives a visual and audible reminder to the driver to relaunch the car.
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