V70 vs Astra for towing

Echo3 · Aug 10th, 2009, 01:58

Title sounds daft doesn't it. How can an Astra make a better tow car than a V70?

I have access to a Caravan, have never towed before and I'm not sure which car to use.

I have an old 1997 V70 2.5 20v SE petrol, the official kerb weight according to Parkers is 1,415Kg. I also have a 2005 Astra 1.7 cdti diesel that I use for work, and according to Parkers the kerb weight is 1,347 Kg, only 68Kg less? The legal limit of the Astra is 1,400 Kg compared to 1,600 Kg for the Volvo. But the van only weighs a bit over 1,200 Kg, as I will not have it fully loaded.

Added to that the Astra has 177 lb/ft of torque to the Volvo's 166 lb/ft (when it was new!). Added to that the Astra gets me over 50mpg when not towing compared to 30mpg for the Volvo.

I'm having a hard time believing that the difference in weight is only 68Kg, but maybe someone here can put me straight? The only thing I can think of is that Vauxhall have included the fuel/driver etc as per Euro legislation, and the Volvo figure may exclude that? If that is the case then the *euro* kerb weight would be 1,535 Kg - 188 Kg more than the Astra might make a significant difference.

Am I crazy considering towing a caravan with an Astra instead of using my V70? Any advice out there or anyone know if the Volvo number includes the driver and fuel?

What about other differences, like wheelbase and strength?

I know the one BIG difference is that my Volvo has a Soul, and my Astra is just a machine.

Cheers,

gillberry · Aug 10th, 2009, 10:45

My other half has an 03 astra estate (2.0cdti) and that pulls our caravan superbly with av econ at around 30mpg depending on journey conditions . The only reason I don't like towing with it is I'm a big fella and the astra is too small for me .

bircham · Aug 12th, 2009, 07:09

Hi,

The diesel Astra has a much heavier engine, as all diesel engines are heavier than their petrol equivalents. diesel engines also have a far better torque curve than a petrol especially turbo diesels like the Astra. A better comparioson would be a 2005 V70 against the Astra - I am sure that the differnece would be quite pronounced - the V70 would be far ahead of the Astra. Cars have got significantly heavier over the past decade, mainly due to safety regulations and the improvement in equipment levls.

Jon

Aug 10th, 2009, 01:58	#1
Echo3 Volvo convert Last Online: Oct 7th, 2009 21:15 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: dullville	V70 vs Astra for towing Title sounds daft doesn't it. How can an Astra make a better tow car than a V70? I have access to a Caravan, have never towed before and I'm not sure which car to use. I have an old 1997 V70 2.5 20v SE petrol, the official kerb weight according to Parkers is 1,415Kg. I also have a 2005 Astra 1.7 cdti diesel that I use for work, and according to Parkers the kerb weight is 1,347 Kg, only 68Kg less? The legal limit of the Astra is 1,400 Kg compared to 1,600 Kg for the Volvo. But the van only weighs a bit over 1,200 Kg, as I will not have it fully loaded. Added to that the Astra has 177 lb/ft of torque to the Volvo's 166 lb/ft (when it was new!). Added to that the Astra gets me over 50mpg when not towing compared to 30mpg for the Volvo. I'm having a hard time believing that the difference in weight is only 68Kg, but maybe someone here can put me straight? The only thing I can think of is that Vauxhall have included the fuel/driver etc as per Euro legislation, and the Volvo figure may exclude that? If that is the case then the euro kerb weight would be 1,535 Kg - 188 Kg more than the Astra might make a significant difference. Am I crazy considering towing a caravan with an Astra instead of using my V70? Any advice out there or anyone know if the Volvo number includes the driver and fuel? What about other differences, like wheelbase and strength? I know the one BIG difference is that my Volvo has a Soul, and my Astra is just a machine. Cheers, __________________ 1997 V70 2.5 20v SE in Black

Aug 10th, 2009, 10:45	#2
gillberry VOC Member Last Online: Apr 20th, 2024 07:03 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: norwich View Photos By: gillberry	My other half has an 03 astra estate (2.0cdti) and that pulls our caravan superbly with av econ at around 30mpg depending on journey conditions . The only reason I don't like towing with it is I'm a big fella and the astra is too small for me . __________________ 1968 Amazon estate (Gracie). 2003 Vauxhall astra estate (her car) 2009 XC90 (Jo) . Not forgetting 1967 Cheltenham Nyala (caravan)

Aug 12th, 2009, 07:09	#3
bircham Member Last Online: Sep 26th, 2014 03:40 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: forfar	Hi, The diesel Astra has a much heavier engine, as all diesel engines are heavier than their petrol equivalents. diesel engines also have a far better torque curve than a petrol especially turbo diesels like the Astra. A better comparioson would be a 2005 V70 against the Astra - I am sure that the differnece would be quite pronounced - the V70 would be far ahead of the Astra. Cars have got significantly heavier over the past decade, mainly due to safety regulations and the improvement in equipment levls. Jon __________________ 2007 Volvo XC90 D5 SE manual, Electric silver, Calcite leather, privacy glass & 2006 Volvo V50 2.0dSE, silver, quartz leather.

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