11:47am Friday 23rd October 2009
By Steve Nelson
It may well be that Vauxhall will have the best-selling car in its market sector next year.
For at the end of what has been a “annus horriblus” for the motor manufacturing giant, it has launched a car that can finally make a claim to being the best in its class.
The new Astra is not only a great achievement in its design, but it also has the ride qualities, ambience and driving feel that have never quite matched the best in the past.
And among the new offerings is a standard-bearer,1.4-litre turbo-charged petrol engine that is certain to find favour with those looking for a rewarding steer and decent economy. But more of that later.
Let’s start by saying that the importance of this car to Vauxhall cannot be over-estimated. Initially, at least, all new Astras will be built at the company’s huge Ellesmere Port plant in Cheshire, where more than 2,000 people are employed. They, more than anyone, know that a lot is riding on the success of this fifth generation of the Astra, which is Britain’s best-selling UK-built car.
First impressions of the car are that it is one from a class above, roomy, bigger and brimming with style and quality. Coupé-like in profile, with raked A-pillars and a muscular rear, it has the DNA of the company’s Insignia model flowing from bonnet to bumper.
Having met briefly with some of the Vauxhall staff at Ellemere Port and heard of the 46-year history of making cars there and the generations of families that have toiled on the production line, it was with trepidation that I stepped inside one of the new Astras.
I so much wanted it to feel right, but there was no need to worry. The stylish design on the outside is more than matched by the cabin, where a wraparound instrument panel embraces both driver and front-seat passenger and the comfortable seats have industry-leading levels of adjustment.
Little touches combine to make a great deal of difference. For example, there is a raft of storage solutions to house 20 common items, from an iPod to a drinks bottle, and ambient orange lighting frames the gearbox surround.
The new Astra is available with a range of eight engines, ranging from 87bhp to 180bhp, offering an overall cut in emissions of 13.3 per cent compared with the current Astra range.
Diesel engines are expected to represent almost half of all Astra sales, and range from a 1.7-litre producing 110bhp to a 2.0-litre generating 160bhp, but will never emit more than 129g/km when fitted with a manual transmission.
Crucially, there will be an important ecoFLEX model, equipped with a 95PS 1.3 CDTi available next spring. Fitted with this engine, the ecoFLEX will achieve 109g/km.
There are five petrol engines available, ranging from an 87bhp 1.4-litre to a 180bhp 1.6-litre turbo.
Included in this line up will be the new 1.4-litre turbocharged engine, producing 140bhp, replacing the 1.8-litre motor used in the current range. This new powertrain perfectly illustrates Vauxhall’s engine downsizing philosophy, which provides drivers with all the performance of a larger capacity engine, but with far fewer emissions.
And it this engine that is set to be the star. A strong performer with more guts than the 1.6-litre petrol offerings, it still manages a combined fuel economy figure of 47.9mpg and CO2 emissions of 139 g/km.
But whichever engine you opt for, you will appreciate a piece of technology called the Watt’s linkage, which prevents relative sideways motion between the axle and body of the car. With no compromise to roadholding, it allows the car to take bends more smoothly and faster, yet retain the ride quality of something much more expensive.
If I was disappointed at all by the Astra, it was the amount of road noise to be heard at some speeds, but that remains my solitary criticism.
The Astra range comprises five trim levels – S, Exclusiv, SRi, SE and Elite. The S entry level features black cloth trim, a CD player/stereo radio with MP3 format and aux-in socket, electrically adjustable/heated door mirrors and remote control central locking. Also included are 16-ins steel wheels, a driver’s seat height adjuster, 60/40 split rear seat and reach/rake adjustable steering wheel.
Exclusiv features a chrome-bezelled steering wheel and ambient lighting in the centre console and roof. Cruise control is standard, and the steering wheel incorporates audio controls. There are supplementary storage areas in the front seat-backs and a covered storage container in the centre console.
SRi models ride on 17-ins, five-spoke alloy wheels, and all apart from the 1.4-litre come with lowered and uprated sports suspension as standard. SRis interiors are trimmed in black cloth and feature an electric park brake, sports front seats, a multi-function computer and front seat armrest. In addition, the SRi has illuminated vanity mirrors, a three-spoke leather steering wheel and ambient lighting in the front doors. Outside, the SRi is identified by dark-style headlights, front fog lights and a chrome-effect side window surround. A Flex-Floor luggage compartment and front door sill covers complete the package.
Externally, SE and Elite models are identifiable by 17-inch ten-spoke alloy wheels. Inside, the SE cabin is trimmed with higher-quality fabrics and equipped with rain sensitive windscreen wipers, automatic lighting control with tunnel detection, an electro-chromatic anti-dazzle rear-view mirror and electric rear windows.
The range-topping Elite’s cabin is trimmed in perforated leather as standard and, in addition to the equipment found in the SE, comes with front seats which are heated and feature extendable cushions and electric adjustment. Dual-zone electronic climate control, electrically foldable door mirrors and a fold-down rear-seat centre armrest are also standard.
The Astra has slugged it out with the Ford Focus for more years than I care to remember, and it has always lost out in the sales war. But now it is the complete package and may just prove too strong an opponent to keep down.
Transmission: Six-speed manual.
Economy: 47.9mpg combined.
Performance: 0-60mph in 9.0 seconds.
CO2 emisions: 139 g/km.
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