Launched at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, the all-new Vauxhall Astra is poised to raise the bar for compact cars sold in the UK, with a combination of stylish design, class-leading dynamics, ultra-efficient powertrains and upscale quality.
On sale now, and in UK showrooms from December 2009, the new Astra will uphold Vauxhall's tradition of offering buyers levels of innovation and technology normally found in a class above, but at a price point embedded in the value sector. New Vauxhall Astra prices start at £15,675 for the comprehensively equipped 1.4-litre, 87PS Exclusiv model and extend to £23,695 for the luxurious 2.0CDTi 160PS Elite automatic.
With a range of eight engines and five trim levels, the new Vauxhall Astra will initially be available as a five-door hatchback only, built at the Ellesmere Port plant in Cheshire, home to all Vauxhall's compact-class cars since it opened 46 years ago.
Ellesmere Port will be responsible from launch for manufacturing all Astras sold across Europe, but UK buyers will take the lion's share, amounting to 25 per cent of total production. Small wonder, then, that even in its outgoing form, the Vauxhall Astra is Britain's best-selling UK-built car and one that is almost always seen in the top three sales listings.
What's more, the Lower Medium Sector, in which the Vauxhall Astra sits, is hugely significant in the UK, accounting for 17.5 per cent of all retail car sales. With style-conscious buyers choosing Vauxhall more and more, the Astra has a large part to play in this success, along with its continued appeal to buyers in the fleet market.
"As with the Insignia, the Vauxhall Astra is an all-new car, continuing the transformation of the Vauxhall product range which started five years ago with the launch of the Mk 5 model," said Andy Gilson, Vauxhall's Marketing Director. "Also like the Insignia, the Astra aims to attract a new group of buyers, those who may never have considered a Vauxhall before, but now see cars like the new Astra as offering all the style and quality of a premium product, such as an Audi A3, but at a far more affordable price point. "
Upmarket design, quality materials and clever packaging define new Vauxhall Astra's cabin
Echoing the flowing forms of its bodywork, the new Vauxhall Astra's interior marks a major shift towards premium design and quality in the compact sector. It employs the recurring wing and blade motifs that were first introduced in the Insignia and are now used in a fresh and innovative way.
Ambient lighting enhances the feeling of quality in the cabin, with lighting points framing the gearshift surround, the area above the centre console and within the door handle recesses, depending on trim level.
Unparalleled in this sector is the Astra's raft of clever cabin storage solutions, some of which have even been patented. Rather than focusing on the compartment size alone, the Astra's cabin is full of bespoke storage areas designed specifically for the 20 most common items buyers have been found to carry in their car, from an MP3 player to a 1.5-litre drinks bottle.
Efficient, yet powerful, Vauxhall Astra's engines are low on CO2 but high on power
The new Vauxhall Astra will be available with a range of eight engines, ranging from 87PS to 180PS, all of which offer impressive efficiency and an overall cut in emissions of 13.3 per cent compared with the previous Astra range.
Diesel engines are expected to represent almost half of all Vauxhall Astra sales, and will range from a 1.7-litre producing 110PS to a 2.0-litre generating 160PS, 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 in Spring 2010. Fitted with this engine, the ecoFLEX will achieve 109g/km, while retaining driveability and refinement.
There will also be five petrol engines available, ranging from an 87PS 1.4-litre to a 180PS 1.6-litre Turbo. Included in this line up will be a new 1.4-litre turbocharged engine, producing 140PS, replacing the 1.8-litre motor used in the previous 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.
Innovative Watt's link rear axle equals fine dynamics and superior packaging
The new Astra's front and rear tracks have been increased by 56mm and 70mm respectively, while its wheelbase has been increased by 71mm, the cumulative effect being improved handling and ride quality, as well as more space and comfort for occupants.
Continuing Vauxhall's trend for innovation, its engineers have combined the size, weight and efficiency benefits of a compound crank rear axle with a cleverly positioned Watt's link, which helps support lateral forces during cornering.
Complementing this system is a new version of Vauxhall's FlexRide adaptive damping system, which adjusts the suspension character automatically depending on the driver's needs, while also offering three programmable damper settings.
Finally, a core body structure, stiffer than that of the outgoing car, enhances the new Vauxhall Astra's ride and handling still further, while also reducing noise and vibration inside the cabin.
Illustrating Vauxhall's commitment to developing its cars specifically for British roads and drivers, the new Astra has bespoke UK steering settings developed in conjunction with the Vauxhall Engineering Centre, based at GM's Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire.