Search: more on the Vauxhall Astra
New platform, contemporary looks, the new Astra is shaping up to be Vauxhall's best yet. But is it enough to topple the Ford Focus as class-leader? We headed to Ellesmere Port to find out...
The new Astra is Vauxhall's most important car of 2009. The compact family car is bigger, more spacious, more refined and Vauxhall claims it has the quality to rival top-end rivals from BMW and Mercedes.
Stylish looks
The package gets off to a good start with the exterior. Park the new Astra next to a current version and you realise just how dated the old car is. The Insignia influenced styling cues are obvious, but the new Astra is an interesting take on current Vauxhall design language with its attractive, well proportioned cab forward stance. From its bold slim line chromed front grille and the coupe like profile to its expressive C-pillar, there's no doubt that the new Astra looks far more modern than the class-leading Focus. On sale from December and priced from £15,675, the Astra stands out from its rivals.
On the outside, the five-door hatch (and latterly a Sports Tourer estate) are identified by the signature blade form down the side of the car and the strong shoulder design. Other key Astra exterior styling includes the full surround chrome decor on the windows (a first in this market segment), the sculpted rear shoulders, wide stance and sweeping front and rear light clusters with their blade-like detailing. These are most obvious at the front with the distinctive driving lights. Overall, I think that the Astra is attractive and is more distinctive than the car it replaces. The shape suits big wheels and bright, modern colours.
The inside story
The inside of the Astra is also a massive step forward in terms of quality and design. Designed to be sporty with an elegant touch, the appealing dashboard has a wrap around theme with connecting lines. A development of the wing and blade designs first seen on the Insignia provide a raft of clever storage solutions housing 20 common items from an iPod to 1.5-litre drinks bottles. There's a Germanic feel to the tactile interior plastics, so quality appears to have moved up a notch too. Other interior highlights include the front interior door handles which follow the blade theme, the silver detailing for the instruments, with quality leather trim for the steering wheel and gear knob. Shame then, that the quality of some of the plastic trim doesn't feel up to the standard of the rest of the car and that the centre console is button-heavy.
Move to the back, and the wider platform means there's plenty of room for three passenger and the rectangular boot is a good size with the practicality of a split/fold rear seat and movable rear boot floor.
Dynamic highlights
Besides the longer wheelbase and wider tracks for stability and ride comfort, Vauxhall has introduced a unique 'Watt's link' rear suspension system for the new Astra. The 'Watt's link' suspension works by supporting lateral forces during cornering. In a straight line this means that the Astra stays very stable and minimises body roll in corners like a multi-link system. Its other key advantage is a compound crank, which liberates more interior space. Other technology includes the FlexRide adaptive suspension which debuted on the Insignia and is fitted to the Astra for the first time.
Safety first
The Astra is fitted with the full compliment of safety kit, including airbags, ABS and Electronic Stability Control as standard. The Astra hasn't been crash tested yet, but the only thing that could stand between it and a full five-star rating are its thick A-pillars and quarterlights that restrict front three-quarter vision.
Which engine?
I drove the 115PS 1.6-litre, 140PS 1.4-litre turbo petrol units, plus, the 125PS version of the CDTi diesel. The 16-litre petrol is wheezy but refined, but the pick of the petrol units I drove was the new 1.4-litre turbo. It's refined, boasts more power than the outgoing 1.8-litre petrol yet produces 33g/km less Co2 than the bigger engine and the top speed is 140mph. The 125PS diesel is refined, but no fire-breather.
What's it like to drive?
Like most modern cars the Astra is fitted with an electric power steering system. What is perhaps unusual is that much development work has been done to calibrate it to UK customer requirements. In general it feels much more engaging and connected over the sharper steering Insignia, which can feel artificial. Flex Ride versions are fitted with Sport and Touring settings. Sport mode changes the instrument lighting to a fiery red, firms up the suspension and brings more driver entertainment. What impresses most about all the Astra versions I tried was the refined ride. Even with the 17-inch wheels, the Astra always felt composed, whatever the Welsh test route could throw at us!
Summing up
Is it as good as class best? Well, it drives almost as well; has enough technology, is elegantly styled but with a starting price of just under £16,000, the Focus and Golf are better value and £1,000 cheaper. It does look good though and let's hope that current ownership battles between GM and Magna don't take the shine off this great car.
Fancy a closer look? Check out our Vauxhall Astra gallery
