Vauxhall launches new green brand

Vauxhall's Astra will be the first model in the company's range to wear the new ecoFLEX badge, with reduced emissions and improved fuel economy.

Available initially as a five-door hatchback, the Astra ecoFLEX features a 1.7-litre turbodiesel engine to return 62.8mpg on the combined cycle and 119g/km of CO₂.

The emissions rating allows the Astra ecoFLEX into London congestion charge free and owners will also benefit from low band B vehicle excise duty.

Vauxhall's engineers carried out a significant number of modifications to the Astra to achieve the improved efficiency, including reduced weight, better aerodynamics, taller gearing and less parasitic losses to the ancillaries. Low rolling resistance tyres are also part of the package.

Despite the gains in fuel economy, Vauxhall has also released a little extra power from the 1.7-litre unit.

Prices for the Astra ecoFLEX start at £16,340 for the Life model with air conditioning, with Sport Hatch and Estate versions due in the very near future.

Vauxhall also plans to introduce ecoFLEX versions of the Corsa and new Insignia in 2009.

Shane O' Donoghue