Vauxhall Astra (New) : VAUXHALL GOES ASTRA-NOMICAL

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Vauxhall expects big things from the latest Astra. Steve Walker reports.

The Ford Focus has had things its own way for far too long and as for that Volkswagen Golf? Well, it's about time that somebody knocked it off its perch. These aren't the views of the nation's family hatchback buyers who, if the customer satisfaction surveys are to be believed, are quite content with their Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus models. This is a rough approximation of the thinking behind the scenes at Vauxhall, a manufacturer with its crosshairs trained on nothing less than the very top of this money-spinning market sector. The car it hopes will hit the target is the latest Astra.

Versions of the Astra, Focus and Golf have been locking horns over the affections of family hatch buyers for years. With models like the Renault Megane, Peugeot 308, Toyota Auris, Honda Civic, Fiat Bravo and Citroen C4 also wrestling for attention, things can get confusing. In the UK, the Astra brand carries plenty of weight with the public and Vauxhall will be looking for the latest version to hammer that advantage home. To achieve this, it has worked on enhancing quality, increasing space and taking the driving experience to the next level. Will that be enough? The best that the Vauxhall engine range has to offer will get an outing in the Astra but it's the suspension set-up that will be of more interest to those who've been following recent family hatchback developments. The Focus and Golf both use fully independent suspension systems and it's no coincidence that these cars are widely regarded as the sharpest handlers in the sector. Like most of the also-rans, the previous generation Astra had independent front suspension and a less sophisticated torsion beam at the rear. Today's car, while still not fully independent in its set-up, uses a more advanced Watt's linkage rear suspension that helps distribute cornering forces more effectively than a conventional torsion beam, while retaining its cost and space saving advantages.

"Vauxhall will be looking for its latest Astra to make the kind of impact on the family hatch sector that the previous generation model never quite managed."

Vauxhall promises a quieter and more compliant ride in the latest Astra, combined with sharper driving dynamics. The car is available with the standard suspension or Vauxhall's FlexRide variable damping system that allows the driver to choose from normal, Tour or Sport settings. The 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine powers the livelier models in the range and is strong on both power and torque. There's 178bhp being produced at 5,500rpm and the 230Nm maximum torque is available between 2,200 and 5,500rpm. The 0-60mph sprint is covered in under 8.0s and a 140mph top speed will be more than enough for most. Vauxhall's design team will have marked the Insignia down as a success and it's no surprise to see the Astra borrowing heavily from the pool of styling devices employed by its bigger brother. The L-shape cut into the car's flanks is a reverse of the Insignia's but the lights, grille and bonnet bear marked similarities. Inside, it's a similar story, with the steering wheel, gear lever and centre console design lifted directly from the larger car. The dash itself curves around the front seat occupants integrating cleanly with the doors and while the centre console does host a plethora of buttons, they're clearly marked and experience with the Insignia has proved them easy enough to use. This Astra is significantly bigger than the one that preceded it. There's been an 18cm increase in length, a 7cm growth in the wheelbase and the track is 6cm wider. It gives rise to good space for three adults to occupy the rear bench and a boot of 375 litres, which is equal to the previous generation car. Vauxhall is particularly pleased with the array of storage options it has installed around the cabin, designing purpose-built receptacles for cups, sunglasses, coins, CDs and the other paraphernalia that people tend to have cluttering up their cars. It's the five-door cars that arrive on the scene first but and estate is destined to follow with the sporty three-door model hot on its heels. Buyers can expect the usual wide range of engine options and trim levels, not to mention a bulging options list. Amongst the available features, there's ambient mood lighting that lights up areas of the cabin with bulbs hidden in the trim and an adjustable boot floor that can open up a variety of storage options. With such a massive spread of models, cost of Astra ownership varies wildly. At one end of the scale, an entry-level diesel 5dr will cost you under 30p per mile to run - which is less than an entry level Ford Focus and about on a par with some jumped-up city cars. The most powerful versions on the other hand, have running cost figures edging up towards around 50p per mile, similar to that of, say, a BMW 320i. Still, the main thing you need to know is that the mid-range models that most will actually buy are agreeably affordable to run, with well over 50mpg achievable from a typical diesel variant on a regular basis. Vauxhall being a mainstream brand, residual values aren't as strong as, for example, a Volkswagen Golf but the Astra claws the advantage back with a low upfront price, modest cost of options and very affordable servicing. Vauxhall will be looking for its latest Astra to make the kind of impact on the family hatch sector that the previous generation model never quite managed. It's certainly given the car a fighting chance of eclipsing the very best that this area of the market has to offer with more space, sleeker looks and an enhanced chassis, but only time will tell if it all comes together in genuinely convincing fashion.

Facts At A Glance
CAR: Vauxhall Astra
PRICES: £13,000 - £20,000 [est]
INSURANCE GROUPS: 6-16 [est]
CO2 EMISSIONS: 115 - 200g/km [est]
PERFORMANCE: [1.6T] 0-60mph 7.8s/ top speed 140mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.6T] (combined) 40mpg [est]
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front side and curtain airbags, ABS, ESP [est]
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/heightmm 4419/1814/1487