Vauxhall Astra Twintop Exclusiv Range : EXCLUSIVELY FOR EVERYONE

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Vauxhall's Astra TwinTop Exclusiv models offer a touch of style to a market sector that, rather surprisingly, really needs it, thinks Jonathan Crouch

If you're thinking of buying one of those trendy metal folding roof convertibles based on family hatchbacks, then you're not short of choice these days. Surprisingly however, what you may be short of is a little style. Though cars of this kind look a great deal better than they used to, the space needed in the rear to store all that metalwork still does little for the aesthetic purity of their styling.

In some cases however, the designers have managed to do a pretty neat job, something you can capitalise on further with some well chosen styling tweaks. And if you're going to go this route, then Vauxhall's Astra TwinTop is as good a place to start as any. We're looking here at the Exclusiv and Exclusiv XP models, which, priced from £19,295, cost only a little more than the standard Sport variants but offer much more equipment for the money. Exclusiv buyers do without the option for the rather feeble entry-level petrol 1.6 used in standard range TwinTop models, but otherwise, the engine choice is the same: namely, 140PS 1.8 and 200PS 2.0-litre turbo petrol units, plus a 150PS 1.9-litre diesel. The basic difference between the Exclusiv and Exclusiv XP trim is the fitment on the latter of a VXR styling kit that does a surprising amount for the car's appearance without coming over all Max Power. For the XP's premium of around £700, you get a body-coloured lower front spoiler, rear lower skirt, lip spoiler and side sills. As with all TwinTops, specification for these models is comprehensive, with unique 18" alloy wheels, heated leather front seats and keyless entry standard on both Exclusiv variants. Also included are heated power mirrors, a 3-spoke leather steering wheel and a Sport switch, which quickens throttle and steering response, while allowing sportier gearchanges on the automatic transmission you can order on the 1.8-litre model for an extra £1035. The colour choice includes Star Silver and Panacotta, as well as Power Red and Black Sapphire.

"Test drive this TwinTop and admire yourself in the nearest plate glass reflection. You may feel right at homeâ€¦"

At launch, the Astra TwinTop moved the game on in its sector by offering a folding roof that's composed of three main sections instead of the usual two piece affair. This means that you don't need to fold two huge pieces of metal into the car's rear end, avoiding the strangely mis-shapen looks of some coupe-cabriolets. At the press of a dash-mounted button, the two overhead sections of the roof stack on top of the glass rear window and hinge backwards into the boot, offering the usual benefits of added security and safety of a hard topped car with the wind in the hair feel of a convertible. The whole process takes under 30 seconds and can be completed on the move at speeds of up to 18mph. What's more, the Astra TwinTop isn't merely an Astra hatch that's had an angle grinder taken to it. The body was designed from the ground up as a convertible and Vauxhall reckon the two cars share at most 30 per cent of body parts. With excellent chassis rigidity when the roof is in place, driving dynamics should approach those of the lauded Astra hatch. Designed at GM Design Europe in Germany, the Astra TwinTop goes into battle against the likes of the Volkswagen Eos, the Ford Focus CC and Renault Megane CC although at almost 4500mm in length, it's usefully bigger than both of these rivals. The styling is also better resolved thanks in no small part to that clever folding roof arrangement. The rear end carries over the petal-shaped lights of the Tigra and luggage space is better than you might expect, even with the roof stowed. Utility is enhanced by 'Easy Load', a feature raising the horizontally stacked parts of a folded roof at the push of a button, making cargo easily accessible. Great when you've got an armful of shopping in other words. The Astra TwinTop has become a rather forgotten choice in its market sector, which is rather unfair as it's one of the better choices. It's also one of the best resolved from a styling point of view. Go for one and these Exclusiv models make reasonable sense, especially if you can afford to stretch to the XP version with its sporty bodykit. Looks, after all, matter in a car like this, otherwise you could have spent less on something far more practical. So test drive a TwinTop and admire yourself in the nearest plate glass reflection. You may feel right at home.

Facts At A Glance
CAR: Vauxhall Astra TwinTop Exclusiv range
PRICES: £19,295-£21,965 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 10-16
CO2 EMISSIONS: 159-228g/km
PERFORMANCE: [1.8] Max Speed 130mph / 0-60mph 10.7s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.8] (urban) 28.2mpg / (extra urban) 47.9mpg / (combined) 38.2mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags / ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/width/heightmm 4488/2055/1415mm [est]