General Motors’ Vauxhall unit has released first official images of the updated Astra hatchbacks and Sports Tourer (wagon) it shares with Opel, along with the latest addition to the GTC (three-door) range, the 195PS BiTurbo diesel.
These are the first of many new launches GM Europe has planned for the next two years or so. Some of the new Astra line will be the first to wear the Opel badge in Australia when the brand is launched there later this year; previously they were rebadged Holden.
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Vauxhall has started taking orders for first deliveries in September. UK Astra five-door hatchbacks and all wagons are built at Ellesmere Port and get a new front grille with repositioned logo bar in the upper section and a restyled lower section. There are also new front indicator and fog lamps. The refreshed tail includes a chrome lower moulding.
Vauxhall is also adding a hot GTC (three-door hatchbacks are built in Poland) 2.0 CDTi BiTurbo, which will become the most powerful non-VXR model in the range, with 195PS and 400Nm of torque but capable of a combined 53.3mpg and CO2 emissions of 139g/km. All BiTurbos have start/stop as standard.
The updated Astra catches up with archrival Ford Focus by offering a driver assistance pack which, for GBP750 (much the same as Ford charges), includes forward collision alert, lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition and following distance indicator.
Other new options include a rear view camera, winter pack (heated steering wheel and seats) and LED daytime running lights. The standard DAB (digital) radio has been upgraded to DMB (digital media broadcast) on all models.
