NEW ASTRA HAS BRIGHT FUTURE
Vauxhall’s electrified hot hatch and estate car set to be star performers
There was a time when a Vauxhall might have been seen as your mum and dad’s car – comfortable but not very exciting.
There was a time when UK drivers turned away from Vauxhall, eyes east to the European brands and beyond.
That was the time when, sadly, Vauxhall looked like it might go to the wall.
Now scrap all that because today’s story has a very happy ending. Vauxhall is on a roll.
Since it was taken over in 2017 and became part of the Stellantis group in 2021, it has gone from strength to strength, winning multiple awards and proving the worth of mainstream British car building.
It has embraced the move to electric cars and, as a step towards fully electric, it has unvei led what it cal ls its building blocks – the GSe range. This stands for Grand Sport electric, a sub brand of Vauxhall where models have one thing in common: they are all electrified – in this case, plug- in hybrids – and very high performing. The name itself pays homage to the GS/E version of the 1983 Monza and tips its hat to Vauxhall’s GSi heritage. The f irst three models to benefit are the SUV Grandland and the Astra hatch and Sports Tourer.
The hatch and Sports Tourer are the two that will excite af icionados as Vauxhall is doing to electrified cars what it used to do to its small traditionally powered cars. It is adding in a performance level, boosting power and f inessing the design. So instead of a hot hatch, you get an electrified hot hatch and elegant electrified estate car. They are sporty and precise with excellent green credentials.
Plug them in to charge the battery and you will get it up to 100 per cent in less than two hours, delivering 40 miles of electric driving at speeds of up to 84mph.
These top- of- the- range versions come with a stylish gloss black roof and 18in wheels inspired by the Manta GSe concept. Both the hatch and Tourer offer a lower ride height so you feel you are sitting within the car, a more rigid chassis, unique suspension and revised steering.
The result is a drive that is – especially in dynamic mode – both exciting and satisfying.
The Astra pushes forward with agility and ease, sticking fast to the road even on the tightest corners. It feels good through the steering wheel and the seats are sporty and firm with good lumbar support.
The 12.4kWh bat ter y powers the 81kW electric motor which works with the 1.6-litre turbo-charged petrol engine to deliver 225PS and the whole experience of driving just feels delightful.
The transmission is the Stellantis tried and tested EAT eight-speed automatic, a winner in its own right.
Inside, the most striking element is the Pure Panel instrument cluster and infotainment glass screens which are focused on the driver for all the information and systems they will need.
They look both elegant and modern, which appropriately sums up this new Astra.
Oh, and the Sports Tourer estate has a boot space of 516 litres, rising to 1553 with the rear seats down. Magic.