11:31 pm, February 1, 2012
Vauxhall have re-entered the small coupe market in fine style with the new Astra GTC. JAMES BATCHELOR has driven it
WHAT IS IT?
This is the replacement to the swish-looking Astra Sports Hatch and marks Vauxhall’s re-entry into the burgeoning small coupe market. The firm is keen to point out it’s no three-door version of the humdrum hatchback, for only the aerial and door handles are the same. The UK will be the biggest market for the car in Europe with 10,000 sales a year. The top-of-the- range, £22,430 SRi 2.0-litre diesel is the predicted best-seller.
WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET?
Two turbo-charged petrols and two turbo-charged diesels. First up is the entry-level 1.4-litre petrol in 118bhp and 138bhp guises followed by the 178bhp 1.6-litre turbo. The 2.0-litre diesel is the best all-rounder packing 163bhp and emits 127g/km of CO2, while a 1.7-litre diesel comes later. A fire-breathing VXR version and green ecoFLEX models are also on the horizon.
WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE?
There are only two – and it’s the most expensive one that most customers will opt for. The range kicks off with the 1.4-litre Sport at £18,495 and for that, buyers will get 18-inch alloys, air con and cruise control. SRi begins at £19,945 and tops out at £22,430 for the 1.4-litre and comes with sports seats, leather steering wheel, fog lamps, hill start, and electric parking brake. There’s also a plentiful range of costly option packs.
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
A large part of the GTC’s development was carried out in the UK, and it shows – the car deals with tricky corners and unforgiving surfaces with tremendous ability. Clever new HiPerStrut suspension affords a very pleasant ride, and overall it’s agile and grippy. But not too sharp and involving to take the forthcoming VXR’s limelight.
WHAT DO THE PRESS THINK OF IT?
Top Gear confidently said: ‘No modern Vauxhall has looked (or driven) better.’ Autoblog UK felt the GTC ‘looks great, offers a keen drive, and is more practical than rivals’. Against the GTC’s rivals, Autocar ‘heartily recommends’ the Vauxhall, The Sun says ‘it may be the best Astra Vauxhall have ever done’, while Honest John feels that it’s much more zesty than the old Sport Hatch.
WHAT DO WE THINK OF IT?
This is one of prettiest and finest driving Vauxhalls for as long as we can remember. There’s no doubt Vauxhall engineers’ hard work has paid off for the GTC is mightily adept on British roads, and British designer Mark Adams’ design is probably class leading. The only downside is that we feel the entry-level Sport trim is a bit too basic.
