Drum: WHEELS
45
Vauxhall Astra 2.0i 16v Turbo
Max Speed:
Torque:
Fuel Economy:
136 mph, 0-60 in 7.9 seconds
250 Nm at 1950 rpm
22.1 mpg urban; 41.5 mpg extra urban; 31.4 mpg combined
The Astra Returns to Form
’ve got good memories of
Vauxhall. It’s the first car I
knew my father to have, and
my grandfather too, God bless his
soul. I used to drive his by sitting
on his knees.
On the inside, the attraction remains
the same, all cosy up front with
smart ergonomics and an integrated Idrive information system all wrapped
in a solid dashboard. The graphic
equaliser is a treat, combined with
an MP3 player that can all be used
So it was with great anticipation without the need for Bill Gates
that I awaited Vauxhall’s Astra hanging off your shoulder.
Sport Turbo. When it arrived, I was
told ‘watch the alloys’ and I did, On the road, your body is held in
very nice they are too, as is the place by well padded and very comwhole car in the looks department. fortable leather sports seats. Even
back seat passengers are kept in place,
If Vauxhall wanted individuality in with adequate head and legroom.
shape, they have done so with this
one. The whole shape oozes beauty As you press on, the ride is a little
and presence as it sits on those big less composed, and the car is prone
18’’ alloys. My only gripe is that to float. This can be adjusted by
with the rear view, trying to reverse pressing a ‘sport button’ mounted
can be awkward, but it adds to the on the dashboard, this helped to
attractiveness in the grand
tickle the steering, stiffen the suspscheme of things.
ension, and sharpen the throttle’s
response. You notice immediately
the change in the Astra’s behaviour
and its new sense of urgency.
I
More important is the car’s power
delivery with Vauxhall’s engineers
doing a grand job of keeping the
turbo’s torque at bay while delivering an effortless stream of power. It
comes on song without any drama;
just smooth and progressive.
I just wanted to push it harder, and
on a late night dash in the pursuit
of pleasure, was made all the more
excited by the attractive looking yet
purposefully built three dimensional
head lights, giving me brilliant vision
towards my place of sanctuary.
I’ve never really been taken by
Vauxhall’s Astra before, but I was
looking forward to this new,
masculine and sexy sports hatch,
and I’m impressed the Astra is now
back amongst the bunch of top
rides. So excuse me, while I go
salivating in anticipation of a new
VXR.