Astra gets the BiTurbo touch

Two new variants of the Vauxhall Astra will be available for order tomorrow with deliveries expected for the end of the year. There's a BiTurbo hatch and Sports Tourer joining the line-up.

Both are British-built diesels, both pump out 192bhp and 295lb-ft of torque, both have a top speed of more than 135mph, both can do 0-60mph in less than eight seconds, both have a combined fuel economy of a fairly frugal 55.4mpg, both have CO2 emissions at 134g/km and both have stop-start technology to further save fuel. Turbo lag has been eliminated and acceleration is smoother with the sequential turbocharging system which provides 236lb-ft of torque from 1,250rpm. So what's the difference then?

The difference, as the names suggest, is in the body shape. The hatch is a practical five-door model while the Sports Tourer is the estate version and Vauxhall is claiming this is the most powerful estate in its class.

Style-wise, both cars benefit from some nice touches – a meaner front grille, new front indicators and fog lights, 18-inch alloy wheels, twin rear exhausts and alloy sports pedals.

They're a fine way to support local jobs with the cars assembled at Ellesmere, Cheshire and the prices start at £24,095 for the hatch and £25,110 for the estate.


By Georgia Lewis

Follow us @TotallyMotor