Vauxhall is boosting its British-built Astra GTC coupe with a high-performance, 192bhp twin-turbo diesel engine.
Meanwhile, the five-door hatch and Sports Tourer estate will get some cosmetic changes and will feature in a revised Vauxhall Astra range that arrives in dealers this September. Badged 2.0 CDTi BiTurbo, the new engine is also likely to spread to the other bodystyles in the range, although Vauxhall won’t yet confirm that.
The twin-turbo-diesel for the GTC is borrowed from the Insignia, where its blend of power and fuel economy make it one of Vauxhall’s best diesels.
In the GTC it makes 192bhp and 295lb ft of torque and boasts a top speed of 139mph and a 0-60 of 7.8sec, which make it the fastest diesel in the GTC range and comparable to many rivals’ turbocharged petrol models. The other important figures are 139g/km of tailpipe carbon and 53.3mpg fuel consumption.
Badged 2.0 CDTi BiTurbo, the new diesel features sequential turbos with the smaller blower spinning-up rapidly and providing up to 258lbft of torque form 1500rpm. The second, bigger turbo starts working in the mid range, from 1750rpm to 2500rpm, adding an extra 37lbft.
To cope with the extra performance the GTC Bi Turbo also gets a 6mm lower chassis and 18in wheels. Also on the standard equipment list are a body-kit, electronic climate control and ‘Track’ interior trim.
The GTC BiTurbo is priced from £23,925, a £995 premium over the 163bhp 2.0-litre diesel.
A package of mild cosmetic tweaks will distinguish the Astra from the autumn with a new front grille, restyled bumper and new front indicator lamps. The rear is tweaked, too, with a new boot panel and chrome-trim added to the lower bumper moulding.
The other improvement to the Astra is a longer list of optional equipment, much of it available on the Insignia and now brought to the Astra. Included on the list are front and rear camera systems that can read speed limit signs and provide collision warnings. Some of this equipment is included in a £750 Driver Assistance Pack.
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I have had a few vauxhalls
I have had a few vauxhalls the first model Vectra, in 2.0 and 2.5 SRI and a GSI estate, called Vectra B in europe, I found UK dealers to be shabby impolite and lacking in any customer care skills, Opel dealers in Germany on the other hand couldnt do enough for you, anyone would think it was a different company, but then again even Ford dealers in Germany are pretty good. Never been a fan of the Astra, but they do look the part.
The GTC is a great looking
The GTC is a great looking car, the question is whether the Atra name will drag down residuals or whether the GTC keeps it seperate enough from the 5 door to support the resale values. Maybe they could have gone the Scirocco route and called it something else altogether.
Orangewheels
I suspect if they did call it something else people would have just said its an Astra in drag. a bit like the Calibra/Cavalier back in the early 90's. However i cant remember back then how Calibra resale values faired against comparable Cavalier ones (i was too young)
maybe someone can shed some light on that.
I admit mine is a bit noisy
I admit mine is a bit noisy in 1st and 2nd gears especially - once past that it quietens down a bit. Although the slightly revised ones are better than the one I have - I couldn't justify a extra £500 for a car with a slightly newer engine but worse spec level.
It will do for me this one for the next two years - and then if no problems keep - if I have problems get rid and buy another year old car. Maybe the GTC - as like the look of it. Luckily I have a ok dealer near me - still not great - but better than some of th eothers I have tried.
gazza5 wrote: I admit mine
In fairness to Vauxhall at the time I tested the Astra I had a Citroen C5 HDi which has a very quiet diesel engine, if I'd compared it to my current 3-Series which is much noisier at idle it might not have seemed as bad.