VAUXHALL has improved fuel consumption and cut emissions by adding Start/Stop technology to the latest Astra 2.0 CDTi model.
Compared with the outgoing 2.0 CDTi Hatch, the Start/Stop version’s fuel consumption improves by more than five miles per gallon on the combined cycle, from 57.6mpg to 62.8mpg.
Round town is where drivers can enjoy the biggest fuel saving, where Start/Stop has meant a gain of 13 per cent.
And for business users, the technology has dropped CO2 emissions from 129g/km to 119g/km, meaning that the model’s BIK ranking for standard rate tax-payers is down by five per cent to 13 per cent.
Both private and business users will benefit from the Start/Stop’s lower VED band, which will save them £65 each year - down from £95 to £30.
Start/Stop is also available on the latest addition to the Astra range, the Sports Tourer, which benefits from a 4.7mpg rise on the combined cycle, from 55.4 to 60.1mpg.
By Spring 2012, most of Vauxhall’s model lines will feature Start/Stop technology on ecoFLEX models, including many petrol-engined cars too.
The Astra 2.0 CDTi Start/Stop 5-dr Hatch and Sports Tourer are available to order now, the hatchback starting at £22,410 for the SRi model and the Sports Tourer starting at £23,430, also for the SRi.