What they said when the Vauxhall Astra was new… (Feb 25 2004)
WHEN Vauxhall launches its new Astra in May it will mark the start of a concerted campaign designed to put the UK division of General Motors in pole position in the British car market.
With a string of new models coming on stream, Vauxhall chiefs are quietly confident that they will overtake Ford as market leaders within the next five years.
Vauxhall already dominates the fleet market and the company is looking to the stylish new Astra to make it number one choice for private buyers too.
Launched initially as a five door hatch, the new Astra will eventually also be available as a three door, an estate, and a coupe-cabriolet with a trendy foldaway hardtop. It will also spawn a new Zafira compact people carrier next year and an ultra-high performance version.
But that's just the tip of the iceberg. This summer will also see the launch of two new sporting Vauxhalls - the Australian-built Monaro sports coupe and the smaller Tigra coupe cabriolet - while the Vectra is due for a facelift next year and a radically-styled new Corsa will appear in 2006.
Privately Vauxhall execs are confident that they can overtake Ford in the next three years, but the firm's Aussie boss, Kevin Wale is publicly cautious. "The plan is to increase our market share, but not necessarily at the expense of a particular manufacturer," he says.
Much will depend, he reasons, on the quality of new products coming from rival car makers, but he believes the new Astra can beat all-comers in the compact family hatchback sector - including the latest Ford Focus which is due to debut at the end of this year.
It's not difficult to understand that confidence. This fifth generation Astra brings new style to the market and raises the stakes in terms of technical innovation.
Driving the car for the first time served to confirm that the distinctive and dynamic styling is fully matched by the new model's on the road performance.
Ride, roadholding and handling are of the highest order; progress is quiet and performance throughout the engine range impressive. Inside, the stylish fascia and control layout offers terrific functionality for the driver while quality trim materials add to the ambience of the cabin.
The latest Astra is longer and wider than before and there's more than adequate leg, head and shoulder room in the back. Oddment storage space could be more generous but the boot is capable of swallowing a couple of large suitcases even with the rear seats in place. However, the boot access is relatively high and the opening fairly narrow, making it potentially difficult to load heavy or bulky objects.
There are six engines to choose from with five or six speed manual, Easytronic semi-automatic and four speed auto transmission choices depending on engine. Petrol engine choice ranges from a 90bhp 1.4 up to a 170bhp two litre turbo with a 105bhp 1.6 and 125bhp 1.8 in between. There are two 1.7 litre common rail turbo diesels rated at 80 and 100bhp.
The top rated 1.7 oil burner is no slouch with a 0-60mph time of 11.3 seconds and good mid-range pull, but the real cracker of the range - a brand new 1.9 litre turbodiesel - will not be available until the summer.
Mated to a six speed box, this new unit pumps out 130bhp and endows the 1.9CDTi version of the Astra with astonishing performance. It's only a blink slower to 60 than the petrol turbo model (8.6 compared with 8.4 seconds) and goes on to a top speed of 130mph.
More importantly this new engine offers a shed load of torque or pulling power - 232 lb ft at a low 2,000rpm - which translates into terrific mid range flexibility for punchy overtaking and economical cruising. Vauxhall quotes a combined fuel consumption figure of a frugal 50.4mpg.
Like all the other engines in the range, this oil burner complies with the Euro 4 emission standards meaning owners will not be hit with the three per cent tax penalty imposed on non-Euro 4 diesels. With CO2 emissions of 151 g/km it will attract a 16 per cent tax rating.
Under the skin, there's no lack of innovation. There's a new, electro-hydraulic power steering system which adjusts automatically depending on car speed and driver input through the wheel and Vauxhall's high-tech IDS - Interactive Driving System - is an option on top grade versions.
The system features a dash-mounted Sport button - one touch and the Astra switches from Jekyll to Hyde mode; from comfortable cruiser to sporting thoroughbred. The suspension tightens, steering speed increases and throttle response sharpens - the effect is immediate and dramatic.
Seven different trim levels are available and, depending on model, Vauxhall has packed the Astra with the latest aids to comfort and safety including electronic stability, traction and continuous damping control systems, electronic climate control aircon, rain sensitive wipers, keyless entry and start up, folding mirrors and the adaptive front headlight system first seen on the Vectra estate .
All versions come with remote central locking, front and side airbags, ABS, reach and rake adjustment of the steering column, powered front windows and a radio/CD player; all but the entry Expression version come with air-con.
Vauxhall claims to have put a significant amount of added value into a range which will start at £10,995 and rise to £17,645 when it goes into the showrooms on May 1. Model for model, prices are generally pitched marginally above the current Focus, but significantly below the new Golf.
The company says it is confident that the newcomer will appeal to more customers than ever before and is particularly targeting younger buyers who it feels will be attracted by its distinctive, cutting-edge design and high tech features.
And if that means the Astra can dislodge Focus from its long-held position at the top of the UK sales charts, then it might just trigger a chain reaction which could see Ford toppled from its market leadership for the first time in decades.
Words: David Whinyates
Copyright