THE Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch SRi simply flies when you press the accelerator and now comes with an optional 'glassy' new innovation to give the occupants a pretty unique experience.
It's a panoramic roof/windscreen which offers the driver and front seat passenger an almost unlimited field of vision, similar to the view from an aeroplane's cockpit, according to Vauxhall.
The windscreen glass extends seamlessly from the bonnet up over the front seats to the door pillar with no crossbeam restricting the view.
It certainly creates a terrific view. "Only flying is better," insists its designer, Matthias Hallik.
"It makes driving through beautiful scenery or a brightly lit city at night a special experience."
The feature, available as an option on most Astra Sport Hatch models, is certainly different.
Initially, you can't help feel a bit exposed and open to the elements and it takes a bit of getting used to.
The car's occupants are actually well protected. Extensive crash tests show that the Panoramic screen maintains the standard Astra's impressive safety record, thanks to the car's strong A and B pillars, an additional crossmember in the middle of the roof and a sturdy floor assembly.
Besides making sure the glass roof is safe, this rigidity also ensures the car's driving dynamics are not affected.
The new model weighs only 10kg more than the standard car.
And passengers in the back are also protected against the elements. Excessive sunlight is filtered by special heat-absorbing glass and sophisticated shading system.
A solid blind with two fold-out sun visors can be locked into any position above the front seats, and when fully extended, makes the car look identical to a standard model when seen from inside.
The arched windscreen is made of 6mm - thick laminated safety glass shaped by means of an innovative gravity bending process.
And, as it is 20 per cent thicker than a standard windscreen, it is also likely to prove more resistant to damage from road debris.
The option is available on all Sport Hatch models except the VXR and costs £850.
There's much else to admire on the car, too. It's undeniably built for speed with its squat shape and 17-inch alloy wheels.
Its top speed of almost 124mph and just under ten seconds to complete the 0-60mph sprint should be enough to satisfy pocket rocket fans.
Equally impressive is the official combined cycle mileage of nearly 37mpg.
It's all courtesy of a petrol engine with a turbocharger and intercooler, which puts out an impressive 180PS and 230Nm maximum torque. And you also get low emissions.
It looks as good inside as out but while there's decent leg, head and elbow room in the front, the back on the three door is much less spacious.
My son and daughter, both in their teens and quite "leggy" found themselves cramped and relieved to get out of the vehicle to stretch their legs.
As you would expect, there's good safety and security spec an every Astra has remote control central deadlocking, an electronic engine immobiliser and door-to-door illumination, which keeps dipped headlights and rear lights on for 30 seconds to light your way as you leave the vehicle at night.
FAST FACTS
Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch 1.6T SRi 3dr
Price: £18,250
Mechanical: 178bhp, 1,598cc 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 5spd manual gearbox
0-62mph: 10 secs
Max speed: 124mph
Combined mpg: 36.6
Insurance group: 8
CO2 emissions: 185g/km
BiK rating: 24%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles, 6yrs anti-rust