VAUXHALL is laying down the gauntlet to rivals with its new Astra GTC coupe – and as the first pictures show, it’s a real dazzler.
With its dramatic design and driver-focussed chassis, the GTC will pull no punches in its challenge to the likes of Volkswagen’s Scirocco and the Renault Megane Coupe.
The new car, which makes its debut at next month’s Goodwood Festival of Speed ahead of an autumn launch, will cost from £18,495 and has performance in its genes.
Even the entry grade model has the sophisticated front suspension from the fiery 325PS Insignia VXR – and that features Vauxhall’s high performance HiPerStrut for improved stability and handling precision.
Closely based on last year’s GTC Paris concept, the new model is the third body style to come off the new Astra platform following the Hatch and last year’s Sports Tourer.
But the only elements the GTC shares with its stablemates are door handles and the roof aerial – even the wheelbase and tracks are different.
Vauxhall design chief Mark Adams says he has aimed to create a car that looks like it’s been plucked from the class above, and that seems to be the case with the GTC’s low, wide stance and rakish lines.
The company is also confident that, thanks to a cabin that’s roomy enough to accommodate four adults plus luggage, it will appeal not only to car enthusiasts but also account for around 20 per cent of all Astra sales in the UK.
“The GTC is a high-profile addition to the Astra range and one that’s sure to appeal to anyone who loves cars and driving,” said Vauxhall managing director Duncan Aldred.
“Better still, its chassis has been fine-tuned by Vauxhall Engineering Centre in the UK, reflecting the importance of our Millbrook-based operation, and also the fact that the UK will be the dominant market for GTC when it arrives in showrooms later this year.”
Right from the start of the Astra GTC’s development the target was to deliver a focused and driver-orientated feel to the car, and one that worked well on UK roads.
Compared with the Astra Hatch, the GTC’s ride height has been lowered by 15mm, while the wheelbase has grown by 10mm. Both tracks are wider too, allowing for the option of up to 20-inch rims.
And there’s also the option of Vauxhall’s FlexRide adaptive damping which adapts to road surfaces and driving styles, also offering Standard, Tour or Sport settings which change the car’s character at the push of a button.
The Astra GTC can be ordered with a choice of four engines – one diesel and three petrol units.
The 2.0 CDTi diesel boasts 165PS and is an upgraded version of the unit already fitted to some Insignia and Astra models. It has six-speed transmission, Start/Stop as standard, a 0-62mph time of 8.9 seconds and 130mph top speed.
Its combined fuel figure is 57.6mpg, giving drivers a range potential in excess of 700 miles. C02 emissions are low at 129g/km.
Start/Stop and a six-speed gearbox are also standard on both versions of the 1.4-litre Turbo petrol engine, which has either 120 or 140PS, while the most powerful engine in the range is the 1.6-litre Turbo, which produces 180PS and allows the GTC to hit a top speed of 132mph.
Next year a high output VXR model aimed at hot-hatch enthusiasts is set to join the party.
Standard kit includes 18-inch alloys, DAB stereo and USB functionality while top spec SRi adds tinted glass, onboard computer, leather-trimmed steering wheel and fog lamps. Bi-Xenon advanced forward lighting, which offers nine separate light beams, is optional across the range.
Prices start at £18,495 for the 120PS Sport 1.4 Turbo rising to £22,430 for the 165PS SRi 2.0 CDTi.