The All-New Astra Sports Tourer, Lighter, Bigger, better equipped, and winner of many awards already.

VAUXHALL ASTRA SPORTS TOURER

MARKET AND MODEL

• All-new Astra Sports Tourer in Vauxhall showrooms from March
• Priced from £16,585 on-the-road
• Similar dimensions outside, bigger inside – up to 190kg lighter than outgoing model

ASTRA MANUFACTURING

• Management, unions and workers joined forces to win long-term contract for UK Astra plant
• 2,000 jobs secured in to the next decade
• 52 per cent of production exported to 25 European markets
• £70m boost for UK firms as result of EP Astra production

EFFICIENCY AND PACKAGING

• Designed by team led by Brit Mark Adams
• Most athletic look yet for Astra Sports Tourer
• Consistent lightweight design makes Sports Tourer up to 190kg lighter

POWERTRAINS

• Vauxhall’s latest top-of-the-range diesel available in the Sports Tourer
• The 110PS diesel engine achieves up to 83.1mpg
• Performance and power guaranteed with Vauxhall’s 200PS petrol engine

CHASSIS

• Light weight construction improves handling, comfort and agility
• Refined braking and steering system features save space and fuel

SAFETY SYSTEMS

• Ideal combination of active and passive safety systems
• Introducing IntelliLux LED matrix light to the compact segment
• New-generation front camera system enables new level of safety

CONNECTIVITY

• Vauxhall OnStar services and powerful Wi-Fi Hotspot
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone integration
• Next-generation IntelliLink systems cover all bases

RANGE, PRICING AND EQUIPMENT

• Priced from £16,585 on-the-road
• Up to £1,870 less expensive than the outgoing model
• Class-leading powertrains achieve up to 85.6mpg and as low as 86g/km

ELLESMERE PORT – HOME OF VAUXHALL’S COMPACT CARS FOR OVER FIVE DECADES

• World-class manufacturing facility producing a series of British best-sellers
• New Astra is the eleventh major model-line to be built at EP
• Provides employment for more than 2,000 people in UK’s Northwest region

ASTRA SPORTS TOURER

MARKET AND MODEL

• All-new Astra Sports Tourer in Vauxhall showrooms from March
• Priced from £16,585 on-the-road
• Similar dimensions outside, bigger inside – up to 190kg lighter than outgoing model

The new Astra Sports Tourer is now on sale priced from £16,585 on-the-road, with first cars arriving in Vauxhall showrooms this March after its global debut at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show.

One of the UK’s top-selling and best-loved cars, Astra is a household name for British car buyers with almost three million sold in the UK over the last 36 years, including 50,000 in the last 12 months. More than 25 per cent of British motorists have either owned or driven an Astra, so reaction to a new model will always be felt across the market. 

The Astra Sports Tourer is based on an all-new lightweight vehicle architecture with a new design, powertrains and technology. It is built at Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port manufacturing plant in Cheshire. It is the only plant to build this body style.

The Sports Tourer has proved a popular car in the UK market, with sales making it the third most popular estate car sold in 2015 with key rivals including the Ford Focus Estate and the Volkswagen Golf Estate. With a fleet/retail sales split of 80:20, it holds great appeal as a company car, taking drivers from their daily commute to weekend activities. The Sports Tourer will also appeal to private buyers who are looking for a practical family car.

ASTRA MANUFACTURING

• Management, unions and workers joined forces to win long-term contract for UK Astra plant
• 2,000 jobs secured in to the next decade
• 52 per cent of production exported to 25 European markets
• £70m boost for UK firms as result of EP Astra production, plus 800 jobs across country.

Vauxhall’s all-new Astra and Astra Sports Tourer have secured 2,000 jobs at the Ellesmere Port manufacturing plant in Cheshire after workers won a long-term contract and a £140 million investment from GM.

Thanks to the outstanding attitude and work ethic of the workforce, the plant beat world-class competition from across Europe to build the new car.

The facility is a significant contributor to the local and national economies building over five million vehicles since 1964.  The factory is a major exporter with 52 per cent of production going to 25 European markets.

At full production it is estimated the plant will build around 680 cars per day and 120,000 per year. It takes about 24 hours to build an Astra, from sheet steel to the finished article, although once the plant reaches its final running speed this is expected to be down to just 22 hours.

UK firms, including those in manufacturing, utilities, construction, transportation and storage, benefit from approaching £70 million gross value added that results directly from Vauxhall’s investment in Ellesmere Port (source: Centre for Economics and Business Research).

“The all-new Astra and Astra Sports Tourer are of critical importance to Vauxhall and its manufacturing facility in Ellesmere Port,” said Rory Harvey, Vauxhall’s Chairman and Managing Director. “I’m very proud of the men and women who build this vehicle to world class levels of quality and productivity.”

And this great British success story doesn’t end there.  The Astra range was designed by a team led by Brits Mark Adams and Malcom Ward.  In his role as Vauxhall/Opel’s Design Director, Ward follows in the footsteps of both his father and grandfather who both worked at Vauxhall.

Also looking forward to a bright futures is Vauxhall’s other UK manufacturing plant, Britain’s leading commercial vehicle plant, located in Luton, where the Vivaro van is produced.

Workers in Luton won a similar long term contract to their colleagues at Ellesmere Port.  Their agreement runs for 10 years after a £125 million investment that secured 1,500 jobs.

EFFICIENCY AND PACKAGING

• Consistent lightweight design up to 190kg lighter
• Most streamlined Astra Estate ever
• Similar exterior dimensions but more spacious interior

The latest generation Sports Tourer has almost the same dimensions as the outgoing model- length 4,702mm, width 1,871mm and height 1,510mm- however, it offers much more space for passengers and luggage. While the driver can enjoy 26 millimetres of additional headroom, passengers in the rear have 28 millimetres more legroom. The new Astra Sports Tourer can take up to three child seats in the rear and can also carry up to 1,630 litres of luggage thanks to the efficient packaging.

The Astra Sports Tourer demonstrates the evolution of the Vauxhall design philosophy ‘sculptural artistry meets technical precision’, catching the eye with a lighter, more agile appearance. Inspired by 2013’s Monza Concept, the new car’s lean design makes the Sports Tourer look more athletic than ever before thanks to work carried out by a design team led by Brit Mark Adams.

Inside, gracefully sculpted shapes are combined with premium materials and functional clarity. Switches and controls are reduced to an absolute minimum, supporting the efficiency and ease of use that is at the core of the Astra. The centrepiece of the new Astra’s interior is the award-winning IntelliLink system. The location of the system was carefully selected to ensure both an ideal view of the display as well as easy reach and use.

The Sports Tourer is based on an all-new lightweight architecture. Its body is more lithe and aerodynamic and is also driven by powerful, weight-optimised engines. The new Astra Sports Tourer is up to 190kg lighter than its predecessor. It is the most aerodynamically efficient estate car built by Vauxhall with a co-efficient drag-value of 0.272 making it as streamlined as the five-door variant.

The bodyshell and structure alone are around 85kg lighter. High-strength and ultra-high-strength lightweight steels, more compact subframes as well as modification to the front and rear suspension all contributed to this result. Further size and mass-optimisation measures include shorter front and rear overhangs,  an exhaust system that is up to 25 per cent lighter and smaller wheels and tyres that weigh up to 11.5kg less. The brake system has less mass to decelerate, making a more compact design possible (weighing 10kg less) while delivering even better braking performance.

Another plus on the efficiency side is the latest-generation Vauxhall engines. They distinguish themselves with their compact and ultra-efficient design: for instance, the new 1.4 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo engine now weighs less. Its aluminum engine block alone is 10kg lighter than the cast-iron block of its predecessor.

Reduced weight also leads to noticeably higher agility while saving fuel and CO₂ emissions. The Sports Tourer with the 1.0-litre Turbo and Easytronic 3.0 combination is an economical and clean high-tech petrol engine. The engine portfolio has helped boost efficiency with outputs ranging from 110PS to 200PS and fuel consumption and combined CO₂ emissions of up to 83.1mpg and 89g/km respectively.

For the first time on a Vauxhall, the tailgate can be opened without a touch or a remote control. In combination with “Keyless Entry and Start” a simple small kicking motion under the rear bumper is enough to open the tailgate. A further kicking motion under the bumper will close the tailgate. The clever system can detect any obstruction and stops the mechanism in case of an emergency. The tailgate can still be opened by a switch on the driver’s side of the car or via the key’s remote control.

In order to improve loading space the Sports Tourer Elite model comes with 40/20/40 foldable rear seats enabling even more flexible loading space configurations. The FlexOrganiser product range with side rails, dividing nets and various fastening options is available as an option so that all loaded materials can be stored safely and tidily.

POWERTRAINS

• `Vauxhall’s latest top-of-the-range diesel available in the Sports Tourer
• The 110PS Diesel engine achieves up to 83.1mpg
• Performance and power guaranteed with Vauxhall’s 200PS petrol engine

The new Astra Sports Tourer features a range of fuel-efficient petrol and diesel powertrains. Lightweight construction sets the latest engine range apart from previous generations. They are smaller, more compact and lighter while simultaneously being more powerful and frugal. The new Astra Sports Tourer diesel with 110PS, for example, achieves 83.1mpg while only emitting 89g/km of CO₂.

All diesel units have a displacement of 1.6 litres – including Vauxhall’s top-of-the-range BiTurbo engine. In combination with six-speed manual transmission, Start/Stop, the 1.6 BiTurbo CDTi with 160PS can achieve up to 67.3mpg  and emits as little as 112g/km of CO₂.

Performance and power generation of the BiTurbo engine are comparable to that of a 2.0-litre engine. The top-of-the-range engine develops a maximum torque of 350Nm from just 1,500 rpm. The Astra Sports Tourer with the 1.6-litre BiTurbo can reach a top speed of 137mph. Its performance is almost identical to that of the 35PS more powerful and higher displacement 2.0-litre predecessor.

The superiority of the common rail engine comes from the sequential, two-stage turbocharging. A small VGT (variable geometry turbine) turbocharger is responsible for the exemplary responsiveness without “turbo lag” in the low rpm range. The specifically designed larger turbocharger takes over more and more as engine-speed increases. Therefore, the Astra 1.6 BiTurbo CDTi can react spontaneously to accelerator commands and has reserves at all power ranges.

The new Astra Sports Tourer with the BiTurbo diesel weighs almost 150kg less than its predecessor. This is down to the consistently applied lightweight construction of the bodywork and chassis and the intelligent component design. The aluminum cylinder block and cleverly devised packaging are the two main factors here. The new two-stage turbodiesel is around 20 per cent more efficient than the outgoing 2.0-litre unit of the predecessor.

The 1.6 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo is the most powerful petrol engine available for the Astra Sports Tourer. The 200PS turbocharged direct injection engine boasts an impressive 300Nm of torque, enabling the Astra Sports Tourer to achieve 0-60mph in 7.2 seconds. Maximum speed for this engine is 146mph and achieves fuel consumption of 45.6mpg on the combined cycle with CO₂ emissions as low as 142g/km.

This unit is also impressively smoothe throughtout its range. To achieve this, Vauxhall engineers have optimized the induction and exhaust systems. Despite direct injection and focused combustion, engineers were able to substantially reduce noise levels compared with the previous engine. As a result of these ‘sound-engineering’ measures, the customer will appreciate quiet and smooth idling, with a pleasant sound quality even at high road speeds, engine speeds and loads.

CHASSIS

• Lightweight construction improves handling comfort and agility
• Refined braking and steering system features save space and fuel

Based on an all-new lightweight vehicle architecture, the new Astra Sports Tourer has stepped forward in technical development. An uncompromising focus on mass reduction and compact design has delivered a lightweight chassis with driving dynamics finely honed in key areas such as suspension, brakes and steering. This has resulted in greater agility, better handling, improved responsiveness and enhanced ride comfort. In a nutshell, this new-generation estate is more engaging and fun to drive.

The uncompromising weight reduction of the new Astra Sports Tourer befits both agility and efficiency. The weight of the bodyshell alone was reduced by 85kg. Further chassis related measures helped to shed a further 50kg. Weight of the front and rear suspension was reduced, and high-strength and ultra-high-strength steels as well as more compact subframes were used. In the Astra Sports Tourer less weight does not mean less strength – the new body structure’s torsional rigidity has not been compromised and actually registers an increase, up from 18.6 to 19.0 kNm/degree. This solid structure ensures a firm foundation for optimising the new Astra’s handling and ride characteristics, as well as helping to attenuate the passage of noise and vibration into the cabin.

The top mountings of the MacPherson struts are de-coupled to separate the paths of spring and damper loadings. To reduce unsprung weight and optimise weight distribution, the combined strut carrier is in aluminium, while the anti-roll bar is in hollow steel. The lower, L-shaped control arms are made of mass-optimised sheet metal and attached through two bushings to a steel front subframe. The suspension geometry and the tuning of the bushings are designed to provide both lateral stiffness and longitudinal compliance for excellent handling and good ride comfort. The rearmost bushing is also elastomerically damped, helping to prevent the transmission of road shocks through the steering wheel.

This latest evolution of the MacPherson strut layout results in excellent roadholding and has been developed in combination with the improved, electrically-powered steering to deliver precise control and handling characteristics.

The dual-circuit braking system comes in one of three combinations: ‘15-inch’ specification (276mm ventilated front discs with 264mm solid rear discs), ‘16-inch’ specification (300mm ventilated front discs with 288mm solid rear discs); plus a ‘16-inch/15-inch’ alternative which uses the larger front and smaller rear discs.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is standard across the range. The ESC yaw sensor in the centre of the car detects movement around the vertical axis and another sensor on the steering column measures the steering angle being applied. These inputs are then correlated with the speed of the vehicle, and the system is programmed to execute whatever actions will most effectively prevent the onset of a loss of control. Depending upon the driving situation, it is possible for braking to be applied to one, two or three wheels at once, and, if necessary, the electronic throttle opening may be reduced.

The new Astra Sports Tourer’s rack-and-pinion steering system is electrically powered to help reduce fuel consumption. This speed-sensitive system is 18 per cent lighter and more energy-efficient, requiring less power assistance at all speeds. Additionally, Smooth Road Shake (SRS) compensation helps reduce any steering wheel vibration which may be caused by a road wheel imbalance. Drift Pull Compensation (DPC) automatically corrects any pull or drift tendency to keep the vehicle steering straight ahead.

SAFETY SYSTEMS

• Ideal combination of active and passive safety systems
• Introducing IntelliLux LED matrix light to the compact segment
• New-generation front camera system enables new level of safety

The latest generation of the Astra Sports Tourer will bring driver assistance systems and comfort features to the compact class. The Astra Sports Tourer features the full LED IntelliLux matrix light as well as the latest-generation front camera with enhanced capabilities and functionalities such as Collision Mitigation Braking and Collision Imminent Braking.

A comprehensive active and passive safety concept is the basis for outstanding protection in the new Astra Sports Tourer. The rigid passenger cell ensures the least possible deformation and the largest possible survival space in crash conditions. To accommodate the impact energy in case of a crash, the front, sides and rear of the passenger compartment are surrounded by energy absorption zones that deform in a controlled manner. The Sports Tourer comes equipped with an intelligent and dynamic lighting system, IntelliLux, that automatically and continuously adapts to the traffic situation while offering the maximum lighting capacity. 

Using input from the front-mounted camera to detect the light source from a vehicle approaching or immediately ahead, IntelliLux automatically deactivates individual LEDs in the relevant zone which could blind other drivers, simply masking out the area around the light source. The rest of the road and its surroundings remain brightly illuminated in high-beam mode. The LED segments are automatically switched back on as soon as the light source from other vehicles is no longer detected. With its high degree of precision and virtually instantaneous adaptability, IntelliLux LED with glare-free high beam (GFHB) functionality is the most advanced headlamp system currently available.

Numerous assistance systems benefit from the latest-generation front camera. It has higher image-processing power and an increased detection rate. One example is  Traffic Sign Assist, which can detect and display road signs and LED signs. In conjunction with Navi 900 IntelliLink, Traffic Sign Assist also continuously checks the front camera and navigation data for relevance. In the new Astra Sports Tourer, speed limits are permanently displayed on the screen located between the speedometer and the rev counter, thus reducing the risk of exceeding the speed limit.

The new Astra Sports Tourer can activate Following Distance Indication on the central display, which utilises the front camera to detect moving vehicles on the road ahead, calculating and displaying the distance in time. A green car symbolises the vehicle in front, and if the distance to the car in front is insufficient, the Headway Alert function is automatically activated and the symbol turns amber.

Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning are both available with the new Astra Sports Tourer. Recognising road markings, it gently turns the steering wheel in addition to the well-known alerts if the driver should unintentionally veer out of lane. If the corrective action does not prevent departure, the amber Lane Keep Assist icon flashes and provides warning tones as the lane marker is crossed to provide a Lane Departure Warning alert.

The Sports Tourer offers Forward Collision Alert with Collision Mitigation Braking functions. The Forward Collision Alert (FCA) feature assists drivers in avoiding or mitigating the impact of front-end collisions. In case of a potential collision, it warns the driver with a loud audible alarm, a visual warning in the instrument cluster and an LED projection on the windscreen. The system now also includes Integrated Brake Assist and Autonomous Emergency Braking. Vauxhall’s award-winning ultrasonic Side Blind Spot Alert provides an additional safety net both for Astra Sports Tourer drivers and other road users.

CONNECTIVITY

• Vauxhall OnStar services and powerful Wi-Fi Hotspot
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone integration
• Next-generation IntelliLink systems cover all bases

Occupants of the Astra Sports Tourer can enjoy outstanding connectivity thanks to Vauxhall OnStar. The infotainment offering includes two latest-generation devices of Vauxhall’s award-winning IntelliLink system, bringing the connected world of smartphones and apps into the car. One is alreadycompatible with the latest Android 5.0 Lollipop and Apple iOS 8 (or higher) smartphones, while the other will follow suit shortly. With the integration of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, users can access maps, message reading and third-party apps (depending on the integration system) via the car controls and its large touchscreens (up to eight inches).

OnStar, launched in the summer of 2015, is one of the cutting-edge service and safety features available in the new Astra Sports Tourer. It turns the car into a powerful a 4G/LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot, enabling up to seven devices to be connected to the car network. The built-in 4G LTE structure is integrated into the vehicle’s electrical system. As OnStar comprises an independent SIM card encapsulated in its module, customers are not required to have a smartphone to use connected services.

OnStar gives access to a broad portfolio of services such as emergency services, roadside assistance and remote control through the myVauxhall App. OnStar’s key principle is that subscribers are connected to real people. OnStar Advisors are located at the high-tech Vauxhall OnStar Contact Center in Luton. They are multilingual in order to be able to answer in the subscribers’ own languages and are available 24/7, 365 days a year.

At a push of the red SOS Button, OnStar users can request assistance whenever they deem it necessary, for example if they witness an accident. But OnStar is also there in case one cannot ask for help personally. For example, if an airbag deploys, OnStar is alerted automatically. An advisor will then contact the subscriber and call them in the vehicle via the OnStar module to determine if help is required. If there is no response, the advisor will immediately send emergency responders to the exact location of the vehicle.

The Privacy Button allows the subscriber to mask the position of the car and become invisible to the system: OnStar subscribers are in complete charge of their data. However, to ensure maximum safety for subscribers, OnStar will automatically overrule the privacy command in case an airbag is deployed.

In addition, OnStar subscribers can contact advisors from anywhere via the smartphone app. The app also enables the subscriber to remotely access important vehicle data such as oil life and tyre pressure, or to remotely lock or unlock their car.

The infotainment functions can be controlled via the touchscreen located on the centre console, via remote control on the steering wheel (selected functions only) or via voice control. In order to minimise the risk of distraction, the most important information can be repeatedly displayed directly under the drivers’ eyes in the colour instrument cluster located between the speedometer and the rev counter.

In combination with Onstar, smartphones can easily be connected to the car’s Wi-Fi Hotspot. This brings additional phone integration benefits such as real-time traffic information or the latest maps, and thanks to the map data being stored on a server instead of the phone, it saves memory on the device.

All models come with Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity, audio streaming, Aux-in and USB ports. DAB+ enables better radio selection and reception. In addition, Navi 900 IntelliLink offers a high level of personalisation – the home screen can be tailored according to customer preferences. It also offers a favourites concept, which gives users the possibility to adapt the infotainment system to their individual needs. Up to 60 favourites including radio stations, phone contacts, playlists, navigation destinations, etc. can be stored.

RANGE, PRICING AND EQUIPMENT

• New Astra Tourer in showrooms in March priced from £16,585 OTR
• Up to £1,870 less expensive than the outgoing model
• Class-leading powertrains achieve up to 83.1mpg and as low as 89g/km

Vauxhall’s all-new Astra Sports Tourer will be in showrooms in March priced from £16,585 on-the-road.

The new Sports Tourer, built at Vauxhall’s manufacturing plant in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, follows hot on the heels of the highly-acclaimed five-door model and is up to £1,870 less expensive than the outgoing ST with a simplified range. The new Astra Sports Tourer range includes Design, Tech Line, SRi and Elite, with Nav versions of the SRi and Elite trims also available.

Range highlights include the 1.0-litre three-cylinder Turbo Start/Stop ecoFLEX model priced from £17,285 on-the-road. With an Easytronic five-speed automatic transmission, the same model achieves an impressive 97g/km CO2 emissions. The range-topping 1.6-litre (200PS) is available in SRi trim priced from £21,725 on-the-road. The diesel offering includes the 1.6-litre ‘Whisper Diesel’ (110PS) Start/Stop ecoFLEX model (prices start at £18,785 on-the-road) that achieves 83.1mpg and CO2 emissions of 89g/km.

Each trim level features a high level of standard specification:

DESIGN

£16,585-£20,790

Standard features include:

Exterior

• 16-inch alloy wheels*
• Rear spoiler
• Chrome-effect upper window trim
• Black roof rails

Interior

• Comfort front seats
• Steering column adjustable for reach and rake
• Steering wheel mounted audio controls

Infotainment

• R4.0 IntelliLink system (IntelliLink smartphone projection, seven-inch colour touch-screen, AM/FM/DAB digital radio, Bluetooth audio streaming, Bluetooth mobile phone portal, USB and aux-in audio connection)

Convenience

• Air conditioning
• Cruise control with speed limiter
• Automatic lighting control
• Multi-function trip computer
• Electrically operated front and rear windows
• Electrically adjustable/heated door mirrors
• Remote control central locking

Safety

• Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) and Antilock Braking System (ABS)
• Hill start assist
• Driver’s and front passenger’s airbags
• Front seat side-impact airbags
• Full-size curtain airbags
• Tyre pressure monitoring system
• ISOFIX child seat restraint system for outer rear seats
• Seatbelt pre-tensioners for front and outer rear seats
• Height-adjustable front and rear seat head restraints
• Electronic engine deadlock immobiliser
• Door-to-door illumination
• LED daytime running lights

* = Please note: Standard 16-inch alloy wheels for Design and Tech Line models will not be available until late Summer 2016. Therefore until then both models will be supplied with 16-inch structure wheels.

TECH LINE*

£17,285-£21,490

Features over Design:

Interior

• Leather-covered steering wheel
• Adjustable front armrest
• Six premium speakers (four front, two rear)

Infotainment

• Navi 900 IntelliLink system with fully integrated European sat nav system and eight-inch colour touch-screen

* = Please note: Standard 16-inch alloy wheels for Design and Tech Line models will not be available until late Summer 2016.. Therefore until then both models will be supplied with 16-inch structure wheels.

SRi

£19,885-£24,090

Features over Design:

Exterior

• 17-inch 5 twin-spoke alloy wheels
• Front fog lights
• Silver-effect roof rails

Interior

• Leather-covered steering wheel
• Sports-style front seats
• Adjustable front armrest
• Storage pockets on front seat backs
• Six premium speakers (four front, two rear)

Convenience

• Rain-sensitive windscreen wipers
• Automatic lighting with tunnel detection
• Automatic anti-dazzle rear-view mirror
• Sport switch (not available on 1.4i 100PS models)

Safety

• Vauxhall OnStar your personal connectivity and service assistant
• Driving Assistance Pack One featuring intelligent forward camera system: lane departure warning with lane assist, traffic sign recognition, following distance indicator, forward collision alert with automatic city emergency braking
• Remote control alarm system (optional at extra cost on 1.4i 100PS models)

SRi Nav models additionally feature

• Navi 900 IntelliLink system with fully-integrated European sat nav system and eight-inch colour touch-screen

Elite

£20,605-£24,810

Features over Design:

Exterior

• 17-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels
• Front fog lights
• Silver-effect roof rails

Interior

• Heated leather-covered steering wheel
• Leather seat trim
• Ergonomic sports front seats, featuring: extendable seat cushions and seat tilt adjustment, four-way electrical lumbar adjustment
• Heated front and outer rear seats
• Adjustable front armrest
• Storage pockets on front seat backs
• Six premium speakers (four front, two rear)
• Front sill plates
• Two rear USB charging points

Convenience

• Electronic dual-zone climate control
• Rain-sensitive windscreen wipers
• Automatic lighting control with tunnel detection
• Automatic anti-dazzle rear-view mirror
• Electrically folding door mirrors
• Electric parking brake

Safety

• Vauxhall OnStar your personal connectivity and service assistant
• Remote control alarm system

Elite Nav models additionally feature

• Navi 900 IntelliLink system and fully integrated European sat nav and eight-inch colour touch screen

ELLESMERE PORT – HOME OF VAUXHALL’S COMPACT CARS FOR OVER FIVE DECADES

• World-class manufacturing facility producing a series of British best-sellers
• New Astra is the eleventh major model-line to be built at EP
• Provides employment for more than 2,000 people in UK’s Northwest region

For 51 years, Ellesmere Port has been the manufacturing home of every compact class Vauxhall sold in the UK, and is now set to become the launch factory for not only the seventh-generation of Astra, but also Opel versions sold across Europe.

The new Astra is the eleventh generation of compact car to be built at Ellesmere. It opened its lines to the original Vauxhall Viva HA in 1964, and went on to produce a further two Viva models, the Chevette and then each successive Astra in five door, esate/Sports Tourer and Astravan form.

General Motors’ plan to locate its revolutionary production facility at Ellesmere Port in 1961 was a vital shot in the arm for the economy in England’s Northwest region. Based on a 440-acre, ex-RAF station, the plant now employs 2,000 people and has, in total, produced over five million vehicles since that first Viva HA rolled of its lines.

Today, the current Vauxhall Astra is the one of the best-selling UK-built cars in Britain, and thanks to Ellesmere Port’s ultra-modern and efficient infrastructure - which in the last 22 years has received over £1 billion of GM investment – it is set to pass on this mantle to the new Astra.

The Ellesmere Port roll-call: from Viva HA to Mk 7 Astra in 51 years:

Viva HA

While Vauxhall’s first foray into the compact family car market came in 1936 with the H-Type – the world’s first unitary construction (monocoque) model, it was the launch of the Viva in 1963 that really saw the Griffin gain momentum in what rapidly became, and remains, the best-selling sector of the market. Launched in 1963, the Viva was initially built in Luton, with production transferring to the brand new Ellesmere Port facility the following year – home to each generation of compact Vauxhall family car ever since. Light, simple to maintain and neatly styled the HA Viva was just the ticket for motorists who wanted a no-nonsense, inexpensive family car and its ease-of-maintenance gave it particular appeal in the days when part of Dad’s weekly routine was to spend an hour tinkering on a Sunday! Over 300,000 Viva HAs were sold in a relatively short lifespan of just three years, although the Bedford Van variant – the HAV – continued well into the 1980s thanks to its fleet appeal.

Viva HB

Whereas the Viva HA’s appeal lay very much in its simplicity, its successor moved Vauxhall’s compact car offering up towards a far more mature and discerning audience. Gone were the original car’s simple transverse leaf suspension and narrow track, replaced by a car that used sophisticated coil springs all round. The styling was also much more modern – the famous ‘coke bottle’ swage line seen in many cars of the era made its debut on the HB Viva, giving it a look that still appears relatively fresh today. It was also offered in more body styles than ever before – two and four-door saloons, as well as a stylish estate. Performance versions included the ‘Brabham’ Viva, developed for GM by the 1966 F1 champion Jack Brabham and sold through his own dealership, and the even more potent Viva GT with trademark matt black bonnet and the ability to crack 100mph, making it a firm favourite among the motorsport fraternity. Over half a million Viva HBs were sold in four years.

Viva HC

The longest production run of any Viva model was enjoyed by the HC, which remained a stalwart of the Vauxhall range from its introduction in 1970 through till the end of 1979. So advanced was the HB Viva’s four-link rear and independent front suspension set-up that it was carried over directly to the HC, along with much of the car’s structural and mechanical architecture. Where the HC differed was in its styling, substituting the curvy HB look with more angular, straight lines. Many styling cues were taken from Detroit, with the car’s fluted bonnet resembling that of a contemporary Pontiac, rear lamp units reminiscent of a Buick Regal and unusual ‘wave’ effect wheelarches, which gave the car a forward-leaning appearance. The HC also reflected the rapidly growing fleet market in the UK, with a much broader range of engines and trim levels than ever before. The two-door and four-door saloons were complemented by an unusual looking estate, as well as the Firenza – a two-door coupe that squared up to Ford’s Capri in this style conscious sector of the market. In 1973, the Magnum appeared, effectively a renamed version of the larger-engined HC Vivas aimed at more upmarket audience – the car was pitched as much more of a rival to the Triumph Dolomite than it was to the Morris Marina, for example. Perhaps the most iconic versions of the HC, despite their minuscule volumes, were the ‘Droop Snoot’ Firenza and Sporthatch models, finished in Silver Starfire metallic paint and fitted with unusual polyurethane ‘beak’ containing triple headlights. They are by far the most collectable HC variants today.

Chevette

Launched in 1975 and sold alongside the HC Viva for the first half of its life, the Chevette featured distinctive ‘shovel-nosed’ styling courtesy of Vauxhall’s then design boss Wayne Cherry. The aerodynamic look was exclusive to Vauxhall despite the Chevette being the first ever global GM project. Dubbed T-Car, compact models based on the Chevette architecture appeared in various markets, as the Chevrolet Chevette in the States, Holden Gemini in Australia, Isuzu Gemini in Japan and Opel Kadett C in continental Europe, although they all looked distinctly different. Initially sold only as Vauxhall’s first ever hatchback, thus protecting Viva sales, the three-door was joined by four-door saloon and estate models in late 1976. It was also built as a panel van, the Chevanne, which was the precursor to today’s incredibly successful Astravan range. As well as enjoying success in the showrooms (over 415,000 Chevettes were sold by the time it was withdrawn in 1984) the short wheelbase and rear-wheel-drive made the car ideal for rallying, and the rally-tuned HS and HSR versions of the Chevette achieved some fine results for Vauxhall’s dealer-backed race team, DTV. The Chevette was facelifted in 1981, gaining rubber bumpers and a revised dashboard, and it sold alongside the Astra as a lower-priced entry-level model until the Astra Mk 2 debuted in 1984.

Astra Mk 1

By far the most significant of Vauxhall’s new compact models yet, the 1979 Astra Mk 1 represented a complete transformation for the brand, and also set new standards of comfort, handling and refinement for its class. The newcomer was the first front-wheel-drive compact family car from Vauxhall and it rose head-on to the challenge of the VW Golf, a car that had won over pundits across Europe for its quality, front-wheel-drive handling and packaging, but which would finally meet its nemesis at the hands of Vauxhall’s new offering. The Mk 1 was neatly styled and exceptionally well made, offering comfort and build quality never before seen in a Vauxhall of this size. It was also offered in a myriad of bodystyles, including three and five-door hatchbacks, a four-door saloon, three and five-door estates and a panel van. A new range of OHC engines and a 1.6-litre diesel (another first for Vauxhall in this area of the market) added further to the car’s appeal, especially in the key fleet market. The Mk 1 also saw the birth of the first Astra GTE, a performance icon that would become one of the best-known hot hatches of the 1980s. Over half a million MK 1 Astras were sold.

Astra Mk 2

By the mid-1980s, aerodynamic efficiency was very much in vogue, and the Astra Mk 2 certainly didn’t disappoint. It carried over the platform and powertrains from the first generation car, but the design team had been set the task of achieving a drag co-efficient of less than 0.30 – a figure more akin to a sports car than to a family hatchback. Launched in 1984, the Mk 2 was quite a surprise, featuring such innovation as flush-fitting guttering and windows, a wraparound bumper and a curvaceous,  windcheating front end that successfully combined handsome looks with the desired aerodynamic efficiency. The result of the designers’ efforts was a car that, even today, doesn’t look outdated in modern traffic, and which quite deservedly won the 1985 European Car of the Year award. Again, the number of engines and trim levels were vast, as were the different body styles – although this time the four-door saloon was sold as a standalone model named Belmont, and there was also a two-door convertible styled by Bertone. The GTE was once again the iconic figurehead of the range, especially from 1990 when it gained a new 16v engine, developing 150bhp. Over 600,000 Astra Mk 2s were sold in a seven-year period.

Astra Mk 3

Introduced in 1991, the Astra Mk 3 built further on the success of the Mk2 by adopting a similarly slippery body shape, albeit taller, wider and longer than the car it replaced in order to increase passenger space and comfort. The newcomer was 34 per cent stiffer than the outgoing car, which made for tidy, well-composed handling, while interior quality and trim levels were also improved in what had become a particularly competitive area of the market, especially among fleet customers. The car was launched at the 1991 Frankfurt Motor Show, where it became the first Opel to adopt a name from Vauxhall – GM’s continental European arm deciding to drop the established Kadett moniker after 55 years in favour of that used by the British. As one of the safest and best-equipped cars in its segment, the Mk 3 was hugely popular with British buyers and the Mk 3 was never out of the top 10 sellers charts throughout its life – with total UK sales of over 600,000 when it was finally withdrawn in 1998.

Astra Mk 4

Some of the greatest innovations in motoring aren’t visible to the naked eye, and in the case of the Astra Mk 4 its fully-galvanised bodyshell may not have had the showroom appeal of stacks of standard equipment, but it did ensure that, even today, a Mk 4 Astra with any signs of rust is a rarely-witnessed sight. This longevity was part of a programme instigated at the car’s design stage to deliver a level of quality, integrity and solidity that buyers had come to expect from more upmarket brands, yet deliver them to Vauxhall’s target, mainstream customer – a message that went down especially well with fleet customers, who lapped up Mk 4 Astras as fast as the Ellesmere Port plant could produce them. The Mk 4 Astra was a tempting showroom proposition, with excellent equipment levels, well-sorted dynamics and class-leading performance from its most popular engine choices. Of particular interest were the Bertone-styled (and built) coupe and convertible models introduced in 2000, the latter of which had a button on the keyfob with which you could remotely raise and lower the roof. The Mk 4 was also the first Astra (and, indeed, the first compact hatchback in the UK) to comply with the Euro 4 emissions legislation that has become the norm today – all 1.7 CDTi models from 2002 onwards met the new criteria, proving that GM was ahead of the game when it came to predicting future trends.

Astra Mk 5

The Mk 4 in 2004 brought with it a new era of stylish design and driving dynamics, moving the Astra up a gear in terms of its showroom appeal and winning universal praise at launch for its handsome good looks. Building on the car’s visual attributes were a new range of engines including 1.9-litre CDTi diesels, which offered all the performance of a high-powered petrol engine with none of the associated running costs. Indeed, the 1.9 CDTi 150 version of the Astra has exactly the same power output as the Astra Mk 2 GTE 16v – a car renowned for its phenomenal performance. Following on from the five-door hatch and estate models at launch, Vauxhall introduced the three-door ‘Sport Hatch’ in 2005, combining the appeal of a coupe and a three-door hatchback in one body style, and introducing such options as the new ‘Panoramic’ windscreen, with a glass area that cut back into the roof to give incredible airiness and visibility. A panel van joined the line-up in 2006, along with the Astra TwinTop – a hard-roofed coupe that could be turned into an open top at the push of a button.

Astra Mk 6

Launched at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, Vauxhall’s outgoing Astra raised the bar for compact cars sold in the UK, with a combination of stylish design, class-leading dynamics, ultra-efficient powertrains and upscale quality. With its strong, cab-forward silhouette, steeply raked windscreen and sloping rear roofline, the Astra MK 6 made ingenious use of many of the design features found in the Insignia, but in a fresh and innovative way. Also like the Insignia, it spent over 600 hours in the wind tunnel, benefiting performance, economy and overall refinement. Echoing the flowing forms of its bodywork, the MK 6 Astra’s interior marked a major shift towards premium design and quality in the compact sector. It employed the recurring wing and blade motifs that were first introduced in the Insignia but used in a fresh and innovative way. Continuing Vauxhall’s trend for innovation, its engineers combined the size, weight and efficiency benefits of a compound crank rear axle with a cleverly positioned Watt’s link, which helped support lateral forces during cornering. Innovative technology included Advanced Forward Lighting, ergonomic driver’s seat, FlexFloor boot storage and Flex-Fix integrated bike carrier.