AUTOCAR AWARDS - The UK Built Astra takes the "Game Changer" award, and it's so well deserved.

Vauxhall’s all-new Astra has claimed another title with the Autocar Game-Changer Award, proving itself to be one of the top models on the market. This latest accolade adds to the Astra’s already impressive list of awards following its launch late last year.

Announced at the annual Autocar awards ceremony at Silverstone’s prestigious Wing complex, the Astra topped the extremely competitive Game-Changer category. 

The award recognises the Astra as the car that has leapt forward in many areas, but has also helped to set new standards and defy conventions in the car industry. The judges praised the seventh-generation model for its versatility, value for money and technology.

“The new Astra has taken a quantum leap forward over the previous generation and has put Vauxhall back in the running in one of the most competitive sectors of the industry,” said Jim Holder, Autocar’s Editorial Director. “It stands out for doing everything well, and some things better than everyone else. The Astra has an outstanding diesel engine and agile handling, while its infotainment and safety technologies provide selling points you might not expect from the brand.”

This year has already proven to be an extremely successful year for the model, with this award the latest in a list that also includes being named European Car of the Year, a Family Car category win at the What Car? Awards, and winning the Lower Medium category at the Fleet News Awards.

“The Astra continues to go from strength-to-strength this year, and winning the Autocar Game-Changer Award further proves this,” said Rory Harvey, Vauxhall’s Chairman and Managing Director. “It’s great to see how well-received the Astra has been so far, and we hope to keep up this winning streak.”

GENEVA - And the European car Of The Year for 2016 is........ A surprise, but a great one

Vauxhall’s all-new Brit-built Astra has been named European Car of the Year 2016 at the 86^thGeneva Motor Show.

The award was decided by 58 leading automotive journalists from around Europe. It was presented to Vauxhall/Opel CEO Dr Karl-Thomas Neumann by Car of the Year President Hakan Matson on the eve of the first press day of the Geneva International Motor Show.  Astra received a total of 309 points versus 294 for the Volvo XC90 and 202 for the Mazda MX-5.

“We’re delighted the Astra has been recognised for yet another award,” said Rory Harvey, Vauxhall’s Chairman and Managing Director. “To be named European Car of the Year by judges throughout Europe is a testament to the hard work that has gone into the Astra. This is the new model’s first full year of sales, and it has already been well-received.”

This year is the 52^nd European Car of the Year awards and the Astra’s win marks the fifth Car of the Year title for Opel/Vauxhall. The previous winners were the Astra Mk2, Omega A, Insignia and Ampera.

This year has already proven to be a positive one for the model, with this award the latest in a list that also includes a Family Car category win at the What Car? Awards and being named Scottish Car of the Year. More than 40 new cars were among the list of contenders and the

Astra emerged as the winner from a field of seven Car of the Year finalists.

The all-new Astra is available with the new-generation IntelliLink infotainment system and OnStar, a comprehensive package, which includes a high-speed 4G LTE mobile network, emergency response notification and stolen vehicle recovery technology. OnStar has received plaudits of its own recently, winning the Auto Express Technology and the BusinessCar Techies awards.

The All-New Astra takes the prestigious Golden Steering Wheel award at the German car awards ceremony.

• All-new Astra beats rivals to compact class crown
• Group CEO Neumann and CMO Müller accept significant award

Vauxhall’s Brit-built Astra won the best compact car honour at the prestigious Golden Steering Wheel Awards, Germany’s automotive Oscars, in Berlin last night.

Vauxhall/Opel Group CEO Dr Karl-Thomas Neumann and Chief Marketing Officer Tina Müller attended the ceremony in the Axel-Springer-Haus, receiving the award from editors-in-chief Marion Horn (Bild am Sonntag) and Bernd Wieland (Auto Bild). The Golden Steering Wheel is awarded jointly by the two publications.

A jury consisting of readers, experts and celebrities pick the best newcomers each year after extensive test drives.

“We at Vauxhall/Opel can be extremely proud of this Golden Steering Wheel. It proves that all of our efforts have paid off. The new Astra is synonymous for lightweight, highly-efficient engines, better packaging, features from the luxury class, trendsetting connectivity and exemplary quality,” said a jubilant Dr Neumann at the award ceremony.

Opel’s CMO Tina Müller added: “We have already received more than 40,000 orders for the new Astra. And now we have won this very special prize. We can all be delighted with it.”

Built at Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port plant in Cheshire, the new Astra is up to 200kg lighter than the outgoing model and thanks to its clever design it is smaller on the outside and bigger inside.

The powertrain portfolio features petrol and diesel units ranging from 100PS to 200PS, including an all-new 1.4-litre (145PS) ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo, a four-cylinder unit from the same family as the one-litre, three-cylinder engine seen in Corsa, ADAM and VIVA.

Equipped with OnStar, the first all-new Vauxhall to feature this technology; this includes high-speed 4G LTE mobile network, emergency response notification and stolen vehicle recovery technology. It is also one of the first vehicles from a mainstream manufacturer to get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, available through a new version of the IntelliLink infotainment system.