CAR News

Vauxhall Astra GTC

Opel announces production version of stunning GTC Paris Concept

These first images of the new generation Opel Astra GTC may show it in a virtual landscape, but as it races down an imaginary road, real test cars are now running final validation drives: The Astra GTC is officially a production reality.

And on June 7 – in just six weeks’ time – Opel will reveal full details about the Astra GTC to coincide with its order books opening. Pricing, technology, equipment and powertrains will be laid bare, giving customers the chance to specify their ideal model and place an order early. The first production version of the new Opel Astra GTC will then receive its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show, on September 15, 2011.

Based on last year’s Opel GTC Paris concept car presented early October 2010 at the Mondial de l’Automobile, the production Astra GTC will be a 5-seater, 3-door sporty compact car with dramatic proportions. It will feature the very best of Opel’s latest technology, as well as unique chassis features.

2011 Vauxhall Astra ES Tech

A new model joins Vauxhall’s Astra range today, which squarely targets similarly-priced five-door hatch rivals from Fordand VW by offering levels of standard equipment and trim not usually seen outside the options list.

Starting at just £18,110 for the 140PS 1.4-litre Turbo model, the ES Tech comes as standard with a CD500 Satnav system (including CD player, MP3, USB, iPod control, seven speakers and aux-in socket), Bluetooth, a DAB radio, 17-inch alloy wheels and aircon. This complements the alreadygenerous level of standard equipment found in most Astra models, such as curtain airbags, ESP, daytime running lights, cruise control and steering wheel-mounted audio controls.

Which is bad news for the Astra’s rivals. Compared with the £800 moreexpensive VW Golf 1.4 TSI (122PS) Match, the Astra ES Tech 1.4 Turbo gains satnav, in addition to offering an extra 18PS of power from its 140PS engine. The Astra’s benchmark performance figures also beat the Golf’s, with a 0-60mph time of 9.0 seconds and top speed of 126mph. Game, set and match to the Astra?

For diesel buyers, the Astra ES Tech is available with the 125PS 1.7 CDTi engine, and with sub-120g/km emissions this version is one of Vauxhall’s growing range of ecoFLEX models. At £19,530, the ES Tech ecoFLEX gains key items of standard kit over Ford’s new challenger including satnav and cruise control. Performance is still exceptional (0-60mph in 10.7 seconds, top speed of 122mph), but with a combined fuelconsumption of 62.8mpg, this Astra ES Tech is one of the most efficientcars in its class.

“We know that the competition is fierce in the compact class, so the Astra needs to deliver.” said Duncan Aldred, Vauxhall’s Managing Director. “The new ES Tech models now raise the bar for value and equipment levels in the class and should make buyers think twice before putting their hard-earned cash down on a Ford or VW.”

MY11.5 New Astra HB5 ES Tech Model Pricing @ 20% VAT

Model
New Astra Engine Bodystyle Trans Price (£) VAT @
20% (£) Total
(£) On-the-road RRP
(£) CO2 (g/km)
ES Tech 1.4 Turbo (140PS) 5 door hatchback 6 speed £14,370.83 £2874.17 £17,245.00 £18,110.00 138
ES Tech 1.7
(125PS) 5 door hatchback 6 speed £15,645.83 £3129.17 £18,775.00 £19,530.00 119

Fuel Economy & CO2 Emissions

Engine / Wheel Size Urban
driving Extra urban
driving Combined
figure CO2 emissions
(g/km)
1.4 Turbo (140PS) / 17”
wheels 35.8 (7.9) 60.1 (4.7) 47.9 (5.9) 138
1.7 (125PS) / 17” wheels 52.3 (5.4) 70.6 (4.0) 62.8 (4.5) 119

2011 Vauxhall Corsa VXR Blue Edition

Hot on the heels of the new-look Corsa range, the Corsa VXR Blue Edition features new styling details, additional kit as standard and a head-turning paintjob, at a price that’ll send its rivals into a spin.

At £19,425 (including 20% VAT), the Corsa VXR Blue undercuts key competitors like the Citroen DS3 R and the Mini Cooper Works by up to £3,600. Included in its price, this limited edition model features Arden Blue metallic paint, 18-inch alloys, dark-tinted glass, bespoke interior air vents and Recaro seats – that equates to a £445 saving compared with the cost of speccing a ‘standard’ Corsa VXR with this kit.

Like other models in the new-look Corsa range, the VXR and VXR Blue sport new ‘Eagle-Eye’ headlamps and a signature bar across the grille, coloured in blue. But in addition, the VXR gets a more aggressive front end, with deep in-set fog lamps, a wider and more prominent grille and a low, sculpted front spoiler to boost its sporting appeal. Inside, blue detailing can be found throughout, including the stitching on the leather steering-wheel, the interior air-vent colour and the trim on the Recaro seats.

Powered by the lightweight 1.6 Turbo, producing 192PS, this VXR boasts a 0-60mph time of just 6.8 seconds and a top speed of 140mph. An overboost feature increases maximum torque to 260+Nm when the power is needed.

The Corsa VXR Blue comes with lowered sports suspension, uprated brakes and switchable Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), guaranteeing enthusiastic drivers a fine mix of dynamic security and adjustability.

Available to order now, the Corsa VXR Blue will hit dealers late February.

2011 Vauxhall Corsa Facelift

These are the first official shots of Vauxhall’s Corsa, sporting its fresh new face, trims and colours ready for delivery to first UK customers in February next year.

-Redesigned, up-market face brings Corsa up to date with other new Vauxhalls
- ‘V’ grille replaced by chrome signature bar featuring new Griffin design
-Five new colours and a host of new trims introduced to range

The Corsa, Vauxhall’s second best-selling model after the Astra, and a near-permanent fixture in the UK’s top-three best sellers’ list, has now adopted many of the premium styling cues from other recently launched Vauxhalls, such as the Insignia, Astra and Meriva.

Styled by Niels Loeb, Vauxhall/Opel’s Chief Exterior Designer working in Brit, Mark Adams’ design team, the new Corsa features a signature chrome bar, carrying the new Griffin badge, stretching across the front grille, while a re-styled front bumper with a more prominent, wider lower grille gives the Corsa a smiling appearance.

Framing the Corsa’s new face are ‘Eagle-Eye’ headlamps, which have also made an appearance on the recently launched Meriva. The units have a chrome finish and include daytime running lights as standard across the range. New chrome-finished fog lamps and housings complete the picture at the front of the car.

Complementing the Corsa’s fresh look are five new exterior colours in the range. Lime Green pearlescent (see pic) and Chilli Orange metallic enhance the car’s new look, with Guacamole (see pic) – a solid hue – completing the pallet of all-new Vauxhall colours. Sunny Melon (a bright yellow) makes a welcome return to the Corsa range, while Pepperdust metallic is carried across from the new Meriva range.

Vibrant new colours also dominate the Corsa’s cabin, with seat trims such as Steel Blue and Tabasco Orange brightening the interior, accompanied by a range of different coloured door trims, centre consoles, air vent rings and door handles.

Also inside, is Vauxhall’s new optional Touch & Connect multi-media system, which replaces the existing CD60 unit. Touch & Connect uses a five-inch touch screen display featuring both 2D and 3D maps for the navigation system, as well as a CD/tuner, aux-in, USB and Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity.

Outside, the new Corsa benefits from new 16-inch alloy wheels on both SE and SXi models, while the 192PS VXR receives the option of a new 18-inch alloy wheel, modelled on the design of the optional 20-inch wheel worn by the Insignia VXR.

Corsa’s new appearance complements recent upgrades to chassis and powertrain

With its fresh new look, the Corsa is now a very different car to the one on sale a year ago. Before the latest exterior and interior design changes were made, the Corsa had already benefited from a long list of significant upgrades to its chassis and powertrains. For example, certain ecoFLEX engines now feature Vauxhall’s Start/Stop technology, which has reduced emissions on the 1.3 CDTi (95PS) ecoFLEX model to just 94g/km, combined with fuel consumption of 91.1mpg on the government’s extra urban cycle (78.5mpg combined).

To maintain its success in the small-car class, Vauxhall’s engineers also made important revisions to the car’s steering and suspension set-ups. Softer springs were employed in the front suspension, mated to an anti-roll bar with new bushes and an increased diameter, improving ride and control characteristics.

Complementing this were revised damper settings all round, an optional re-tuned ESP system and enhanced steering geometry, ensuring that the Corsa remained as pleasurable to drive as it was economical to own.

Pricing

The new Corsa range starts at £9995, based on 2011’s 20 per cent VAT rate. However, setting aside the 2.5 per cent VAT increase, which will apply to all cars from January 4, new Corsa prices have only risen by between £60 and £75, depending upon model and, reflecting the exterior and cabin enhancements on all models in the range. A full current price list, based on 20 per cent VAT, is attached.