What is it?
A new Astra is a bit like a new corner shop opening down the road; it's not really that fashionable, but it's a British institution and loads of people are going to use it. Interestingly, the owners of this particular corner shop claim it will offer great value while matching the quality of the boutique organic greengrocer up the road. That's the VW Golf, obviously. Can it work?
Why's it here?
Unlike many of the manufacturers at
Frankfurt, Vauxhall has used its official launch pad to spell out exactly how much the Astra will cost, as well as what will power it and the cars it's aiming to steal sales from. It has also confirmed that the sixth generation car will be built in Ellesmere Port, again, which conveniently sweeps under the carpet the recent brouhaha about the GM/Vauxhall takeover and inevitable job losses.
However, Vauxhall's pricing strategy places the new Astra right where it probably doesn't want to be: German premium hatch territory. Prices start at £15,675 for a 1.4-litre petrol, which although £270 more than the previous generation's base model, comes equipped with air conditioning as standard. Not much to complain about there. However, a 2.0-litre CDTi automatic will cost £23,695. Compare that to the price of a BMW 120d M Sport, an Audi A3 S Line TDI 170 and a Golf GTD (all manual, mind) and ask yourself whether Vauxhall can really play the value card with this one?
Show stopper or floor filler?
By nature of it being the new Astra and the UK being its single biggest market, we're all over it here, and despite our concerns about pricing it's shaping up to be a very reasonable proposition. Technology includes adaptive headlights, speed limit recognition and an adaptive chassis (all optional, obviously), and Vauxhall assures everyone it will drive with the same assured alacrity as the Insignia mostly does.
Mark Nichol - 16 Sep 2009