New Astra hits road today

First customers will receive the keys to their new Astras today as Vauxhall celebrates the retail launch of what’s set to be the best-selling British-built car in the UK.

Vauxhall dealers across the country are expecting a surge of interest in the new five-door hatchback when their doors open this morning. They’ll also be busy delivering cars to eager customers who placed their orders soon after the car went on sale in September.

With its range of five petrol and three diesel engines and a starting price of just £15,675, the new Astra promises to reinforce its position as one of the most popular cars in its class, where it’s held sway in the UK for nearly 30 years.

Featuring a powerful and rakish design and clever interior packaging that offers more occupant space and comfort than ever before, the new Astra is available in five trim levels – S, Exclusiv, SRi, SE and Elite.

All models now come with ESP, 6 airbags, air conditioning, electric windows, CD/radio with MP3 format and aux-in and electric/heated door mirrors.

But the Astra will also offer customers a range of options not normally found in this class. AFL (Adaptive Forward Lighting) offers drivers nine headlight functions that automatically adapt to road conditions, while the addition of FlexRide brings a choice of three suspension settings which drivers can manually control or leave for the car to select automatically.

The Astra’s engine efficiency has improved by over 13 per cent on the outgoing range, meaning that drivers will not only benefit from cleaner emissions, but also a reduction fuel costs, VED and Benefit in Kind tax for fleet users. Petrol engines range from an 87PS 1.4-litre to a 1.6-litre turbocharged unit producing 180PS, while diesels span from 110 to 160PS in either 1.7 CDTi or 2.0 CDTi form.

Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port plant will build new Astras for all European markets initially, but the UK will take the biggest share, with around 25 per cent of all production going to British buyers.