Vauxhall has pitched its range-topping Astra diesel against premium oil burning versions of the VW Golf, Audi A3 and BMW 1-series. The new Astra was officially launched today at the Frankfurt motor show.
Read our review of the latest Vauxhall Astra hatch.
There will also be a range of hi-tech options including FlexRide chassis, adaptive headlights, Opel Eye (speed limit sign recognition and relay), and a bike rack similar to that on the Corsa.
The new Astra has gone on sale and the loaded 158bhp 2.0 CDTi Elite Auto costs £23,695. This compares to £22,515 for the A3 2.0 TDI 170 S Line, although an auto box would be extra.
Design boss Mark Adams told Autocar that the car's key rival would be the VW Golf. "But the Astra is more dynamic and emotional than the Golf," he says. "It's more youthful and fashionable too."
The entry-level 1.4-litre 85bhp Exclusiv Astra costs £15,675, just £270 more than the outgoing base model. The SRi 1.4i Turbo, with its new-to-range engine, is just £10 more than the current un-blown SRi 1.8-litre petrol, yet has the same power with lower emissions.
Britain’s Ellesmere Port factory will be responsible for manufacturing all Astras sold across Europe, but UK buyers will get 25 per cent of total production.
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Re: Flagship Astra to cost £23,695
So true. I used to work for a company which bought rather than leased its cars and had a deal with Vauxhall. I saw the invoice for my £20k Vectra which showed that the company only paid £12k. An £8k discount which was no doubt being subsidised by retail customers.
Re: Flagship Astra to cost £23,695
Firstly all UK prices are heading up due to the much weaker pound ( despite the fact that the Astra is made in the UK!). Ssecondly Vauxhall clearly give big discounts to its main customers which are ( were ) fleets. In the past it has probably been true that the real world percent depreciation on a Vectra was about the same as a 3 series because Vauxhall give big discounts to fleets whereas the 3 series not only goes out at near list but with lots of extras whose value is never recognized in the the quoted depreciation numbers.
That said, I would suggest that Vauxhall has two big problems with this pricing, firstly company car tax is retail price times CO2 so fleet user/choosers will not like an Astra which costs them extra tax due to higher retail AND poor CO2 ratings versus BMW. That will put pressure on fleet mangers to de-list the Astra. Secondly Vauxhall's market share is in free fall at the moment and , given their big fleet business this must be due to all the survival uncertainty which is not going to go away quickly. There are already stories in the leasing press of Vauxhall being de-listed by some finance houses.
However good the Astra may be selling at those prices to private punters and doubting fleet mgrs is going to be a very hard job.
Re: Flagship Astra to cost £23,695
The Insignia CDTi Elite 160 hatch is £24.5k though not sure if this is the auto price, why would anyone spend £700/800 less and get a smaller car? Does this mean the VXR versions could be near £30k when they arrive? The Insignia VXR hatch is £31-32k as comparison. This Astra is nice looking but these prices are high for a mass market car. Now if Vauxhall gave me one of the 'special' police versions with 'additional' equipment for £24k, which was highlghted in AC last week, I may reconsider. The benefit is at least I can get home a bit quicker through the rush hour!