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Vauxhall Astra I (2009 - )

What's Good

New Astra for 2009 revealed at Paris Motor Show October 2008 and first on sale in the UK from 11-12-2009. 4,400mm long. "All new" chassis with adaptive damping to, improcve comfort and handling. Production cars to make debut at Frankfurt Show in September 2009. On sale UK from late 2009. Mark Adams same design team leader as for Insignia. Wider track front and rear, new rear axle design, to improve stability, and comfort. Optional FlexRide system offers drivers three unique damper settings – standard, sport and tour – while being adaptive to changes in driving style and cornering speed. Optional, latest generation AFL (Adaptive Forward Lighting), which features bi-xenon lighting that changes its intensity and reach to suit prevailing road conditions. All-new, 140PS turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol unit, which builds on Vauxhall’s commitment to engine downsizing and reduced emissions/fuel consumption, while retaining the performance of a larger capacity vehicle. The 1.4T joins three further petrol engines, which range from 100PS to 180PS, and four diesel engines ranging from 95PS to 160PS. All engines are Euro 5 compliant.

Inside, the feeling of cabin space and depth is augmented by a centre panel mounted at a shallow 30-degree angle that sweeps down from the top of the instrument panel to the centre console, creating a flowing surface that incorporates the gearshift. Like the Insignia, the Astra’s main clocks and gauges are ringed with chrome, with the speedometer and tachometer pods angled inwards towards the driver. Special emphasis has gone into the design and engineering of the Astra’s seats that now have industry-leading levels of adjustment. Their height can be raised by up to 65mm, while their fore and aft range extends to 280mm, allowing all drivers and passengers to find their ideal seating position. In addition, the Ergonomic Sports Seats (standard in all Elite models) have improved tilt adjustment, four-way power lumbar support, superior side support and supporting foam pads.

10-7-2009: The new Astra’s front and rear tracks have been increased by 56mm and 70mm respectively, while its wheelbase has been increased by 71mm, the cumulative effect being improved handling and ride quality, as well as more space and comfort for occupants.

GM engineers have combined the size, weight and efficiency of a compound crank rear axle layout with a cleverly positioned Watts link, which supports lateral forces during cornering. A FlexRide adaptive damping system adjusts the suspension character automatically depending on drivers’ needs, while also offering three programmable damper settings. Finally a stiffer core body structure, enhances the new Astra’s ride and handling while also reducing noise and vibration inside the cabin.


The Astra’s new suspension layout combines MacPherson strut front suspension with a clever, newly developed compound crank rear axle with a Watts link. This set-up has many advantages over a multi-link design, including improved packaging, greater wheel camber stiffness and less lower suspension friction. It also creates less camber loss due to body roll, while the Watts link ensures that lateral stability is maintained.

The torsion beam of the compound crank axle is attached between the trailing links, about half way between the axle bush and the rear wheel. The open, U-shaped profile between the attachment points has now been lengthened and the wall thickness generally increased to provide more roll stiffness. In addition, beams with different wall thicknesses are fitted to give the required roll-steer characteristics.

The Watts link is carried on a small cross-member attached to the underside of the car, just behind the rear wheel centre line. It comprises a short, pivoting centre link with a ball joint at each end, to which the lateral links from the wheels are bolted.

In a straight line, the set up ensures excellent stability, but during cornering it minimises lateral deflection in the same way a modern multi-link system would do. In addition, the Watts link reduces axle bush loads to allow softer bushings, which further isolate occupants from road noise and vibration.

The MacPherson struts which feature on the Astra’s front suspension incorporate dual-path top mounts that separate spring and damper forces. To reduce unsprung weight and assist weight distribution, the knuckle and the lower control arm are made from aluminium and the anti-roll bar from hollow section steel.

The L-shaped control arm is attached through two bushings to the front subframe. The front bush is particularly stiff to optimise handling, while that at the rear is a radial-loaded hydro-bush. The suspension geometry and the tuning of the bushes are designed to provide both lateral stiffness and longitudinal compliance to benefit ride comfort and handling. The rearmost bush of the L-arm is also hydraulically damped for excellent road isolation, helping to prevent vibration transmission into the car’s cabin.

25-8-2009: Vauxhall’s all new Astra will debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show on September 15 with a highly competitive line-up of petrol and diesel engines boasting reductions in CO2 over almost all equivalent models in the current Astra range.

The new model, which will be produced at the UK’s Ellesmere Port plant for all markets across Europe, will have an eight-engine range that promises to reduce combined CO2 emissions and fuel consumption by around 10 per cent overall.

Highlighting Vauxhall’s continued strategy of reducing CO2 emissions through engine capacity downsizing, an all-new 1.4-litre Turbo engine will join the range from launch, producing 140hp and 200Nm of torque between 1,850 and 4,900rpm. This engine replaces the naturally aspirated 1.8-litre from the current range, yet features lower emissions, equal power and 15 per cent more torque.

Completing the petrol line-up for the new Astra is a normally aspirated 1.4-litre unit emitting just 129g/km of CO2, and two 1.6-litre engines – one turbocharged, producing 180hp and the other an un-blown unit with 115hp.

The Astra’s diesel range comprises 1.3-, 1.7- and 2.0-litre units, all of which feature common rail fuel injection and produce combined CO2 emissions of no more than 129g/km* (with manual transmission). Despite this, their power will range from 95hp to 160hp, allowing generous performance with optimum frugality.

As with the Insignia, all Astra powerplants meet stringent Euro 5 emissions standards, and at a later stage an ecoFLEX model will be added to the range, achieving 109g/km of CO2 on the combined cycle*.

All Astras will be equipped with six-speed gearboxes, with the exception of normally aspirated 1.4- and 1.6-litre models and the 1.3-litre CDTi which employ a five-speed manual gearbox. A new, compact automatic transmission will be available for all petrol models.

16-9-2009: Entry level Exclusiv 1.4i (87PS) £15,675, £270 more than outgoing equivalent model, yet now offers as standard air conditioning, electronic stability control, 16-inch wheels and an MP3-format radio/CD player with aux-in.

The SRi 1.4i Turbo, with its new-to-range engine at £18,845 is £10 more than the old SRi 1.8-litre petrol, yet retains its 140PS output, reduces CO2 emissions by 18 per cent to 139g/km and Benefit in Kind tax by seven bands. Equipment levels rise too, with an electronic parking brake, centre armrest and active head restraints all standard.

The lead-in diesel-powered model’s price is £18,015. Compared with the current Life 1.7 CDTi 100PS, the new and more powerful Exclusiv 1.7 CDTi 110PS drops a VED band, thanks to a 11g/km reduction in CO2, has even more standard equipment, yet costs just £15 more.

Helping reduce the cost of Astra ownership still further has resulted in lower insurance group ratings. For example, an Exclusiv 1.4i (100PS) drops from a 5E/10E rating for the old model to a 3E/9E for the equivalent car in the new range. Similarly, an outgoing SE 1.6-litre (115PS) slides from 7E/13E (current) to 4E/12E (new), and an SRi 1.7 CDTi (125PS) from 12E/21E (current) to 5E/15E (new).

*Final figures subject to confirmation.

Trims:

Exclusiv

High quality begins with the s entry level. The interior features black cordoba cloth trim and standard equipment, including cd400 CD player/stereo radio with mp3 format and aux-in socket, electrically adjustable/heated door mirrors and remote control central locking. Also included are 16-inch steel wheels with flush covers, a driver’s seat height adjuster, 60:40 split rear seat and reach/rake adjustable steering wheel.

S

The S is available in black scene cloth trim, and in addition to the s, the interior features a chrome-bezelled steering wheel and ambient lighting in the centre console and roof. Cruise control is standard, and the steering wheel incorporates audio controls. There are supplementary storage areas in the front seat-backs and a covered storage container in the centre console.

SRI

SRI models ride on 17-inch, 5-spoke alloy wheels with 205/50 R17 tyres, and all apart from the 1.4-litre come with lowered and uprated sports suspension as standard. SRi interiors are trimmed in black lace cloth and feature an electric park brake, sports front seats, a multi-function computer and front seat armrest. In addition, the SRi has illuminated vanity mirrors, a three-spoke leather steering wheel and ambient lighting in the front doors. Outside, the SRi is has dark-style headlights, front fog lights and a chrome-effect side window surround. A flex-floor luggage compartment and front door sill covers complete the package.

For those buyers who wish to personalize their SRi further, Vauxhall will be offering a range of SRi line models in the near future. This adds 18-inch, 5-twinspoke alloy wheels, a front lower spoiler, rear lower skirt, rear roof spoiler and side sills to the standard SRi spec.


SE

Externally SE (and Elite) models are identifiable by unique 17-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels with 205/50 R17 tyres. Inside, the cabin is trimmed with ribbon / morrocana fabrics and equipped with rain sensitive windscreen wipers, automatic lighting control with tunnel detection, an electro-chromatic anti-dazzle rear-view mirror and electric rear windows.


Elite

The range-topping Astra Elite’s cabin is trimmed in perforated leather as standard and, in addition to the equipment found in the se, comes with ergonomic front seats which are heated and feature extendable cushions and electric adjustment. Dual-zone electronic climate control, electrically foldable door mirrors and a fold-down rear-seat centre armrest are also standard.


Prices and CO2:

Exclusiv 1.4i 16v VVT 87PS £15,675 (N/A at launch) (129g/km)
Exclusiv 1.4i 16v VVT 100PS £16,010 (129g/km)
Exclusiv 1.6i 16v VVT £16,650 (147g/km)
Exclusiv 1.6i 16v VVT auto £17,825 (167g/km)
Exclusiv 1.4i 16v VVT turbo £17,290 (139g/km)
Exclusiv 1.4i 16v VVT turbo auto £18,465 (164g/km)
Exclusiv 1.7CDTi 16v (110PS) £18,015 (124g/km)

S 1.4i 16v VVT 100PS £16,450 (129g/km)
S 1.6i 16v VVT £17,090 (147g/km)
S 1.6i 16v VVT auto £18,265 (167g/km)
S 1.7CDTi 16v (110PS) £18,605 (124g/km)

SRi 1.4i 16v VVT 100PS £17,565 (129g/km)
SRi 1.6i 16v VVT £18,205 (147g/km)
SRi 1.6i 16v VVT auto £19,380 (167g/km)
SRi 1.4i 16v VVT turbo £18,845 (139g/km)
SRi 1.4i 16v VVT turbo auto £19,170 (164g/km)
SRi 1.6i 16v VVT turbo £20,555 (159g/km)
SRi 1.7CDTi 16v (110PS) £19,970 (124g/km)
SRi 1.7CDTi 16v (125PS) £20,560 (124g/km)
SRi 2.0CDTi 16v £21,145 (129g/km)
SRi 2.0CDTi 16v auto £22,320 (154g/km)

SE 1.6i 16v VVT £18,850 (147g/km)
SE 1.6i 16v VVT auto £20,025 (167g/km)
SE 1.4i 16v VVT turbo £19,490 (139g/km)
SE 1.4i 16v VVT turbo auto £20,665 (164g/km)
SE 1.6i 16v VVT turbo £21,200 (159g/km)
SE 1.7CDTi 16v (110PS) £20,365 (124g/km)
SE 1.7CDTi 16v (125PS) £20,955 (124g/km)
SE 2.0CDTi 16v £21,540 (129g/km)
SE 2.0CDTi 16v auto £22,715 (154g/km)

Elite 1.6i 16v VVT £19,830 (147g/km)
Elite 1.6i 16v VVT auto £21,005 (167g/km)
Elite 1.4i 16v VVT turbo £20,470 (139g/km)
Elite 1.4i 16v VVT turbo auto £21,645 (164g/km)
Elite 1.7CDTi 16v (125PS) £21,935 (124g/km)
Elite 2.0CDTi 16v £22,520 (129g/km)
Elite 2.0CDTi 16v auto £23,695 (154g/km)

Won the Golden Steering Wheel in the compact class by a comfortable margin. This is the most prestigious award issued by Auto Bild magazines group. This year’s election involved readers in 26 European countries, representing more than 40 million readers overall. Got top marks in the engine, fuel consumption, chassis, braking, steering and driver assistance safety systems categories. Race drivers and technical experts ranked the Astra number one, awarding the Astra seven out of eight points while technical experts awarded the compact car five out of eight.

25-11-2009 EURO NCAP 5 STARS:
95% Adult Protection
84% Child Protection
46% Pedestrian Protection
71% Safety Assist

26-1-2010: New Astra 1.3 ecoFLEX announced. 95PS 1.3CTDI FIAT diesel with particulate filter. 5-speed gearbox. 109g/km CO2. 67.3mpg combined. £35/£30 VED. 13% BIK from April 2010.

Exclusiv £17,920
S £18,525
SRI £19,920
SE £20,320

28-1-2010: Euro NCAP joint 5th top model for safety in 2009. Full list of top 5:

1. VW Golf VI
2. Honda Insight
3. Toyota Prius
4. Hyundai i20
5. Toyota Avensis
5. Volvo XC60
5. Opel/Vauxhall Astra

Viral test Track Link videos.newspress.co.uk/video.php?id=280

Road Test and Video test at www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=408

More as it comes at www.vauxhall.co.uk

Last Updated 30-1-2010

What's Bad

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What to Watch Out For

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