Vauxhall Astra tweaked & Astra GTC BiTurbo diesel

The Vauxhall Astra Hatch and Sports Tourer (Estate) have been given a bit of a facelift and the Astra GTC BiTurbo diesel has arrived.

It’s probably a bit of a stretch to call what Vauxhall has done to the Astra Hatch and Astra Sport Tourer a facelift, but it’s enough of a tweak for those who’ve just bought a new Astra to be less than thrilled.

The main changes to the hatch and estate are a new grill, new indicators and new fog lights; a minor rhinoplasty. At the back the changes are even more minor with just a change to the rear panel styling and a chrome lower moulding. More a pair of Spanx than a buttock lift.

More interesting than the fiddling with the Astra hatch and estate is the introduction of the Astra GTC 2.0 CDTi BiTurbo, which becomes the most powerful non-VXR model in the range with 192bhp and 295lb/ft of torque.

That’s enough grunt to get the Astra GTC to 62mph in 7.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 139mph. But, probably more importantly, you get official economy of 53.4mpg which means CO2 emissions of 139g/km.

Cosmetically, the GTC BiTurbo comes equipped with a set of 18″ alloys, a lower ride height, a new body kit and an interior with ‘Track’ trim and a flat-bottomed steering wheel. You also get Climate thrown in for good measure. And at just £995 more than the GTC 2.0 CDTi 165PS (the Astra GTC 2.0 CDTi BiTurbo costs £23,925) it’s decent value.

Vauxhall are also throwing in some new options to part buyers from a bit more of their hard-earned cash with stuff like Driver Assistance Pack (£750), Rear View Camera and Winter Pack (£145). There are also three new colours - Sculpture Bronze, Phantom Grey and Deep Sky – and the DAB radio gets upgraded to DMB.

The revised Astra hatch, Astra Sports Tourer and Astra GTC BiTurbo diesel are now on sale with first deliveries in September.

By Cars UK