Monday 31st October 2011

Driven: Vauxhall Astra GTC

Why are we driving an Astra? Because Vauxhall said we could have a go at a hillclimb... turns out it's not bad, either...

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Ordinarily we would not grant much time or space on PistonHeads to what amounts (no matter how you dress it up) to little more than a sleek(ish) three-door shopping hatch. But Vauxhall must be confident of the innate sportiness of its new Astra GTC, because it's tempted us along to the launch of the new three-door Astra (call it a coupe if you want, Vauxhall; seems like a hatch to us) with the promise of some competitive runs up a couple of hillclimbs. Sold.

Go, Astra, go!

But what else does the Astra GTC have to offer your common or garden keen-driving PHer? More than you'd imagine, actually. For a start, and despite our moderately curmudgeonly moans about it not really being a proper coupe, the GTC is really rather different from its five-door brethren. In fact, only the door handles and roof aerial are shared between the two bodystyles. The result in the GTC's case is a low, wide, chunky car, and one that definitely sets itself up as something a little different, a little sportier.

Fortunately for the GTC there is more than just looks to this. The clever GM HiPer Strut suspension is standard across the range (it's like a MacPherson set-up, only with many of the benefits of a much more expensive double wishbone arrangement). The effect of the system - which has until now only been used on GM's larger, high-end models such as the Insignia VXR - is that the GTC has a more 'planted' feel than it would otherwise be blessed with, a wider track and a more distinctive, aggressive stance.

Looking good, Riggers... (Oh. Dear.)

On the road it's pretty effective. The GTC is secure, eager and responsive, and feels a clear notch or three more fun than its more humble cousins. The driving position is good, too, with plenty of adjustment and the gearbox is fairly slick and decently short of throw, although the slightly rubbery pedals take a bit of getting used to.

Inside, the GTC is well specced - DAB radio is standard across the entire range, for example - and £21,480 seems a reasonable-ish price for the top-spec 1.6T SRi, but the layout is a little confusing, and the perceived build quality can't quite live with the best that, say, VW has to offer. It's not a bad place in which to spend time, however.

And the hillclimb? Suffice it to say that the combination of Riggers and turbocharged Astra GTC won't be challenging the current outright record of 22.58secs, set by Martin Groves in his Gould single-seater. It took us rather longer, at over 41 seconds, but that and the time at Loton did make us the third-quickest publication on the day, but bested by Autocar and Top Gear mag (curses, etc etc). But Shelsley Walsh, the oldest continuously used motorsport venue in the world (and the more involved, longer and dare we say more satisfying run up Loton Park) did reveal that there is genuine sporting fun to be had with the GTC. And that the narrow, twisting nature of your typical hillclimb actually mirrors the demands of a gnarly B-road quite effectively.

If we had been taken to a conventional circuit, we would have no doubt decried the GTC's soft set-up, and felt its 178bhp 1.6-litre turbocharged motor to be severely lacking in power, while at the same time killing the car's brakes, tyres and gearbox. But the hillclimbs proved that there is plenty of fun to be found in the new GTC, despite the sprint from 0-62mph taking 7.8secs and a relatively modest top speed of 137mph.

When pushing on the road, we did feel that we had to be a gear lower than we ought to have been at any given time, but then we were working in the 1.6T with a modest 170lb ft of torque (albeit spread between 2200rpm and 5400rpm). The top-end 163bhp 2.0-litre turbodiesel we also tried, with its 258lb ft of shove, definitely felt more muscular. Even so, the GTC has proved itself fleet of foot and fun to drive. Its low-ish rent interior and that badge (apologies to Vauxhall fans, but there are plenty of haters out there) perhaps make it less appealing than rivals with a touch more class. But the GTC is a likeable car, and bodes well for the forthcoming VXR version...

 

[TinyCappo]

Looks a little like someone has squashed and widened a mazda 3 but took out the pretty lights. Not keen but need to see it in the flesh to make a proper decision.

[TVRWannabee]

Good report.

Drove the new Astra 5-door recently and it was a good day-to-day car. I was quite impressed. Driven correctly a couple of the engines can be quite fun - and economic too.

The only downside is the 5-door looks so boring and the GTC may have addressed this although I also wait to see one in the flesh.

[JRich174]

Wayyyy toooo slow and not quick at all!

Pick it up Vauxhall! Disappointing!

[Crusoe]

Majority wouldn't notice it was a new car if it drove past, boring vauxhall front end with a bit of vw scirocco and Renault megane to the rear. Looks dull and 1.6 from the top range petrol doesn't sound exciting.

[Steve vRS]

Remember, this is just a 3 door Astra. The VXR will be along next year with more power (Grrr).

Steve

[Luca Brasi]

Only good looking hatch for sale at the moment imo (together with a Giulietta perhaps). Never thought I'd say that about an Opel/Vauxhall

[BuzzLightyear]

[Lets Torque]

I quite like it. Looks better in red.

I am looking forward to the VXR.

[thewheelman]

Let's be honest, it's no coupe, it's a hot(ish) hatch, i don't see why they're trying to rename it in that way. As for Vauxhall, styling wise i think they've upped their game over recent years. It's just a shame their cars aren't as good to drive as rivals from Ford, VW & suchlike.

A little sad that this offers very little over the similar spec Corsa 1.6T SRi.

[Otispunkmeyer]

Luca Brasi said:

Only good looking hatch for sale at the moment imo (together with a Giulietta perhaps). Never thought I'd say that about an Opel/Vauxhall

I think the Megane 3 - door looks just as good mind.

[NotNormal]

Crusoe said:

Renault megane to the rear.

Personally i'd say the new Megane is a copy of the outgoing Vauxhall SportHatch so this is just a rounded off version of the original GM design

[Escort Si-130]

Have to agree with the power is low being a 1.6 Turbo and not such a high 0-60. However he car does look nice and its a shame PH has just slated it and with the lines of plenty of Vauxhall haters out there, I guess PH is in that list. Iam not a Vauxhall person, but there have been other cars that PH have made to be like hero's and plain and simple they were st; I guess badge snobbery plays a big part here.

[Mark-C]

Escort Si-130 said:

Have to agree with the power is low being a 1.6 Turbo and not such a high 0-60. However he car does look nice and its a shame PH has just slated it and with the lines of plenty of Vauxhall haters out there, I guess PH is in that list. Iam not a Vauxhall person, but there have been other cars that PH have made to be like hero's and plain and simple they were st; I guess badge snobbery plays a big part here.

Where did it get slated in the review? Seemed balance to me and ends with a comment about it being a likeable car.

[Lippy Kid]

There are a couple of interesting styling details here and there, but it's still an anonymous, boring blob of a car.

[johnnyreggae]

What a peculiar writing style : two hillclimbs were used yet Loton gets a mention as the other one but not Shelsley Walsh as the one primarily described !

[thewheelman]

I hope the white car trend ends very soon, they really don't help any cars styling cues when photographed.

[KennyGT]

Dull. Boring. I would never buy a Vauxhall even if you paid me. £21k for an Astra

[JB!]

Escort Si-130 said:

Have to agree with the power is low being a 1.6 Turbo and not such a high 0-60. However he car does look nice and its a shame PH has just slated it and with the lines of plenty of Vauxhall haters out there, I guess PH is in that list. Iam not a Vauxhall person, but there have been other cars that PH have made to be like hero's and plain and simple they were st; I guess badge snobbery plays a big part here.

I read it as "its ok, needs more poke". not a total scathing by any means, ad at 21k it has to compete with vw for percieved build quality.

[thewheelman]

I just noticed the £21k price tag......hahahahahahaha, it's Halloween, not April fools day! That's very close to BMW 1 series & Lexus CT200h money, & i'd take a base model of either of those over any Astra.

[Luca Brasi]

thewheelman said:

Lexus CT200h

You're joking right? That thing looks completely awful²²²