RE: Geneva 2012: Vauxhall Astra VXR
Discussion
I think these are a car that look far more imposing in the metal, largely due to their size. I havent seen one of these, but have seen a GTC on the road and its a very large hatchback which has a definite svelte presence to it. I like the Meg's a lot, but never felt they pulled off the frumpy big hatch look where as these really do in my eyes, and its the future as these are the new saloons of 15 years ago. Plus its a nice contrast to the previous model which looked and drove like a hooligan (and was great in its own way), this is a far more refined car aesthetically, functionally and in terms of how it performs from the positive feedback the new chassis and suspension design is giving off.
Normally very much against oversized wheels too but again when you see the size of these hatchbacks they'd look ridiculous with anything less. And I think it may be a little naive to think that the engineers havent designed the car around them from the start, modern suspension and tyres technology should lead to it being a pliant but precise machine to drive. The market wants big wheels and thats whats been supplied, as long as they havent gone all S-Line about it its all gravy.
Also normally pretty disillusioned by GM's offerings but this ones gonna raise the bar a bit I feel. Unless ford pull something brilliant from the internationally sold and hence disadvantaged and bland Focus, theyve only got to worry properly about VAG's up-coming offerings in the immediate. Admittedly not a competitor to underestimate, there seem to be a lot of positive comments on their efforts too.
Normally very much against oversized wheels too but again when you see the size of these hatchbacks they'd look ridiculous with anything less. And I think it may be a little naive to think that the engineers havent designed the car around them from the start, modern suspension and tyres technology should lead to it being a pliant but precise machine to drive. The market wants big wheels and thats whats been supplied, as long as they havent gone all S-Line about it its all gravy.
Also normally pretty disillusioned by GM's offerings but this ones gonna raise the bar a bit I feel. Unless ford pull something brilliant from the internationally sold and hence disadvantaged and bland Focus, theyve only got to worry properly about VAG's up-coming offerings in the immediate. Admittedly not a competitor to underestimate, there seem to be a lot of positive comments on their efforts too.
Edited by Repent on Tuesday 6th March 21:00
Fastra said:
Not sure I understand what you mean here.
You can design something that's good without looking like something else.
This is just lazy, 'follow-the-crowd', unadventurous, safe design.
Vauxhall is merely mimicking every other manufacturer because it hasn't got the money to fail, so they play it safe in the knowledge that it's pretty much like everything else and people will choose it for no other reason that 'it looks like a Renault but slightly cheaper', or 'there's a dealer near my house' - or what-ever insignificant reason.
I disagree with this completely. The Astra's most obvious rival is the Focus, and the Ford is only available with 5 doors and a nose that looks like it belongs on a fish. It is increasingly rare that a mainstream manufacturer produces distinct 3 and 5 door designs, and rarer still that they fit different mechanicals. Vauxhall should be applauded for this. You can design something that's good without looking like something else.
This is just lazy, 'follow-the-crowd', unadventurous, safe design.
Vauxhall is merely mimicking every other manufacturer because it hasn't got the money to fail, so they play it safe in the knowledge that it's pretty much like everything else and people will choose it for no other reason that 'it looks like a Renault but slightly cheaper', or 'there's a dealer near my house' - or what-ever insignificant reason.
I love this thing, I really do. What's not to like? It's fairly "safe" in the styling department but why wouldn't it be? Besides that, it's competitive price-wise, the chassis is supposed to be excellent.. We're all very quick to judge about the bits none of us can judge on - and if you don't like the looks, well, that's up to you.
Vauxhall have lost the plot with wheel sizes imo.
I can't be certain as it was a while back but I had a stroll around a VX forecourt and I'm pretty sure there was a 2 litre sri insignia on 22" wheels.
Same with the VXR corsa's they had in there,all sat on 20's
Look ridiculous imo.
Lots of the young uns look to be appearing in VXR corsas around here.Bet they will physically cry when they turn up at a tyre place for replacements.
Student types moan about tuition fees,thats nothing compared to the poor git needing x4 tyres for his/her 20" rims on the Corsa
I can't be certain as it was a while back but I had a stroll around a VX forecourt and I'm pretty sure there was a 2 litre sri insignia on 22" wheels.
Same with the VXR corsa's they had in there,all sat on 20's
Look ridiculous imo.
Lots of the young uns look to be appearing in VXR corsas around here.Bet they will physically cry when they turn up at a tyre place for replacements.
Student types moan about tuition fees,thats nothing compared to the poor git needing x4 tyres for his/her 20" rims on the Corsa
Panda76 said:
Vauxhall have lost the plot with wheel sizes imo.
I can't be certain as it was a while back but I had a stroll around a VX forecourt and I'm pretty sure there was a 2 litre sri insignia on 22" wheels.
Same with the VXR corsa's they had in there,all sat on 20's
Look ridiculous imo.
Lots of the young uns look to be appearing in VXR corsas around here.Bet they will physically cry when they turn up at a tyre place for replacements.
Student types moan about tuition fees,thats nothing compared to the poor git needing x4 tyres for his/her 20" rims on the Corsa
20inches on the Insignia as an option and 18s biggest on the Corsa.. but still, you're not wrong!I can't be certain as it was a while back but I had a stroll around a VX forecourt and I'm pretty sure there was a 2 litre sri insignia on 22" wheels.
Same with the VXR corsa's they had in there,all sat on 20's
Look ridiculous imo.
Lots of the young uns look to be appearing in VXR corsas around here.Bet they will physically cry when they turn up at a tyre place for replacements.
Student types moan about tuition fees,thats nothing compared to the poor git needing x4 tyres for his/her 20" rims on the Corsa
TheBigUnit said:
I disagree with this completely. The Astra's most obvious rival is the Focus, and the Ford is only available with 5 doors and a nose that looks like it belongs on a fish. It is increasingly rare that a mainstream manufacturer produces distinct 3 and 5 door designs, and rarer still that they fit different mechanicals. Vauxhall should be applauded for this.
Escort Si-130 said:
Nope it does look different, may I suggest specsavers
I'm really glad you do disagree.Boring world otherwise!
Ved said:
Can you find a link for that please? The only information I see on that sort of cover level is on 4 Renault cars, none of which are anything like 'hot.'
http://www.renault.co.uk/4plus/Edited by Ved on Wednesday 7th March 11:45
All Renault cars ordered as of Feb 2012 have it as standard.
Eh ? the design has little or nothing to do with the existing model. New chassis, new engine, completely new body, interior..
I suppose its a continuation in that its a 3 door 2 litre turbo, but thats about it.
Unlike ford who just make a few changes here and there and run the same underpinnings Vauxhall often ditch the entire platform and start again.
I suppose its a continuation in that its a 3 door 2 litre turbo, but thats about it.
Unlike ford who just make a few changes here and there and run the same underpinnings Vauxhall often ditch the entire platform and start again.
Escort Si-130 said:
If you say supposed to be, that means it is not then - technically.
No, it means I haven't driven one and I'm only going off of reviews. You sound like you know different?EDLT said:
The Astra GTC is supposed to be better to drive than the Focus, could this be the best Astra ever (outside of PH where nobody will be able to look past the badge)?
makes me chuckle when people say it looks a bit boring.
golfs seem to look ok 'boring'.
but im sure as hell they would slag it off if it looked too 'bling'
allot of people on here just dont like vauxhalls even if they do/did make a decent car they cannot simply deal with it.
i will take any car on its merits regardless of who makes it, shame some people cant see past the badge.
golfs seem to look ok 'boring'.
but im sure as hell they would slag it off if it looked too 'bling'
allot of people on here just dont like vauxhalls even if they do/did make a decent car they cannot simply deal with it.
i will take any car on its merits regardless of who makes it, shame some people cant see past the badge.
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