Friday 15th June 2012

Twin-turbo diesel Astra GTC unveiled

New hot diesel Astra's not quite a VXR, but it is pretty feisty...

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Vauxhall has revealed its most powerful Non-VXR model in the Astra range - the new GTC 2.0 CDTi BiTurbo - alongside a mild facelift for its shopping hatch and estate.

The new twin-turbo diesel, also used in the larger Insignia, puts out 195hp and 295lb ft of torque, and is capable of sprinting to 62mph from rest in 7.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 139mph.

Combined with claimed fuel economy of 53.3mpg and emissions of 139g/km it's a pretty frugal performer too.

Unlike any other C-segment hatch, the GTC uses a sequential turbos for its fastest diesel, with the smaller turbo providing 258lb ft of torque from 1,500rpm. The second turbo joins in with the mid range, providing that maximum 295lb ft between 1,750 and 2,500rpm.

Price-wise, you'll need to fork out £23,925 for the Astra GTC BiTurbo -£995more than the single-turbo 165hp version - though bespoke 18-inch alloy wheels, Electronic Climate Control, 6mm lower ride-height, a new body-kit and 'Track' interior trim, along with a flat-bottomed leather steering wheel are also chucked in as well as the extra power and torque.

Should make an interesting (and more peppy) alternative to a Golf GTD...

[325Ti]

looks great and would be my choice if I was buying a new Astra

really wish more hot diesels were available - not very PH i know but makes more sense in the real world as an only car to use daily and cover higher miles in

[325Ti]

does anyone know if this is staying FWD?

think the insignia with this engine is 4 wheel drive?

[tommy vercetti]

Sounds impressive, and a very good looking car.

[900T-R]

Given the sheer weight of the thing, this will be a rather better package than the 1.4 or 1.6 Turbo petrols... Shame, as Opel/Vauxhall otherwise did rather more to differentiate the three-door car from the 5-doors both designwise and dynamically, than the competition.

[FoundOnRoadside]

Vauxhall selling a car which is basically what I had in 1.9CDTI Sporthatch form 6 years ago thanks to a remap and some suspension mods.

[Andrew[MG]]

This is going to be a popular option I'm guessing? Since VAG mostly got out of this sector there is a big gap for performance diesels and this will be well placed to fill it.

[TheRacingSnake]

It's a Vauxhall and a diesel...... as a V6 petrol Ford man I shoooould hate this but somehow find my self thinking 'WANT!'.

[carinaman]

Looking at the monitor without my contacts in I thought 'That SOTW looks interesting'.

[nickfrog]

Yep. Not bad an effort actually. What kind of discounts are available off list on a Vauxhall ?

[D1bram]

doogz said:

Seems to be a second slower to 60 than the T8 diesel, that my girlfriend had, with similar power, and presumably similar weight.

What the hell is a T8 diesel???

[FoundOnRoadside]

Wonder if they're still using the chocolate M32 gearbag? If they are, lets hope that Lifetime warranty works...

[Strawman]

carinaman said:

Looking at the monitor without my contacts in I thought 'That SOTW looks interesting'.

Shiny anyway

[Riggers]

Strawman said:

carinaman said:

Looking at the monitor without my contacts in I thought 'That SOTW looks interesting'.

Shiny anyway

SOTW still a little while away, but I won't spoil anything, I think, by saying that it is not shiny...

[V8 FOU]

..... and how much does this weigh? 1700kg?
and £24K???
Sorry, pretty car as it may be etc... aren't all these modern hatches a bit of the (fat) Kings New Clothes?

all that weight - all that money - I'm oot.

[xreyuk]

nickfrog said:

Yep. Not bad an effort actually. What kind of discounts are available off list on a Vauxhall ?

Massive ones

[Devil2575]

I really like the way the Astra GTC looks.

Definately a good choice if you cover high miles.

[Riggers]

325Ti said:

does anyone know if this is staying FWD?

think the insignia with this engine is 4 wheel drive?

Front-wheel drive

[drgoatboy]

Should be a good proposition for company car option and high milers.

However I'm always a little disapointed when I see this shape astra in the flesh, they look huge, the coupe looks feel somewhat spoiled by the sheer height of the thing, the amount of metal betwen the rear wheel arch and the bottom of the window is massive.
I'm not sure if they are any bigger than any of the other offerings out there but they certainly look it.

Looks soooooo much better in the pictures....

[FoundOnRoadside]

drgoatboy said:

However I'm always a little disapointed when I see this shape astra in the flesh, they look huge,

They feel it too, feels like driving a Mk1 Zafira. They're terribly heavy.

It's odd, the Mk6 Astra is about 1400kg, and feels like it's much heavier, especially with the smaller engines like the 1.4 100PS and 1.6 115PS petrols. The OH's i30 is 1380kg and it goes just fine, despite it's 108PS 1.4 engine. I wonder what Vx do to make the Astra feel so lethargic and slow. Gearing? Inflexible engines?

[Chrisw666]

I'd be impressed if they fitted that lump into an Astra estate with no outwardly sporting pretentions, it would really make people considering a Focus ST estate think then.