Vauxhall’s just turbo-charged another Astra.
Along with the changes for the 2007 model, which include new front and rear light lenses, a revised front bumper, and extra chrome inside and out, comes a new 1.6-litre turbo engine. The motor will sit in the Sport Hatch, 5-door and estate Astras, and develops 178bhp, up from the 168bhp generated by the previous two-litre engine which it replaces, and 170lb-ft of torque. The new unit gives flagship models the ability to sprint from 0-60mph in just 7.8 seconds (5-door hatch), and a top speed of 137mph, making it quicker than the outgoing 2.0-litre car.
Vauxhall reckons the 1.6-litre car is both more economical and cleaner than the model it replaces. It posts a combined fuel economy figure of 36.7mpg - a 16 per cent improvement – while the CO2 emissions drop from 216g/km to 185g/km, at the same time moving the car from the 30 per cent company car tax band to the 24 per cent band, saving company car drivers up to £758 a year in BIK tax. There’s a bonus, too, for retail buyers, as the annual cost of road tax is reduced from £190 a year to £150 a year to reflect the car’s cleaner credentials.
And although Vauxhall doesn't say so, a smaller turbocharged engine should be a tad lighter too, so handling might improve as well -- although this is pure speculation on our part.
The 1.6 Turbo variants begin at £18,200 for the SRi Sport Hatch. Prices on other models across the range are increased by £15.
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