Vauxhall astra sports tourer market and model

Embargoed: ASTRA SPORTS TOURER AND ASTRA BiTurbo, 14^th March, 23.01

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  All-new Astra Sports Tourer in Vauxhall showrooms from March
  
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  Priced from £16,585 on-the-road
  
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  Similar dimensions outside, bigger inside – up to 190kg lighter than outgoing model
  

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  Management, unions and workers joined forces to win long-term contract for UK Astra plant
  
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  2,000 jobs secured in to the next decade
  
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  52 per cent of production exported to 25 European markets
  
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  £70m boost for UK firms as result of EP Astra production
  

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  Designed by team led by Brit Mark Adams
  
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  Most athletic look yet for Astra Sports Tourer
  
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  Consistent lightweight design makes Sports Tourer up to 190kg lighter
  

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  Vauxhall’s latest top-of-the-range diesel available in the Sports Tourer
  
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  The 110PS diesel engine achieves up to 83.1mpg
  
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  Performance and power guaranteed with Vauxhall’s 200PS petrol engine
  

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  Light weight construction improves handling, comfort and agility
  
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  Refined braking and steering system features save space and fuel
  

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  Ideal combination of active and passive safety systems
  
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  Introducing IntelliLux LED matrix light to the compact segment
  
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  New-generation front camera system enables new level of safety
  

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  Vauxhall OnStar services and powerful Wi-Fi Hotspot
  
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  Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone integration
  
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  Next-generation IntelliLink systems cover all bases
  

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  Priced from £16,585 on-the-road
  
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  Up to £1,870 less expensive than the outgoing model
  
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  Class-leading powertrains achieve up to 83.1mpg and as low as 89g/km
  

• 
  World-class manufacturing facility producing a series of British best-sellers
  
• 
  New Astra is the eleventh major model-line to be built at EP
  
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  Provides employment for more than 2,000 people in UK’s Northwest region
  

• 
  All-new Astra Sports Tourer in Vauxhall showrooms from March
  
• 
  Priced from £16,585 on-the-road
  
• 
  Similar dimensions outside, bigger inside – up to 190kg lighter than outgoing model
  

The new Astra Sport Tourer is now on sale priced from £16,585 on-the-road, with first cars arriving in Vauxhall showrooms this March after its global debut at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show.

• 
  Management, unions and workers joined forces to win long-term contract for UK Astra plant
  
• 
  2,000 jobs secured in to the next decade
  
• 
  52 per cent of production exported to 25 European markets
  
• 
  £70m boost for UK firms as result of EP Astra production, plus 800 jobs across country.
  

Vauxhall’s all-new Astra and Astra Sports Tourer have secured 2,000 jobs at the Ellesmere Port manufacturing plant in Cheshire after workers won a long-term contract and a £140 million investment from GM.

And this great British success story doesn’t end there. The Astra range was designed by a team led by Brits Mark Adams and Malcom Ward. In his role as Vauxhall/Opel’s Design Director, Ward follows in the footsteps of both his father and grandfather who both worked at Vauxhall.

Workers in Luton won a similar long term contract to their colleagues at Ellesmere Port. Their agreement runs for 10 years after a £125 million investment that secured 1,500 jobs.

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  Consistent lightweight design up to 190kg lighter
  
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  Most streamlined Astra Estate ever
  
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  Similar exterior dimensions but more spacious interior
  

The latest generation Sports Tourer has almost the same dimensions as the outgoing model- length 4,702mm, width 1,871mm and height 1,510mm- however, it offers much more space for passengers and luggage. While the driver can enjoy 26 millimetres of additional headroom, passengers in the rear have 28 millimetres more legroom. The new Astra Sports Tourer can take up to three child seats in the rear and can also carry up to 1,630 litres of luggage thanks to the efficient packaging.

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  `Vauxhall’s latest top-of-the-range diesel available in the Sports Tourer
  
• 
  The 110PS Diesel engine achieves up to 83.1mpg
  
• 
  Performance and power guaranteed with Vauxhall’s 200PS petrol engine
  

The new Astra Sports Tourer features a range of fuel-efficient petrol and diesel powertrains. Lightweight construction sets the latest engine range apart from previous generations. They are smaller, more compact and lighter while simultaneously being more powerful and frugal. The new Astra Sports Tourer diesel with 110PS, for example, achieves 83.1mpg while only emitting 89g/km of CO₂.

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  Lightweight construction improves handling comfort and agility
  
• 
  Refined braking and steering system features save space and fuel
  

Based on an all-new lightweight vehicle architecture, the new Astra Sports Tourer has stepped forward in technical development. An uncompromising focus on mass reduction and compact design has delivered a lightweight chassis with driving dynamics finely honed in key areas such as suspension, brakes and steering. This has resulted in greater agility, better handling, improved responsiveness and enhanced ride comfort. In a nutshell, this new-generation estate is more engaging and fun to drive.

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  Ideal combination of active and passive safety systems
  
• 
  Introducing IntelliLux LED matrix light to the compact segment
  
• 
  New-generation front camera system enables new level of safety
  

The latest generation of the Astra Sports Tourer will bring driver assistance systems and comfort features to the compact class. The Astra Sports Tourer features the full LED IntelliLux matrix light as well as the latest-generation front camera with enhanced capabilities and functionalities such as Collision Mitigation Braking and Collision Imminent Braking.

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  Vauxhall OnStar services and powerful Wi-Fi Hotspot
  
• 
  Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone integration
  
• 
  Next-generation IntelliLink systems cover all bases
  

Occupants of the Astra Sports Tourer can enjoy outstanding connectivity thanks to Vauxhall OnStar. The infotainment offering includes two latest-generation devices of Vauxhall’s award-winning IntelliLink system, bringing the connected world of smartphones and apps into the car. One is already compatible with the latest Android 5.0 Lollipop and Apple iOS 8 (or higher) smartphones, while the other will follow suit shortly. With the integration of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, users can access maps, message reading and third-party apps (depending on the integration system) via the car controls and its large touchscreens (up to eight inches).

• 
  New Astra Tourer in showrooms in March priced from £16,585 OTR
  
• 
  Up to £1,870 less expensive than the outgoing model
  
• 
  Class-leading powertrains achieve up to 83.1mpg and as low as 89g/km
  

Standard features include:

Exterior

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  16-inch alloy wheels*
  
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  Rear spoiler
  
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  Chrome-effect upper window trim
  
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  Black roof rails
  

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  Comfort front seats
  
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  Steering column adjustable for reach and rake
  
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  Steering wheel mounted audio controls
  

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  R4.0 IntelliLink system (IntelliLink smartphone projection, seven-inch colour touch-screen, AM/FM/DAB digital radio, Bluetooth audio streaming, Bluetooth mobile phone portal, USB and aux-in audio connection)
  

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  Air conditioning
  
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  Cruise control with speed limiter
  
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  Automatic lighting control
  
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  Multi-function trip computer
  
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  Electrically operated front and rear windows
  
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  Electrically adjustable/heated door mirrors
  
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  Remote control central locking
  

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  Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) and Antilock Braking System (ABS)
  
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  Hill start assist
  
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  Driver’s and front passenger’s airbags
  
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  Front seat side-impact airbags
  
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  Full-size curtain airbags
  
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  Tyre pressure monitoring system
  
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  ISOFIX child seat restraint system for outer rear seats
  
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  Seatbelt pre-tensioners for front and outer rear seats
  
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  Height-adjustable front and rear seat head restraints
  
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  Electronic engine deadlock immobiliser
  
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  Door-to-door illumination
  
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  LED daytime running lights
  

Features over Design:

Interior

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  Leather-covered steering wheel
  
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  Adjustable front armrest
  
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  Six premium speakers (four front, two rear)
  

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  Navi 900 IntelliLink system with fully integrated European sat nav system and eight-inch colour touch-screen
  

£19,885-£24,090

Features over Design:

Exterior

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  17-inch 5 twin-spoke alloy wheels
  
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  Front fog lights
  
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  Silver-effect roof rails
  

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  Leather-covered steering wheel
  
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  Sports-style front seats
  
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  Adjustable front armrest
  
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  Storage pockets on front seat backs
  
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  Six premium speakers (four front, two rear)
  

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  Rain-sensitive windscreen wipers
  
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  Automatic lighting with tunnel detection
  
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  Automatic anti-dazzle rear-view mirror
  
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  Sport switch (not available on 1.4i 100PS models)
  

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  Vauxhall OnStar your personal connectivity and service assistant
  
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  Driving Assistance Pack One featuring intelligent forward camera system: lane departure warning with lane assist, traffic sign recognition, following distance indicator, forward collision alert with automatic city emergency braking
  
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  Remote control alarm system (optional at extra cost on 1.4i 100PS models)
  

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  Navi 900 IntelliLink system with fully-integrated European sat nav system and eight-inch colour touch-screen
  

Features over Design:

Exterior

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  17-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels
  
• 
  Front fog lights
  
• 
  Silver-effect roof rails
  

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  Heated leather-covered steering wheel
  
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  Leather seat trim
  
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  Ergonomic sports front seats, featuring: extendable seat cushions and seat tilt adjustment, four-way electrical lumbar adjustment
  
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  Heated front and outer rear seats
  
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  Adjustable front armrest
  
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  Storage pockets on front seat backs
  
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  Six premium speakers (four front, two rear)
  
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  Front sill plates
  
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  Two rear USB charging points
  

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  Electronic dual-zone climate control
  
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  Rain-sensitive windscreen wipers
  
• 
  Automatic lighting control with tunnel detection
  
• 
  Automatic anti-dazzle rear-view mirror
  
• 
  Electrically folding door mirrors
  
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  Electric parking brake
  

• 
  Vauxhall OnStar your personal connectivity and service assistant
  
• 
  Remote control alarm system
  

• 
  Navi 900 IntelliLink system and fully integrated European sat nav and eight-inch colour touch screen
  

• 
  World-class manufacturing facility producing a series of British best-sellers
  
• 
  New Astra is the eleventh major model-line to be built at EP
  
• 
  Provides employment for more than 2,000 people in UK’s Northwest region
  

The new Astra is the eleventh generation of compact car to be built at Ellesmere. It opened its lines to the original Vauxhall Viva HA in 1964, and went on to produce a further two Viva models, the Chevette and then each successive Astra in five door, esate/Sports Tourer and Astravan form.

General Motors’ plan to locate its revolutionary production facility at Ellesmere Port in 1961 was a vital shot in the arm for the economy in England’s Northwest region. Based on a 440-acre, ex-RAF station, the plant now employs 2,000 people and has, in total, produced over five million vehicles since that first Viva HA rolled of its lines.

Today, the current Vauxhall Astra is the one of the best-selling UK-built cars in Britain, and thanks to Ellesmere Port’s ultra-modern and efficient infrastructure - which in the last 22 years has received over £1 billion of GM investment – it is set to pass on this mantle to the new Astra.

The Ellesmere Port roll-call: from Viva HA to Mk 7 Astra in 51 years:

Viva HA

While Vauxhall’s first foray into the compact family car market came in 1936 with the H-Type – the world’s first unitary construction (monocoque) model, it was the launch of the Viva in 1963 that really saw the Griffin gain momentum in what rapidly became, and remains, the best-selling sector of the market. Launched in 1963, the Viva was initially built in Luton, with production transferring to the brand new Ellesmere Port facility the following year – home to each generation of compact Vauxhall family car ever since. Light, simple to maintain and neatly styled the HA Viva was just the ticket for motorists who wanted a no-nonsense, inexpensive family car and its ease-of-maintenance gave it particular appeal in the days when part of Dad’s weekly routine was to spend an hour tinkering on a Sunday! Over 300,000 Viva HAs were sold in a relatively short lifespan of just three years, although the Bedford Van variant – the HAV – continued well into the 1980s thanks to its fleet appeal.

Whereas the Viva HA’s appeal lay very much in its simplicity, its successor moved Vauxhall’s compact car offering up towards a far more mature and discerning audience. Gone were the original car’s simple transverse leaf suspension and narrow track, replaced by a car that used sophisticated coil springs all round. The styling was also much more modern – the famous ‘coke bottle’ swage line seen in many cars of the era made its debut on the HB Viva, giving it a look that still appears relatively fresh today. It was also offered in more body styles than ever before – two and four-door saloons, as well as a stylish estate. Performance versions included the ‘Brabham’ Viva, developed for GM by the 1966 F1 champion Jack Brabham and sold through his own dealership, and the even more potent Viva GT with trademark matt black bonnet and the ability to crack 100mph, making it a firm favourite among the motorsport fraternity. Over half a million Viva HBs were sold in four years.

The longest production run of any Viva model was enjoyed by the HC, which remained a stalwart of the Vauxhall range from its introduction in 1970 through till the end of 1979. So advanced was the HB Viva’s four-link rear and independent front suspension set-up that it was carried over directly to the HC, along with much of the car’s structural and mechanical architecture. Where the HC differed was in its styling, substituting the curvy HB look with more angular, straight lines. Many styling cues were taken from Detroit, with the car’s fluted bonnet resembling that of a contemporary Pontiac, rear lamp units reminiscent of a Buick Regal and unusual ‘wave’ effect wheelarches, which gave the car a forward-leaning appearance. The HC also reflected the rapidly growing fleet market in the UK, with a much broader range of engines and trim levels than ever before. The two-door and four-door saloons were complemented by an unusual looking estate, as well as the Firenza – a two-door coupe that squared up to Ford’s Capri in this style conscious sector of the market. In 1973, the Magnum appeared, effectively a renamed version of the larger-engined HC Vivas aimed at more upmarket audience – the car was pitched as much more of a rival to the Triumph Dolomite than it was to the Morris Marina, for example. Perhaps the most iconic versions of the HC, despite their minuscule volumes, were the ‘Droop Snoot’ Firenza and Sporthatch models, finished in Silver Starfire metallic paint and fitted with unusual polyurethane ‘beak’ containing triple headlights. They are by far the most collectable HC variants today.

Launched in 1975 and sold alongside the HC Viva for the first half of its life, the Chevette featured distinctive ‘shovel-nosed’ styling courtesy of Vauxhall’s then design boss Wayne Cherry. The aerodynamic look was exclusive to Vauxhall despite the Chevette being the first ever global GM project. Dubbed T-Car, compact models based on the Chevette architecture appeared in various markets, as the Chevrolet Chevette in the States, Holden Gemini in Australia, Isuzu Gemini in Japan and Opel Kadett C in continental Europe, although they all looked distinctly different. Initially sold only as Vauxhall’s first ever hatchback, thus protecting Viva sales, the three-door was joined by four-door saloon and estate models in late 1976. It was also built as a panel van, the Chevanne, which was the precursor to today’s incredibly successful Astravan range. As well as enjoying success in the showrooms (over 415,000 Chevettes were sold by the time it was withdrawn in 1984) the short wheelbase and rear-wheel-drive made the car ideal for rallying, and the rally-tuned HS and HSR versions of the Chevette achieved some fine results for Vauxhall’s dealer-backed race team, DTV. The Chevette was facelifted in 1981, gaining rubber bumpers and a revised dashboard, and it sold alongside the Astra as a lower-priced entry-level model until the Astra Mk 2 debuted in 1984.

By far the most significant of Vauxhall’s new compact models yet, the 1979 Astra Mk 1 represented a complete transformation for the brand, and also set new standards of comfort, handling and refinement for its class. The newcomer was the first front-wheel-drive compact family car from Vauxhall and it rose head-on to the challenge of the VW Golf, a car that had won over pundits across Europe for its quality, front-wheel-drive handling and packaging, but which would finally meet its nemesis at the hands of Vauxhall’s new offering. The Mk 1 was neatly styled and exceptionally well made, offering comfort and build quality never before seen in a Vauxhall of this size. It was also offered in a myriad of bodystyles, including three and five-door hatchbacks, a four-door saloon, three and five-door estates and a panel van. A new range of OHC engines and a 1.6-litre diesel (another first for Vauxhall in this area of the market) added further to the car’s appeal, especially in the key fleet market. The Mk 1 also saw the birth of the first Astra GTE, a performance icon that would become one of the best-known hot hatches of the 1980s. Over half a million MK 1 Astras were sold.

By the mid-1980s, aerodynamic efficiency was very much in vogue, and the Astra Mk 2 certainly didn’t disappoint. It carried over the platform and powertrains from the first generation car, but the design team had been set the task of achieving a drag co-efficient of less than 0.30 – a figure more akin to a sports car than to a family hatchback. Launched in 1984, the Mk 2 was quite a surprise, featuring such innovation as flush-fitting guttering and windows, a wraparound bumper and a curvaceous, windcheating front end that successfully combined handsome looks with the desired aerodynamic efficiency. The result of the designers’ efforts was a car that, even today, doesn’t look outdated in modern traffic, and which quite deservedly won the 1985 European Car of the Year award. Again, the number of engines and trim levels were vast, as were the different body styles – although this time the four-door saloon was sold as a standalone model named Belmont, and there was also a two-door convertible styled by Bertone. The GTE was once again the iconic figurehead of the range, especially from 1990 when it gained a new 16v engine, developing 150bhp. Over 600,000 Astra Mk 2s were sold in a seven-year period.

Introduced in 1991, the Astra Mk 3 built further on the success of the Mk2 by adopting a similarly slippery body shape, albeit taller, wider and longer than the car it replaced in order to increase passenger space and comfort. The newcomer was 34 per cent stiffer than the outgoing car, which made for tidy, well-composed handling, while interior quality and trim levels were also improved in what had become a particularly competitive area of the market, especially among fleet customers. The car was launched at the 1991 Frankfurt Motor Show, where it became the first Opel to adopt a name from Vauxhall – GM’s continental European arm deciding to drop the established Kadett moniker after 55 years in favour of that used by the British. As one of the safest and best-equipped cars in its segment, the Mk 3 was hugely popular with British buyers and the Mk 3 was never out of the top 10 sellers charts throughout its life – with total UK sales of over 600,000 when it was finally withdrawn in 1998.

Some of the greatest innovations in motoring aren’t visible to the naked eye, and in the case of the Astra Mk 4 its fully-galvanised bodyshell may not have had the showroom appeal of stacks of standard equipment, but it did ensure that, even today, a Mk 4 Astra with any signs of rust is a rarely-witnessed sight. This longevity was part of a programme instigated at the car’s design stage to deliver a level of quality, integrity and solidity that buyers had come to expect from more upmarket brands, yet deliver them to Vauxhall’s target, mainstream customer – a message that went down especially well with fleet customers, who lapped up Mk 4 Astras as fast as the Ellesmere Port plant could produce them. The Mk 4 Astra was a tempting showroom proposition, with excellent equipment levels, well-sorted dynamics and class-leading performance from its most popular engine choices. Of particular interest were the Bertone-styled (and built) coupe and convertible models introduced in 2000, the latter of which had a button on the keyfob with which you could remotely raise and lower the roof. The Mk 4 was also the first Astra (and, indeed, the first compact hatchback in the UK) to comply with the Euro 4 emissions legislation that has become the norm today – all 1.7 CDTi models from 2002 onwards met the new criteria, proving that GM was ahead of the game when it came to predicting future trends.

The Mk 4 in 2004 brought with it a new era of stylish design and driving dynamics, moving the Astra up a gear in terms of its showroom appeal and winning universal praise at launch for its handsome good looks. Building on the car’s visual attributes were a new range of engines including 1.9-litre CDTi diesels, which offered all the performance of a high-powered petrol engine with none of the associated running costs. Indeed, the 1.9 CDTi 150 version of the Astra has exactly the same power output as the Astra Mk 2 GTE 16v – a car renowned for its phenomenal performance. Following on from the five-door hatch and estate models at launch, Vauxhall introduced the three-door ‘Sport Hatch’ in 2005, combining the appeal of a coupe and a three-door hatchback in one body style, and introducing such options as the new ‘Panoramic’ windscreen, with a glass area that cut back into the roof to give incredible airiness and visibility. A panel van joined the line-up in 2006, along with the Astra TwinTop – a hard-roofed coupe that could be turned into an open top at the push of a button.

Launched at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, Vauxhall’s outgoing Astra raised the bar for compact cars sold in the UK, with a combination of stylish design, class-leading dynamics, ultra-efficient powertrains and upscale quality. With its strong, cab-forward silhouette, steeply raked windscreen and sloping rear roofline, the Astra MK 6 made ingenious use of many of the design features found in the Insignia, but in a fresh and innovative way. Also like the Insignia, it spent over 600 hours in the wind tunnel, benefiting performance, economy and overall refinement. Echoing the flowing forms of its bodywork, the MK 6 Astra’s interior marked a major shift towards premium design and quality in the compact sector. It employed the recurring wing and blade motifs that were first introduced in the Insignia but used in a fresh and innovative way. Continuing Vauxhall’s trend for innovation, its engineers combined the size, weight and efficiency benefits of a compound crank rear axle with a cleverly positioned Watt’s link, which helped support lateral forces during cornering. Innovative technology included Advanced Forward Lighting, ergonomic driver’s seat, FlexFloor boot storage and Flex-Fix integrated bike carrier.

Simon Hucknall Product PR Manager, Vauxhall