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New Vauxhall Astra hatchback impresses


Motoring journalists were this week given their first taste of the new Vauxhall Astra VXR hatchback, and have been left hungry for more.

The new Vauxhall Astra VXR hatchback has received rave reviews from a number of quarters for its speed, handling and design. Nought to sixty is dealt with in a swift 6.2 seconds by the punchy 240 bhp engine, compared to 7.2 second for the new Volkswagen Golf GTi.

Although it has had a few dodgy incarnations over recent years the VW Golf GTi is still the benchmark for the class, even more so since an impressive new model was launched earlier this year.

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On paper Vauxhall's offering has a quicker 0-60 speed, 40 bhp more under the bonnet and a top speed of 152mph compared to the Golf's 146mph. The real selling point though seems to be the new Astra's handling. Having taken it around Germany's legendary Nurburgring, 4Car's Andrew Frankel puts the new Astra ahead of the old master, following a responsive, stiff and pointed performance.

While the Astra pips the Golf GTi in terms of performance it doesn't quite live up to the Golf's everyday comfort; and the Volkswagen is not the only new car that the Astra will have to duel.

By the end of the year the new Ford Focus ST will have been rolled out with a mean 220bhp five-cylinder engine and the tuning team behind the Ford Focus RS to tweak it. However shares of the new car sales market are divided between the three it is sure to be a fierce battle and a close fought thing.