Awards for the All New Astra

The true sign of a great car is when it is winning prestigious European awards BEFORE it had even gone on sale!

The all-new Astra has won a 2009 Golden Steering Wheel in the compact class of Auto Bild’s highly sought after awards. One of the most prestigious and important prizes for car manufacturers in Europe was instigated by the publisher Axel Springer in 1976 and has been awarded annually ever since then.

“This is terrific news and a real feather in our cap” said Andy Gilson, Vauxhall’s Marketing Director, “not only has the new Astra been shortlisted for the European Car of the Year, which we won last year with the Insignia, but it’s now taken an important award from an International jury of readers. And all before the car hits showrooms on December 11th”The all-new Astra received top marks in the Engine, Fuel-consumption, Chassis, Braking, Steering and Driver assistance safety systems categories. Race drivers and technical experts ranked the all-new Astra no.1 as well, awarding the car 7 out of 8 points.

Having been awarded the Golden Steering Wheel, the all-new Astra succeeds the VW Golf VI and has overhauled its rival from Wolfsburg primarily in the areas of Quality and Comfort.

The Golden Steering Wheel election is organized into two phases. In the first round, European readers voted for their favourite vehicles, selecting a total of 46 in six categories. Next, a panel of fifty experts, including technicians, chief editors, race and rally drivers and VIP’s tested and judged the nominees on dynamics, quality and comfort. Vauxhall last won a Golden Steering Wheel in 2005 with the Zafira.

New Vauxhall Astra: on sale now

It's hard to overestimate the importance of the latest Vauxhall/Opel Astra, representing as it does about 30 per cent of the firm's total annual sales, with the five-door making up around 45 per cent of that.

The latest incarnation is the fifth-generation Astra, with elegant bodywork slightly bigger outside than that of the outgoing model, and much more space than before inside. Build quality is on a par with the smart looks on this hatchback.

Prices start at £15,675 and there are five trim levels; S, Exclusiv, SRi, SE and Elite. All models come with ESP, six airbags, air-conditioning, electric windows, CD/radio with MP3 format and electric/heated door mirrors.

Options include FlexRide, which offers a choice of three suspension settings which drivers can manually control or allow the car to select automatically, as well as Adaptive Forward Lighting that illuminates around bends and adapts in intensity to suit road conditions.

Vauxhall says the Astra's engine efficiency has improved by more than 13 per cent over the outgoing range.

Importantly for the UK, Vauxhall's Ellesmere Port plant will build new Astras for all European markets initially. The UK will take the biggest share, with 25 per cent of all production going to British buyers.

Underpinning the new Astra's rakish body is an all-new chassis with a longer wheelbase than the previous version, promising improved interior space and ride comfort.

"The only part of the Astra which isn't new is its name," says Vauxhall.

Price: from £15,675 to £24,205

Engines: 1.4 (86bhp), 1.4VVTG (97bhp), 1.6 (177bhp) petrol; 1.7 CDTi (108bhp), 1.7 CDTi (123bhp), 2.0 CDTi (158bhp) diesel.

further information - www.vauxhall.co.uk or visit www.astra-and-action.co.uk

Contact discount vauxhall at discountvauxhall@googlemail.com for the best discounted prices on the new Vauxhall Astra

All New Astra review Part 1

With the Mark 6, once again the newest generation Astra is pushing boundaries, raising the bar with a combination of stylish design, class-leading dynamics, ultra-efficient powertrains and premium marque quality.



Ellesmere Port in Cheshire is manufacturing all Astras sold across Europe and with Astra Britain's best-selling UK-built car, consistently a Top Three seller, a quarter of all Ellesmere Port Astras will be sold here.



The all-new Astra Mark 6 features a strong, cab-forward silhouette, steeply raked windscreen and sloping rear roofline, and - having been developed with the help of more than 600 hours in the wind tunnel - a sleek, aerodynamic design.



Fractionally longer - it has grown by 17centimetres to 4.42 metres - than its Mark 5 predecessor and with a wheelbase that is 71mm longer, the Mark 6 Astra gives more rear passenger space and added comfort for all occupants.



The emphasis all round is on premium design, refinement, and quality usually associated with much bigger, more expensive models. Astra's ingenious storage solutions are unrivalled with the cabin full of bespoke storage areas designed specifically for the 20 most common items found in cars from MP3 players to a 1.5-litre drinks bottle.



Increased power, performance and economy as well as reduced emissions were key targets. The result is a range of five petrol engines, from 1.4 litre to 1.6 litre Turbo, and three diesel engines offering impressive efficiency and an overall cut in emissions of 13.3per cent compared to the Mark 5 Astra.



The ecoFLEX model, equipped with a 95PS 1.3 CDTi will deliver emissions of just 109g/km, while retaining driveability and refinement.



The Mark 6 comes with the latest version of Vauxhall's FlexRide which adjusts suspension characteristics automatically depending on the driver's needs. Other features include the third generation of Advanced Forward Lighting, Ergonomic driver's seat with 6-way adjustment, FlexFloor giving flexible solutions to boot storage, and the FlexFix cycle carrier option, integrated into the rear bumper.


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