New 2019 Vauxhall Astra facelift: prices released

Vauxhall has announced pricing information for the revamped Astra range, which starts from £18,885 for the hatchback variant

Vauxhall has confirmed pricing information for the facelifted Astra range. Prices for the hatchback model start from £18,885, while the estate variant starts at £20,355. Order books open this month, with first deliveries scheduled for November 2019.

Design-wise, little has changed on the latest Astra. Its interior remains the same as the outgoing model and the only noticeable difference outside is up front, where a new upper and lower grille design contributes towards a slightly more aerodynamic profile.

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However, under the skin, the Astra’s revisions are far more involved. A host of chassis and technology updates now feature, along with a new range of petrol and diesel engines. As the current Astra was a product born during Vauxhall’s period under General Motors ownership, though, the new engines do not come from new owner, PeugeotCitroen Group (PSA).

Petrol power now comes exclusively from turbocharged three-cylinder units, developed at Opel’s headquarters in Russelheim, Germany. Two engine displacements are available, with buyers given the choice of either a 1.2-litre or 1.4-litre unit.

The 1.2-litre engine is offered in three states of tune, with each being mated to a six-speed manual gearbox as standard. The entry-level version develops 108bhp and 195Nm torque, with 128bhp and 143bhp variants sitting above it. All three engines offer a fuel economy figure of 51.4mpg and emissions ratings of 99g/km of CO2.

Like the most powerful 1.2-litre petrol, the 1.4-litre car also develops 143bhp, but torque creeps up to 236Nm, while a CVT transmission with seven ‘false-ratios’ is fitted by default. Economy and emissions figures stand at 46.3mpg and 112g/km of CO2 respectively.

The Astra’s range of diesel engines is also now made up exclusively of three-cylinder units. A new 1.5-litre diesel engine with electronic turbocharging has arrived, developing 104bhp and 260Nm in its most basic state of tune. It’s linked to a six-speed manual gearbox as standard.

A more powerful, 120bhp and 300Nm version of the engine is also available, which Vauxhall claims is capable of 60.1mpg and 124g/km CO2 under WLTP. As an optional extra, the unit can be specced with a freshly developed nine-speed automatic gearbox, which sees torque drop to 285Nm and results in a slight hit to fuel economy, too.

Technology updates on the revised Vauxhall Astra include the arrival of a new digital front camera, which is smaller but more powerful than the one equipped on the pre-facelift car, thanks to new processors. Vauxhall claims that the higher-grade camera helps to improve the Astra’s traffic sign recognition system. Similarly, the car’s rear-view camera system has been updated to the new standard.

Elsewhere, the multimedia system has been treated to an interface redesign and Vauxhall says it’s more intuitive to use than before. The instrument cluster is now also digitalised. A wireless charging pad for compatible smartphones can be added as an option on selected models and a new Bose sound-system can be fitted too, alongside – for the first time – a heated windscreen.

Finally, Vauxhall has reworked the Astra’s suspension system, to keep it competitive with the Volkswagen Golf, the Ford Focus and the Mazda 3. A fresh set of new shock absorbers now feature, which the British brand claims has resulted in a better ride quality.

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