Vauxhall Astra GTC

What is it?

Released back in 2011, the Astra GTC’s purpose was to replace the Astra Sports Hatch – a 3-door coupé alternative to the regular Astra Hatch. The sporty looks are a side effect of the aerodynamic styling, with a Cd figure of 0.33, compared to the Prius’ 0.25 and the VW XL1’s 0.19.

What should I know?

Back in 2010, the Astra was the 2nd best-selling car in Britain, and the best-seller in its class, with almost 80,000 sales. Compare this to the Focus’ 76,000 and the Golf’s 63,000 and it’s obvious that the Astra is a very popular car, and for good reason too. The base model GTC gets HiPerStrut front suspension derived from the Insignia VXR, even on the base model, further aiding its sportier feel. The number or sales of the Astra Sports Hatch (the GTC’s predecessor) beat models such as the Scirocco, A3 and Mégane Coupé.

Engines

The engines on offer are:

• 1.4 litre petrol
• 1.6 litre petrol
• 1.6 litre diesel
• 2.0 litre diesel

They all have 4 cylinders and have 6 gears, whether that be on the auto or manual ‘box. Start/stop technology is used on manual models only.

Tech Specs

The fastest model (the 1.6 petrol 16v Direct Injection T 200PS) will do the 0-62mph sprint in 7.9s and will reach 143mph. But for the buyer who look with their heads rather than their hearts, the 1.6 CDTi 16v 110PS ecoFLEX S/S will do up to 72.4mpg on a combined journey, and emits 111g/km of CO2. I’m disappointed with the fact that there’s no sub-100g/km model. What makes me even more unimpressed is that fact that the same engine on the Astra Hatch model emits 97g/km.

Competitors

The coupé segment, in my eyes, can be split into 3 sub-categories. I’m not sure if you agree with me, but here we go. The first is the coupé version of the hatchback – the likes of the Seat Leon SC, and the Kia Pro_Cee’d. The second is the traditional coupé – think back to the Hyundai Coupé or the modern-day Toyota GT86. The last group is the coupé that’s based on a saloon. To further complicate matters, there’s 2-door and 4-door versions, sort of splitting this group into 2! Think 4 Series and A5 versus 6 Series Gran Coupé and A7 Sportback.

The GTC, then, lives in the first category – the coupé version of the hatchback on which it’s based. It competes in particular with the Scriocco, A3 and Mégane Coupé. Although Vauxhall seems to think that it’s able to hold a fight against the 1 Series.

Pricing

There are 4 main trim levels priced as follows:

• Sport – £19,055
• SRi – £20,770
• BiTurbo – £24,220
• VXR – £27,315

But there’s a Limited Edition on offer now for £21,995.

Standard Kit

On the Sport model, expect:

• Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
• CD, AM/FM, aux-in, USB, iPod connectivity and 6 speakers offered on the infotainment system with an integrated sharkfin aerial
• Electric windows
• Daytime running lights
• Cruise control
• 3-spoke steering wheel
• ISOFIX in the rear
• 18” alloys

SRi will get you:

• Hill Start Assist
• Digital radio with integrated aerial
• Steering wheel-mounted controls
• Front fog lights
• Dark tinted rear windows
• 18” alloys

Step up to the BiTurbo for:

• Electric parking brake
• Body-coloured grille bar and rear roof spoiler
• 18” alloys

And finally, VXR models come with:

• VXR leather gear knob
• VXR roof spoiler
• Chrome effect exhaust tailpipe extension
• Sports pedals
• VXR floor mats
• LED rear lights
• An adaptive stability technology system called ‘FlexRide’
• 19” alloys

Don’t forget the Limited Edition, though, which sits towards the middle of the range, with:

• Body-coloured grille bar and rear roof spoiler
• Dark tinted rear windows
• Bluetooth
• Steering wheel-mounted audio controls
• 20” alloys

Options

For £400, one option you have is a body-coloured rear roof spoiler. Definitely ongoing with the sporty feel. Certainly something that I would consider. Front and rear parking sensors come under one option, which costs you £450. With the fairly thick C-pillars, these will definitely aid you in reverse manoeuvres. The leather pack, complete with leather upholstery, heated front seats, driver’s ergonomic sports seat and passenger’s extendable seat cushion, will cost you £1,050. Quite a pricey option considering it’s a Vauxhall. £175 for electrically folding wing mirrors is something you wouldn’t expect to have to pay on a £20k GTC. The Driver Assistance Pack includes light-sensitive headlights with tunnel detection, rain-sensitive windscreen wipers, an electro-chromatic anti-dazzle rear-view mirror, high-beam assist, forward collision alert, lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition, following distance indicator, and even more than that. For £750, this is a steal. The VXR Styling Pack with a body-coloured front lower spoiler, side sills, rear lower skirt and rear spoiler just finishes the car. If there’s one option you go for, it should be this. Forget about the technology, with a coupé like this, it’s all about the looks! It’s only £800 too.

With sat navs and audio system upgrades, in-car technology fares well.

Dual-zone climate control with air con and built-in humidity sensor? £395 please.

Practicality and Safety

A great 380 litre boot can be found behind the boot lid, but fold down the rear seats and reveal a whopping 1165 litre boot! How does this compare to its rivals?

• Scirocco – 312 / 1006
• A3 – 365 / 1100
• Mégane Coupé – 377 / 911
• 1 Series – 360 / 1200

Being a new car, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to you that the Astra GTC won 5 out of 5 stars in the Euro NCAP test when it was tested in 2011 upon launch. Its other rivals got 5 stars too – that’s the 1 Series (tested in 2012), A3 (2012) and Scirocco (2009). Are you sat down? You need to be. The Mégane Coupé achieved 3 stars last year in 2014 – very poor in comparison!

My Car

Trying to keep myself to a decent budget, I’ve specced out a GTC as I would have it. Obviously if money wasn’t an issue, the VXR would doubtlessly be my choice. Well, no, if money wasn’t an issue, I’d go for a Rolls-Royce Wraith!

• Vauxhall Astra GTC Limited Edition
• 1.6i 200PS Direct Injection Turbo Start/Stop, Manual 6 speed – £21,995
• Asteroid Grey Pearlescent Paint – £22,540
• Electrically foldable door mirrors – £22,715
• Driving Assistance Pack – £23,465
• Dual-zone climate control – £23,860
• Infinity® Premium Sound System – £24,385