Facelift for Astra

Prices for the facelifted range are to stay the same, with deliveries starting in September to coincide with the ‘62’ number plate.

Both the five-door hatchback and Sports Tourer estate have a redesigned grille and a new lower bumper, along with new looks for the indicators and fog lights.

The rear now features a chrome lower moulding and is styled to match the new front end features.

Alongside the straightforward styling updates is a range of new options that until now have not been available at all on the Astra range.

High-tech highlights include, to quote directly from Vauxhall’s release, the Driver Assistance Pack, which for £750 includes features like Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Traffic Sign Recognition and Following Distance Indicator.

Buyers will also be able to choose a rear-view camera, a heated steering wheel and daytime running lights.

The DAB radio in the old version has been upgraded to a ‘Digital Media Broadcast’ system.

Finally, three new colours have been introduced; a bronze, a grey and a blue.

The Astra GTC BiTurbo packs a twin-turbo diesel engine with 192bhp and 295lb.ft of torque. It becomes the most powerful non-VXR Astra ever, using one smaller and one larger turbo to attempt to minimise turbo lag.

Maximum torque is available between 1,750 and 2,500rpm, helping the GTC BiTurbo reach 62mph from rest in 7.8 seconds. Top speed is 139mph.

As for prices, the BiTurbo 195PS will cost an extra £995 over the GTC 2.0 CDTi 165PS, but it does get unique standard equipment including different 18-inch wheels and interior styling.