Vauxhall Astra GTC prepares to capture UK performance hatch market

Vauxhall’s new challenger to the Volkswagen Scirocco-its Astra GTC-which only became available to order in June is already causing quite a stir with UK customers. Starting at just £18,495, the new model benefits from the use of key components developed for the Insignia VXR such as the HiPerStruts used on the front axle. The GTC also features significant upgrades to its GTC’s unique Watt’s link/compound crank rear end to ensure that customer benefit from the highest levels of dynamic control.

With Britain expected to be the biggest market for the GTC by a long way, the ability to cope with Britain’s shoddy roads came as a high priority. That’s why Vauxhall and Opel engineers conducted much of their evaluation on UK roads, with their unique (and some may say diabolical) blend of undulations, cambers, rough surfaces, blind apexes and crests. The theory is this: if the GTC can work well in the UK, it will work much more effectively on other markets’ roads, too.

So what makes our roads so bad, but so good for chassis engineers?

“Our road system is like no other in Europe,” said Gerry Baker. “We obviously test cars in many different countries, but the UK’s severely undulating and heavily cambered roads often reveal handling traits that would otherwise be hidden on smoother surfaced and more predictable continental roads.

Recognising that British drivers don’t always have access to winding, smooth-surfaced roads, the GTC has also been tuned to deal with the worst rutted and broken surfaces, even when equipped with its optional 19- and 20-inch wheels (18-inch wheels are standard).

The new Astra GTC is available with a choice of four engines – one diesel and three petrols.

With 165PS, the 2.0 CDTi is an upgraded version of the diesel that’s fitted to some models in the Insignia and Astra ranges. All engines have a diesel particulate filter, six-speed transmission and Start/Stop as standard, maximising economy and performance. Delivering 380Nm of torque (including overboost function) the 2.0 CDTi engine provides excellent mid-range acceleration for the GTC, combined with a 0-62mph time of 8.9 seconds and a top speed of 130mph. Despite its impressive performance, the model achieves a combined mpg of 57.6mpg and C0₂ emissions of just 129g/km. It also gives drivers a range potential in excess of 700 miles.

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Start/Stop and a six-speed gearbox are also standard on both versions of the 1.4-litre Turbo petrol engine. With either 120PS or 140PS, the 1.4T achieves a combined 47.9mpg and 139g/km of C02 emissions, yet each still delivers crisp performance with maximum torque of 200Nm delivered between 1850-4200rpm. The most powerful engine in the range is the 1.6-litre Turbo, which produces 180PS and allows the GTC to hit a top speed of 132mph.

In 2012, a high output VXR model is set to wow British hot-hatch enthusiasts – more news  is due to be released on that later in the year. The GTC range starts at £18,495 for the 120PS Sport 1.4 Turbo and extends to £22,430 for the 165PS SRi 2.0 CDTi.

Author: Faye Sunderland, July 25th, 2011
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