Vauxhall today confirmed that production of its next-generation Astra compact car will be built at the company’s manufacturing plant at Ellesmere Port in Cheshire. Ellesmere Port will be the lead plant of only two in Europe building the new model.
The decision follows the conclusion of a ground-breaking new labour agreement which was approved by the Vauxhall workforce yesterday. The agreement comes into force in 2013 and runs through the life of the next-generation Astra, into the early 2020s.
Vauxhall’s new Astra VXR will incorporate motorsport know-how in its transmission and deliver a class-leading 400Nm of torque, giving it a 0-60mph time of 5.9 seconds and robust mid-range performance when it arrives in the UK this July.
These are the first official pictures of Vauxhall’s new small SUV, which will take the company into new market territory when it’s unveiled at this year’s Geneva Motor Show in March.
Called the Mokka, the new model will enter the growing sub-compact SUV B-segment. The Mokka is 4.28metres long, yet despite its neat dimensions can accommodate five adults in comfort.
Vauxhall’s most powerful diesel engine ever is now available in the Insignia range, producing 195PS and 400Nm of torque, but with CO2 emissions as low as 129g/km.
Known as the Insignia BiTurbo, and on sale now, it’s available with a choice of five-door Hatch and Sports Tourer bodies in SRi, SRi Vx-line and Elite trims, priced from £27,120 on the road.
The potent, twin-sequential turbocharged diesel is based on the existing 1956cc unit which powers key models in the Insignia, Astra and new Zafira Tourer range. However, in BiTurbo form the engine produces up to 35PS more power and a significant 50Nm of extra torque, reducing the 0-60mph time by nearly one second to 8.2 seconds (Insignia FWD Hatch).
But thanks to a package of eco features – including standard Start/Stop across the range – the FWD Hatch achieves a combined 57.6mpg, 2.2mpg better than the single-turbo 2.0 CDTi 160PS model. Continue Reading
Hot on the heels of the recently launched GTC, these are the first official pics of the new Astra VXR, which goes on sale next year and is set to become one of the most powerful cars in its class and the fastest production Astra in Vauxhall’s history.
Based on the GTC’s platform and powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged direct injection engine, the Astra VXR produces 280hp of power and a mighty 400Nm of torque, enough for it to achieve a top speed of 155mph. Continue Reading