In line with the nomenclature of other Vauxhall models, the 'estate' is no more: meet the Astra Sports Tourer.
The Sports Tourer will be the second model to join the new Astra range, which has sold over 28,000 units in the UK and rising since its launch last December, and has helped the Astra become Britain's best-selling retail range in the first five months of this year.
Even in estate body style, the new Astra Sports Tourer maintains the hatch's wheelbase (2685mm), yet its superior packaging has allowed the maximum load length to be increased by 28mm to 1835mm, and its load volume by 30 litres to 500 litres with the rear seats up. As well as boasting a cargo area with flat wall linings to fully optimise available space, a new FlexFold feature (standard or optional depending on trim level) allows each section of the 60:40 split-fold rear seat backs to be lowered at the press of a button housed in the walls of the cargo compartment. In addition, with the rear seat cushions folded up against the front seat backs, the Sports Tourer has a completely flat load floor and a maximum load capacity of up to 1550 litres.
Compared with the outgoing Astra estate, the Sports Tourer has an additional 25 litres of storage space in the cabin, 50 per cent more than before. And like its hatch sibling, the Sports Tourer also benefits from the option of Vauxhall's Ergonomic Sports Seats, providing front occupants with best-in-class comfort.
Customers have the option of Intelligent Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL), which has eight different bi-xenon settings and automatically adapts the headlights according to weather and road conditions.
From launch, Astra Sports Tourer buyers will have a choice of six engines, with an ultra-low emission, Start/Stop-equipped ecoFLEX model available soon afterwards. The petrol line-up starts with the 100PS 1.4i ECOTEC-4 with variable valve timing and sequential fuel injection, while a 1.6i ECOTEC-4 with 115PS is also available. The Sports Tourer's most powerful petrol engine will be the smooth and punchy 1.4i Turbo which produces 140PS, yet achieves a combined fuel consumption of 45.6mpg and CO2 emissions of 145g/km.
A new ecoFLEX model will be available soon after launch and will be one of the first Vauxhall models to get Start/Stop technology. Based on the 1.3 CDTi 95PS engine, the ecoFLEX features a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) and variable geometry turbocharger.
Dynamically, Vauxhall has carried over steering settings from the hatch, which are bespoke to all new UK Astras. This programme offers drivers a more natural feel, thanks to careful tuning of the car's electronic power steering system. FlexRide, Vauxhall's adaptive suspension system, is also available as an option on the Sports Tourer. The system continuously adapts to changes in driving style and cornering speed. In Standard mode, FlexRide offers the whole bandwidth of settings available and adjusts to suit the driver's behaviour. In Tour mode, damper settings are relaxed to optimise ride quality, while in Sport mode, throttle and steering responses are sharpened, in addition to the adoption of stiffer damper settings.
For customers who tow, the Sports Tourer will be available with Vauxhall's electronic Trailer Stability Assist system, which subtly brakes individual wheels to maintain control of a trailer or caravan in emergency situations.
The Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer will debut at this year's Paris Motor Show in September, before arriving in UK showrooms by the end of the year. |
