Vauxhall Astra GTC 2014 (64) - 2.0 CDTi 16V SRi 3dr

Insurance Group 20, This striking brute is the third incarnation of the current shape of Astra, lining up alongside the five-door and Sports Tourer models, although from summer 2014 the Astra name was dropped and it was simply known as Vauxhall GTC. It has its sights set on the likes of Volkswagens Scirocco and the Renault Megane Coupe; both attractive three-door hatchbacks with serious style and decent driving dynamics. Vauxhalls offering has an emphasis on driving enjoyment, with the high-tech front suspension set-up from the Insignia VXR employed and a wider track utilised to vastly improve traction and agility. Sounds like a strong proposition in the driving stakes, then. What about efficiency? Well, there are six engines available upon launch. Two derivatives are already under the magic 120g/km CO2 threshold under which fleet managers insist their cars pass, returning 62.8mpg in the same breath. The Astra GTC has a five star EuroNCAP classification - the highest availabe merit. As standard on all GTCs you get active safety head restraints, dual front seatbelt pretensioners and a system which stops you moving off unless you put your foot on the clutch. ABS is standard, along with Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Hydraulic Brake Fade Assist, Cornering Brake Control and Emergency Brake Assist systems. SRi models also get and electronic handbrake with Hill Start Assist, which prevents the car rolling backwards and makes hill starts much easier. You also get front, side and curtain airbags and a reinforced passenger safety cell. The GTC has the biggest boot of its main competitors, boasting 380 litres with the seats up or 1,165 litres with seats down. VWs Scirocco manages 312 litres and 1,006 litres respectively, while the Megane Coupe has 372 litres and 1,129 litres respectively. However, litres dont tell the whole story; the GTCs boot does have a smaller opening gap than competitors, meaning larger items (like Golf clubs) may prove a tight squeeze. Behind the wheel youll notice a lot of parts shared with other cars from the Astra family; familiar Vauxhall dash and stereo controls are the order of the day. One thing worth noting for shorter drivers is the location of the B-pillar. Because of the coupe-esque roofline it is situated very far back, meaning a driver has to contort themselves around to try to reach the seatbelt. This also affects the location of the handbrake (on Sport models which dont have an e.12V Power Socket - Front, 18in Alloy Wheels - 10-Spoke, 20 Watts Per Channel Output, ABS - Anti Lock Brakes, Air Blend Heater with Six Speed Fan, Air Conditioning, Air Recirculation System, Airbags - Curtain, Airbags - Front Side Impact, Airbags - Passenger, Airbags - Passenger Deactivation, Alarm - Remote Control Ultrasonic, Ambient Lighting - Centre Console Surround, Ambient Lighting - Front Door, Armrest - Front Centre with Storage, AUX Connection, Black Trim on Door Pillars, Brake Fade Assist - Hydraulic, Brake Light - LED Centre, Brake Lights - Adaptive, Bumpers - Body Coloured Sports Style Front and Rear, Burst-Proof Door Locks and Anti-Jam Door Design, Cabin Interior Courtesy Light Operated by Door Switches, CBC - Cornering Brake Control, Centre Console - Liquid Palladium-Piano Black Effect Inserts, Centre Storage with Two Cup Holders, Cruise Control, DAB - Digital Radio, Dark Style Tail Lights, Daytime Running Lights, Deadlocks, Deformation Zones Front and Rear, Digital Clock with Automatic RDS Time Adjustment, Door Handles - Body Coloured, Door Handles - Interior - Chrome Effect, Door Inserts - Jet Black-Piano Black Effect, Door Mirror - Driver Side - Wide-Angle, Door Mirrors - Body Coloured, Door Mirrors - Electric - Heated, Door Sills - Chrome Effect Front, Drivers Airbag, Drivers Internal Central Locking Switch, Dual Tone Horn, EBD - Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Electric Windows - Front with Safety Autoreverse and One Touch Facility, Electro-Chromatic Anti Dazzle Rear View Mirror, Electronic Engine Deadlock Immobiliser, Electronic Odometer and Trip Odometer, Electronic Theft Protection For Audio Equipment, Ellipsoid Headlights, Emergency Brake Assist, Emergency Tyre Inflation Kit, ESP Plus - Electronic Stability Programme, Exhaust Tailpipes - Stainless Steel, Exterior Trim - Chrome Effect Side Window Surround, Folding Key, Front Door Pockets, Front Fog Lights, Front Map Reading Lights Integral with Courtesy Light, Front Passengers Seat Height Adjuster, Fully Carpeted Luggage Area, Gear Knob - Leather, Glovebox - Illuminated, Grille Surround - Chrome Effect, Head Restraint - Height Adjustable Outer Rear Seat, Headlights - Automatic with Tunnel Detection, Headlights - Dark Style, Headlights - Electric Beam Levelling, Headlights - High Beam Assist, Headrests - Active Safety Front, Height-Adjustable Front Seat Head Restraints, Illuminated Luggage Area, Instrument Panel Light Dimmer, ISOFIX Child Seat Restraint System for Outer Rear Seats