Astra engines unveiled

24th August 2009

Vauxhall has announced the first technical details of its eagerly anticipated Astra. 

The new model, which debuts at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, will be produced at the firm's factory in Ellesmere Port - and offer an eight-strong engine range that includes an all-new 1.4-litre petrol turbo.

With 140hp and 200Nm of torque between 1,850 and 4,900rpm, the new engine replaces the naturally aspirated 1.8-litre, offering lower emissions, equal power and 15 per cent more torque.

Completing the petrol line-up for the new Astra is a normally aspirated 1.4-litre unit emitting just 129g/km of co2 and two 1.6-litre engines, one turbocharged, and the other an un-blown unit with 115hp.

Meanwhile, the Astra’s diesel range comprises 1.3, 1.7 and 2.0-litre units, all of which feature common rail fuel injection and develop from 95hp to 160hp.

As with the Insignia, all Astra powerplants meet stringent Euro 5 emissions standards, and at a later stage an ecoFLEX model will be added to the range, achieving 109g/km of Co2.

Finally, all Astras will be equipped with six-speed gearboxes, with the exception of normally aspirated 1.4- and 1.6-litre models and the 1.3-litre CDTi which employ a five-speed manual gearbox. A new, compact automatic transmission will also be available for all petrol models.

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