Vauxhall kits out the Astra

By Jack Rix

01st February 2011

Fancy more Astra for your money? Vauxhall has introduced a new trim level, ES Tech, aimed squarely at offering superior kit levels to a comparable Ford Focus or VW Golf.

Starting at just £18,110 for the 140PS 1.4-litre Turbo model, the ES Tech comes as standard with sat-nav, a a seven-speaker CD player with iPod input, Bluetooth, a DAB radio, 17-inch alloy wheels and air-conditioning. And that's on top of the standard equipment already found in most Astra models, such as curtain airbags, ESP, daytime running lights, cruise control and steering wheel-mounted audio controls.

Compared with the £800 more expensive 120bhp VW Golf 1.4 TSI Match, the Astra ES Tech 1.4 Turbo gains satnav, in addition to offering an extra 18bhp of power from its 138bhp engine. The Astra’s performance figures also beat the Golf’s, with a 0-60mph time of 9.0 seconds and top speed of 126mph.

For diesel fans, the ES Tech is available with the 123bhp 1.7 CDTi engine, one of Vauxhall’s ecoFLEX models with sub 120g/km CO2 emissions. Prices at £19,530, the oil-burner boasts a combined fuel consumption of 62.8mpg, making it one of the most efficient, and best-equipped, cars in its class.