New 2016 Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer: full details
Next-gen Vauxhall Astra estate spotted ahead of September reveal, set to shed weight and add space
It's not been long since the new Vauxhall Astra hatch was revealed to the world, but we're already seeing Luton's next load-lugger out and about with minimal disguise. The Astra Sports Tourer will go on sale at the end of 2015, after its Frankfurt Motor Show debut.
With the Ford Focus rival's five-door hatch range kicking off at £15,295 when it hits showrooms in October, we can expect a price around £16,300 thanks to a £1,000 premium for the Sports Tourer. That would see it undercut a large chunk of its main competitors, such as the VW Golf Estate, SEAT Leon ST and Hyundai i30 Tourer.
Judging by the exterior styling of this prototype, practicality will be the focus over outright style, despite the Sports Tourer nametag. The sleek front-end is carried over unaltered from the hatch, but from the B-pillar backwards everything changes. A boxier roofline, wide rear window, integrated roof rails and substantial rear overhang show this should be more than just a 'Shooting Brake' style fashion accessory.
Under the skin, the new Astra is likely to shed up to 200kg of the kerbweight compared to the previous car, thanks to lightweight materials in the body and chassis. The hatchback is actually smaller than before, but offers more interior space thanks to better packaging. We expect the same of the estate, which should see the current car's decent 500-litre boot swell even further.
A more upmarket interior design, with the latest active safety and infotainment tech, will carry over from the hatch, as will the engine range. Under the bonnet we'll see a choice of three all-new turbocharged petrol and diesel engines with power outputs between 108bhp and 157bhp. The 1.6-litre 'Whisper' diesel will come in three states of tune, while the 1.0-litre three-pot turbo petrol will make its way from the new Corsa.
Although we don't expect a full-fat VXR variant any time soon, the recently spotted GSi hot hatch that will sit underneath is expected to be offered in load-lugger form. That will receive around 250bhp from a turbocharged petrol engine, putting it right in the firing line of the Ford Focus ST estate.
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