Vauxhall Astra tweaked & Astra GTC BiTurbo diesel

The Vauxhall Astra Hatch and Sports Tourer (Estate) have been given a bit of a facelift and the Astra GTC BiTurbo diesel has arrived.

It’s probably a bit of a stretch to call what Vauxhall has done to the Astra Hatch and Astra Sport Tourer a facelift, but it’s enough of a tweak for those who’ve just bought a new Astra to be less than thrilled.

The main changes to the hatch and estate are a new grill, new indicators and new fog lights; a minor rhinoplasty. At the back the changes are even more minor with just a change to the rear panel styling and a chrome lower moulding. More a pair of Spanx than a buttock lift.

More interesting than the fiddling with the Astra hatch and estate is the introduction of the Astra GTC 2.0 CDTi BiTurbo, which becomes the most powerful non-VXR model in the range with 192bhp and 295lb/ft of torque.

That’s enough grunt to get the Astra GTC to 62mph in 7.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 139mph. But, probably more importantly, you get official economy of 53.4mpg which means CO2 emissions of 139g/km.

Cosmetically, the GTC BiTurbo comes equipped with a set of 18″ alloys, a lower ride height, a new body kit and an interior with ‘Track’ trim and a flat-bottomed steering wheel. You also get Climate thrown in for good measure. And at just £995 more than the GTC 2.0 CDTi 165PS (the Astra GTC 2.0 CDTi BiTurbo costs £23,925) it’s decent value.

Vauxhall are also throwing in some new options to part buyers from a bit more of their hard-earned cash with stuff like Driver Assistance Pack (£750), Rear View Camera and Winter Pack (£145). There are also three new colours – Sculpture Bronze, Phantom Grey and Deep Sky – and the DAB radio gets upgraded to DMB.

The revised Astra hatch, Astra Sports Tourer and Astra GTC BiTurbo diesel are now on sale with first deliveries in September.