The Vauxhall Astra hatchback and Sports Tourer estate has now been updated with a facelift while the GTC model gains a turbo diesel engine.
Styling changes for the hatchback and Sports Tourer include a redesigned front bumper and grille, along with new front light and fog light designs. At the back the Astra also has a new boot lid panel and extra chrome moulding.
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There are now three extra colour options for the Astra's bodyshell, including Sculpture Bronze, Phantom Grey and Deep Sky.
Inside the DAB digital radio which was standard across the Astra range has been swapped with a Digital Media Broadcast radio, which will offer extra functions including TV.
The Astra's optional equipment list has also been expanded and now features a rear-view parking camera, heated seats and LED daytime running lights.
Customers can now also purchase a Driver Assistance Pack for £750 which adds more safety features to the Astra hatchback or Sports Tourer. This option includes a lane departure warning system, a forward-collision alert and traffic-sign recognition cameras.
Pricing for the Vauxhall Astra remains unchanged, which means the family hatchback starts from £12,995, while the Sports Tourer is available from £17,275. The refreshed range is available to order now with first UK deliveries due to arrive in September 2012.
Astra GTC range update
The Astra GTC hot-coupe adds a new Bi Turbo specification, featuring a 192bhp 2.0-litre CDTi turbodiesel engine.
That's more power offered then you get from rivals such as the Volkswagen Scirocco, which delivers 167bhp from its most powerful diesel engine, a 2.0-litre TDI unit.
Comparing these two models further, performance is nearly identical as the Astra GTC Bi Turbo covers the 0-60mph sprint in 7.8 seconds, the same as the Scirocco 2.0 TDI. The top speed of the Bi Turbo is 1mph higher than the VW at 139mph.
The Vauxhall Astra GTC Bi Turbo also officially returns a combined fuel economy of 53.3mpg and emits 139g/km. These figures fall slightly behind the Scirocco 2.0 TDI which returns 55mpg and emits 134g/km.
The Astra GTC Bi Turbo is supported by a stop-start engine system as standard, which shuts down the engine and saves fuel when the car is stationary in traffic.
The Bi Turbo model also adds a new body kit to the Astra GTC, and the ride height is lowered by 6mm compared to the rest of the range. Electronic climate control also features as standard.
Available to order now in the UK, the range-topping Astra GTC Bi Turbo starts at £23,925, that's £995 more than the previous top of the range model, the 2.0 CDTi SRi specification. This price also undercuts the Scirocco 167bhp 2.0 TDI, which currently starts from £25,450.