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VXR DOUBLE DELIGHT A FLYING START THE CITY LIMITS VAN ABOUT TOWN GOOD CLEAN FUN

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HOTVauxhall Magazine; April 2007

MEET THE EVEN CLEANER ASTRA When the alarm bells ring

Rarely a month goes by without good news about Astra, from the hot VXR to the versatile TwinTop. But the latest offerings aren’t only good news for the Astra customer, they’re good for all of us, as new engines improve performance – while reducing emissions Words by Brian Laban. Pictures by Vauxhall Image Library

The new 1.6-litre Turbo alternative is also cleaner than the model it replaces. It posts a combined fuel economy of 36.7mpg (a 17 per cent improvement) while its CO2 emissions drop from 216g/km to 185g/km. The current 1.6 Twinport engine is also replaced by an impressive new VVT unit, with power increased from 105PS to 115PS. This newcomer also offers lower CO2 emissions.

It gives the Sport Hatch the power to sprint from 0-60mph in just 7.7 seconds, with a top speed of 139mph - making it quicker than the outgoing 2.0-litre car.

As with the new 1.6-litre Turbo engine, as well as having greater performance, including a 0-60mph time of 10.9 seconds and a top speed of 119mph for five-door models (compared to 11.5 seconds and 115mph for similar versions of the outgoing 1.6 Twinport), this new 1.6 engine is also more economical, now returning 43.5mpg on the combined cycle.

Prices are attractive, too - the latest 1.6 models start at £13,535 on-the-road for the 1.6i 16v VVT Life five-door, while 1.6 Turbo variants begin at just £18,220 for the SRi Sport Hatch.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO WWW.VAUXHALL.CO.UK/ASTRA

THE CO2 ADVANTAGE

Thanks to Astra's new 1.4, 1.6 115PS and 1.8 VVT engines, Vauxhall has calculated that, assuming all new owners use those engines for a typical 12,000 miles a year, then compared to 2005, CO2 emissions would be reduced by an astonishing 7115 tonnes. That represents the equivalent CO2 reduction effect of no fewer than 508,244 trees, an amazing 136 football pitches worth of new forest! That's a big Astra advantage.