Vauxhall’s Astra Has Received Many Plaudits Since Its Launch. Steve Ghosley Takes A Look At The Sporting Credentials Of The SXi Range…
For those who aspire to drive an Astra VXR or SRi but lack the cash to realise their ambition, Vauxhall may have a cunning compromise to satisfy those desires, at least partially. It comes in the form of the Astra SXi range that we look at here. ‘Hot Hatch’ it is never going to be but it could be warm enough to entertain sufficiently to satisfy those with mild sporting tendencies.
The engine line-up kicks off with a 90bhp 1.4-litre petrol unit, alongside a 114bhp 1.6-litre engine. Both the 1.4 and 1.6-litre powerplants use the Twinport technology as already seen on the Corsa whereby one of the two exhaust outlets is closed down at low revs to boost torque and improve fuel economy. With 105bhp on tap, you’re not going to detach your retinas through sheer acceleration in an Astra SXi 1.6-litre hatch, but there’s enough pep there to entertain. The sprint to 60mph is dispatched in 10.9 seconds and a top speed of 119mph is attainable if you have an airfield or can plead diplomatic immunity from prosecution. More apposite figures are the 43.5mpg overall fuel consumption figure and the meagre 156g/km of CO2 that’s emitted from the tailpipe every kilometre.
One diesel engine is available, a 1.7-litre CDTi unit in 100bhp form. As would be expected, it meets the Euro IV emissions regulations which mean that business users won’t have to pay the onerous three per cent ‘benefit in kind’ surcharge that drivers of non-compliant cars get tapped up for. On the road, the 100bhp unit feels willing enough, accelerating to 60mph in 11.3 seconds on the way to a top speed of 115mph. A combined fuel economy figure of 56.5mpg won’t give too much cause for complaint given the performance on offer, nor will the emissions figure of 135g/km. All models come with Vauxhall’s five-speed manual gearbox and the 1.6-litre petrol also has the option of the Easytronic clutchless manual system. A five door hatch and an estate are on offer alongside a three door Sport Hatch version.
"Cornering roll is minimal, which encourages you to throw the car into corners with greater gusto"
Vauxhall has tweaked the Astra’s cosmetics a little, with sharper-looking front and rear lights, a revised front bumper, more chrome splashed about the grille and the choice of piano black or matt chrome interior finishing. Sport Hatch models also get a honeycomb front grille.
As befits its semi-sporting nature, this SXi features lowered suspension, sports front seats, three-spoke leather-covered steering wheel, air-conditioning, full-size curtain airbags, front fog lights and CD30 stereo radio/CD player. Mind you, many ‘sporting’ Vauxhalls have featured such things in recent years, yet serious drivers have ventured out in them only to be bored and disappointed. Not so this time.
Cornering roll is minimal, which encourages you to throw the car into corners with greater gusto. You can do so later too, thanks to excellent brakes which allow you to drive the car pretty hard but also safely. Watch other road users apply their brakes and then sail past them, relying on the SXi’s impressive powers of retardation. Gearboxes are not a Vauxhall strongpoint and this close ratio example certainly could be slicker. It is however, one of the company's better efforts. The steering is responsive too, with plenty of feedback when you want it, yet usefully light when you don't.
The suspension is said to be ‘sporting’. Of course, we've had stiff suspension set-ups on Astras before - but at a cost; a ride that shook the fillings out of your teeth. Here, thankfully, it’s different. In fact, the SXi's ride is arguably class-leading, thanks to the way it handles poor surfaces with accomplished ease. This is complemented by impressive levels of refinement; you feel you could drive this warm hatch all day without getting tired of it.
The driving position helps in this regard, second to none in the class, with height adjustment on both the driver's seat and a height and reach-adjustable leather-trimmed chunky three-spoke steering wheel. The pedals are perfectly aligned and the sports seats supportive, with bucket-like side bolsters.
Certainly, you don't need to go very far to realise that you're at the wheel of an uncommonly well-engineered car. The standard safety features include ABS Brakes with Brake Assist (EBA) and Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) as well as Cornering Brake Control (CBC). Despite all of these high tech touches, the Astra still uses a relatively simple beam axle at the back instead of the sophisticated multi-link layouts used by Volkswagen and Ford.
That’s not to say that practicality has been sacrificed at the altar of styling. Clever packaging and a long wheelbase have helped to maximise the car’s interior space, helped in no small part by the fact that the exterior tale of the tape shows the Astra is one of the biggest cars in it’s class. That sloping roofline looks as if it’ll pinch rear headroom but look a little closer and you’ll notice the sloping line that catches the eye is but a chamfer and the actual roofline arcs higher.
Rear headroom is in fact better than the old-shape car and legroom and shoulder room is in another league. A Vauxhall spokesman claimed that the interior of this Astra fitted like a glove, but as few people we know are shaped like hands, this would seem to present certain problems. Not so. Big doors and surprisingly upright side windows give an airy feel to the interior, although anybody familiar with the look and feel of the latest Vectra’s cabin won’t find much to excite them with the Astra’s fascia.
The Astra SXi range offers hot hatch looks at warm hatch prices which makes a lot of sense these days on our congested roads. It won’t set the world on fire but the superb engineering of the Astra’s package ensures that this car is rewarding and fun to drive.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Vauxhall Astra SXi range
PRICES: £14,415 - £17,100 - on the road
CO2 EMISSIONS: 138-156g/km
INSURANCE GROUPS: 5E-6E
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 119mph / 0-60mph 10.9s [1.6]
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (Combined) 43.5mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front & side airbags / ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: [5dr] Length/Width/Height mm 4249/2030/1460mm