-
Astra to the max
© VauxhallNow into its eighth generation, the Vauxhall Astra has spent its life playing second fiddle to the Ford Escort and Focus, along with its Corsa sibling. However, we still hold it in warm regard. Read on for the story of a familiar family hatchback.
-
Vauxhall Viva
© VauxhallLet’s begin at the beginning. Nobody quite knew what to make of the Astra when it was launched in 1980. Was it a replacement for the ageing and much-loved Vauxhall Viva?
-
Vauxhall Chevette
© VauxhallOr a replacement for the Vauxhall Chevette? Confusingly, such was its popularity, the Chevette remained on sale alongside the Astra. Way to make the Astra feel welcome, Vauxhall.
-
Opel Kadett
© OpelThe original Vauxhall Astra broke the mould in that it was virtually unchanged from its German counterpart, the Opel Kadett. Indeed, early Astras were made in Bochum, Germany.
-
Vauxhall Astra Mk1: 1980-1984
© VauxhallThe first British-built Astra rolled off the production line at Ellesmere Port in November 1981, in the days when the world was black and white. German production had begun in 1979.
-
Ford Escort
© FordMeanwhile, over at Ford, the Escort was into its third generation: the new front-wheel-drive Mk3. Over the years, the Escort and Focus managed to stay one step ahead of the Astra in terms of sales.
-
Vauxhall Astra GTE: 1983-1984
© VauxhallThe original Astra GTE is too easily forgotten when people are discussing hot hatches of the 1980s. It deserves to be held up alongside the Volkswagen Golf GTI, if not perhaps the Peugeot 205 GTI.
-
Bedford Astravan
© VauxhallThe original Astravan was badged as a Bedford, before later becoming a Vauxhall in its own right. It would go on to become the quickest vehicle on British motorways. Fact.
-
Vauxhall Astra Mk2: 1984-1991
© VauxhallThe Astra Mk2 of 1984 used the same running gear as the Mk1, but looked radically different. The pear-drop styling gave it supreme aerodynamics and it was voted European Car of the Year in 1985.
-
Vauxhall Belmont
© VauxhallThe saloon version of the Astra was known as the Vauxhall Belmont. A 2006 Home Office report revealed that the Belmont was Britain’s most stolen car in 2005. There’s no accounting for taste.
-
Vauxhall Astra Convertible
© VauxhallNobody ever aspired to own a Belmont, but back in the day, the Astra Convertible was an object of desire. Outdone only by the Escort Cabriolet in the battle of the most 1980s drop-top.
-
Vauxhall Astra GTE: 1984-1991
© VauxhallAnd speaking of the 1980s, this thing had it all going on back then. The original 8v was good, but the 16v of 1987 upped the ante. It wasn’t perfect, but it’s an absolute riot to drive.
-
Vauxhall Astra 4S: 1986
© VauxhallAh yes, the Vauxhall ‘Heat for Hire’ Astra 4S. It was designed and built for the stillborn Group S rally series, so failed to enjoy any kind of career. Shame, Group S could have been epic.
-
Vauxhall Astra Quicksilver: 1987
© Vauxhall‘A design exercise based on the Astra GTE’, the Quicksilver must rank as one of the weirdest concepts of all-time. It was built to celebrate 25 years of Ellesmere Port. The paintwork was an acquired taste.
-
Vauxhall Astra Mk3: 1991-1998
© VauxhallThe Astra Mk3 arrived in 1991 and signalled the end for the Kadett, as Opel adopted the Astra name. Many versions were available, including a Bertone-styled cabriolet.
-
Vauxhall Astra GSi
© VauxhallFor a while, the GSi was the performance flagship of the Astra range. Later GSi and Sport models featured Lotus-tuned suspension.
-
Vauxhall Astra Mk4: 1998-2004
© VauxhallRight, no dropping off at the back there. This is the Astra Mk4, introduced in 1998. Actually, go ahead, grab yourself 40 winks…
-
Vauxhall Astra Coupe
© VauxhallWake up, because this is rather interesting. The Bertone-styled Astra Coupe was – and still is – a genuinely handsome car. The Turbo, introduced in 2000, gave it the pace to match its good looks.
-
Vauxhall Astra Coupe 888: 1999
© VauxhallVauxhall commissioned Triple Eight Engineering, responsible for its BTCC race cars, to build 100 Astra 888 models. They cost £20,995 when new and were equipped with Eibach springs and dampers, plus 17-inch OZ Racing alloys.
-
Vauxhall Astra OPC X-treme: 2002
© VauxhallIn truth, we really wanted the aptly-named Astra OPC X-treme of 2002. Single wiper and super-wide arches for the win.
-
Vauxhall Astra 100 Coupe and Convertible
© VauxhallHandsome things, aren’t they? Built to celebrate 100 years of Vauxhall, the 100 Coupe and Convertible were finished in pearlescent Centenary Blue. There’s a numbered plaque, too.
-
Vauxhall Astra Mk5: 2004-2010
© VauxhallDrumroll please, because this is the Astra Mk5, introduced back in 2004. No, don’t leave, there are some interesting things to say about it…
-
Euro NCAP five stars
© VauxhallFor a start, this was the first Vauxhall Astra to be awarded a full five-star Euro NCAP safety rating. What, that’s not interesting enough?
-
Vauxhall Astra VXR: 2005
© VauxhallHow about the first Astra to wear the VXR badge? Thanks to its 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, the Astra VXR was a rapid thing.
-
Vauxhall Astra TwinTop: 2006
© VauxhallThis was also the first Astra to do an impression of a Transformer. The TwinTop version featured the same roof design seen on the second generation Tigra.
-
Vauxhall Astra VXR Nürburgring: 2008
© VauxhallGiven the success of the Astra VXR, it was no surprise to see the Nürburgring edition prove to be rather popular. More powerful, a host of upgrades and the all-important Nürburgring decals and plaque. A winner.
-
Vauxhall Astra VXR Arctic: 2010
© VauxhallYou’re as cold as ice. The VXR Arctic was a classic run-out special, featuring no technical upgrades over the standard car. That said, the heated Recaro seats, black roof and black 19-inch rims were cool upgrades. Cool, Arctic? Geddit? OK, moving on…
-
Vauxhall Astra Mk6: 2009-2015
© VauxhallTime flies when you’re having fun. The Astra Mk6 was launched at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, with the estate – now dubbed a ‘Sports Tourer’ – arriving in 2010.
-
Vauxhall Astra VXR
© VauxhallThis Astra VXR is arguably the best of the breed. Based on the handsome Astra GTC, it has the dynamic prowess to match its undoubted pace.
-
Vauxhall Astra VXR Extreme
© VauxhallRemember this bad boy? Billed as the most extreme Astra of all-time, it more than lived up to its name. How does 300hp and a weight-loss diet of 100kg sound?
-
Vauxhall Astra Mk7: 2015-2022
© VauxhallIn our review, we declared the previous-generation Astra Mk7 more engaging to drive than a Volkswagen Golf, albeit still less dynamic than a Ford Focus. It no longer felt like a let-down at the car rental desk, anyway.
-
Farewell to the UK-built Astra
© VauxhallThe final British-built Vauxhall Astra left the production line at Ellesmere Port in April 2022. The Astra is now assembled in Russelsheim, Germany, while the UK plant has shifted its focus to electric vehicles.
-
Vauxhall Astra Mk8: 2022-present
© VauxhallThe sharp-suited Astra Mk8 shares its Stellantis platform with the Peugeot 308. Along with regular petrol and diesel engines, it’s available as a plug-in hybrid or the Astra Electric. We described the Mk8 as ‘an interesting, appealing, design-conscious car that, on first evidence, is up there with the class best in terms of ability’.
-
She’s electric
© VauxhallWith a 51kWh battery, the Astra Electric can hit 62mph in 9.2 seconds and travel 258 miles on a full charge. It looks virtually identical – and even comes in Sport Tourer estate guise. It does cost around £10,000 more than an equivalent petrol version, though.
-
Vauxhall Astra GSe
© VauxhallAt the moment, this is the closest the Astra Mk8 comes to a hot hatchback. With 225hp from its plug-in hybrid powertrain, the GSe reaches 62mph in a brisk 7.5 seconds and offers 39 miles of electric-only range. It’s a capable all-rounder, but not a car for enthusiasts to get excited about.
-
Star in a Reasonably Priced Car
© VauxhallRight, we’re into bonus photo territory. The most recent, and perhaps last, Top Gear Star in a Reasonably Priced Car featured a Vauxhall Astra TechLine.
-
Astra police cars
© VauxhallAnd the Vauxhall Astra has been a stalwart of British police forces for many years.
-
British Touring Car Championship
© VauxhallVauxhall has been competing in the British Touring Car Championship since 1989, predominantly using Vectras, Insignias and Astras. There was even a Belmont, back in 1991.
-
Vauxhall Astra and Irmscher
© VauxhallThe Astra has also been ‘treated’ to a number of ‘upgrades’ at the hands of enthusiastic owners. This Astravan features an Irmscher styling pack.
-
Vauxhall Astra and BEES
© VauxhallNo, we’ve got absolutely no idea what’s going on in this publicity photo. The bees knees? No, still no idea.