I’ve experienced the new Astra before – spending a week in my colleague’s 1.6-litre 136hp diesel long termer – and now it is my turn in the petrol equivalent.
My journey profile should be a better match for a petrol engine than a diesel – with a seven mile trip to work each way, and then the occasional longer journey. The economy achieved was around 42mpg, down on my colleague’s 49mpg average, and more than 20mpg below the 64.2mpg official combined figure.
It drives wonderfully, however, with smooth power delivery and comfortable seating.
Astra stewardship hasn’t been without hiccup, though. A ‘steering lock warning’ would not go away, so the car visited the Marshall Vauxhall dealership in Peterborough for a day.
Marshall dropped me at the office and collected me when the work was complete. The car was returned cleaned and valeted, with service from staff feeling rather more premium than expected.
When first booking the vehicle in, I was informed that a minor ‘service action’ was needed. Given the parts were not available to complete it on the same visit, a date was set, and the same lift to work and valet was provided which, it seems, is standard.
