Vauxhall has dropped a strong hint at the shape and appearance of the three-door version of the latest Astra model at the Paris Motor Show.

The model, due to be launched in 2011, made its debut as the GTC concept at Paris, and Vauxhall has suggested the car may retain the GTC badge of the concept car.

Following the tradition of the previous Astra SportHatch, the new Astra GTC would aim to steal sales from cars like the Volkswagen Scirocco and Volvo C30.

The concept car uses a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine with stop-start technology, and has an electronic limited slip differential and Vauxhall’s Flexride adaptive damping system.

Despite its coupé-like lines, Vauxhall claims the GTC has enough room to accommodate five adults comfortably.

Also on display was the new Astra Sport Tourer which adds an estate version to the Astra range introduced almost a year ago.

The Sport Tourer will use engines currently available in the rest of the astra range, including low-CO2 Ecoflex versions.