Vauxhall extends Astra BiTurbo diesel line-up

Vauxhall has bolstered its performance-focused Astra BiTurbo line-up, with the five-door Astra hatchback and the Astra Sports Tourer estate now receiving the firm’s most powerful turbodiesel engine.

The two new vehicles top the Astra range alongside the Astra GTC BiTurbo which launched the engine in Vauxhall’s family hatch range.

The latest diesel variants pack the same 195hp twin-turbocharged 2.0-litre diesel engine as the Astra GTC and Insignia BiTurbo, giving strong claimed performance: 0-60mph takes “under eight seconds”, according to Vauxhall.

Vauxhall launches hot Astra GTC BiTurbo

Vauxhall reveals 195hp Insignia BiTurbo

Efficiency is good, too, thanks to the addition of standard-fit stop-start technology – both models will return fuel economy of 55.4mpg combined with 134g/km CO2 emissions, equating to £120 road tax.

Vauxhall’s BiTurbo diesel engine boasts the same 295lb ft of torque as the Astra VXR super-hatch thanks to clever sequential turbocharging – one turbo works at low engine speeds, spinning up quickly to improve throttle response and reduce turbo lag, while the other takes over at high rpms to improve power.

This means 236lb ft of torque is available from as low as 1,250rpm, with peak torque spread between 1,750 and 2,500rpm.

BiTurbo trim variants get revised styling concurrent with the Astra range’s aesthetic updates, including a new grille, fog lights and a refreshed rear end. Standard equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels, alloy sports pedals, dual exhausts, and a sportier exterior styling pack.

The brace of new Astras are competitively priced, too, starting from £24,095 for the Hatch – £25 cheaper than the 165hp SRi VX Line 2.0 CDTi model – and £25,110 for the Sports Tourer, £350 more than the SRi 2.0 CDTi estate version.

The Astra Hatch and Sports Tourer BiTurbo models are available to order from the 2nd August with customer deliveries beginning later this year.

Vauxhall launches hot Astra GTC BiTurbo

Vauxhall reveals 195hp Insignia BiTurbo

First Drive: Vauxhall Astra VXR (2012 onwards)