A quarter of a century has passed since Vauxhall launched the first Astra in the UK and since 1980 it has enjoyed a dominant position in the compact car class. In May 2004 the fifth generation Vauxhall Astra made its UK debut - the 5-door hatchback was the first model released followed by an estate in the autumn of 2004 and the 3-door Sport Hatch which is due for release in the spring. Order books are open now, for first deliveries in September of the high performance VXR model.

The new Astra is available with an impressive range of seven petrol engines a 1.4i 16v (90 hp), 1.6i 16v (105 hp), 1.8i 16v (125 hp), 2.0i Turbo (170 hp), 2.0i Turbo (200 hp), 2.0i Turbo (240 hp) and a 1.4i 16v DualFuel with the additional choice of four diesel engines a 1.3 CDTi 16v (90 hp), two 1.7 litre common-rail turbo diesel engines offering two different power outputs at 80 hp and 100 hp and two 1.9 CDTi 16v engines offering 120 and 150 hp all of which are Euro 4 compliant. Transmissions range from five-speed manual, six-speed manual , four-speed automatic to five-speed Easytronic transmission.

Available in Expression, Life, Club, Design, Elite, SXi and SRi trim levels with the high performance VXR completing the line-up. Prices range from £10'995.00 for the entry level 1.4 Expression to £18'995.00 for the VXR 2.0i 16v Turbo Sport Hatch.

Vauxhall are confident that the extensive range of engine, trim & transmission choices combined with ground breaking technology will meet the needs of both private and company car buyers.

With tough competition in the form of Ford's new Focus and Volkswagen's new Golf, we tested the 2.0i SRi (170PS) to find out if the new Astra has what it takes to take on the class leaders.