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FATAL ATTRACTION

In his eyes it’s the ultimate cardinal sin but her fatal attraction for the Vauxhall Astra Hatchback could just cause her to cross the boundaries of branded fidelity.

In some households certain Makes of cars are regarded as trusted family air looms, in fact speaking admirably about a competitor is about as frowned upon as a so-called mate who swoops in for the kill just as you’ve done all the necessary ground work like buying in the drinks for the object of your desire and appeasing their scarily ugly associate. Yet perhaps your mate would almost certainly become a sworn enemy if they then sold your other half a spanking new Astra when you had your heart set on a new Golf GTi. So what has the Astra got that is causing such a stir? Well aside from the well honed bodywork, flashy wheels and lights and an edgy charisma, it also promises pretty rapid performance. There are various engines on offer from the Top of the range 2.0 litre, 170bhp flagship challengers to the more modest 1.4 litre, 90bhp models. You can also expect obedient handling, a smooth ride and heaps of equipment.

Solid built quality is another factor that may tip the scales in its favour and with a field of tough competition it appears to be holding its corner well. Vauxhall may not be the sexiest label on the high street but its looks speak for itself and of course its sporty heritage will be apparent to real enthusiasts. Especially those who follow Touring Cars or anyone who has driven the GSI which was one of the most prominent hot hatch icons of the 1990’s.
As would be expected, a car with such aesthetic allure will also attract the undesirable specimens of society that will want to half-inch it but rest assured the security will be tough to outwit and safety is well on par too. Boot space is compromised somewhat but isn’t that what estate models were built for? The interior reflects the notion that less is more but the simple set-up seems to work and the driving position also promotes a pleasurable experience.

Lower-powered models may well lack a bit of comfort and Electronic Stability is currently absent in them too but in essence you get what you pay for and the price tag seems fair for this kind of asset.

Verdict

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Spec

ENGINE: 2.0litre 16V
POWER: 170bhp
TOP SPEED: 136
TRANSMISSION: 6 speed automatic
RIVALS: VW Golf, Ford Focus