The ever-present Vauxhall Astra is set to become all-electric for the first time in its illustrious 40-year history, the British firm has confirmed.
And the only downside is that you’ll have to wait until 2023 to order one of the new breed of ‘Astra-e’ models.
The eighth generation new Astra was launched earlier this year and features a raft of changes, including sharp new exterior styling as well as an uprated interior compared to the outgoing model.
Vauxhall has also already teased a plug-in hybrid powertrain - again, a first for the Astra - while full details of a Sports Tourer estate are to follow in the coming weeks.
Now Vauxhall has not only lifted the lid on the fully-electric Astra-e, it has also revealed the full details of the PHEV Astra, having previously kept those stats close to its chest.
On the Astra-e, a spokesperson revealed:
“The All-New Astra will be available as a fully-electric model from 2023. And will join the Vauxhall all-electric line-up alongside Corsa-e, Mokka-e, Combo-e Life and Vivaro-e Life, as well as an already fully-electric light commercial vehicle line-up of Combo-e, Vivaro-e and Movano-e. Vauxhall’s line-up will be electrified across the line-up by 2024 and solely fully-electric from 2028 – years ahead of the UK Government’s deadline.”
So what will an electric Astra-e be like to own? A quick glance at the electric Corsa-e should provide some subtle clues. The Corsa-e uses a 50 kWh battery to generate enough power to catapult you from 0-62mph in just 7.6 seconds while also allowing you to travel up to 209 miles between charges. We wouldn’t be surprised to see a similar set-up in the Astra-e, which should prove to have a greater range than the 144 miles you get with the Volkswagen e-Golf.
And then there’s the PHEV Astra, now unveiled in all its glory.
You’ve essentially got two choices - a system that produces 225 PS or one that generates 180 PS, both of which marry a 1.6 litre petrol engine with a battery. The most powerful of those two hybrids gives you maximum torque of 360Nm and returns up to 256 mpg. You get similar MPG with the 180 PS incarnation.
Both should prove a hell of a lot of fun on the roads. You can expect a 0-62mph acceleration time of between 7.7 and 7.9 seconds, depending on which version you get, which Vauxhall describes as ‘sport car-like’. And they're not wrong.
Besides the electrified powertrains, there’s still a huge choice of traditional petrol and diesel engines, with power ranging from 110 PS to 130 PS.
A Vauxhall spokesperson adds:
“The new Astra portfolio has something for everyone in terms of drivetrains. Customers will soon be able to choose between plug-in hybrid or efficient internal combustion engine with a pure-electric version to follow.
The new Astra continues Vauxhall’s tradition of always bringing innovative and ground-breaking technologies to the compact class that are affordable for all – also in its powertrain offer.”
Vauxhall will open the order books for the new Astra this autumn with deliveries beginning early next year. Further details including UK pricing and specification will be announced at the on sale date.
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