Kieron Fennelly drives, and gives his views on, the latest Astra, in 1.2 litre petrol form… In 2019 Vauxhall/Opel’s Astra celebrated its 40th birthday (and Kim adds that he was at the UK launch of the Opel version, at Donington Park in the autumn of 1979, and remembers just how much the attending motoring writers were impressed with the new model). Many readers might recall the original Mk 1 … [Read more...]
New Vauxhall Astra – Road Test
NOW BEING DELIVERED TO UK CUSTOMERS – THE LATEST VAUXHALL ASTRA. David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) test-drives the new model and gives his opinion… The revised British-built Vauxhall Astra started to arrive in our domestic market showrooms in November, good news for the 25% of British motorists who have either owned or driven one since the Mark 1 made its appearance in 1979. Since then, … [Read more...]
Vauxhall Astra Elite diesel hatchback – Road Test
Robin Roberts (Miles Better News Agency) test drives the Vauxhall Astra Elite diesel hatch… You could be forgiven for wondering how conservative Vauxhall would emerge as one of Britain’s Brexit champions with its Astra. This family-focused C-segment, five-door hatch and sports tourer is now in its seventh generation and rolling off the Ellesmere Port production lines bound for British and … [Read more...]
NEW SERIES! ‘Golden Oldies’; Kim’s Retrospective Road Test No. 1 – 1996 Vauxhall Astra 1.7 LS turbodiesel (Isuzu engine).
Astranomical! In the first of a new series on Wheels-Alive, Kim Henson assesses Vauxhall’s family hatchback of the 1990s, in the form of a 1996 Vauxhall Astra F (‘Mark 3’), powered by Isuzu’s fuel-sipping 1.7 litre turbodiesel engine. (All words and photographs by Kim). “Astra from Vauxhall. It’s every car you’ll ever need – or want.” So proclaimed Vauxhall when promoting their 1996 Astra … [Read more...]
Vauxhall’s All New British-built Astra – 2016 European Car of The Year – Road Test
Vauxhall’s Sleek Newcomer Astra Assessed by David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) When the British built Astra five door Hatchback was introduced to the media last September it soon became obvious to us that it was probably the most important car for most people to be launched in 2015. And that became reality because it has just been voted 2016 European Car of the Year and Family Hatchback … [Read more...]
Testing Times – Brief Impressions from the SMMT Test Day South 2015
BRIEF FIRST IMPRESSIONS – CARS DRIVEN AT THE SOCIETY OF MOTOR MANUFACTURERS AND TRADERS’ 2015 TEST DAY SOUTH Kim Henson was there… The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) hosts an annual driving day specifically for motoring writers from the southern part of Britain. Without exception I find this a very useful occasion for driving a variety of vehicles from different … [Read more...]
