New Vauxhall Astra GTC review and road test 2013

Vauxhall is hardly a brand you would regard as synonymous with performance cars or coupes, as the majority of its models are driven by practicality and affordability.

However, with the Astra GTC, Vauxhall is offering a more enticing proposition for sports car lovers. This particular car is actually based on the Vauxhall Astra hatchback, but with a number of important changes.

The Astra GTC delivers a lower coupe roofline, a more streamlined body design and a punchier engine range than its hatchback sibling. In fact, Vauxhall says every single body panel was reworked on the coupe to create this sleek silhouette...

[jgh]

I have one of these - although not by choice. It's a gorgeous looking car (mine's a red one). The chassis is fantastic - this bugger really handles. It feels very solid and surefooted. What's more, the ride quality and general interior noise levels are deeply impressive. It will eat motorway miles without any problems. There is loads of interior space for a car of this type and a decent boot. In general, it's also pretty well built.

[wiigamer]

Bought a black one just like this yesterday, never thought I’d love a car so much

[yafai]

Great car collecting mine next Thursday

[CarKeysUKOfficial]

Well we are driving the VW Scirocco next week so we will have a review of it on here next Friday, so hopefully that will give you a better idea. We are considering doing a head to head with the GTC and Scirocco as well in the next few weeks.

[CarKeysUKOfficial]

Do you think it'll fare well in the long run? It does look great and has a lot of good characteristics that are standard to Vauxhall

[CarKeysUKOfficial]

We always like to use a nice upbeat soundtrack, it's the same on our other video's as well.

[CarKeysUKOfficial]

Well if you are looking for competition to the GTC, we have a Volkswagen Scirocco review coming up next Wednesday. So keep an eye out!

[Ogjatt]

How much would the insure will be ima new driver 21yo

[benadamsons]

I remember my first car - an Astra! I was driving for years before I finally bought my own. A 2005 1.8 Auto estate - I loved it. Sadly I had to sell it to finance a return to university but I'm nearly done now and looking at Astras again. Strongly considering the 1.4T SRI (5 door) but it's tough to find one with the right extras.

[benanderson]

My first car was an X-Reg 1.0L Green Nissan Micra - 360 degree sideways flip down a very steep hill 6 months later! I was only doing 25...

That aside; the Astra GTC (in white) is on my short list for new cars along with the new Kia Pro_Cee'd SE (also in white). Its £19.5k for the Pro_Cee'd and the GTC SRi with the same 0-60 sprint (about 9 seconds) and kit level as the Kia hits a whopping £23k! But the GTC is so enticing I may be willing to overlook the price hike.

[jgh]

@MotorTorqueUK I'm not sure - mine has done just under 5k and I am already getting clunks from the drivetrain and problems with the gearchange. A friend who had a diesel version had to have the gearbox replaced after 20k.

[Aoocci]

loveing the video but would you by this or the Volkswagen Scirocco or audi tt? the inside looks dull like a weekend in South port or Trip to birkenhead

[raceduck]

weird thing is that the vauxhall astra gtc has a rear bumper in body color . the rear bumper of the opel astra gtc is not in color

[raceduck]

im from belgium, im getting my gtc sport 1.7 cdti 130hp(summit white) in 4 weeks. i think it has the best looks compared to vw sirocco and renault megane coupe.

[CarKeysUKOfficial]

Yeh I know what you mean, very rounded. I think the GTC has a better front-end to match, the Megane's front-end lets itself down a little in my opinion.

[faber]

Yeah it definitely has a nicer front end. The Megane has the large black plastic strip that stretches from underneath the headlights and that is what the huge downside is.

[stephenhurrell]

Vauxhall have done a good job on this but I wish they'd tidy up that instrument panel.

[CarKeysUKOfficial]

I know what you mean. Astra's nowadays can be a bit of a nightmare when it comes to finding the right spec - Ford Focus's are the same.

[tekgabber]

My first car was a Ford Escort. My pride and joy. Then it was taken away from me in the dead of night by a gang of rapscallions. Anyway, nice video.

[ChrisLitton]

Wish the current model was available in gtc guise. Very good looking car but my current astra is more practical with 5 doors.