TESTED 11.7.23, OXFORDSHIRE ON SALE AUGUST
The Vauxhall Astra Electric has arrived in the UK, albeit still only in left-hand-drive form for the time being.
Its pricing announcement in May raised a few eyebrows. The battery-powered Astra is available in two specifications and starts at a fiver under £40,000, with the upper-spec Ultimate costing £43,110. At the top level it's Tesla Model 3 money.
Maybe that's why Vauxhall is keen to note that you can have one from £263 per month on 0% finance for three years, although this includes a £12k deposit and an £18.2k balloon payment. Anyway, as ever the company car tax case is compelling, and the rest of the equation might revolve around what your company pays.
The electric Astra is a 4.4m-long small family hatch, just like the petrol and plug-in hybrid versions. The battery is 51kWh (usable), and while the associated gubbins steals a little floor space in the boot (although you still get 350 litres), it adds torsional rigidity to the platform. It is front-wheel drive and has a 153bhp, 199lb ft motor, giving a modest 9.2sec 0-62mph time.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Poster car that went from rusty to trusty
One evening, two years ago, George Pappas was being driven down his local high street by a mate and mulling over whether to replace his Mk4 Golf diesel, a recent purchase that was boring him to death, when his girlfriend, also in the car, spotted an old BMW 3 Series at the side of the road with a 'for sale' sign in the window.
THE SEVEN-SEATER THAT VOLVO DARE NOT KILL OFF
The current-gen XC90 has been on sale since 2015 for good reason
GENESIS ELECTRIFIED G80
Where the story begins, in the Hyundai premium marque’s luxury saloon
LEXUSLBX
Can you shrink premium quality to fit an SUV this small? We now know
Rolls boss ready to 'define the next chapter'
Nine months into the job, Rolls-Royce CEO and car guy Chris Brownridge tells STEVE CROPLEY what he's learned and where the firm's heading
Once more, with feeling
AC Cars' recreation of the classic MkII Cobra is at first glance a faithful facsimile of a 1960s performance benchmark. SIMON HUCKNALL drives it
MERCEDES-BENZ CLE
Does a PHEV set-up work in a coupé that exudes such old-school vibes?
ANALOGUE SUPERSPORT
Lotus Elise specialist uprates 1990s icon with an eye on track days
ALPINE A290
The hot hatch is alive and well, and living in France. On both road and track, there's much to savour`
UK HANGS ON TO OLD CARS
Average car age climbs as high prices dampen demand for new models
