New Vauxhall Astra Estate
Published: 7th September 2004
Vauxhall Astra Estate
Agile and dynamic chassis
Despite being four-and-a-half metres long, new Astra estate offers a very rewarding driving experience. Furthermore, the optional adaptive chassis system IDSPlus - which incorporates ESPPlus (Electronic Stability Programme), TCPlus (Traction Control), ABS and CDC (Continuous Damping Control) – raises the car’s performance to an even higher level.
Furthermore, by specifying a model with Vauxhall’s clever Sport Switch, the Astra estate driver can choose a sport mode which boasts more agile driving characteristics, and sharper steering and accelerator pedal response.
But the estate is much more than a great car to drive, it’s also a terrific towing tool thanks to the £350 Towing Pack, which includes automatic load levelling, HSA (Hill Start Assist) and the innovative TSP (Trailer Stability Program). With TSP, as soon as the system detects a yawing movement, the car-trailer combination is decelerated within milliseconds by throttle closure and brake application until stability is restored - a substantial increase in safety.
Wide range of engines
The Astra estate is powered by a choice of modern petrol and diesel engines, ranging from 1.4 to 2.0 litres and with power outputs from 80 to 170 hp. And with a maximum speed of 135 mph and a 0-60 mph time of 8.3 seconds, the estate boasts performance on a par with the hatch.
The transmission range consists of a six-speed manual gearbox (standard with all 1.9 CDTi and 2.0 turbo engines), a five-speed manual transmission, a four-speed automatic (optional for 1.8 ECOTEC) as well as the latest version of the Easytronic automated manual transmission, optional with the 1.6-litre TWINPORT engine.
