I VIVIDLY remember my first sight of the new Astra on Vauxhall's stand at the London Motor Show - I wasn't impressed, writes DAVID DUFFY.

On the face of it, one of the most eagerly awaited cars of the year looked a bit of a hum-drum hatchback.

Now I have had the chance to put it through its paces, those views have gone out of the sunroof.

The roomier new Astra is impressive. Refined, relaxed and superb to drive, it's moved into a new class.

Like the equally impressive Volkswagen Passat, it's hard to see why the manufacturer chose to stick to an old name for a car that has shifted up the motoring rankings.

When describing the car to interested colleagues, I twice caught myself comparing features of its design and interior to the BMW 3 series, a stunning compliment to a car that has gained a reputation over the years as a reliable, if run-of-the-mill, runabout.

The good news doesn't end with the refined ride and air of civilised superiority. While quality has taken a step up, there has been a drop in both replacement parts and insurance premiums.

You can get into a new Astra for under £12,000. The price tag on the top-of-the-range test model estate version was pushing £17,000, which, as you might expect, brings with it a mass of bells and whistles from air conditioning, alloy wheels, electric windows and six-speaker stereo radio-cassette to wood inlays, electronic anti-lock brakes, side airbags and an on-board computer.

On the road the 115 horsepower engine is quiet, the interior rattle-free and the Lotus-tuned suspension helps the car deliver that all-too-rare combination of pace, agility and comfort.

The estate has a particularly well thought-out loadspace, with a retractable cover, floor rails to aid loading, cargo hooks in each corner, luggage net and a ski-hatch to allow long objects to be carried.

Safety features highly on the new car, including three-point seatbelts for all occupants, a standard driver's airbag and optional passenger and side airbag protection.

Vauxhall is one of the first volume manufacturers to offer side airbags, first in the Vectra and Omega and now in the new Astra.

Strong doors, locks, hinges, pillars, impact beams, and energy-absorbing door padding all combine to protect everyone in the new Astra from side impacts.

The safety of children up to 12 years of age is boosted with a new system called Vauxhall-Fix. Buyers can specify standard brackets, a no-cost option, so childseats simply slot into position - there is no need to fiddle and adjust child seats.

Another innovation called PRS - pedal release system - cuts the danger to the driver's feet and legs in a front-end shunt.

The Astra also has an engine deadlock immobiliser, with remote control central locking that locks the new Astra with one touch of the button on the key. This also activates the alarm if fitted - push it again and the system deadlocks. Unlocking is a simple matter of pushing the other button on the key, which also switches on the courtesy light. The system has a rolling security code which changes every time it is used.

The new Astra has been launched in a range of bodystyles and engines - including a new 1.8-litre petrol and 2.0-litre direct-injection diesel - and all models are covered by a 12-year anti-perforation bodywork warranty.

The entry level three-door is the Astra Envoy 1.6i at just under £12,000 and the new Astra LS 1.6i five-door, which replaces the best-selling 1.4-litre five-door, keeps the same price of just under £13,000.

The 2.0Di 16v direct-injection diesel is new to the Astra line-up at a lower price than the out-going 1.7TDS - £14,095.

Above the Envoy model there is the LS and then two additional new trim levels - Club and CD - as well as the range-topping Sport and CDX models.

For the first time, the range includes a 1.2-litre version, which went on sale in the autumn, a 1.8-litre version and a 2.0-litre diesel model.

The top-of-the-range model is the 2.0-litre GSi which joined the line-up late last summer.

The new 1.2-litre version is claimed to be the most economical petrol car in the class - returning 46.3mpg in the combined cycle.

Vauxhall has sold nearly 1.5 million Astras in Britain since the model was launched 17 years ago.

The company plans to produce about 220,000 Astras a year and hopes that UK sales will reach the 100,000 mark in the first 12 months.

The Astra was the UK's fifth biggest-selling car in 1997, with 89,537 vehicles purchased. It was beaten only by Ford's Fiesta, Escort and Mondeo models and by the Vauxhall Vectra.

Auto facts

Model: Vauxhall Astra CDX 1.8i Estate

Price: £16,745 on the road

Insurance: Group 8E

Top speed: 121mph

Fuel consumption:

Urban 45.6mpg

Extra urban 40.6mpg

Combined 35.3mpg

Fuel tank: 11.4 gallons

Comfort: Excellent

Luggage space: 16.9/53 cu ft

Length: 168.8in

Width: 78.3in

Story date: Tuesday 26 January

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