Vauxhall fans have always loved 3-door Astra’s, but the new Vauxhall Astra GTC coupe is the brand’s first proper coupe since the somewhat disastrous fourth generation variant. Although this car borrows the Astra’s name, it’s undergone some significant changes in the styling and mechanics to dramatically transform the traditional into hatch into a sporty and dynamic coupe that also offers a solid amount of practicality.
This car needs to be good in order to compete in an already bloated market. Let’s take a look at how it fares.
Vauxhall Astra GTC Coupe Test Drive
You’d be forgiven for having low expectations from this coupe. After all, it is an Astra and Astra’s have not exactly been known for offering an exciting ride these last few years.
But while the styling has been modified to give this car a punchier look, a quick butcher’s underneath the bonnet won’t exactly challenge your preconceptions.
You would, however, be wrong for thinking this is just another frumpy, lame-o hatchback disguised as something sportier.
While it’s true that the 2.0-litre petrol unit here is the same as one found in the Astra hatch, the steering is a lot sharper, while a wider track and a brand new suspension system makes this coupe a true driver’s car – not something you can often say about an Astra. Indeed, it’s so good as turning sharply into corners that only the Insignia can compete.
Before getting behind the wheel of the Astra GTC and firing her up, you might not have thought it possible that an Astra could be more thrilling than, say, a Focus ST. But it is totally possible. You can add FlexRide adaptive damping system as an optional extra, but the truth is that you don’t even need it.
The best engine for true driving enthusiasts is the high performance 1.6-litre turbo petrol 16v plant that is good for 180ps AND 230Nm. It can get you from rest to 62mph in 7.8 seconds before maxing out at 138mph.
However, the most popular engine will most likely prove to be the more sensible 1.4-litre turbo that comes in either 120 or 140PS guise.
The Interior, Design And Build Of The Vauxhall Astra GTC Coupe
Many good folk will probably assume that his 3-door Astra will be smaller than the 5-door hatch variant. You’re not being presumptuous – it’s just a natural assumption. However, in a remarkable feat of engineering and design, the guys at Vauxhall have managed to make this coupe bigger than the 5-door Astra hatchback that it’s based on.
The good news is that this car looks like a very different proposition to the hatchback. It shares the door handles and the roof aerial with its mate, but that’s as far as things go. It’s very much its own, dynamic man that utilises a wider front, rear and track, as well as bigger wheels.
Getting inside the car is easy thanks to very large doors. Rather dismally, though, the interior has not been given the same explosive treatment as the exterior, and it’s all a little bit plain and far too reminiscent of the hatchback. If that’s your thing, however, you’ll be totally a-okay.
For the rest of us, checking out the interior after the stunning exterior will be rather like turning up for a date with a girl who looks nothing like that photo on her dating profile.
Visibility is good, though, while the various trim levels to break up the monotony a little, but overall this is a familiar affair that won’t whet too many appetites.
Practicality is good, though. As mentioned, this is a car that is easy to get into, and because it’s bigger than its five-door cousin, you also get plenty of head, leg and shoulder room – plus a bigger boot (380-litres). You can extend this boot further by folding the rear seats.
Vauxhall Astra GTC Coupe Price & Running Costs
Prices for the new Vauxhall coupe start out from £18,000 and rise to just over £27,000.
Standard equipment is decent across the range, with even the base-level models getting treated to air conditioning, daytime running lights, remote control alarm system, and a CD stereo that is MP3 compatible. If you want something a bit more special, the Sri trim throws in front door sill covers, a leather-coated steering wheel, and dark-tinted rear windows.
Running costs are not going to stray too far from the Astra norm, though if you drive it reasonably sensibly enough, this GTC Astra coupe could turn out to be cheaper to run than the hatchback. The 120PS 1.4-litre unit emits 140g/km of CO2 and returns 47.1mpg, while the 1.6-litre petrol turbo emits some 168g/km and returns 39.2mpg.
Our Favourite: The Vauxhall Astra GTC VXR
The compact coupe market is already crowded out, which means that some punters won’t even give this one a chance. There are, after all, quality releases from the likes of MINI, Volkswagen and Peugeot, and they’re eating up the sales right now.
But overlook this offering at your peril. True, the interior is a bit of a damp squib, but the Vauxhall Astra GTC coupe is exciting to drive, looks absolutely stunning, and comes with a range of engines that demand a go.
