Since the Vauxhall Astra GTC shares no body panels with either the Astra Hatch or Sports Tourer, it has a unique appearance in the range, and one which has largely stayed faithful to the stunning 2010 GTC Paris concept.
"We wanted the Astra GTC to be the ultimate expression of Vauxhall's design language, and to embody our passion for the motor car," said Mark Adams, Vice President of Vauxhall/Opel design. Equally dramatic is the GTC's rear treatment. The Vauxhall Astra GTC has a Cd figure of just 0.33.
The Vauxhall Astra GTC's appeal runs far deeper than its rakish lines. So while the GTC line-up currently includes a broad range of engines producing from 120 to 180PS, drivers can always be assured of class-leading levels of dynamic control.
Much of the development centered around the introduction to the GTC of Vauxhall's HiPerStrut, a first for an Astra model.
This helps prevent torquesteer - a trait of many powerful front-wheel-drive cars - allowing drivers to make more use of the GTC's performance without the steering being corrupted.
Adding the HiPerStrut has also reduced the amount of camber change on the GTC's front wheels during cornering, improving grip. Steering feel is enhanced, too, helped by a reduction the steering system's friction levels.
Both tracks are wider, too, at 1584mm (+40mm) front and 1585mm (+30mm) rear.
The Astra's GTC compound crank/Watt's link rear suspension system has also been revised, with bespoke roll-stiffness and roll-centre height settings for this application.
The Vauxhall Astra GTC uses a rack and pinion steering system with speed sensitive assistance. At higher speeds, assistance is automatically reduced to ensure a high degree of steering feel for the driver.
FlexRide, Vauxhall's adaptive damping system, will be available as a £790 option across the GTC range, complementing the significant revisions to the new model's chassis. In the last three years, the Insignia, Astra, Astra Sports Tourer, Meriva, and now the Vauxhall Astra GTC, have all benefited from the UK's unique mix of road surfaces.
The most powerful engine in the Vauxhall Astra GTC's line-up produces 180PS and achieves a specific output of just over 100PS per litre.
All Vauxhall Astra GTC diesel engines are fitted with:
Oil jet cooled pistons
The result is exceptionally low fuel consumption and exhaust emissions, as well as reduced engine noise
Vauxhall's Start/Stop system is fitted to all 2.0 CDTi models as standard.
A six-speed automatic gearbox is also available on 1.4 Turbo 140PS and 2.0 CDTi 165PS engines.