Vauxhall Astra

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See also Holden Astra and Opel Astra for the usage of the nameplate by other General Motors subsidiaries.

Vauxhall Astra is a nameplate applied by Vauxhall, the British subsidiary of General Motors (GM), to their small family car models since 1979. Astras are essentially technically identical with similar vehicles offered by GM's German subsidiary Opel in most other European countries. For the first two generations, the nameplate was applied to right-hand drive versions of Opel Kadett, and since 1991, Opel also uses the Astra nameplate, so Vauxhall and Opel Astras are essentially identical vehicles.

1 Vauxhall Astra Mark 1
2 Vauxhall Astra Mark 2
3 Vauxhall Astra Mark 3
4 Vauxhall Astra Mark 4
5 Vauxhall Astra Mark 5
6 See also
7 External links

[edit] Vauxhall Astra Mark 1

Image:MHV Vauxhall Astra D Estate 01.jpg

Main article: Opel Kadett D

The Astra name originated with Vauxhall's 1979 model, though the car was designed and built a year earlier in Germany as an Opel Kadett. This model replaced the Vauxhall Viva in the UK, along with some versions of the Vauxhall Chevette. However, the Chevette remained on the price list for several years afterwards until the Vauxhall Nova was launched. The Astra was Vauxhall's first model to have front-wheel drive.

The car featured a new unified engine for Vauxhall/Opel, featuring an all-aluminium head, overhead camshaft and hydraulic valve lifters. The engine was a huge leap forward from the earlier generation of small engines used in Vauxhall and Opel cars in terms of power, economy and refinement. It was initially available in 1300 and 1600 forms, and later an 1800 fuel-injected version was added, used in the Mk 1 Astra GTE model, introduced in 1983. Vauxhall now had a serious rival for the Volkswagen Golf, and it quickly became popular with buyers. A 1200cc version which used the older Opel OHV engine was also available.

There were three bodystyles for the first generation Vauxhall Astra, saloon,hatchback and estate, both available with three or five doors (two or four for saloon). The saloon models were styled exactly like the hatchbacks, except they had a different rear window and a conventional bootlid. There was also a van version which was badged the Bedford Astravan. Unlike the previous Opel T-Car, no coupe was offered.

[edit] Vauxhall Astra Mark 2

1989 Vauxhall Astra SRi Mark 2 five-door

Main article: Opel Kadett E

The Mk 2 Astra used the same range of engines and running gear as the Mk 1, but with a completely restyled body with much better aerodynamics. A new GTE using a 2 L fuel injected model was also introduced, and early models of these featured an all electronic dash with digital speedometer. This was largely received as a gimmick, and later models reverted to traditional analogue instrumentation. A special twin-camshaft version of the engine was also developed and a high performance version of the GTE was created around it. This engine developed 156 hp in standard form, giving sprightly performance. The Mk 2 was long-lived, and was available in estate, hatchback, saloon (sedan) and cabriolet versions. The Mk 3 model was essentially an evolution of the Mk 2, rather than a redesign.

This model formed the basis of the Daewoo Cielo, Racer, Nexia and LeMans, and its export versions, the Asüna SE (Canada), Asüna GT (Canada), Passport Optima (Canada) and Pontiac LeMans (Canada, New Zealand and USA).

The second generation Vauxhall Astra, sold in the rest of Europe as the Opel Kadett, was voted European Car of the Year for 1985. It sold well in the UK, and although it was never able to outsell the Ford Escort, it came closer than any other similar-sized car to achieving this.