Latest first drives Vauxhall Astra GTC Feb 2012
There's no denying the Astra GTC has attitude and originality in abundance, but is it good enough to beat the Renault Megane Coupé and VW Scirocco?
The GTC's styling remains true to the 2010 concept car
What's new?
Although hatched from the same egg as the current Astra hatchback, the GTC coupé is a distinctly different breed. It sits on a specially-created platform, crouching 15mm closer to the ground, with a 10mm longer wheelbase and more girth between both the front and rear wheels.
On the outside, the only parts the GTC shares with the five-door Astra hatch are its door handles and roof aerial. The low-slung, chiseled styling has changed little from the GTC Paris concept car of 2010 – and is all the better for it.
And under the skin, the GTC wears clever HiPer Strut front suspension, borrowed from the larger Insignia VXR, that makes it feel assured and agile on the road. At the rear, the standard Astra crank/Watt’s link suspension has been revised to reduce lateral movement in fast corners.
Vauxhall’s FlexRide adaptive suspension system, already offered on the Astra and Insignia, is available as an option on all GTC models. It allows the driver to choose from three different settings: Standard, Tour and Sport.
The GTC’s range of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines are borrowed from the Astra hatch. The initial line-up comprises 1.4- (120 and 140bhp) and 1.6-litre petrols, plus 1.7- (110 and 130bhp) and 2.0-litre diesels.
Rear visibility is severely restricted
Performance across the board is adequate rather than exciting. If you want something with more oomph you’ll have to wait for the hot 280bhp VXR version, due later in 2012.
Two trim levels are offered: Sport and SRi. Sport comes with air-con, a DAB radio and cruise control, while SRi adds sports seats and a leather-trimmed steering wheel.
Read all our sports and performance car reviews
What's it up against?
There aren’t many other sports-orientated four-seater coupés, and this rather limited sector is dominated by VW’s Scirocco, which offers a great combination of performance and style in an affordable package. Also worth considering is the Renault Megane Coupé, which is much better looking than the five-door Megane and is reasonably practical.
Stiff competition also comes from ‘warm’ and ‘hot’ versions of conventional hatchbacks, in particular the VW Golf GTI and Ford Focus ST (due in summer 2012).
Read our reviews of the Renault Megane Coupé and VW Scirocco
Black and chrome trim looks classy - but cabin is gloomy
Why buy one?
With its road-hugging stance and concept car body styling, the GTC is guaranteed to make other road users’ take notice. And under that cartoon-car design it’s a fairly roomy five-seater – even if access to the rear is harder work than getting into the hatchback. The same can’t be said for the Scirocco.
Split-folding rear seats are a boon for anyone needing to increase boot space from the already generous 500 litres with the rear seats in place.
And, although the GTC’s responses have been sharpened up, it possesses the same compliant ride (in Standard and Tour modes) and safe handling as the conventional Astra.
On top of that, the GTC is conspicuously good value compared with the Scirocco – most models cost around £1,500 less, and there’s generally more margin for haggling with Vauxhall dealers.
Get tips on haggling in our advice guide
What's its Achilles' heel?
The GTC is a true Marmite car – you’ll probably either love or hate the high-sided bodywork and big, bulbous rear end. And either way you’ll have to learn to live with a limited view of what’s going on behind you through the letter box back window. To ensure you don’t damage the voluptuous bodywork, you’ll need to pay extra for all-round parking sensors – they really ought to come as standard.
Which? members can read the full first drive review of the Astra GTC for free. If you're not a member, join for just £1 to gain access to hundreds of new and used car reviews.
For first-rate advice on financing your next car, contact the Which? Money Helpline
