Vauxhall will roll-out stop-start technology at the end of next year resulting a host of new Ecoflex models including an Astra with a CO2 output below 100g/km.
While Spring 2010 will see the introduction of the first Ecoflex version of the new Astra powered by a 95PS 1.3 CDTI with a 109g/km CO2 figure, the car will gain stop-start technology ready for the 2011 model-year pushing the CO2 to 99g/km according to Peter Mertens, GM Europe’s engineer in charge of Astra.
Mertens added that engine management and gearing tweaks will also be introduced for the second generation Astra Ecoflex.
The lowest CO2 point for the launch of the new Astra is 124g/km for the 110PS 1.7 CDTI, putting the model at a disadvantage to its rivals which all have cars with outputs less than 121g/km and in some cases below 110g/km.
Coming in below 121g/km gives a benefit-in-kind tax advantage of 5% points, in the case a of diesel dropping from 18% to 13% BIK bands.
Dropping below 110g/km adds a capital allowance taxation benefit.
BusinessCar understands that stop-start technology will roll-out across the Vauxhall range starting with the Corsa in September 2010 and being completed within two years.
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