Vauxhall has fitted its new 110hp 1.6-litre CDTi diesel engine to the lower medium Astra. The move sees CO2 emissions for the cleanest Astra drop from 99g/km to 94g/km and official fuel economy increase from 76.3mpg to 78.5mpg. First deliveries of the new model are due in early 2014.
The 1.6-litre diesel engine is currently available in the Zafira Tourer and Meriva and, according to Vauxhall, renders the Astra efficient enough to beat the equivalent VW Golf and Ford Focus in terms of whole-life costs and company car tax.
Sub-90g/km versions of those models are available though, and Vauxhall is planning a more efficient Astra due to arrive in 2014.
