Debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show last month, the Sports Tourer is based on an all-new lightweight vehicle architecture with a new design, powertrains and technology, as with its hatchback sibling and arrives in showrooms next March.

The new Astra ST offers the same dimensions as the outgoing model with a length of 4,702mm, a width of 1,871mm and a height of 1,499mm but brings more space for passengers and luggage, with a total cargo capacity of 1,630 litres.

In addition, the Sports Tourer comes with 40/20/40 foldable rear seats to enhance loading space while the FlexOrganiser product range with side rails, dividing nets and various fastening options is available as an option. Automated tailgate opening is also offered.

Engine line-up includes a 1.0-litre three-cylinder Turbo Start/Stop ecoFLEX model priced from £17,285 OTR and offering 96g/km CO2 emissions. There’s also a 108bhp 1.6-litre ‘Whisper Diesel’ Start/Stop ecoFLEX model offering 85.6mpg and CO2 emissions of 86g/km, and priced from £18,785 OTR.

At the top of the range is the 197bhp 1.6-litre SRi priced from £21,710 OTR.

Four main trims are offered – Design, Tech Line, SRi and Elite – with Nav versions of the SRi and Elite trims also available.

Standard kit on the entry-level model includes 16-inch alloys (available from the spring), R4.0 IntelliLink system, air con, cruise control with speed limiter, and hill start assist. Tech Line trim adds features including a six-speaker sound system and Navi 900 IntelliLink system with fully integrated European sat nav system and eight-inch colour touch-screen.

Meanwhile SRi additions on top of the Design trim include 17-inch 5 twin-spoke alloy wheels, rain-sensitive windscreen wipers, automatic lighting with tunnel detection, Vauxhall OnStar, Driving Assistance Pack One plus a remote control alarm system on all bar the entry-level engine. SRi Nav models also gain the Navi 900 IntelliLink system with fully-integrated European sat nav system and eight-inch colour touch-screen.

Highlights of the Elite include 17-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels, electronic dual-zone climate control, rain-sensitive windscreen wipers, Automatic lighting control with tunnel detection, electrically folding door mirrors, electric parking brake and Vauxhall OnStar. Elite Nav models also add in the Navi 900 IntelliLink system and fully integrated European sat nav system.