Vauxhall boosts Astra and Astra Sports Tourer efficiency with mild hybrids
The Vauxhall Astra and Astra Sports Tourer are now available with a 48V mild hybrid powertrain.
Priced from £30,025 and £32,225 for the estate, the new variants boost fuel economy and lower emissions compared to the regular petrols.
Already available on the Corsa and Grandland as well as other Stellantis group models, the powertrain teams up a 136hp 1.2-litre PureTech petrol engine with a six-speed dual-clutch electrified gearbox that features an integrated 28hp electric motor, powered by a 0.89kWh lithium-ion battery, which is recharged automatically under certain driving conditions.
Compared with the similar non-electrified Astra 130hp 1.2-litre with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the new Astra Hybrid offers a reduction in fuel consumption of up to 19% (56.5-60.1 mpg, WLTP combined) and significantly lower CO2 emissions of 106-112g/km CO2 (WLTP).
The electric motor allows the Astra and Astra Sports Tourer Hybrid to be driven short distances on electric power alone under low torque requirements (e.g. when manoeuvring or under 18mph in city traffic).
The motor also supports the petrol engine under acceleration, for example when launching from a standstill. This shaves off 0.7 for the Astra Hybrid’s 0-62mph time and 0.6 seconds for the Astra Sports Tourer Hybrid, bringing them down to 9 seconds and 9.3 seconds respectively.
During deceleration, the petrol engine stops and the e-motor acts as a generator to recharge the hybrid system’s 48V battery. The battery also stores the energy retrieved by the regenerative braking system.
The mild hybrids join the existing powertrains, which include fully electric, petrol and plug-in hybrids, including the more sporty GSe variants.
In line with Vauxhall’s simplified trim line-up, both the Astra Hybrid and Astra Sports Tourer Hybrid are available in Design, GS and Ultimate specifications.
Design marks the entry point and includes 16-inch alloy wheels, full LED lighting, high beam assist and front and rear parking distance sensors. The cabin comes with a 10-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Driver assistance tech includes lane departure warning with lane keep assist, speed sign recognition, driver drowsiness alert, adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection.
GS enhances design with a contrasting black roof, black Griffin logo and Vizor frame at the front and 17-inch black alloy wheels. Other additions include an Intelli-Vision 360° panoramic parking camera, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, keyless entry and start and the Pure Panel Pro digital display.
Top-of-the-range Ultimate models get Vauxhall’s adaptive IntelliLux LED pixel headlights, Alcantara seat trim and a panoramic sunroof. Intelli-Drive 2.0 is also available and features semi-automated lane change assist and advanced intelligent speed adaptation.
First deliveries of the Astra Hybrid and Astra Sports Tourer Hybrid start from July.
Astra Hybrid and Astra Sports Tourer Hybrid – Pricing:
| Trim | CO2 emissions (g/km, WLTP) | MPG (WLTP Combined) | BiK rates
(23/24) |
P11D prices | OTR MRRP |
| Astra Design Hybrid 1.2 136PS e-DCT6 | 106 | 60.1 | 26% | £29,795 | £30,025 |
| Astra GS Hybrid 1.2 136PS e-DCT6 | 109 | 58.9 | 26% | £32,090 | £32,320 |
| Astra Ultimate Hybrid 1.2 136PS e-DCT6 | 112 | 56.5 | 27% | £35,205 | £35,460 |
| Astra Sports Tourer Design Hybrid 1.2 136PS e-DCT6 | 108 | 58.9 | 26% | £31,995 | £32,225 |
| Astra Sports Tourer GS Hybrid 1.2 136PS e-DCT6 | 111 | 57.6 | 27% | £34,290 | £34,545 |
| Astra Sports Tourer Ultimate Hybrid 1.2 136PS e-DCT6 | 114 | 55.4 | 27% | £37,605 | £37,860 |
Vauxhall Astra HybridVauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Hybrid
Natalie Middleton
Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for over 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day.
