TESTED 11.7.23, OXFORDSHIRE ON SALE AUGUST
The Vauxhall Astra Electric has arrived in the UK, albeit still only in left-hand-drive form for the time being.
Its pricing announcement in May raised a few eyebrows. The battery-powered Astra is available in two specifications and starts at a fiver under £40,000, with the upper-spec Ultimate costing £43,110. At the top level it's Tesla Model 3 money.
Maybe that's why Vauxhall is keen to note that you can have one from £263 per month on 0% finance for three years, although this includes a £12k deposit and an £18.2k balloon payment. Anyway, as ever the company car tax case is compelling, and the rest of the equation might revolve around what your company pays.
The electric Astra is a 4.4m-long small family hatch, just like the petrol and plug-in hybrid versions. The battery is 51kWh (usable), and while the associated gubbins steals a little floor space in the boot (although you still get 350 litres), it adds torsional rigidity to the platform. It is front-wheel drive and has a 153bhp, 199lb ft motor, giving a modest 9.2sec 0-62mph time.
This story is from the July 26, 2023 edition of Autocar UK.
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This story is from the July 26, 2023 edition of Autocar UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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