Author: ROBIN ROBERTS

Vauxhall’s new model offensive continues today with the announcement of two more high performance diesel models packing 195PS and 400 Nm of pulling power.

The Astra BiTurbo 5-door Hatch and Sports Tourer, which becomes the most powerful estate in its class, offer impressive performance, with a top speed in excess of 135mph and can achieve 0-60mph in under eight seconds.

So if you’re a company car driver, you won’t be hanging about!

The boost in performance does not compromise economy. Neither does it harm CO2 emissions very much.

With CO2 of of 134g/km, the Astra BiTurbo falls into the 20% company car tax band this year, rising to 21% for the 2013/14 tax year. And if you’re a business owner concerned about running costs, then with economy of 55.4mpg, that’s not too sapping on the fuel finances either.  Both models also benefit from Start/Stop technology.

The new Vauxhall Astra BiTurbo uses a sequential turbocharging system, with a smaller turbo accelerating quickly at lower speeds to eliminate ‘lag’ (where you put your foot down and nothing happens), before a bigger blower kicks in to push it through the mid and higher rev ranges. There is  320Nm of torque available from 1,250rpm.

In the mid-range of rpm, both turbochargers operate together, with the larger turbocharger pre-compressing the intake air, before it is fully compressed in the smaller one.

A bypass valve is controlled continuously to pass on part of the exhaust gases to the larger turbo. As a result, the driver still enjoys smooth acceleration. At higher rpm (from around 3,000rpm) all the gases flow directly to the larger turbocharger, maintaining the fluid power delivery at higher speeds.

Built at Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port plant in Cheshire, the new derivatives benefit from the recent styling refresh that can be found across the Astra range.

The aggressive new look includes a revised front grille, new front indicators and fog lamps, and refreshed rear-panel styling.

Both Vauxhall Astra BiTurbo models come with an array of unique features including 18” alloy wheels, twin rear exhausts, exterior styling pack and alloy sports pedals.

Available to order now, with first deliveries expected late 2012, prices start from £24,095 for the Hatch and from £25,110 for the Sports Tourer.

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Want to know more about the Vauxhall Astra?

• Click to read our latest car review: Astra delivers 13% company car tax and a 100% write down allowance