Verdict: Vauxhall’s new tax-busting engine gives Astra a fresh lease of life.
Business Car Manager Verdict:
If the Vauxhall Astra was on your Business Car shortlist before, it’ll be even higher up the ranking now that this new generation 1.6 CDTI engine is on board.
The Whisper Diesel is, for the most part, just that – exceptionally quiet, refined and torquey and with good pace and eco/BIK numbers also part of its portfolio.
If it was still whispering along at high revs and as green as, say, VW’s 85 g/km Bluemotion 1.6, then it would be even more of a standout package.
As it is, the Whisper Diesel is part of a huge and ongoing GM investment in new models, engines and gearboxes over the next couple of years.
We think it works really well in the Astra here and now, and is a big step up. But maybe the best is yet to come.
More on the Vauxhall Astra
Read our Editor’s view on the latest version of the Astra.
The Low Down…..
| Doors and body style | 5-door hatchback |
| Engine/gearbox: | 1.6-litre 4 cyl turbodiesel/6-speed manual transmission |
| CO2 Emissions: | 104 g/km |
| Economy: | 72.4 mpg |
| Power/torque | 136 ps/320 Nm |
| 0-62mph/top speed: | 9.7 secs/125 mph |
| Insurance group: | 18E |
…..and what it costs
| P11D Value | £22,280 |
| Monthly business rental (ex VAT) | From £183 (3yrs/30,000 miles) |
| Road tax (VED) | …… |
| Company Car Tax Bands 2014/15 to 2016/17 | £16%, 17%,18% |
| Benefit in kind 2014/15 to 2016/17 | £3565; £4010; £3788 |
| Annual/Monthly fuel benefit (20%) | £694/£57.83 |
| Annual/Monthly fuel benefit (40%) | £1389/£115.75 |
| Annual/monthly company car tax (20%) | £713/£59.42 |
| Annual/monthly company car tax (40%) | £1426/£118.83 |
| Figures correct at time of posting | |
| For latest figures | Use our company car tax calculator |
