Sporty Astra due in spring

This racy-looking three-door Astra hatchback goes on sale next spring and will be available with more than 230bhp in a high-performance VXR version due in the summer.

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This racy-looking three-door Astra hatchback goes on sale next spring and will be available with more than 230bhp in a high-performance VXR version due in the summer.

Entry-level prices are said to closely follow those of the five-door model, with the cheapest 90bhp 1.4-litre petrol starting at around £11,000. Vauxhall promises the VXR range-topper will cost less than £20,000.

The sleek lines of the car mean Vauxhall is using the new arrival to replace both the coupe and the standard three-door hatchback from the previous Astra family.

Although it’s a little longer than the five-door, the new Astra looks far more purposeful with a wider body and significantly lower profile. Ride height is reduced by around 15mm and overall the car is nearly 100mm lower than the five-door.

Vauxhall says there is still space in the back for two adults, however, and claims the boot is also not significantly smaller than the five-door's. Split-folding rear seats will be standard.

From launch, four petrol engines will be on offer, from a 1.4-litre to a turbocharged 2.0-litre, which produces 170bhp. A 1.7-litre engine kicks off the diesel range, and a pair of 1.9-litre units offer 120bhp and 150bhp.

Vauxhall has not announced specification levels yet, but it is unlikely the car will be more poorly equipped than the five-door. This means all should get at least four airbags, electric front windows and remote central locking and the next step up should bring a CD player and air-conditioning.

SXi models are likely to feature uprated sports suspension, sports seats and front foglights. SRi cars should ride on larger alloy wheels and a have a sports switch in the cabin to automatically sharpen steering, throttle and damper response for increased agility.