Frankfurt Motor Show 2005 - Vauxhall

What's the star of the stand?
An Astra convertible called the TwinTop – one of a series of metal-roofed drop-tops making its debut at the show, along with a VW Golf convertible and Volvo's C70.

The TwinTop will be the cheapest of these convertibles when it goes on sale next spring from around £17,000. It will be available with four engines – a 105bhp 1.6, 1.8, and 2.0-litre petrol from the Astra SRi and a 1.9 diesel.

They say
'Rather than being a 'chop-top', the Astra has been designed from the ground up to be a convertible, and as such has an exceptionally rigid bodyshell. In addition to preserving the hatchback's exceptional safety record, this ensures its acclaimed driving dynamics are also maintained.'

We say
With the TwinTop, the Astra joins this year's convertible party. Its complex three-part folding roof takes 25 seconds to raise or lower. It looks good in both coupe and convertible form and should sell well.

Anything else?
A glimpse of the company's Frontera replacement in the shape of the Antara GTC. Sharing underpinnings with the forthcoming Chevrolet 4x4, the new Vauxhall off-roader arrives in the UK by the end of 2006, three years after the Frontera was axed.

The Vectra VXR also has its first public viewing. Powered by an all-new turbocharged 2.8-litre V8, the hatch goes on sale in November at £23,995. If you like your fast cars with a big boot, the estate will be in UK showrooms next spring, costing £24,995.