Verdict: Vauxhall’s new tax-busting engine gives Astra a fresh lease of life.
Vauxhall Astra SRi 1.6 CDTi 16v (136ps) ecoFlex Start/Stop
What is it?
Vauxhall’s top selling Astra takes to the road with latest and highly rated 1.6-litre CDTi engine providing the power.
Dubbed the “Whisper Diesel,” this is the efficient 1598 cc Vauxhall four cylinder turbodiesel that’s already made its mark in the Zafira Tourer and Meriva.
On offer in two power grades – 110 ps and 136 ps – it’s billed as Vauxhall’s cleanest ever midrange diesel and there are strong business friendly BIK company car tax rates, CO2 and mpg numbers to back it all up.
The entry 110 ps Astra checks in with 76.3mpg combined and a sub 100 g/km rating of 97 g/km. The 136 ps edition, tested here, is not far off with 72.4 mpg and 104 g/km but will be quicker off the mark.
As ever, it’s a fiercely competitive segment, but does the Whisper Diesel have what it takes to put the UK-built Astra up with the class best? We recently caught up this Astra 1.6 SRi hatch to find out.
