Loads better? Vauxhall reveals new Astra Sports Tourer

Vauxhall has revealed the 'Sports Tourer' (that's a posh way of saying estate) version of its eighth-generation Astra, and it will be available with a plug-in hybrid powertrain right from launch, making it the British carmaker’s first electrified estate.

Measuring 4,642mm long, 1,860mm wide and 1,480mm tall, the Astra Sports Tourer is 60mm shorter than the previous generation Astra Tourer, but has slightly more space for luggage. It provides 608 litres of space with the rear seats upright, and up to 1,634 litres when folded. The PHEV model has to give up space because of the batteries however, with cargo volumes of 548 litres and 1,574 litres respectively.

Like the hatchback model, the new Astra has a lot in common with the new Peugeot 308. That means it shares its underpinnings with the French hatchback, along with petrol and diesel power. Just like the 308, there's no full-electric version yet.

New Astra gets Vauxhall's sleek new 'Vizor' front-end styling

The plug-in hybrid version of the Sport Tourer use a 1.6-litre petrol engine mated to a 109bhp electric motor and a 12.4kWh battery pack. It produces a combined 222bhp.

Although not confirmed yet by Vauxhall, the electric-only range and CO2 figures should be around 27g/km, with 30-35 miles of pure electric range. Crucially in this market, that will give an 11% BIK tax rate for company car drivers. 

Order books are now open with customer deliveries expected to commence in early 2022. Vauxhall has yet to confirm prices but we'd expect them to kick off at around £25,000 with the PHEVs coming in at just over £32,000.

Even the PHEV model has a bigger boot than the old Astra Tourer