subject: Vauxhall Astra Engine: Powering Astra To Take On Focus [print this page] Vauxhall Astra Engine: Powering Astra To Take On Focus
Vauxhall launched Astra in 1979 as a replacement for Vauxhall Viva. Soon after its launch it became one of the most successful small cars in UK and challenged the long reign of Ford Escort. From 1979 till present, six generations of Astra have been launched and it remained among the top sellers in UK ever since 1979. From Mark 1 to Mark6, Astra always got beaten by Ford Escort and later by its replacement, Ford Focus.
First generation, MK1, Vauxhall Astra engines coupled with its design remained its strengths, because of which it competed with iconic contemporaries like VW Golf GTI and Ford Escort, beating Golf and emerging as the second most desired family car. MK1 was introduced in two, three, four and five door hatchback and estate / wagon models with engines ranging from 1.2 to 1.8 litre. 1.6 litre diesel engine was introduced in this generation, with three or five door hatchbacks only.
MK2 again proved itself to be a strong contender in small family car category, yet again it couldnt mimic market penetration of Ford Escort but widened the gap with other rivals like GTI. Vauxhall introduced a 2.0 litre, 148 bhp engine in UK and same engine was launched in Europe with153 bhp. This fuel injection based engine played pivotal role in garnering huge success for MK2. Other important features were a modern, all digital dash panel, power roof and windows, in GTE version. Because of its innovation and better build quality it became European Car of the Year in1985.
MK2s design evolved and underwent serious modifications in Astras third generation, which again made it a serious contender for Britains most favorite car. This time Opel and Holden joined the Astra bandwagon and introduced Astra under their respective badges. MK3 was introduced in various trim levels like L, LSI, GLi, DUO etc and included 1.4, 1.7 and 1.7 litre turbo charged engines along with a whole array of petrol engines ranging from 1.4 to 2.0 litre.
MK4,5 and 6 witnessed a sharp increase in their popularity. Thanks to 2001 performance in BTCC where BTC-Ts Vauxhall Astra coupe went on to win 24/25 races, MK5 became the best selling generation of Astra, though it still remained unable to beat Ford Focus, Escorts replacement, it narrowed the gap convincingly. MK6s fate also remained quite similar to its predecessors and it could manage only second spot, however it crossed Ford Fiesta in sales in 2010.
