Vauxhall has launched its first Astra ecoFLEX with a 1.7 turbo-diesel engine producing CO2 emissions of just 119g/km and fuel consumption of 62.8mpg on the combined cycle.
The new model, which will be available in Hatch, Sport Hatch and estate guises, falls into the lowest BIK tax band for company car drivers, while private buyers will only pay £35 per year in Vehicle Excise Duty thanks to its band B credentials.
But the Astra 1.7 CDTi ecoFLEX has not sacrificed driver involvement to go green. Its engine produces 110PS, an increase of 10PS over the existing Astra 1.7 CDTi, and 260Nm of torque at 2000rpm, enough to power the ecoFLEX to a top speed of 117mph.
Vauxhalls engineers have achieved extra efficiency from the Astras 1.7 CDTi drivetrain by fitting a taller axle ratio, optimising the engine management system and reducing the engines idle speed.