Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer, introduced for the first time during this year Frankfurt Motor Show, is now ready to make its UK debut. It was not even difficult, as the Sports Tourer is built at Vauxhall’s manufacturing plant in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire.

The new generation will be in showrooms in March priced from £16,585 on-the-road. This is up to £1,870 less expensive than the outgoing ST with a simplified range. The new Astra Sports Tourer range includes Design, Tech Line, SRi and Elite, with Nav versions of the SRi and Elite trims also available.

Engine range includes the 1.0-litre three-cylinder Turbo Start/Stop ecoFLEX model priced from £17,285. With an Easytronic five-speed automatic transmission, the same model achieves 96g/km CO2 emissions. The range-topping 1.6-litre (200 hp) is available in SRi trim priced from £21,710. The diesel offering includes the 1.6-litre 110 hp Start/Stop ecoFLEX model (prices start at £18,785, that achieves 85.6 mpg and class-leading CO2 emissions of 86 g/km.

The standard Design trim level includes 16-inch alloy wheels, rear spoiler, chrome-effect upper window trim, black roof rails. For the inside there are Comfort front seats, steering column adjustable for reach and rake, steering wheel mounted audio controls and an infotainment R4.0 IntelliLink system (IntelliLink smartphone projection, seven-inch colour touch-screen, AM/FM/DAB digital radio, Bluetooth audio streaming, Bluetooth mobile phone portal, USB and aux-in audio connection).

Opel did not forget about important equipment like air conditioning, cruise control with speed limiter, automatic lighting control, multi-function trip computer, electrically operated front and rear windows, electrically adjustable/heated door mirrors, remote control central locking.

The safety equipment is also enriched compared to the previous generation and includes: Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) and Antilock Braking System (ABS), Hill start assist, driver’s and front passenger’s airbags, front seat side-impact airbags, full-size curtain airbags, tyre pressure monitoring system, ISOFIX child seat restraint system for outer rear seats, seatbelt pre-tensioners for front and outer rear seats, height-adjustable front and rear seat head restraints, electronic engine deadlock immobiliser, door-to-door illumination, LED daytime running lights.