The Vauxhall Astra has had a long history with the first model hitting the road back in the late 1970’s. Since then there have been 5 major revisions and the latest the Astra mark 6 is a a design marvel. The new 2010 Astra debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show and will go on sale in early 2010. Vauxhall have released a stunning video revealing the design and style of the new Astra.

The 2010 Vauxhall Astra is in direct competion with the Ford Focus  and Volkswagen Golf . Vauxhall is appleaing not only to its core cusomters who tend to be over 45 but also the the under under 30 age range. To do it, the 2010 Astra delivers style, technology and a superb drive. As Mark Adams, the VP of design, says in the video below, “sculptural artistry meets technical precision.”

The new Astra mark 6 range includes several models including the five-door hatch and the estate version. In 2011 Vauxhall will launch the three-door Sport Hatch model with its coupé-like styling and the high-performance VXR.

The entry level 1.4-litre Astra uses a new 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, which in replaces the mark 5’s 1.8-litre unit. The 1364cc engine has the same output as the previous 1.8 but has a 10 per cent better fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

Other engines in the range consist of the 1.6 litre petrol engine in both turbo and non-turbo forms, and 1.3 litre, 1.7 litre and 2.0 litre diesels – this also leaves room  for sportier options to be added in 2011.

One thing is sure, the new Astra has got style, refinement and loads of equipment. All versions in the five-door line up feature air conditioning and electronic stability controls, while cruise control is standard on all but the basic model.