Vauxhall Astra GTC

Vauxhall dealers have opened the order books for the Astra GTC 3-door, which arrives in showrooms near the end of this year.

A rival to the Megane Coupe and VW Scirocco, the GTC range will start from £18,495.

The car will be first shown in public at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July.

Vauxhall said it combines a heady mix of dynamic excellence, dramatic design features and competitive pricing.

 The Astra GTC adopts the front suspension from the Insignia VXR, combined with the Watt’s link rear axle for stability and handling precision.

Vauxhall expects it to account for 20% of all Astra sales in the UK.

“The GTC is a high-profile addition to the Astra range and one that’s sure to appeal to anyone who loves cars and driving,” said Duncan Aldred, Vauxhall’s managing director.

“Better still, its chassis has been fine-tuned by Vauxhall Engineering Centre in the UK, reflecting the importance of our Millbrook-based operation, and also the fact that the UK will be the dominant market for GTC when it arrives in showrooms later this year.”