Top Gear's reasonably priced car... is a Vauxhall!

[humbucker]

Ok, so the show is well known for favouring the Blue Oval over the Griffin (which has absolutely nothing to do with Clarkson's continued championing of the Ford brand in exchange for preferential treatment when it comes to trialing/buying their cars over the years... Escort Cossie? GT? Anyone?!). Anyway, Hammond and co unveiled the new Top Gear reasonably priced car at the weekend. Shock! Horror! A Vauxhall!

The 1.6-litre Techline Astra is going to be hammered by a host of racing drivers and slebs over the coming few series. The guys did go to great lengths to point out that the car comes with a lifetime warranty, much like their continued banner waving for the Kia brand last series (remember the episode that was 99% Kia vehicles, where they played rugby at Twickenham using a range of Kia cars, raced not one but TWO reasonably priced Kias around the track, did a review of the latest Kia to hit the market... you get the idea!), so you'd be forgiven for thinking that the car was donated to the show as part of a well executed publicity drive from the boys at Luton HQ.

What do you think though, ye olde Griffin enthusiasts?! Is this a good move to boost Vauxhall sales figures irrespective of brand perception (a sale is a sale at the end of the day), or does it further diminish the idea of Vauxhall as a contemporary, quality manufacturer by advertising them worldwide as the manufacturer of... the reasonably priced car (ie. cheap/average)?!

[planetc]

From an enthusiasts angle it has a slanderous look, caning a crap hatchback built for shopping around the track. From a manufacturers point of view it's got to be good publicity.

[James McGrath]

To be honest I haven't liked a single Vauxhall since the Omega went out of production and having an Astra as the reasonably priced car isn't going to change that.

However I think it's probably a positive thing for Vauxhall to get some global exposure and maybe a chance to improve their image, especially if the Astra's lap times are better than previous reasonably priced cars.

[Gaz]

Lets face it vauxhall aren't considered a performance brand, the odd performance model but as a brand no, same goes for ford citeron audi etc.

[Cavalier342]

Didn't even know the new series kicked off last week... This comes from someone who's kees his Sundays free to catch every new episode. Anyway it wasn't too bad, bar the shite boring bit with the "hot" hatches. Rest of it was funny. Was surprised to see the Astra, but then again it is just another mid-range family hatchback, so don't see why not. Only 6 episodes apparently in this series. Less with each one...

[Mikebmth]

Like the new Astra despite it being so FAT, about time Clarkson stopped slagging them off but best hot hatch a Fiesta St...Should have included the Corsa Vxr...

[terkin]

Didn't even know the new series kicked off last week... This comes from someone who's kees his Sundays free to catch every new episode. Anyway it wasn't too bad, bar the shite boring bit with the "hot" hatches. Rest of it was funny. Was surprised to see the Astra, but then again it is just another mid-range family hatchback, so don't see why not. Only 6 episodes apparently in this series. Less with each one...

are you mad! hot hatches was the only good bit! clio sound system was wicked

[jb1kenoby]

Seeing the Astra put a smile on my face but them I'm biased as I have the new shape Astra as a daily driver lol

[humbucker]

Like the new Astra despite it being so FAT, about time Clarkson stopped slagging them off but best hot hatch a Fiesta St...Should have included the Corsa Vxr...

Yes, the new ST is good, but already saying it is going to be as iconic as an RS200 or a Sierra Cosworth?! Hmmn... Clarkson must want the Ford boys to sort him out with another new Blue Oval hahaha!

[Cavalier342]

Didn't even know the new series kicked off last week... This comes from someone who's kees his Sundays free to catch every new episode. Anyway it wasn't too bad, bar the shite boring bit with the "hot" hatches. Rest of it was funny. Was surprised to see the Astra, but then again it is just another mid-range family hatchback, so don't see why not. Only 6 episodes apparently in this series. Less with each one...

are you mad! hot hatches was the only good bit! clio sound system was wicked

No mate, not my cup of tea at all.

[terkin]

No mate, not my cup of tea at all.

me either tbh was just good to see some normal cars on thier,you must of liked the old ones 205gti

[Cavalier342]

Nope, give me a 1965 Chevy Impala any day mate.

[Mikebmth]

me either tbh was just good to see some normal cars on thier,you must of liked the old ones 205gti

Was hoping to see the old hatches thrown around the track!! Used to own a tuned 205Gti and it has to be one of the best cars I have ever had...

[Cavalier342]

No, they wouldn't have put them round the track, they looked like fine restored cherished examples. Much as they're not my cup of tea, they looked mint, so the owners clearly didn't want them to be "Clarkson tested" around the track.