A NEW Astra model has joined the Vauxhall stable, which the company claims squarely targets similarly-priced five-door hatch rivals with its levels of standard equipment and trim.

Starting at £18,110 for the 1.4-litre Turbo model, the ES Tech comes as standard with a sat-nav system (including CD player, MP3, USB, iPod control, seven speakers and aux-in socket), Bluetooth, a DAB radio, 17-inch alloy wheels and aircon.

The Astra ES Tech 1.4 Turbo also gains sat-nav, in addition to offering an extra 18 horsepower.

For diesel buyers, the Astra ES Tech is available with the 125 horsepower 1.7 CDTi engine and with sub-120g/km emissions, is one of Vauxhall’s growing range of ecoFLEX models.

Duncan Aldred, Vauxhall’s managing director, said: “We know that the competition is fierce in the compact class, so the Astra needs to deliver.

“The new ES Tech models now raise the bar for value and equipment levels in the class.”