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It's less than a week since Vauxhall's new owners were officially announced, and already they have a potential winner on their hands with the all-new Vauxhall Astra.

The British-built Astra looks fantastic in the flesh, blending the suave looks of the Vauxhall Insignia, with the angular line of the current Astra. While the contemporary looks please, it's the cabin that really impresses. Its design borrows heavily from the Insignia, with a similar centre console, steering wheel and instrument cluster.

It'll be available as a five-door when it goes on sale in December, but an estate and Sport Hatch three-door will follow later.

The Astra has a longer wheelbase and a wider track than the outgoing car, something which Vauxhall claims will give the car class-leading ride and handling qualities.

There's no news on a VXR hot hatch, but there will be a 109g/km eco version that'll return 67mpg, and Vauxhall are working on even greener models, which will take emissions to 99g/km. There'll be a 98g/km Corsa too.

It will come with a host of techy bits, including the Flexride electronic damper control which allows the driver to optimise the ride/handling balance, and adaptive headlights which can move in nine different ways, depending on speed and angle of steer. The seats were singled out for a mention as being given the "backing" (no pun intended) of Germany's leading back-pain experts.

We sat behind the wheel, and it's certainly spacious, with good visibility, bags of space for the driver and a very comfortable seating position. We're driving it next month, so stay tuned for the full verdict.

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