Lexus RX450h
It’s been one hell of a year for Vauxhall. The on/off sale of Vauxhall by General Motors may have seemed chaotic but a forced ‘firesale’ was never good business. On the contrary, Opel/Vauxhall is profitable, has the technology that GM desperately needs and is launching a number of new models that are amongst class-best and herald good times ahead. Not least of which is the all-new Astra.
Externally, it’s got great sharp, clean lines and scalloped sides (akin to the Insignia). Its designers haven’t done a carbon copy of its big brother (while the nose and raked windscreen are very similar, elsewhere the cuts and slashes are in different places) but they have reinterpreted it for the more modest proportions of a medium hatchback with excellent results.
Internally, there’re the same ultra-contemporary design cues, so it certainly looks good, and special efforts have been made to make the cabin more welcoming and high quality. While it’s roomier than ever it somehow ‘shrinks’ around you in a comforting kind of way. Controls are derived from the Insignia which means they’re well made and ooze quality and they’re thoughtfully laid out which, allied to good, well-positioned seats, gives an excellent driving position.
So far so good then, but what about where it really matters – on the road? Much work has been done to the rear suspension, in particular the introduction of a new Watts linkage system. The upshot is the ability to soak up short, sharp bumps with aplomb while improving grip. A more refined front set-up improves matters further with better steering feedback and control. It strikes a great balance achieving a comfortable and refined ride and tidy, predictable and enjoyable handling which is further enhanced by a choice, via a button on the dash, of suspension settings from sport to comfort.
The engine range currently comprises progressive developments of tried and tested units. Our 1.7CDTi diesel puts out 123bhp and a whopping 207lb-ft of torque so it’s rarely found wanting while the more performance oriented 1.6 turbo’s 180bhp clocks up an impressive sub 8sec 0-60. A new 2.0CDTi with far more power is due out next year and may be worth the wait for those that want the best of both worlds.
Vauxhall have pulled it off again with the new Astra – it’s a cracking car that the buying public will desire and deservedly so.
Top speed: 122mph
0-62: 10.7 secs
mpg: 60.1
Price: £20,995
Alfa Romeo 159 1750 TBi
A mid-life revamp is all the excuse we need to get behind the wheel of a car from what is arguably the most iconic mainstream car manufacturer – after all, as the guys on Top Gear say, you’re not really a fan of cars unless you’ve owned an Alfa.
The 159 was launched in 2006 as a stunningly attractive, sporting and characterful alternative to the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4. Whilst it nailed the reliability problems of the 156, purists argued that though still possessing of Italian flare, in its efforts to match its Teutonic foe, it lost a little something, a wee bit of Alfa sparkle. And that’s where this revamp comes in.
First though, what hasn’t changed? Visually, inside and out, Alfa know they’re on to a good thing so they’ve not tampered with the 159’s obvious aesthetic appeal – it’s still by a long way the most attractive, evocative and distinctive sporting saloon on the market. The nose is a lesson in how to combine beauty and presence while the body’s uncomplicated lines are perfectly proportioned, imbuing a prettiness and sense of grace not found elsewhere.
The cabin’s well appointed, comfortable and spacious. The dash is another example of Alfa resolutely doing their own thing with its ultra-sporting binnacle and round dials all angled towards the driver and the driving position is excellent.
What of the changes? Whilst the 159 still uses the same chassis and suspension components, Alfa’s engineers have retuned the suspension to improve both ride and handling and sharpen up the steering. These are also helped by the main change – the introduction of a lighter and smaller 1750cc engine, which reduces over steer and helps increase feedback through the steering wheel (for the record, there’s also a new 2.0 diesel – it’s the same principle, more power/torque from a lighter, smaller unit).
1750 has immense significance in Alfa’s heritage – the original 1750 was the stalwart engine for many of Alfa’s classic models from its 60’s and 70’s heyday – so it’s no accident that a 1750 will be the bedrock for the next generation of Alfa’s cars. So what’s special about it? The aim is a lot more power and torque (especially low-down in the rev-range) from a smaller, lighter (by 150kg) and more efficient (189g of CO2 and 35mpg) engine. To do this, Alfa’s engineers have used a turbo-charger with a ‘scavenging’ system and a complicated system of overlapping valve, ignition and fuel injection timing.
The result is 197bhp, 236lb-ft of torque from 2000rpm all the way up to 4750 which gives the 159 a sub 8sec 0-62, a top speed close to 150mph and, perhaps most impressively, blistering overtaking ability. But these stats only tell part of the story. That massive torque range makes the engine very flexible – at low-revs it’ll pull strongly in almost any gear but it still revs sweetly in the higher rev range. It’s also crisper and sharper than its predecessors with no turbo lag at all and a lovely warm exhaust note. As you’ve probably guessed, we’re very impressed.
The suspension tweaks and the introduction of the brilliant 1750 engine have transformed the 159. It was in danger of slipping behind the front-runners in its sector but now it's a genuine contender and a very attractive and viable alternative to German uniformity.
Top speed: 147mph
0-62: 7.7 secs
mpg: 34.9
Price: £22,750
Nissan GTR
We’ve been rather sensible with our road tests of late choosing to focus on attainable and functional cars – perhaps it’s the credit-crunch, perhaps it’s the dearth of new car launches. Either way we want to redress the balance. And what better way than the Nissan's supercar, the GT-R.
To look at, it does exactly what it says on the tin. This is a tarmac burning Japanese supercar and that’s exactly what it looks like. For some tastes it might be too Playstation generation and simply not pretty enough but there’s no mistaking its stunning on-road presence and fit-for-purpose looks. But all’s not quite as it would appear.
The first clue is the interior. It’s very well appointed with four usable (just about) electric seats, full leather throughout, all the gadgets and gizmos you need (and a few you probably don’t), high quality plastics, a very comfortable driving position and even a decent sized boot. This is no stripped down racer, quite the opposite.
The next clue is a button on the dash that allows you to set the level of comfort. I appreciate this is nothing special these days but you don’t really expect a ‘comfort’ setting on a car that looks like this. What’s more, it works – once activated the comfort setting delivers a composed and civilised ride and throttle response and with the semi-automatic gearbox in full auto mode it’s a very relaxing drive. The only hint of the beast that lurks beneath is the road noise from the big low-profiles.
And that beast is a thrilling twin turbo 3.8 V8 with a whopping 485bhp. Performance is just outrageous – 0-62 in considerably less than 4secs and it tops out at nigh on 200mph. But crucially, the full potential of that V8 is expertly marshalled by the GT-R’s intelligent 4WD, chassis, suspension set-up and electronic wizardry. It grips like hell, is always tractable and is a straightforward car to drive that inspires total confidence. The dual-clutch gearbox is excellent whether in full auto or paddle-shift and the speed-sensitive steering is nicely weighted. If proof were needed of its awesomeness, it’s faster round a track than a Porsche 911 Turbo, a Lamborghini Murcielago, a Mercedes-McLaren SLR or a Ferrari F430.
The GT-R is that rare thing in supercars – practical on a day-to-day basis yet capable of immense performance. Yes, it may not be as aesthetically sophisticated or have the kudos of say, a Ferrari or Porsche, but by god, when you’re in it you don’t really care. Oh, and one other thing, the GT-R does all of this for just £60k.
Top speed: 195mph
0-62: 3.5 secs
mpg: 22.8
Price: £56,800
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