The new Vauxhall Astra K, a facelifted model with a few tweaks to styling and the last true Vauxhall model.
The model we have is the Nav Elite and it's powered by a 1.2 L Turbocharged petrol engine which develops around 145 bhp and an interesting point is it's a three cylinder.
It's quite a peppy little car handles well, it's nimble and lighter than the earlier version and it's even better for the environment with reduced CO2.
Readily we wouldn't expect much performance out of a three cylinder 1.2, mind you on this one we're sadly mistaken, it will pull 0 to 60 in 8.8 and tops out at a rather astonishing 137 mph.
Econonomy wise it'll still return up to 50 miles to the gallon.
The new Astra range starts at just over £19,000, there's engines and gearboxes to choose from and seven trims including our Elite Nav, you can add additional packs, various features you can even get ventilated massaging front seats which are heated.
Our model cost just over £26,000 with additional options some of the highlights are it has a front camera which gauges the vehicle in front and offers assistance with braking it also displays the distance in seconds rather than distance.
The new Mk7 Astra is comfortable, quite roomy has electronic lumbar support and one thing we didn't expect heated rear seats.
The boot is a decent size and drop the seats which are 40 20 40 they lay virtually flat and increases to a decent space, you can even drop just the centre section and load things like timber or skis.
End of an Era, this is the last Vauxhall Astra because of it as we all know PSA have bought Vauxhall and GM therefore the next model will be fully PSA.
Overall, a rather engaging car, great gearbox, quick enough and a lot of fun on a back road, one thing that the Astra can and has always been able to do is it can carry off a 5 door configuration and still look sporty and appealing.
This really does celebrate 40 years of Astra.