Scirocco Central

Just got back from a few hours beasting various versions of the new Astra around the Milbrook Proving Ground in Beds. Great day out courtesey of Vauxhall. Had a go in everything from low spec diesels to 1.6 Turbo SRI.
The car is a pretty decent effort, really smooth at speed and the 1.6 Turbo is quick. But I've never seen so many buttons on a centre console in my life and the car has a LEVER to adjust the seat back rest?? It's great to give the cars a bit of a thrash on the Hill Circuit and round the banked speed bowl (100mph max or you're asked to leave).
A couple of problems...it's an Astra! and I've specced a 1.6 Turbo Sri on the Vauxhall web site with 19", decent stereo, Leather, Climate, sensors, mettalic and Xenons...£25k????
Funny thing was on an Astra test day, people were more intersted in my Roc wanting to know what it was like, including the staff!!

How did you manage to get involved with that?

I have to say, I really dislike the style of the new one from both the outside and the inside. I also thought the previous Astra was quite a good looker but the rear of the new one is horrible and the interior looks like a chain smoker has had a particularly violent sneezing fit all over the center console!

Got any pics? Can't say I have seen the new one, but when "the interior looks like a chain smoker has had a particularly violent sneezing fit all over the center console" it has to be seen!

Not completly sure how I got picked up for this, but I got invited for the same thing for the Insignia last year. I think It's really a matter of getting "onto Vauxhalls radar" I've had a couple of new vauxhalls over the last few years, Zafira VXR (mad machine) and Corsa VXR so that might be how. Possibly another way would be to register on their website through the "My Vauxhall tab" for a brochure or something and hope you get picked up.

Must say I agree the car didn't float my boat from the pics I'd seen, but it's actually alot better in the metal and yup, the interior is just too busy. Another point is the fact that there is not much more legroom in the back than the Roc!!

No pics I'm afraid. Milbrook is a pretty secure site and they don't allow cameras on these preview days incase there's any 'secret' testing going on. On the Insignia day we saw a heavily disguised test "mule" testing on the bowl at rediculous speeds. And they also test Military vehicles there too.

Another bonus on these days is the opportunity to be taken round the handling circuit in on of the cars by one of their test drivers. Boy can these guys drive a car, scared the sh#@ out of me, just saved the breakfast