What's the news?

The eagle-eyed amongst you will have noticed that when Vauxhall recently revealed the new Astra saloon (that will not be coming to the UK) there was a distinct lack of pictures showing the front end of the car. That is because the Astra range has received a mid-cycle refresh including a host of front end revisions - and Vauxhall was holding that news back until today.

Exterior

Updates are restricted to the hatchback and Sports Tourer models with much of the changes taking place around the front end of the car where the Astra range gets a more bold and aggressive appearance thanks to a new front grille, with repositioned logo-bar in the upper section and a re-styled lower area too. New front indicator lamps and a fresh design of fog lamp (where fitted) complete the front-end revisions. The rear of both models has also been refreshed, with new rear-panel styling complemented by a chrome lower moulding. Three new colours - Sculpture Bronze, Phantom Grey and Deep Sky - have also been introduced.

Interior

Little appears to have changed with the actual interior, but the big news is a range of options not previously available on the Astra. These include the Driver Assistance Pack, which for £750 includes features like Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Traffic Sign Recognition and Following Distance Indicator. Other new options include a Rear View Camera Pack, Winter Pack (heated steering wheel and seats for £345) and LED daytime running lights (£145), while the Astra's standard DAB radio has been upgraded to a DMB (Digital Media Broadcast) system across the range.

Mechanicals

Aside from the cosmetic and technology updates the Astra range remains unchanged so is still available as the three-door GTC, five-door hatch and Sports Tourer body styles and with power outputs varying from the 95hp produced by the 1.3-litre CDTi diesel engine to the 280hp offered in the new flagship VXR model.

Anything else?

Prices for the updated Astra hatchback and Sport Tourer models remains the same and both models are available to order now with first deliveries for the British built cars expected in September.