Vauxhall's Beast

[Barakka]

Seeing as how Fiat only have the Stilo to grab our attentions at the moment, how about an astra :

Opel Astra High Performance Concept (HPC)
Vauxhall is to show a 240bhp, 229lb ft Astra at the Paris Show to publicise its new three-door version of that car - and attempt to steal some of the limelight from the new Golf GTI, also to be launched at the event. The Astra HPC (High Performance Concept) "gives a taster of the performance version of the Astra, due in the UK next summer" and features a version of the VXR220's 2.0-litre turbo engine. Acceleration 0-60 is in under 6.5 seconds, and top speed is around 150mph. Equipment includes a six-speed manual gearbox, the IDS Plus electronic chassis control system and 19-inch alloys, and the HPC looks the part with a deeper front spoiler, wider and lower air intake, a honeycomb grille, extended side sills, sculpted rear bumper with diffuser spoiler and a new roof spoiler; inside, there are different instruments, a piano-black console finish, Recaro seats and colour-coordinated leather details. However, if you can't wait for the production version of this car, to be called VXR when it goes on sale, Vauxhall has just introduced a new 2.0 turbo, 200bhp SRI (five-door only) costing £18,145.

Is it me, or does that last shot look like a Stilo 3 door ? Not like Vauxhall to nick Fiat's designs is it? (New Corsa rear lights - Mk1 Punto rear lights)

 

[Danny]

Vauxhall have been doing some fine work with their cars over the past few years thats why in 2 weeks im buying an astra coupe turbo.and as for this one i love it. if they have copied the stilo then they have made it better because thats 10times better.

 

[Tom (the imposter)]

I agree, for a Vauxhall, it is damn fine.

Quite a funky shape

 

[ChrisR]

The three door Astra has a completely different roofline to the less-attractive 5 door version.

 

[Phil]

THE FIRST THING I THOUGHT WHEN I SAW THIS WAS ----

THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE STILO!!!!!!!!!

TO ME I RESEMBLES THE BRAVO BUT WITH A NEW LOOK AND THE SHARP EDGES.
THE REAR LIGHTS ARE ALMOST THE SAME AS THE STILO....AHHH..IM GONNA STOP NOW B4
I GET ANGRY



I HOPE TO SEE A NEW STILO ALONG THE SAME LINES AND WITHOUT A DOUBT A NEW BRAVO ONE DAY

 

[LightWarrior]

Like the interior!!!

 

[Tom (the imposter)]

Anyone know if GM has tapped into Fiat's Centro Stile design centre?

A few people have drawn comparisons to the Stilo, on reflection, is quite obvious.

It does seem to be very coincidental that GM has suddenly acquired a flair for design (see new Tigra).
Not exactly to my tastes (it's that badge), a little too angular and the interior not exactly plush, but compared to the past 10 years, GM's new designs have seen stratospheric improvements.

 

[Cynic-al]

i don't like the new astra at all, there is a standard one and a sports one near me and i think they are awful! I liked the last shape astra a lot better than this one. I thought the last coupe and soft top were a nice shape.

 

[Ozric-Al]

I quite like that. I've liked the new Astra since launch and think that it's the best one since the MK2 which I owned and loved.

Def better than the Stilo in the looks department but not keen on that interior - very clinical.

 

[graham]

i didn't know FIAT had an inhouse styling team! the designs they're doing at the moment, they should be ashamed of themselves.
no wonder they're not selling many cars.

TOO OLD TO PLAY FOOTBALL. TOO YOUNG TO PLAY GOLF

 

[Tom (the imposter)]

If memory serves me correctly Centro Stile designed the Bravo.

Looks like they got a new bunch of college recruits doing the work now.


One thing that amazes me is the sheer influence Fiat has had on the following generations of competitor's cars. Everyone has plagiarised aspects of the Bravo and Punto designs.

 

[thomas]

Dont think the Bravo has influenced these cars (as per above).

I hate to say it but the ford Focus set new industry standards in style, thus influencing a lot of cars and not just through its relationships with other manufacturers. I myself despise it

car designers these days are massively compromised by new safety expectations which sucks.

Finally, what is a hot hatch nowadays? I remember when it was a term used to describe a sub 1000Kg car with chuckable handling characteristics that cost very little to buy and run. What we have now are heavy 1400 - 1500KG cars with 20 - 30mpg fuel consumption figures, ins group 20 and massive running costs. Dont get me wrong id still kill for a Alfa 147GTA but then thats kind of my point

i still remember my brother's 205GTi 1.9 and i urge you all to try one at least once..somehow

 

[Tom (the imposter)]

Fiat Designs

How many new cars are being designed where the rear light clusters are blatant copies of previous Fiat designs?
More than a few.

I think Fiat got it very very right with the Barchetta, 2nd generation Punto, Bravo and Coupe in terms of styling. The coupe was also very impressive when it came to specification.

Suddenly people were taking notice of the brand and its profile was being raised. Now, everything appears a little lacklustre.

With regards to R&D, where is the majority of spending focussed, engineering or styling?

Anyone seen the new facelifted 147. What have they done?!!

Is the Fiat group losing the plot, or,as someone mentioned on another discussion thread, selling out to try and become more mainstream?

 

[Dan]

Re: Fiat Designs

WOW!

that is one nice looking car!

looks mean where it has to, and sleak and stylish at the same time!

i really like this car!