Astra Joins The New Vauxhall Low Emissions Fleet Line Up

LUTON – September 25, 2008: Astra Estate, Sports Hatch and 5-door models join popular ecoFLEX range New Astra 1.7CDTi ecoFLEX models fall into lowest diesel emissions tax band Available from £16,340 on the road

As the credit crunch bites, and fuel bills hit record highs, environmental concerns and cost efficiency have become more important to fleet decision makers and drivers than ever. With this in mind, Vauxhall are helping customers reduce their carbon footprint by adding more ecoFLEX models to their fleet range, as popularity for these eco-friendly editions increases.

New Astra ecoFLEX
The ecoFLEX line-up of the New Agila and Corsa and the future addition of the new Insignia ecoFLEX announced last month at the British Motor Show, are all designed with the environment, and cost efficiency in mind. Joining this exciting line up are the new Astra Estate, Sports Hatch and 5-door hatch 1.7CDTi 16v ecoFLEX models, available in a variety of trims. With CO2 emissions of only 119g/km, these ecoFLEX models fall within the lowest, 13%, diesel band for Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax – and with an estimated combined fuel consumption of 62.8mpg, these all new Astras tick both tax and cost efficiency boxes, from just £16,340 on the road.

Upholding the tradition of making low emission models widely available across the range, the new Astra models feature a 1.7 litre, 110PS common rail turbo diesel engine with 6 speed transmission, diesel particulate filter and lowered chassis, with the Life (air conditioned) ecoFLEX model featuring Low rolling resistance tyres on existing 15 inch wheels.

What's more, there are significant benefits when it comes to Vehicle Excise Duty - Astra ecoFLEX's CO2 emissions of 119g/km put it squarely into Band B - thereby qualifying for the Government's second lowest tax disc rate of just £35 per annum.

Corsa and Agila
New Corsa and Agila models have also been added to the ecoFLEX range, again falling into the lower 13 per cent diesel band for BiK - with CO2 figures below 120g/km. The Corsa SXi and Design models are now available with a 1.3CDTi 16v (75PS) engine (119g/km) supplementing the existing Life and Club ecoFLEX models, and the ecoFLEX badge will now feature on the Agila 1.3CDTi 16v diesel and 1.0i 12v petrol models.

Capital Allowances
Looking ahead, it's worth bearing in mind that with effect from 1 April 2009 (for Corporation Tax Purposes) and 6 April 2009 (for income tax purposes) the capital allowance treatment of business cars will be reformed. For example, expenditure on cars with CO2 emissions above 160g/km will attract a 10% writing-down allowance (WDA) whereas expenditure on cars with CO2 emissions of 160g/km or below - like Astra, Corsa and Agila ecoFLEX models - will attract a full 20% WDA.