page_title: Vauxhall Astra
section_title: Third generation (1991–1998)
hierarchical_section_title: Vauxhall Astra / Third generation (1991–1998)
caption_attribution_description: English: 1995 Vauxhall Astra Merit 1.4 Front Taken in Warwick
context_page_description: The Vauxhall Astra is a small family car that has been built by Vauxhall since 1979. For its first two generations, the nameplate was applied to right-hand drive versions of the Opel Kadett for use in the UK. Since 1991, Opel has used the Astra nameplate on its B/C-platform. General Motors' Saturn division in the United States also offered a Belgian-built version of the Astra as a captive import from late 2007 until Saturn was discontinued following GM's 2010 bankruptcy.
context_section_description: Released in 1991, the Mark 3 model was essentially an evolution of the Mark 2, rather than a complete redesign.
  While Vauxhall had retained the Astra name, this generation was the first to be called Astra by Opel (succeeding the Kadett E), and the first to also be sold by Holden. It was offered as a three or five-door hatchback, a saloon, and an estate. A cabriolet was also offered, designed and built by Bertone.
  The Astra was sold as a Holden first in New Zealand in 1995, and then in Australia in 1996. The first models were imported from the UK, then later from Belgium. The Holden Astra nameplate had originally been placed on a rebadged Nissan Pulsar, first sold in Australia in 1984.
  The Astra F consisted of two main revisions and was revised in 1994, with the launch of Opel's new Ecotec engine. For a short period, a submodel which consisted of parts from both revisions was produced. The submodel used all the new Ecotec running gear, but many parts from the previous revision were used in order to use up leftover parts. Other main changes included mildly-altered exterior styling – featuring Vauxhall's new corporate 'V' front grille first seen on the 1994 Omega, a smoked grey trim panel available on all cars on the rear tailgate to smooth over the protruding rear lamp clusters, and availability of new specification models.
  The top Vauxhall Astra model was the 3-door only GSi, powered by either the same 2.0 engine found in the Mk2, or a new 1.8 16v petrol injected model with 124 bhp (92 kW). It also featured sports bodykit and interior. The GSi ceased production in 1994 but was reintroduced in 1997, with the engine being replaced with a lower-powered but more modern 'Ecotec' version (2.0 16v with 134 bhp) the bodykit was slightly altered on these models – a longer rear spoiler with integrated brake light, fluted side skirts, a bonnet without vents, and removal of the GSi16v badging from the bumper and tailgate (replaced by the later chrome effect Vauxhall Astra 2.0 16v badging). The second phase GSi's had air conditioning (and no sunroof) available as an option.
  In common with other car manufacturers, the early 1990s saw Vauxhall featuring safety as a selling point, and beginning to incorporate many new safety features into cheaper family cars that were previously only found on expensive luxury saloons. The Mark 3 Astra was one of the first such cars, being introduced ahead of the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Mondeo, two other cars with a similar new-found focus on safety. So, the Mark 3 saw the introduction of twin side impact bars, a toughened safety cage, a safely-designed steering wheel (with collapsible columns) and 'body-lock' mechanical front seat-belt pre-tensioners. After the first face-lift full-size drivers air bags became optional or standard (depending on the model). Crash tests by consumers association (as featured by BBC's Watchdog show in 1992) and also by ADAC and Auto Express showed that the Mark 3 Astra protected better in crashes than most rivals of its time.
  In the UK, Vauxhall offered the following trim levels (and in some cases, engine size):
  
  
   
  MERIT (1.4i, 1.7 diesel, 1.7 turbodiesel)
  L (1.4i)
  LS (1.4i, 1.6i, 1.7 diesel, 1.7 turbodiesel, 1.7 Isuzu turbodiesel)
  GLS (1.4i, 1.6i, 1.7 diesel, 1.7 Turbodiesel, 1.7 Isuzu turbodiesel)
  DUO (1.6)
   
  CD (1.4i, 1.6i, 1.7 turbodiesel, 1.8i, 2.0i)
  CDX (1.6i 1.7 turbodiesel, 2.0i)
  Si (1.4i, 1.6i)
  SRi (2.0i)
  GSi (2.0i 16v (1991 onwards) and 1.8 16v – very early models could be ordered with a 2.0i 8v)
   
  The car also had 'special edition' badging, which indicated special trim:
  
  
   
  Sport
  Expression
  California
  Arctic
  Arctic II
   
  Arizona
  Premier
  Cesaro
  Montana
  Diamond
   
  Swing
  Ethos
  Atlas
  Pacific
   
  In later Sport and GSi models (from 1995 onwards) Lotus Sprung Suspension was used to give better ride. The Sport models essentially replaced the GSi cars in 1994/1995 due a drop in sales due to sharply rising insurance prices.
  The Pacific special edition was a model that featured a complete Irmscher body styling package with 15" Cesaro wheels from the Mark 3 Cavalier.
caption: Vauxhall Astra Mark III five-door hatchback (Post-facelift)
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