All of the major controls are arranged in an intuitive manner to offer the best in user-friendliness, including a smart central display through which the main functions of the stereo, ventilation and communications systems can be accessed.

But it's not only the driver that featured in the design team's brief, and one of Vauxhall Astra TwinTop's major virtues is its impressive passenger accommodation. The long wheelbase and wide track, coupled to the clever three-piece roof folding mechanism, give class leading space for rear seat passengers, making TwinTop a car that will accommodate four adults with the roof up or down.

Entry to the rear is made easier thanks to an easy-entry function on both of the height-adjustable front seats. As well as tilting forwards as in a conventional two-door car, the seat slide forward on runners to allow better access, yet return to their original positions when dropped back into place.

A comprehensive range of premium sound and sat nav systems are offered across the range.


Vauxhall Astra TwinTop - Chassis and Engines

The Vauxhall Astra has already won many plaudits for its dynamic driving experience, and the TwinTop has been developed to deliver a similarly rewarding combination of ride and handling.

The body is stiffer than you'd expect from a convertible thanks to a body structure that is reinforced beneath the panels, while the wide track and long wheelbase ensure a low centre of gravity and exceptional body control. With the roof down, the shell is also 30 per cent stiffer than the outgoing Vauxhall Astra Convertible.

Astra TwinTop also features the same IDSplus chassis technology as found on the Astra five-door and Sport Hatch. The 'Sport' button, standard on Design models, gives a more direct feel to the steering and a sharper throttle response. Even without the switch engaged, map controlled electronic power steering offers optimal feedback and precision in all driving situations.

Four engines are on offer from launch, including a sporty diesel.

Kicking off the line up is a 1.6-litre 105PS unit, which embraces Vauxhall's latest Twinport technology to deliver a great combination of performance and economy. Further petrol choices include the highly advanced 140PS 1.8-litre petrol unit with continuously variable camshaft phasing, that recently made its debut in Vectra and Zafira, and a range-topping 200PS 2.0-litre turbo to deliver the ultimate in roofless performance. The 1.6 and 1.8-litre engines come mated to a precise five-speed manual transmission, while the 2.0 Turbo gets a close-ratio six-speed gearbox, helping it accelerate from 0-60mph in just 8.3 seconds.

The diesel option is expected to prove a big hit with fleet buyers, thanks to its CO2 figure of 168g/km. It uses the acclaimed 150PS 1.9-litre CDTi coupled to a six-speed manual gearbox. It covers the 0-60mph sprint in only 9.5 seconds.


Vauxhall Astra TwinTop - Roof and luggage compartment

While most rivals make do with a space-consuming two-piece roof, Vauxhall Astra TwinTop's folding hardtop is built in three separate pieces in order to maximise the car's luggage capacity while at the same time maintaining the stylish good looks and ease of use that a folding electronic roof delivers.

At the push of a button, the roof lifts, stacks and folds away into the boot in just 26 seconds, sliding into the boot without leaving an awkwardly long rear deck or compromising passenger space. It operates using five electric motors, eight hydraulic cylinders and 13 separate sensors.

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