New fuel-efficient Vauxhall Astra

Vauxhall has announced a low emission version of its new Astra which ensures company car drivers pay the lowest possible 13 per cent benefit-in-kind tax charge.

The ecoFLEX model goes on sale in April with prices starting at £17920 for the S model. It will also be available in Exclusiv, SE and sporty SRi trim levels - the first time Vauxhall has offered its ecoFLEX fuel saving technology on higher-spec versions.

With CO2 emissions of 109g/km the Astra qualifies for VED at £35 per year, benefit-in-kind tax based on 13 per cent of the P11D price and, for companies buying the car outright, the 100 per cent first year writing down allowance.

Powered by a 95bhp 1.3-litre CDTi diesel engine, Vauxhall claims combined average fuel economy of 67.3mpg. The engine, recently launched in the uprated Corsa ecoFLEX, uses a five-speed manual transmission, a diesel particulate filter and remapped engine settings.

To improve economy further, Vauxhall has worked on the aerodynamics of the car and has included an 'active aero shutter' - a device which closes off at higher speeds to improve airflow. Other tweaks include a smoother underbody and a gearshift indicator housed in the instrument cluster to advise drivers on the optimum time to change gear to maximise fuel efficiency.