Picture the Vauxhall Astra hatchback with sleeker looking flanks, a more attractive rear-end, tweaked driving dynamics and a punchy 1.6-litre petrol engine. Say hello to the GTC.

Built on Vauxhall’s Delta Platform line-up, the GTC shares its blueprints with both the Astra hatch and Astra Sports Tourer. Although based on the same platform as the Astra hatch, the three-door GTC uses completely different materials, with the exception of the door handles and roof aerial.

This means it offers a racier character, pitting it against the Renault Megane Coupe and the Volkswagen Scirocco. The Astra GTC aims to achieve a sportier driving experience while retaining its capabilities for practical family motoring.

But with the driving dynamics of the standard Astra hatch being so-so compared to the class-leading Ford Focus, is the GTC merely an Astra with three doors?

Performance

Start the engine and there is a lovely little growl from the engine, making you feel like you are sat in the cockpit of a hot hatch.

There are quite a few engine options to choose from in the GTC – ranging from a surprisingly frugal 109bhp 1.6-litre TDI that emits just 104g/km, to a down and out performance-orientated 1.6-litre petrol.

The 1.6-litre direct-injection turbo petrol mated to a six-speed manual we tested produced 197bhp and 280Nm of torque, giving you a 0-60mph sprint time of 7.3 seconds. The power on tap was definitely sufficient for a sporty coupe, again giving off a hot-hatch vibe at times.

Compared to the VW Scirocco’s equivalent 2.0-litre petrol, you get the same amount of torque and almost 20bhp more from the GTC’s 1.6-litre unit. It even shaves a tenth of a second off the Scirocco’s 0-60 sprint time.

Ride and Handling

Grip levels are excellent and there’s almost no body roll.

Although the GTC may have the edge over the Scirocco when it comes to power and acceleration, ride and handling is a little different. Suspension-wise, the GTC offers a decent halfway point between your typical stiffened sports suspension that petrolheads cry out for, and the soft and supple set-up that daily drivers love. The GTC has notable improvements over the standard model when it comes to driving enjoyment, with chassis tweaks that lend mechanical elements from the Insignia VXR model. Combine this with a wider track than the Astra hatch and the GTC is much more fun when you throw it into corners. Grip levels are excellent and there’s almost no body roll. However, like the standard hatchback, steering is still very vague, lacking proper feel between you and the front wheels, which unfortunately takes some of the excitement out of cornering. The GTC actually has the edge over the standard Renault Megane Coupe, which feels a little bit soft, when it comes to the ride. However, when it comes to the Scirocco, the GTC isn’t even close in terms of being engrossed behind the wheel.

Interior and Equipment

The Vauxhall Astra GTC made its first public appearance back in September 2011 at that year’s Frankfurt Motor Show.

Even though the GTC is sportier and has a lower ride height than the standard Astra, practicality is not lost. Space in the cabin is ample, leg room for rear passengers feels just as big as a hatchback, and the sloping roof is hardly noticeable when it comes to head space. The only possible downside is that three in the back may be a little snug, depending on whether your passengers are adults. The boot offers a very generous 380 litres, which is almost 100 litres bigger than the Scirocco, which stands at 292 litres. The SRi trim is well-specced, with digital radio, air conditioning, USB compatibility, cruise control, tinted rear windows, cool 18-inch alloys and steering wheel-mounted controls. The layout of all these features, however, is a different story. Although the instrument panel design looks smart, the sheer amount of buttons can be a bit annoying when trying to carry out a simple command.

Cost

It is also worth keeping in mind that the VW Scirocco will do much better than the Astra GTC when it comes to residuals.

The GTC’s entry-level price tag floats in between its competitors at £19,040. It’s pricier than the Renault Megane Coupe (£17,650) but cheaper than the VW Scirocco (£20,445). If you are after the powerful 1.6-litre petrol with the well-kitted out SRi trim, you are going to have to spend £22,520. Stop-start engine technology is standard when choosing the GTC’s 197bhp petrol engine. When it comes to running costs and emissions, the 1.6-litre petrol will realistically return around 35mpg and emit 154g/km – putting it in the £180-a-year G-tax band. The Scirocco with its equivalent 2.0-litre petrol unit records up to 47.1mpg combined and CO2 emissions from just 139g/km. It is also worth keeping in mind that the VW Scirocco will do much better than the Astra GTC when it comes to residuals.

Our Verdict

The Astra GTC manages to offer almost all the practicality of the hatch model along with a pinch more character. The burning question – should you buy one if you want a sporty coupe that looks and drives great? We’d seriously consider going for the VW Scirocco, even if it’s the entry-level £20,445 model, as the added engagement from the steering alone is worth it. But versus the Renault Megane Coupe, the GTC is a better car all-round – hands down. So, Vauxhall isn’t quite ready to tackle the German kingpins when it comes to coupes, but it is definitely heading in the right direction.