IT takes only a few seconds for owners of Vauxhall's Astra convertible to take in the sun. The press of a rocker switch sends the car's soft top into its housing in 30 seconds, fast enough to catch even a fleeting moment of sun.

Fortunately, however, the convertible is more than a fair-weather friend. Its hat is well insulated to keep the cold and wet out, three layers of skin providing warmth, noise insulation and strength.

But this defensive shield against every day British weather does not detract from the car's good looks. Vauxhall worked closely with Italian stylist Bertone to give the new the convertible its 'Oooh, la-la' appeal. Its body design is both sporty and elegant.

Since the body has no door pillars, the side of the car forms a smooth continuous surface. Also front and back overhangs have been kept short, the idea being that together with wide wheel arches, the car takes on an athletic quality.

It seems to work, because matched with the two-litre turbo diesel engine, the car becomes a real performer.

There are better soft top cars around, especially those from BMW, Audi and Volvo, but with those you are talking big money, £25,000 plus.

But put the Vauxhall convertible up against similar market level competitors, Ford, Peugeot and the like, and the Astra, with an on-the-road price of £19,995, is hard to beat.

With the soft top raised, the car's aerodynamics are impressive, and with it stowed away there is little lost. Driving with the top down is almost entirely free from turbulence, helped by the steeply raked windscreen that sends the airflow well over the driver and passengers' heads.

A special windbreak can be added to cut turbulence to an absolute minimum, but it is an £150 option on the turbo.

With the engine running, the car in neutral and the handbrake on, all it takes to raise the roof is the push of a rocker switch to send the electrics whirring into action.

The roof closes with a satisfying clunk and an audible beep, signalling that all is well and it is safe to move off again.

All the windows are powered, and fit snugly into the car soft top.

The rear window is glass with its own heating.

The downside to having such soft-top wizardry is that it does take up boot space, but the 330-litres left once the soft-top is in its housing it still enough for a couple of golf bags or reasonable-sized suitcases.

Noise is always a problem with top-down driving, and the Astra offers no real escape.

Lorries, overhead bridges and certain road surfaces all add to quite a noisy ride, even beating the sophisticated audio system into submission.

But then that is the penalty one has to pay for a hair-blowing experience.

There is room in the back for passengers, but despite reassurances of comfort for adults from the manufacturer, it is minimal.

Slim children will have no problem, but for today's chunky six-footers it is a real squeeze. Without passengers the rear seats are handy "shelves" making up for the inroads into the booted area.

Access is easy because the front seats tilt and slide forward efficiently and effortlessly.

Seats up front match the car, sporty and comfortable, and hold the occupants impressively when the car is taking high-speed bends.

The car's performance, 0-62mph in just eight seconds and a top speed far, far above the limit, is brought about by the 192PS 2.0-litre engine used to such good effect in the Astra coupe as well as the Zafira GSi. It is a reassuring engine too, with nice gurgly power and an immediate response to the throttle.

Driving enjoyment is improved by the figure-hugging leather seating, matching the leather-covered steering wheel with height and reach adjustment, and the specification list grows with remote control central locking, alarm, radio/cassette/disc player and plenty of handy stowage bins.

For the driver, the dashboard comes in black with the centre console in either grey or bronze, depending on the choice of interior fabric.

The instrument panel on the turbo includes trip computer and cruise control, and there is the option of adding a navigation system.

The turbo version rides on 17-inch alloy wheels, and also features special floor mats, an aluminium finished gear knob and a nice-looking oval exhaust pipe.

Other options available include heated front seats, electronic climate control and high pressure headlight washers.

Vauxhall has always prided itself on ensuring its cars are as resistant as possible to thieves (not easy with a soft top) but there are alarms that can be set whether the car is left open-topped or not, as well as providing sound safety measures, and these include active head restraints to reduce the risk of whiplash neck injuries, front airbags (with side airbags optional) and a special foot pedal release system, which improves protection for the driver against foot and lower leg injuries in a serious head-on collision.

The chances of a roll-over accident are slim bearing in mind the chassis development of the car, but the car's front pillars are reinforced and are supported by the foam-covered steel head restraints frames at the rear.

Details at a glance

Model: Vauxhall Astra convertible 2.0-litre turbo diesel.

Price: £19,995 on the road.

Dimensions: Length 4267mm, width 1709mm, height 1390mm, wheelbase 2606mm.

Engine: Four cylinder, 1998cc, four valves per cylinder. Maximum power 192hp at 5400rpm; maximum torque 250Nm at 1950rpm.

Economy: Urban rate 22mpg, extra urban 40.3mpg, combined 31.0mpg.

Performance: Acceleration 0.62mph eight seconds, top speed 151mph.

Emission guide: 219g/km, Euro 4.

Updated: 10:11 Friday, August 23, 2002