IT won't hit the roads until late summer, but Vauxhall dealers will be more than happy to take your order - and, of course, your deposit - for the new Astra Sports Tourer right now.

Prices start from £25,005 for the new Astra load-lugger which will be available with a choice of powertrains, including, for the first time, a 180hp plug-in Hybrid-e version for the first time as well as 1.2-litre and 1.2 turbo, three-cylinder petrol engines and a 1.5-litre diesel. All but the entry level 1.2 offer a choice of six speed manual or eight speed auto transmissions.

Although it's 60mm shorter than the previous generation Astra Tourer, this latest model still packs an impressive load capacity with up to 608-litres of useful storage space with the rear seats upright, and as much as 1,634-litres when folded. Even with its underfloor lithium-ion battery, the plug-in Hybrid-e variant achieves cargo volumes of 548 litres and 1,574 litres, respectively.

In addition, when the 40:20:40- split rear seats are folded, the floor sits completely flat - making it easier to load long and bulky items.

Two trim levels are available - Design and GS-Line - with all models coming with the latest automated driver assistance systems including a driver drowsiness system, eight airbags, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, 10-inch infotainment touchscreen, 10-inch digital instrument cluster, front and rear parking sensors, LED head and taillights, electronic climate control and keyless start.

GS-Line models - which start at £27,900 - come with an additional multifunction camera in the windscreen, four body cameras and five radar sensors as well as ultrasonic sensors front and rear.

Other standard features of the top-of-the-range model include black alloys, dual-zone climate control, heated seats plus heating for the leather steering wheel, panoramic parking camera, keyless entry and start, active cruise control and traffic sign recognition.