Vauxhall is picking a fight with other brands’ coupé-convertibles by pricing its Astra TwinTop at £16,995 for the base model.

That undercuts the Peugeot 307CC by £105, and the Mégane CC by £615.

Dealers are now taking orders for the TwinTop, with first deliveries expected in late spring.

The base model 1.6 16v has a CD-player, air-con and electric windows and mirrors but no alloy wheels. The Sport model, at £17,795 for the 1.6 16v, £18,295 for the 1.8 VVT and £19,995 for the 1.9 CDTI, gets 16in alloys, front fog lights, steering wheel-mounted audio controls and a remote control roof operation.

The range-topping Design variant, priced £18,995 for the 1.8 VVT and £20,695 for either the 2.0 Turbo or 1.9 CDTI, gets 17in alloys, sport settings, a sports steering wheel, plus automatic headlights, wipers and pop-up roll bars.