Yeah I come at this from driving all the petrol engines Astra's also. Sorry but the 1.0 is not a patch on the 1.4 although I will admit the 1.0 punched well and I was impressed with it and it's economy (on a run from London to Manchester). For the premium of the 1.6 at the time I purchased, on paper it was not really that much quicker. If I were to replace my astra I would admit to plumping for the 1.6 this time. But it's a big if, a testament to the current car I feel.
I have driven all the PSA units also 85hp, just don't, 110, better, 130 is good fun with plenty of power and useable torque, all seems to be delivered in one, so quickly out of ideas. But I don't enjoy the PSA gearboxes I seem to regularly miss gears with them.