The world of hot hatches has just recieved an important new member, in the person of the Vauxhall Astra VXR, with the newcomer’s on-paper case looking extremely promising.
Up front, we have a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-pot that produces 280 hp and a peak torque of 295 lf-ft (400 Nm) and can send the car to a top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h). The 0 to 62 mph sprint time hasn’t been revealed yet, but the vehicle should go below the six second barrier.
It seems that Vauxhall/Opel have chosen a different pathway than for the replaced generation of the car, as the companies talk a lot about the new HiPerStrut front suspension and the mechanical limited slip differential.
Does this mean that we’ll get less torque steer? We don’t know yet. The company brags that the chassis has been developped on the ‘Ring, with input from Le Mans 24-hour race winner, “Smokin’ Jo” Winkelhock.
“We have devised a great package that will convince even the most experienced and enthusiastic drivers – and not just on the Nürburgring!” the driver said.
Stopping power comes from generously-size Brembo brakes, while the connection to the road is provided by the Flexride adaptive suspension and a set of 20-inch rims that use Pirelli P-Zero rubber.
The vehicle can be distinguished by its muscular front and rear fenders, new side skirts, a roof spoiler, as well a set of trapezoilda exhaust tips. As for the interior, this has been gifted with a flat-bottomed steering wheel, new dials and other goodies that remind the driver he has the obligation to step on the gas pedal.
Vauxhall hasn’t released the pricing for the new Astra XVR, but the vehicle is expected to cost around GBP28,000 (EUR32,000 at the current exhcahnge rates).
While we’re waiting for Opel to launch the Astra OPC sister car, we’ll tell you that there are multipel rumors indicating the arrival of a diesel hot hatch version of the Astra, which should pack around 200 hp and hit the market in 2012.
It seems that Vauxhall/Opel have chosen a different pathway than for the replaced generation of the car, as the companies talk a lot about the new HiPerStrut front suspension and the mechanical limited slip differential.
Does this mean that we’ll get less torque steer? We don’t know yet. The company brags that the chassis has been developped on the ‘Ring, with input from Le Mans 24-hour race winner, “Smokin’ Jo” Winkelhock.
“We have devised a great package that will convince even the most experienced and enthusiastic drivers – and not just on the Nürburgring!” the driver said.
Stopping power comes from generously-size Brembo brakes, while the connection to the road is provided by the Flexride adaptive suspension and a set of 20-inch rims that use Pirelli P-Zero rubber.
The vehicle can be distinguished by its muscular front and rear fenders, new side skirts, a roof spoiler, as well a set of trapezoilda exhaust tips. As for the interior, this has been gifted with a flat-bottomed steering wheel, new dials and other goodies that remind the driver he has the obligation to step on the gas pedal.
Vauxhall hasn’t released the pricing for the new Astra XVR, but the vehicle is expected to cost around GBP28,000 (EUR32,000 at the current exhcahnge rates).
While we’re waiting for Opel to launch the Astra OPC sister car, we’ll tell you that there are multipel rumors indicating the arrival of a diesel hot hatch version of the Astra, which should pack around 200 hp and hit the market in 2012.
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