Vauxhall Astra VXR Nurbergring 2007 - Present

As you sit in the Vauxhall Astra VXR Nurbergring your eyes can’t keep off the rear view mirror, it’s huge.  The interior of the car is nicely finished, with carbon fibre trim and simple controls.  The ignition is keyless from a button on the dashboard, which adds to the exclusive feel of the car.  On pressing the start button the engine fires effortlessly into life.  The exhaust note has a metallic edge to it that burbles with menace. 

Once you’re driving the Astra VXR the reason for a giant rear view mirror becomes apparent, it’s because that’s where everything is left, behind you.  The VXR is a very fast car and has the road manners that you need to keep it on the tarmac.  Quite happy being driven slowly, the VXR offers great power low down the rev range, but it’s unlikely that you’re going to be driving like that for long.  Every opportunity to bury your foot to the floor is grabbed because the Astra is irresistible, the exhaust note is excellent, with a popping and gurgling as you take your foot off the throttle.  The car feels muscular and the suspension is taught.  This keeps it on the road and directed with precision accuracy.  The suspension can be jarring over rough ground but that’s all part of the muscular, sports set up.  Quite frankly the handling is set to keep the car exactly where you want it to be and it does this with aplomb.

The Astra’s vital stats are impressive, 0 – 60 in 6.2 seconds, top speed of 155 mph, all coming courtesy of the 240 bhp under your right foot.  The mid range power does give the opportunity to drive the car sensibly but that’s unlikely because you want to hear that exhaust roar again.  The Astra VXR is certainly fast enough for people to get themselves in trouble but it’s refined enough to get out of trouble too.  Pitched against the new Golf GTI and the forthcoming Focus ST the VXR may well be the enfant terrible of the current crop of hot hatches. 

The Nurbergring edition retails at £21690 and is one of 835 that are being made.  Each model is individually numbered, for that extra personal touch.  Thrill seekers will find good reason to approach their local Vauxhall dealer, even the white paint looks good on it, bet you never thought you’d be saying that…

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