Opel’s sister company Vauxhall is not a brand with a very cool image in the UK, quite the contrary, actually, as some qualify it as a maker of boring automobiles.
However, the story is quite different when it comes to high-performance VXR models, especially the V8-powered Holdens imported from Australia and rebadged as Vauxhalls.
But those aren’t the only exciting Vauxhalls, as one can’t ignore the Astra VXR. The folks from XCar believe it is an even more exciting car than its predecessor is and to prove it, they took it for a ride.
Design-wise, it’s hard to find ungraceful angles on the latest Astra VXR, and the car is an improvement over the previous one in terms of performance as well. With 280PS (276hp) and a 5.9-second 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) sprint time, the Astra VXR is quicker than most of its competitors.
To go faster than that, one has to choose the AWD VW Golf R or premium hot-hatches like the BMW M135i or Mercedes A 45 AMG. The problem is that the Vauxhall’s £26,995 base price puts it dangerously close to the RWD BMW M135i that starts from £31,595 in the UK.
Scroll down to watch the review and find out if it’s worth the price.
By Dan Mihalascu
VIDEO