The new Vauxhall Astra VXR, equipped with a 300PS 2.0-litre turbo engine, is slated to become the most powerful front-wheel drive Vauxhall ever, when it makes its public debut at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show.
Derived from last year’s Astra Cup race car that competed in the Nürburgring Endurance Championship, the EXTREME is the lighter, more powerful street-legal race sibling to the current Astra VXR.
Lighter by 100kgs, the EXTREME’s would be as much at home on a race track, as on the streets; i.e. if public reaction encourages it to plan a low-volume production run for the new car.
With direct injection and variable camshaft phasing, the EXTREME’s 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine is the most powerful four-cylinder unit Vauxhall has ever produced. The all-aluminium engine is mated to six-speed manual gearbox transmitting power through a limited-slip differential.
Noticeably lowering the EXTREME’s centre of gravity is the in-house manufactured carbon fibre roof which weighs just 2.6kg, compared with a steel roof’s 9.3kg. The wings are made of aluminium and weigh only 800g a piece instead of 2.2kg in steel.
Vauxhall has also given the EXTREME a Brembo six-piston brake system including 370mm diameter discs up front race car.
