Hot Astra In Family Way

Is Vauxhall about to launch a scorching 240bhp five-door Astra VXR for hot hatch fans in need of more practicality? Exclusive pictures in this week's mag would suggest so - but all is not what it seems.

Auto Express Car Reviews

By Ben Whitworth

06th April 2005

This Astra is actually a customer demonstrator based on the 170bhp SRi flagship. It has been fitted with Vauxhall's Continuous Damper Control - hence the CDC badging on its bonnet and tailgate in the mag's image.

Spotted doing laps of the N΃¼rburgring in Germany, the one-off Astra is being used by engineers to familiarise sales staff with the technology. CDC is part of the Astra's Interactive Driving System, and constantly adjusts the shock absorber settings to match road quality and the style of driving. Vauxhall claims it also improves grip and reduces braking distances - which could have been useful for this test driver, given the wet weather.

The firm insists there are currently no plans to build a five-door Astra VXR. However, if you like the looks, all is not lost. Buyers of the SRi 200 will be able to specify the VXR bodykit, if not the power.

For an alternative review of the latest Vauxhall Astra visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk