Skip advert
Advertisement

New Vauxhall Astra VXR Extreme makes its debut

Lightweight Vauxhall Astra VXR Extreme is the fastest and maddest street-legal Astra ever

Vauxhall has revealed its most powerful front-wheel-drive car ever at the Geneva Motor Show 2014. The Vauxhall Astra VXR Extreme uses a version of the current 2.0-litre turbo tuned to “over 296bhp”. When they called it Extreme, they weren't kidding.

• Best hot hatchbacks

As with the standard Astra VXR hot hatch, this drives the front wheels through a six-speed manual box and limited-slip differential. However, race-spec adjustable dampers, uprated Brembo brakes and specially developed Hankook tyres are added on the Extreme model.

Vauxhall Astra VXR Extreme: weight saving

And although the performance figures make for a nice headline, the real progress has been made with a comprehensive weight-loss programme inspired by the Astra Cup racing car.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Extreme gets a carbon fibre front splitter, bonnet, roof, rear wing and diffuser, while the front wings are made from aluminium instead of steel. Inside, the rear seats have been swapped for a rollcage. All this slashes 100kg from the standard VXR’s 1,475kg kerbweight.

To ensure it looks the part, the picture shows that the Extreme shown at Geneva will feature a big carbon fibre rear wing (a carbon front splitter from the racer is also likely), quad exhausts and alloy and carbon fibre wheels shod with semi-slick Hankook tyres.

Vauxhall Astra VXR Extreme rear

The show car also features the Opel Motorsport colour scheme. In Geneva, the car will be badged as the Opel Astra OPC Extreme. OPC stands for Opel Performance Centre, which is located right next to the Nurburgring Nordschleife. The car here is pictured in the pit lane of the Nurburgring Grand Prix circuit.

As with all sporty Opel/Vauxhall models, Vauxhall claims the Astra Extreme will be put through a 10,000km endurance sign-off programme at the ‘Ring, before going on-sale

Vauxhall Astra VXR Extreme: price 

Prices are likely to be significantly more than the £26,995 Vauxhall charges for the Astra VXR. The Astra VXR can complete the 0-62mph dash in 5.9 seconds and hit 155mph flat out.

The Astra Extreme is the second time Vauxhall has had a go at a more hardcore Astra model. At the 2001 Geneva Motor Show, it showed the Astra OPC X-treme Concept, which looked a lot like the firm’s DTM touring car racer, and was powered by a 444bhp 4.0-litre V8.

If the public reaction is positive, a low-volume production run is very likely to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the launch of the Vauxhall VXR brand.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Shanghai Motor Show 2025: what all the big car brands are up to
Shanghai Motor Show 2025 - header

Shanghai Motor Show 2025: what all the big car brands are up to

The Shanghai Auto Show is now an established part of the automotive calendar – we’ve got a full list of show debuts
News
25 Mar 2025
Goodwood Festival of Speed 2025 will celebrate genius Gordon Murray’s 60-year career
Gordon Murray T.50 in front of Goodwood house

Goodwood Festival of Speed 2025 will celebrate genius Gordon Murray’s 60-year career

2025’s Goodwood Festival of Speed will also feature an enormous celebration of Formula One, with a central theme of ‘The Winning Formula – Champions a…
News
17 Mar 2025
Best classic and performance car shows, events and days out for the family in 2025
British motoring events planner 2025 - header

Best classic and performance car shows, events and days out for the family in 2025

You’ve got your new car but where are you going to drive it? Our selection of events and road trips will provide some inspiration
Features
27 Jan 2025
Brussels Motor Show 2025: full show round-up and all the exciting new cars
Brussels Motor Show header

Brussels Motor Show 2025: full show round-up and all the exciting new cars

The all-new BYD Atto 2, Hyundai Ioniq 9 and Mazda 6e were among the key models on display at this year's Brussels Motor Show
News
14 Jan 2025

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price
BMW X7 - front

Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price

German firm’s flagship SUV could never be called cheap but it is exceptional value at £735 a month – making it our Deal of the Day for Sunday 27 April
News
27 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025