Astra VXR Nurburgring

[mikeyb]

Vauxhall launches distinctive Astra VXR special
http://www.evo.co.uk/images/front_picture_library_UK/dir_514/car_photo_257229_25.jpg

http://www.evo.co.uk/images/front_picture_library_UK/dir_514/car_photo_257232_25.jpg

http://www.evo.co.uk/images/front_picture_library_UK/dir_514/car_photo_257235_25.jpg

http://www.evo.co.uk/images/front_picture_library_UK/dir_514/car_photo_257238_25.jpg


Mechanically similar to the stock VXR, but more potent because of a free-flowing Remus sports exhaust, Vauxhall's Nurburgring Astra special features an all-white finish, dark tinted windows, carbon fibre-effect mirrors and B-Pillars and distinctive chequered flag body graphics. You've probably noticed those already...

The theme continues inside, with carbon fibre detailing on the door trims and fascia, bespoke leather seats with the 'Ring circuit graphic embossed into the Recaro front seat backrests and an individually numbered plaque showing each car’s build number.

Power is 240PS, allowing a 0-60mph in 6.2 seconds and an electronically-limited top speed of 155mph. Price is £21,295.

- EVO

[TinmanMS6]

Hmmm...looks familiar...
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123681408

[mikeyb]

Same car with a Vauxhall badge.

[TinmanMS6]

Right down to the graphics. LOL

Now if only we could get something like that with a Saturn badge...

[mikeyb]

An Astra Redline would be awesome.

[Donas64]

sorry to bring this back from the dead but I love holdens and vauxhalls. Here's hoping for a Saturn Astra redline! Man that is a good looking hatchback. better looking than any other hatch on sale in the US today IMHO.

[Flash5]

nice

[lasermp5]

what a hot hatch...

[NCZ13]

http://www.autopia.org/forum/click-brag/110312-vxrmarcs-3-month-nurburgring-detail.html

check this out.

he does some really cool stuff with his astra. not to mention that month long cleaning process. he waxed it with over 50 coats of protection over a course of 3 weeks, the first week was dedicated to perfecting the paint, and ever part of the car.

btw. 50 coats is overkill. looks wise theres no difference between 5 coats of z7 and 51 coats looks wise...

[seanmcsean]

I think the astra is the official car of the british isles. I spent 11 days overseas, and I couldn't go 10 feet without seeing an astra.

[mikeyb]

^pics?

[coolmazda5]

I think the astra is the official car of the british isles. I spent 11 days overseas, and I couldn't go 10 feet without seeing an astra.

Hmmm, Been to Germany? :)

[mikeyb]

I was at the mall last night where there is a Astra XR on display. There was 5 French tourist taking pics of it. I thought that was really funny.

[Donas64]

I was at the mall last night where there is a Astra XR on display. There was 5 French tourist taking pics of it. I thought that was really funny.

It reminds them of the motherland!

[coolmazda5]

I was at the mall last night where there is a Astra XR on display. There was 5 French tourist taking pics of it. I thought that was really funny.


It reminds them of the motherland!

Oui Oui, l'Astra en Amerique :)

I don't dare to compare with numbers, but is like seeing a Corolla or a Camry here in th US. There are tons around and not just recent models.

[mikeyb]

Or they were laughing about GM selling the Astra here.

[TinmanMS6]

Or they were laughing about GM trying to sell the Astra here.

Fixed. This thing's been on sale for months, and today was the first time I've seen one on the street.

[Donas64]

Fixed. This thing's been on sale for months, and today was the first time I've seen one on the street.

IF they did a redline version that looked anything like this and offered the performance to boot, I bet that would change reeeeeeeaal quick!

http://www.tafft.com/admin/my_documents/my_pictures/C49_astra_vxr.jpg


http://www.whitehorseautostyling.co.uk/gallery/astra%20sports%20hatch%20vxr.jpg

[TinmanMS6]

IF they did a redline version that looked anything like this and offered the performance to boot, I bet that would change reeeeeeeaal quick!

I'd take a 5-door Redline. Hell, I'm considering buying an HHR SS, despite its looks, because of the mix of utility and performance--same drivetrain, more wagon.

[happy and angry]

You want to buy an HHR.

You actually want to buy an HHR.

I'm sorry, this isn't making sense here.

You want to buy an HHR?

[Donas64]

I could sorta see it. It looks better than a PT cruiser, has loads of utility for its size and while the styling certainly it hit or miss, its quirky in a retro way. There are far worse cars than an HHR SS. Good mix of utility and power.

http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/first-look-2008-chevrolet-hhr-ss-6.jpg

.86g on the skid pad, brembo brakes 260 some odd horses. You could do a lot worse for a wagon with good hauling capacity.

[seanmcsean]

I have yet to see an astra on US roads.. It is really strange.. they are really good cars!

[Donas64]

I have yet to see an astra on US roads.. It is really strange.. they are really good cars!

I've seen quite a few on US roads. I think they look good in 2 door form. Just BEGGING for the redline treatment.

The saturn front end isn't as handsome as the opel, but lowered with sport tuned suspension and GM's turbo 4 banger would be a great thing.

http://www.tournal.com/cars/uploads/2008_saturn_astra_3thumb.jpg

[coolmazda5]

I have yet to see an astra on US roads.. It is really strange.. they are really good cars!

I have not seen many, you are right. When I test drove it felt a little bit anemic and had bad OEM tires, but nice car overall.

Possibly that is why Ford and others are not just bringing all the European models to NA. After seeing how the USDM Ford Focus sells compared to the Astra and the Aura I have the sense that the European models are not really liked by the mainstream NA consumer (and in this forum area we are not of course). Heck, Mazda had to make the Mazda6 NA specific :(

[coolmazda5]

Hell, I'm considering buying an HHR SS

And I thought my comment about the Chevy Equinox decent looks was bad enough ;)

[seanmcsean]

I looked into buying an HHR for about a week. I'm glad I got my forester instead. My main reasons for looking at one were that you could get a manual transmission, it had good utility space, and it got good gas mileage. The downside was that the interior was horrific, it had questionable reliability, and it didn't handle very well at all.

[seanmcsean]

I have not seen many, you are right. When I test drove it felt a little bit anemic and had bad OEM tires, but nice car overall.

Possibly that is why Ford and others are not just bringing all the European models to NA. After seeing how the USDM Ford Focus sells compared to the Astra and the Aura I have the sense that the European models are not really liked by the mainstream NA consumer (and in this forum area we are not of course). Heck, Mazda had to make the Mazda6 NA specific :(

Don't get me started on that. I saw a few European 6's and I almost teared up.. The USDM 2nd gen 6 is just a darn shame.

The Euro one (especially in pearl white) is outstanding.

[Donas64]

Don't get me started on that. I saw a few European 6's and I almost teared up.. The USDM 2nd gen 6 is just a darn shame.

The Euro one (especially in pearl white) is outstanding.

what are the main differences between the 2?

[TinmanMS6]

what are the main differences between the 2?

They're different cars with similar styling. I'm sure they're the same underneath, but the US 6 is bigger in every way.

[coolmazda5]

They're different cars with similar styling. I'm sure they're the same underneath, but the US 6 is bigger in every way.

Yup, found this some time ago:
http://carnoise.blogspot.com/2008/06/us-model-2009-mazda-6-vs-rest-of-world.html

but back on topic, an Astra RedLine would be nice from GM, if they made a Saturn VUE and Ion RedLine and they sold, an Astra should a no brainer

http://image.motortrend.com/f/auto-shows/slightly-tuned-saturns-astra-tuner-concept-for-sema/7234896+w600+cr1+re0+ar1/saturn-astra-tuner-concept-rear.jpg

[mikeyb]

Fixed. This thing's been on sale for months, and today was the first time I've seen one on the street.

I've actually seen afew on the road around here. Hell there are two of them in my apartment's parking lot.

[TinmanMS6]

I've actually seen afew on the road around here. Hell there are two of them in my apartment's parking lot.

Extra storage for the dealership around the corner? :p

[mikeyb]

Extra storage for the dealership around the corner? :p

hahahaha....The closest Saturn dealer is 15 miles south of my apartment. They do really well being the only dealer in an hours drive.