Astra OPEL/Vauxhall Astra OPC/VXR unveiled
- Thread starter Human
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The Opel Astra is a compact car/small family car (C-segment) developed and produced by the Opel since 1991. It was first launched in September 1991 as a direct replacement to the Opel Kadett. As of 2025, the car slots between the smaller Corsa supermini and the larger Frontera subcompact crossover SUV.
speed_kills
Diesel Dynamiker
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Opel is really trying hard to make the OPC perform.
Zafiro
Supreme Roadmaster
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Video by Opel
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Vauxhall Astra VXR prices and specs
Vauxhall announces prices and specs for its fastest, most powerful production Astra hot hatch yet
By Stephen Dobie14th March 2012
Vauxhall has firmed up the specs and details of its new Astra VXR, as well as releasing a promotional video. The most potent Astra ever will also be the most powerful hot hatchback on the market when UK sales begin in July. It won’t be cheap, prices starting at £26,995.
There’s a lot of tech under the skin, though. With the previous, 237bhp VXR infamous for its torque-steer, much has been done to avoid the same problems in its all-new 276bhp successor.
There’s a motorsport-derived Drexler limited-slip diff operating on the front axle, and unlike its hot hatch rivals, the Astra’s is a proper mechanical plate differential, rather than an electronic item. The HiPerStrut front suspension setup, successful in the Insignia VXR, is tweaked for the Astra, making steering independent from suspension on the front Macpherson struts to cut torque steer and improve front-end grip.
A FlexRide drive select mode comes as standard, with Normal, Sport and VXR modes boasting suitably varying suspension stiffness, throttle sharpness and steering weight. The stability control boasts three strength levels, one of which is completely off. A co-cast brake kit combines steel and aluminium, cutting weight compared to a standard setup without compromising heat resistance.
Power comes from a 2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, with 276bhp and 295lb ft peaks resulting in a 5.9sec 0-60mph time and a 155mph top speed. Those latter figures nigh on match those of the VXR’s toughest foes, the Renaultsport Megane 265 and VW Scirocco R.
Your £27K buys plenty of tech, then, and there’s also 19in wheels as standard (with forged alloy 20s, which are actually lighter than the 19s, an option). The interior also gets a pair of Recaro-like sports seats, which use composite materials in order to weigh 45 per cent less than regular chairs.
We’ll find out what the all-new Vauxhall Astra VXR is like to drive in June.
2012 Vauxhall Astra VXR prices specs news pictures video | evo
EVO
NEWSCAR REVIEWSDATAVIDEOSFEATURESCARS FOR SALEBUYING GUIDESTRACKDAYSCOMMUNITYWIN3 ISSUES FOR £1SHOPFORZA 4
REGISTERLOGIN
Free Newsletter
News: evo News
Vauxhall Astra VXR prices and specs
Vauxhall announces prices and specs for its fastest, most powerful production Astra hot hatch yet
By Stephen Dobie14th March 2012
Vauxhall has firmed up the specs and details of its new Astra VXR, as well as releasing a promotional video. The most potent Astra ever will also be the most powerful hot hatchback on the market when UK sales begin in July. It won’t be cheap, prices starting at £26,995.
There’s a lot of tech under the skin, though. With the previous, 237bhp VXR infamous for its torque-steer, much has been done to avoid the same problems in its all-new 276bhp successor.
There’s a motorsport-derived Drexler limited-slip diff operating on the front axle, and unlike its hot hatch rivals, the Astra’s is a proper mechanical plate differential, rather than an electronic item. The HiPerStrut front suspension setup, successful in the Insignia VXR, is tweaked for the Astra, making steering independent from suspension on the front Macpherson struts to cut torque steer and improve front-end grip.
A FlexRide drive select mode comes as standard, with Normal, Sport and VXR modes boasting suitably varying suspension stiffness, throttle sharpness and steering weight. The stability control boasts three strength levels, one of which is completely off. A co-cast brake kit combines steel and aluminium, cutting weight compared to a standard setup without compromising heat resistance.
Power comes from a 2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, with 276bhp and 295lb ft peaks resulting in a 5.9sec 0-60mph time and a 155mph top speed. Those latter figures nigh on match those of the VXR’s toughest foes, the Renaultsport Megane 265 and VW Scirocco R.
Your £27K buys plenty of tech, then, and there’s also 19in wheels as standard (with forged alloy 20s, which are actually lighter than the 19s, an option). The interior also gets a pair of Recaro-like sports seats, which use composite materials in order to weigh 45 per cent less than regular chairs.
We’ll find out what the all-new Vauxhall Astra VXR is like to drive in June.
2012 Vauxhall Astra VXR prices specs news pictures video | evo
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- Name
- Marcus
If GM could bring this over to the U.S. I might would buy this one for the everyday drive. What a great design. The only problem is that now it would come over as Buick instead of a Saturn. This and the Scirocco R are sorely missed in the U.S.
M
M
speed_kills
Diesel Dynamiker
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Check the Megane RS Cup too. It's the best hot hatch on track perfomance's.
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Opel said they made the Astra OPC faster than the Mégane RS. It can be true, the Corsa OPC Nürburgring is faster than the Clio RS Cup. The Astra OPC can surely beat the N-Ring time of the Mégane RS (8:29 min), but to beat the Mégane RS Trophy will be still quite tough (8:07 min). But even if it beats the Mégane RS Trophy (Hockenheim Short: 1:16.40), I doubt it can beat the Mégane RS Clubsport (Hockenheim Short: 1:13.50) which is even faster than the C 63 AMG Coupé Performance (Hockenheim Short: 1:13.60).
speed_kills
Diesel Dynamiker
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- 663
A Drexler front LSD maybe help, depends on chassis tune. I would put my money on the RS, but Opel might come with something real good.
Similar threads
Opel
Opel Automobile GmbH, is a German automobile manufacturer based in Rüsselsheim am Main, Hesse, Germany.
Founded by Adam Opel in 1862, it was owned by General Motors from 1929 to 2017, and the PSA Group before
merging with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to form Stellantis in 2021. Most of its lineup is marketed under
the Vauxhall Motors brand in the United Kingdom since the 1980s. In Australia, some were rebadged as the
Holden brand until 2020, in North America and China under the Buick, Saturn (until 2010), and Cadillac
brands, and in South America under the Chevrolet brand.
Official websites: Opel, Vauxhall
Official websites: Opel, Vauxhall
