So hot it's almost on fire
Alan Candy feels the G-force in Vauxhall's sizzling VXR
13 March 2006
www.lutontoday.co.uk
Back in the 80s, hot hatches were all the rage, with little stars such as Renault 5 GTI and Peugeot 205 GTI at the cutting edge of buzz-box design.
And the heavyweights were also in there, with VW Golf, Astra GTE and Escort XR3i all battling it out.
But everything went pear-shaped when thieves took an unhealthy interest and when boy-racers with go-faster stripes started crashing them.
Now it's renaissance time and suddenly safer, more secure hot hatches are back with a bang. New VW Golf GTI is right back where it belongs near the top of the pile, Focus ST is superb (read the road test here, coming soon) and Astra is easily the most glamorous looking of the three and an awesome performer.
First, just drink in the looks. New Astra has already taken the hatchback market by storm with its exciting and elegant styling. But the top sporting brand of VXR is the ultimate Astra, with drop-dead looks enhanced by double mesh front grilles, subtle side skirts, big 18-inch, six-spoke alloys, huge ventilated disc brakes and low, sports-tuned suspension.
A centrally-placed trapezoid exhaust pipe at the tail is a smart finishing touch.
And inside Vauxhall packs in the look of aluminium and carbon fibre and the smell of fresh leather from superbly supportive Recaro sports seats.
The VXR shatters all previous expectations by becoming Vauxhall's hottest roadgoing hatch ever, with blistering 0-60mph pace in just 6.2 seconds, thanks to a 2.0i 16v turbo engine.
Flooring the throttle (in a safe place, please) is an extraordinary experience, with such a devastating burst of power that I was reminded of a plane taking off – a full-blooded roar of engine power, instant thrust and a hang-on-to-your hat dash that makes you take a reality check to see if it is really happening.
Tugged along in a whirlwind of speed, it's a heady experience but VXR Astra is never a horse that's bolted out of control and powerful, progressive brakes quickly rein in the beast when needed, either because of impending danger or if your nerve simply gives out.
A six-speed sports gearbox with short-throw ratios offers a lightning quick change which is really appreciated when you want both hands firmly on the wheel and the low, flat ride is beautifully balanced.
Source: http://www.lutontoday.co.uk/ViewArti...icleID=1384171
<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->
Alan Candy feels the G-force in Vauxhall's sizzling VXR
13 March 2006
www.lutontoday.co.uk
Back in the 80s, hot hatches were all the rage, with little stars such as Renault 5 GTI and Peugeot 205 GTI at the cutting edge of buzz-box design.
And the heavyweights were also in there, with VW Golf, Astra GTE and Escort XR3i all battling it out.
But everything went pear-shaped when thieves took an unhealthy interest and when boy-racers with go-faster stripes started crashing them.
Now it's renaissance time and suddenly safer, more secure hot hatches are back with a bang. New VW Golf GTI is right back where it belongs near the top of the pile, Focus ST is superb (read the road test here, coming soon) and Astra is easily the most glamorous looking of the three and an awesome performer.
First, just drink in the looks. New Astra has already taken the hatchback market by storm with its exciting and elegant styling. But the top sporting brand of VXR is the ultimate Astra, with drop-dead looks enhanced by double mesh front grilles, subtle side skirts, big 18-inch, six-spoke alloys, huge ventilated disc brakes and low, sports-tuned suspension.
A centrally-placed trapezoid exhaust pipe at the tail is a smart finishing touch.
And inside Vauxhall packs in the look of aluminium and carbon fibre and the smell of fresh leather from superbly supportive Recaro sports seats.
The VXR shatters all previous expectations by becoming Vauxhall's hottest roadgoing hatch ever, with blistering 0-60mph pace in just 6.2 seconds, thanks to a 2.0i 16v turbo engine.
Flooring the throttle (in a safe place, please) is an extraordinary experience, with such a devastating burst of power that I was reminded of a plane taking off – a full-blooded roar of engine power, instant thrust and a hang-on-to-your hat dash that makes you take a reality check to see if it is really happening.
Tugged along in a whirlwind of speed, it's a heady experience but VXR Astra is never a horse that's bolted out of control and powerful, progressive brakes quickly rein in the beast when needed, either because of impending danger or if your nerve simply gives out.
A six-speed sports gearbox with short-throw ratios offers a lightning quick change which is really appreciated when you want both hands firmly on the wheel and the low, flat ride is beautifully balanced.
Source: http://www.lutontoday.co.uk/ViewArti...icleID=1384171
<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->
