Vauxhall unveils the new VXR Extreme. No lightweight bolt left unturned with this one…
Take a second to take this in: ‘With over 300hp generated from its 2.0-litre turbo engine, the Astra VXR EXTREME will be the most powerful front-wheel drive Vauxhall ever when it’s unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show next month.’ Neither the Vectra nor the Astra get a look in this time.
As you’d imagine then, the new VXR Extreme – derived from Vauxhall’s Astra Cup race car with which it competed in the Nürburgring Endurance Championship last season – is a serious player. And even though our breath will remain bated for an official power output at Geneva, the street-legal newboy certainly looks the part thanks to aluminium wings, aerodynamically-optimised rear wing, the diffuser, front spoiler, bonnet, suspension cross-bracing and engine cover among others, and full Brembo brake kit. And – joy of joys – the 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine engine is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. Yep. Manual.
As well as showcasing ultra high-performance 19-inch tyres and a race-inspired adjustable damper, the VXR Extreme has been on a hell of a crash diet to shed 100kg over the standard VXR to give you an example, whereas a steel roof weighs in at 9.3kg, the Extreme’s in-house manufactured carbon fibre roof weighs just over 2.6kg. And as you’d expect from any street-legal race car, the interior includes a safety roll bar where once there were back seats and six-point Schroth race harnesses.
Yet another reason then to check out this year’s Geneva Motor Show.
| Vauxhall: | VXR Extreme (provisional) |
|---|---|
| Engine: | Inline-4cyl / turbocharged / 2.0-litre |
| Power: | c300hp @ TBCrpm |
| Torque: | TBC |
| Transmission: | Six-speed manual / front wheel-drive |
| Brakes: | Brembo six-piston / 370mm front and rear |
| Wheels: | 19-inch front and rear |
| Tyres: | 245/35 R19 front and rear |
| 0-100kph: | TBC |
| Top speed: | TBC |
