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Vauxhall Astra GTC VXR
All of a sudden Vauxhall in the UK have got serious about the performance hatchback market with the release of what will be the most powerful front wheel drive hot hatch available, so don’t put your deposit down on the new Ford Focus ST just yet. |
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| The Vauxhall Astra VXR is based on the GTC version of the latest Vauxhall Astra, and to be honest its a wonder that Vauxhall have taken the plunge at all with this car, due to stricter and stricter emissions regulations in Europe and the fact that the Astra VXR will have a relatively low price point. Another reason for applauding Vauxhall for making this car is that they are predicting sales of less than half that of it’s predecessor, at around 1500 units per year, over the 3200 per year of the last car. |
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| When the Astra enters the market, it will do so slightly ahead of its rival from Ford. It will also immediately take the lead in the power game with 30bhp more than the Focus ST. |
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| One of the problems though with having lots of power being delivered to the front wheels can be massive amounts of wheelspin, even when your’re not trying. However, Vauxhall reckon they have really improved the chassis in the new car and this coupled with a new limited slip differential will go some way to resolving the problem. |
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| Powering the car is a turbocharged, 2 litre, 4 cylinder engine which produces 276bhp. Vauxhall are also confident that they may also have the answer the storming new Ford Focus RS when it arrives as they think that the new engine setup is solid enough to throw out over 300bhp if needed. |
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| The new Vauxhall Astra GTC VXR then will get to 60 in 5.9 seconds and is good for 155mph, adn will be £26,995, in the UK, which is a fairly hefty increase of £8k over its predecessor. However, the car is so much more than it used to be and it is now playing with the big boys so it’s probably worth it. |
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| Manufacturer: Vauxhall |
| Body Style: 3 door coupe hatch |
| Layout: Front engined, front wheel drive |
| Engine: 2.0 litre turbocharged 4 cylinder |
| Transmission: 6 Speed manual |
| Power: 276 bhp |
| Torque: 295 lb ft |
| Economy: TBC |
| 0-62: 5.9 seconds |
| Top Speed: 155 mph |
| Price: £26,995 |
| Merchandise: Wallpaper | Win a Supercar |
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| Tag = Vauxhall
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| Manufacturer: Volkswagen |
| Body Style: 3dr Hatchback / Coupe |
| Layout: Front engine, front wheel drive |
| Engine: 1984cc 4cyl |
| Power: 265bhp @ 6000rpm |
| Torque: 258lb ft @ 2500 rpm |
| 0-60: 5.8 seconds (DSG Gearbox) |
| Top Speed: 155mph |
| Comments: |
| At last the hot hatch is back! Even though VW call this a coupe, its still the 3 door hatchback that is a Golf GTi in a dinner jacket. This is also the first VW hot hatch (sorry, I can’t stop calling it that) that drives and feels like the car the numbers above suggest. On top of a limited top end of 155mph and a 0-60 sprint of less than 6 seconds, you can still get 35mpg out of this little beauty. At £29k you might think it sounds a bit pricey but to be honest, it’s worth it. |
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| Tag = Scirocco, Volkswagen, VW
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