Vauxhall Astra VXR To Pack 280bhp

It's apparently hot hatch week.  Hot on the heels of yesterday's first pictures and details of the 5-door Fiest ST comes this: the new Vauxhall Astra VXR (or Opel Astra OPC to those on the continent.)  Although the shape itself isn't a surprise (the current Astra GTC three-door has been around since 2009), the big news is what's under the hood.

The VXR is made to compete with the Focus ST, Golf R, Scirrocco R, and Megane Renaultsport in Europe, so a 2.0L Turbo gas motor is a given.  Where the previous Astra VXR was no slouch with it's 237bhp turbo motor, the new motor benefits from direct injection, which allows a higher compression ratio and more boost.  Total power rises to 280bhp and 400nm (295-lbft) of torque, put to the road through a six-speed manual transmission and a mechanical limited slip differential.

This means the VXR will have more power than basically all of it's direct competitors, save for rally reps like the Evo and STI.  The Focus ST is behind by more than 30bhp, the Scirrocco R by 15.  For once, this is an instance of GM of Europe benefiting from GM US's engineering division - it's almost certain the VXR's motor is a derivative of the Ecotec LNF that served in the Cobalt SS, Solstice GXP, and now the new Buick Regal GS.  Which is a good thing if you like power, because the LNF can make a lot of it.

Beyond the impressive performance - Vauxhall claims a top end of 155mph, which seems pretty legit for a 2.0L hatchback - the styling is a lot more dramatic than it's predecessor, closer to a Scirrocco or Megane Coupe than more upright, traditional hatches like the Golf.  Then again, being based on the attractive low-slung Astra GTC helps.  To my eyes it's a really attractive car, with the VXR-specific additions make it even more appealing: a more aggressive front bumper with triangular air intakes, side skirts, a rear bumper with diffuser and integrated exhaust pipes, and a set of VXR-style 18" alloys.

The ride height is lowered, and the adaptive suspension has three settings (Normal/Sport/VXR(OPC) which changes damping characteristics on the fly.  The VXR also gets an upgraded set of Brembo brakes to keep things in check.

Inside, it's mostly normal Astra with the exception of the highly bolstered sports seats with faux harness pass-throughs.  I suppose it's nice to have a place to put your 4-point, but considering the car doesn't come with one, it's somewhat odd.  There's a VXR wheel, metal gearknob, that sort of thing.  The new Astra was already a pretty nice place to spend time, so not a lot of changes were needed anyway.

The VXR and OPC will go on sale in Europe early next year.  As for the US - who knows?  GM is marketing the current Astra in the US as the Buick Verano, but that's a four-door sedan, although the Chevy Cruze is loosely related as well.  I'll keep my fingers crossed for this to show up as a Buick, but I won't hold my breath.