Review of the new Vauxhall Astra VX Racing Edition

Vauxhall has won the British Touring Car Championship for two years in succession and isn't about to let anyone forget it. After the trophies have been handed out and the champagne has been sprayed, you might think that the manufacturer should get its head down and concentrate its efforts on winning a hat-trick of titles. It's sure to be doing exactly that but after investing millions to achieve its track success, the marque can be forgiven for wallowing in the glory for that bit longer, especially if it means the public get cars like the Astra VX Racing special edition.

The VX racing team and, more specifically, star driver Fabrizio Giovanardi won the British Touring Car Championship in 2007 and 2008. It was a formidable performance and to celebrate, Vauxhall has launched VX Racing editions of its Astra VXR and Corsa VXR hot hatchbacks. The championship winning BTCC race car was actually a Vectra VXR but with the long serving Vectra having been superseded by the Insignia, it misses out on a VX Racing party that looks like being quite a lively one.

The VX Racing Astra is based on the standard Astra VXR. That means it has the same 2.0-litre turbo charged engine and the same 240bhp maximum power output. Channelling that kind of power through the front wheels is quite a challenge and the Astra VXR is certainly a bit of a hooligan out on the road. It's also brutally quick. It can barrel through 60mph in 6.2s and hit a 152mph top speed where conditions allow. That's fast enough to put it right up in the elite group of performance hatchbacks.

Traction off the line is surprisingly good for a car with a powerful and lightweight engine driving the front wheels and only in damp conditions does the traction control system get a good workout. Once on the move, there isn't too much torque steer and despite the firm suspension and the VX Racing model's 19-inch alloys, the ride is reasonably malleable.

"For around £1,500 more than a conventional Astra VXR, the VX Racing package certainly has its appeal."

From the outside, the Astra VX Racing is distinguished by 19-inch alloys and a distinctive red paint job with black detailing. The rear diffuser, side bump strips and door mirror covers are all picked out in black and there's dark tinted windows too. The car also gets the ground- hugging side skirts, rear spoiler and aggressive bumpers of the standard VXR model. Inside, there are full-leather Recaro seats, a three-spoke sports steering wheel, carbon-effect inserts on the doors and facia and an alloy gearknob.

The raked roofline looks as if it'll have taller rear seat passengers entering the number of their chiropractor into the speed-dial but Vauxhall claims that rear seat space is well up to par for two adults. They just didn't specify what size. The rear seat is a conventional three-abreast bench with a practical 60:40 split system offered as standard or the alternative 40:20:40 layout available as an option. Luggage room is slightly hampered by that rakish roofline but given the cavernous amount of space in the back of the five-door Astra, it's hard to see carrying capacity being a reason to grumble. Besides, it's doubtful that too many customers are going to complain about the height of the rear loading lip after they've unleashed all 240bhp down a motorway slip road.

A combined total of only 888 Astra and Corsa VX Racing cars will be made available to UK buyers in homage to Triple Eight Engineering who build and prepare the firm's BTCC race cars. Vauxhall is also keen for buyers to personalise their VX Racing models by dipping into the Vauxhall Performance Centre range of parts and accessories. If you buy a VX Racing Astra, you'll be offered discounts on these parts including the Remus exhaust system which for £720 can add significantly to the car's horsepower output.

Once you've got your hands on one, running costs for a VX Racing Astra should be reasonable for a car in this class with a combined average of 30mpg and 221g/km CO2 emissions. Insurance is group 17 which will give some prospective buyers pause for thought.

If you're after finesse, balance and handling purity, the Vauxhall Astra VX Racing might not be for you but if it's brutal, unadulterated pace you want along with snarling looks that will frighten small children, look no further.

For around £1,500 more than a conventional Astra VXR, the VX Racing package certainly has its appeal. It adds a striking colour scheme, leather and plenty of extra attitudes. Commemorating two consecutive wins for Vauxhall in the BTCC British Touring Car Championship, it does beg the question, what will Vauxhall do if it completes the hat-trick?

TOP 5 ASTRA DEALS

The results below show the top ASTRA deals on buyacar

Vauxhall Astra 2.0T 16V VXRacing 3dr Sport Hatch Special Eds
Price £20,853 Read Astra Reviews	Save £3,137
Vauxhall Astra 2.0 CDTi 16V Elite 5dr Diesel Hatchback
Price £16,519 Read Astra Reviews	Save £6,371
Vauxhall Astra 1.6i 16V Elite 5dr Hatchback
Price £14,716 Read Astra Reviews	Save £5,544
Vauxhall Astra 1.9 CDTi 16V SRi [150] 3dr [Exterior Pack] Diesel Sport Hatch
Price £14,797 Read Astra Reviews	Save £7,888
Vauxhall Astra 2.0 CDTi 16V Elite 5dr Auto Diesel Hatchback
Price £17,493 Read Astra Reviews	Save £6,722
VIEW MORE DISCOUNT ASTRA DEALS