Not content to have one of the hottest hatchback tickets that it's currently possible to buy on its books, Vauxhall seems determined to reinforce the point with its latest version of the fiery Astra VXR - the Nurburgring Edition. Sporting a unique production number on each vehicle, the Astra VXR Nurburgring Edition should appeal to those seeking individuality in a car that also comes with genuine performance.

From the outside, the Astra VXR is distinguished by an exclusive all-white paint finish and lightweight white 18-inch alloys which are equipped with bespoke Dunlop tyres. These distinctive features are complemented by dark tinted windows, carbonfibre-effect mirrors and B-pillars plus chequered flag body graphics on the roof. UK-specification models will also be fitted with a Remus Sports Exhaust developed with Vauxhall's BTCC race team - Triple-Eight Race Engineering.

Inside, the Nurburgring theme continues with carbonfibre detailing on the door trims and facia, Nurburgring circuit graphics embossed on the unique Recaro front seat backrests and the individually numbered plaque showing the car's build number.

The Astra VXR Nurburgring Edition is mechanically similar to the standard VXR, producing 240PS in factory tune. This allows it to sprint from 0-60 mph in just 6.2 seconds and on to an electronically-limited top speed of 155mph. Yes, we've seen V6 hatches that have more power but they're heavier and, of course, much more expensive. What's more, it's a fair bet that none of them will be able to keep pace with this Astra down a typically bumpy British country road.

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's less in the way of torque steer than is present in, say, a Ford Focus RS and despite the firm suspension, the ride is reasonably malleable. It's certainly a good deal more compliant than a Peugeot 206 GTi 180 was. Comparisons such as these are necessary in order to provide a frame of reference for a car that moves the goalposts quite dramatically. This sort of power from a hatch costing £21,295 requires some mental readjustment.

"Traction off the line is surprisingly good for a car with a powerful and lightweight engine driving the front wheels."

Final production tweaks to the suspension were carried out by Lotus and there's little to criticise with the meaty steering. The seating position may well feel a little elevated for taller drivers and visibility with the chunky windcsreen and C-pillars is an issue. Nevertheless, the Astra VXR is an easy car to position accurately through a corner and honing the line with the use of the accelerator pedal is simplicity itself. Customers' cars get a full Brembo brake package finished in VXR trademark blue that offers devastating stopping power.

It all harks back to the mighty Vauxhall Astra GTE 16v of 1989. This retailed for £14,127 and boasted 156bhp at a time when most hot hatch fans had to either satisfy themselves with 132bhp of Escort RS Turbo, 130bhp of Peugeot 309GTi or139bhp of Golf GTi 16v. In short, the Astra's pace revolutionised the market, its light weight ensuring that it could notch 60mph in less than seven seconds. Until that time, such a feat was the preserve of exotics like the Lancia Delta HF Integrale. In many respects, this marked the beginning of the end of the first hot hatch boom as insurers recognised that such rapid vehicles were falling into undesirable hands. Premiums skyrocketed and we were plunged into an ice age of dull warm hatches that was to last for some time.

Thankfully, advances in safety and security mean that today's premium hatches can be affordable to those they were originally marketed towards. The Astra VXR Nurburgring Edition is a case in point. Back in the early nineties a car with this power would have been uninsurable but today it's quite within the budget of many twenty somethings. They're sure to appreciate its aggressive spoiler kit, neat alloy wheels, projector lamp kit and high waisted body.

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 may customers are going to complain about the height of the rear loading lip after they've unleashed all 240bhp down a motorway slip road.

The Astra chassis is one of the best available in its class and despite featuring a supposedly inferior torsion beam rear suspension set up, the ride is supple and lateral grip is excellent. Only when cornering hard over choppier sections of tarmac does the rear suspension not feel quite as slick as the multi link layout of a Golf or a Focus, but there are benefits in terms of packaging. Cornering roll is minimal, which encourages you to throw the car into corners with greater gusto. You can do so later too thanks to meaty brakes which are so powerful you'll thrill at their bite. Watch other road users apply their brakes and then sail past them, relying on the VXR's astonishing powers of retardation. Gearboxes are not a Vauxhall strongpoint and this close ratio example certainly could be slicker. It is however, one of the company's better efforts.

The Astra VXR Nurburgring Edition is a neat solution by Vauxhall to refresh interest in the VXR brand. Much of the pre-production development work was carried out at the Nurburgring in Germany, so the name is entirely appropriate. Whether cars of this ilk are still relevant on the roads in this country that are furnished with over 6,000 speed cameras is a point for heated debate. As as a searingly fast hot hatch it certainly ticks all the boxes.