Vauxhall Astra VXR Extreme set for Geneva

The first image of the heavily-modified Vauxhall Astra VXR Extreme has been revealed before it goes on display at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

The lightweight model is significant because Vauxhall plans to use it as the basis for a limited run of high-performance Astras in the future.

Although Vauxhall already makes the sporty Astra VXR, a production version of the Extreme model would be even faster due to its lightweight body and more powerful engine. Many of the car’s parts have been made out of carbon fibre and the inside of the Extreme has been stripped of all but the bare essentials.

Vauxhall didn’t just remove parts of the Astra’s interior when creating the Extreme version though, it also added sporty seats, racing seatbelts and a roll cage, confirming that the car has been made with the race track in mind.

There was no word on the exact engine fitted under the bonnet of the car but it’s likely to be the 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine used in both the Vauxhall Astra VXR and the Astra Cup racing car. If this engine is used in the production version of the Extreme, customers can expect power of around 280bhp-300bhp.

Before it goes into production, the VXR Extreme will first be endurance-tested at the famous Nurburgring Nordschleife race circuit, a track often used to measure the performance of new sports cars.

The car is set to be the fastest road-legal Vauxhall Astra ever, and prices are likely to reflect this when it eventually goes on sale. The quickest Astra VXR currently available costs £27,260 but the carbon fibre parts, racing features and low-volume production run are likely to make a production Extreme model considerably more expensive.

Vauxhall has promised more details next month ahead of the car’s debut at the Geneva Motor Show, and Carbuyer will of course keep you fully up to date with all the latest on the hottest Astra ever.

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