Vauxhall is going to exhibit the all-new 2014 Astra VXR Extreme at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, in March. The ultra-hot hatchback comes with extreme body kit and extreme engine.
The 2.0 liter turbocharged petrol has over 300HP (225 kW), which means that is the most powerful front-wheel drive Vauxhall, ever. Derived from last year’s Astra Cup race car that competed in the Nurburgring Endurance Championship, the Extreme model is the lighter, more powerful street-legal race sibling to the current Astra VXR. The engine is connected to a 6-speed manual gearbox sending the power to the front wheels through an LSD (limited slip differential).
The curb weight is whopping 100kg less than the original model thanks to the use of high-quality carbon components. This high-strength, ultra-light material is used for the aerodynamically-optimised rear wing, the diffuser, front spoiler, bonnet, suspension cross-bracing, engine cover, wheels, rear wheelhouse ventilation and roof.
Other highlights include a set of ultra high-performance, 245/35, 19” tyres, specially developed for the Extreme modell a Brembo 6-piston brake system including 370mm diameter discs up front and adjustable dampers.
The interior comes with a roll-bar, Recaro bucket seats, with six-point safety belts from Schroth and a carbon-fibre-reinforced, suede-covered steering wheel with fine yellow decorative stitching.
The car is actually planned to go in a low-volume production, which are great news.
At this years Geneva Motor Show, the brand Vauxhall is going to unveil stunning new models. The long awaited Astra VXR and Vauxhall Mokka are going to enter the market with their sharp design.
Firstly, the most powerful Astra ever made will make its show debut. The vehicle is based on the GTC’s platform and powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged direct injection engine. Hence, the Astra VXR produces 280PS (206 kW) of power and a mighty 400Nm of torque, achieving the top speed of 155mph. In addition it has been improved with some substantial chassis modifications, transforming it into a focused, high-performance coupe. Furthermore there was specially developed a mechanical limited slip differential, which works on the front wheels. In combination with the GTC’s sophisticated HiPerStrut (High Performance Strut), the LSD provides the Astra VXR with exceptional lateral grip and traction through bends. Further changes to the chassis feature brakes developed by Brembo, and an adaptive FlexRide system. The latte features not only a Sport button, but also a VXR button, offering drivers the choice of two, more focused stages of damper, throttle and steering control.
Vauxhall Astra VXR
Next comes the Vauxhall’s Mokka entry which will break new ground for the company. This is Vauxhall’s new small SUV which will be unveiled in Geneva. The Mokka will be available with a choice of front- or all-wheel drive. The all-wheel drive system automatically transfers power to the wheels that need it most when grip levels are tested to the extreme. It is offered with three efficient engines, all equipped with fuel saving Start/Stop technology: the petrol 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated engine, another petrol 1.4-litre Turbo, and a diesel one – 1.7 CDTI turbo. All engines can be combined either with six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions. Moreover the Vauxhall Mokka brings cutting-edge technologies to the SUV B-segment. The first reason for this is the Advanced Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL+). It increases driving safety based on the third-generation bi-xenon lighting system that includes High Beam Assist (HBA). There is also available a front camera system which gives the driver access to a number of functions including Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Forward Collision Alert (FCA) and second generation Traffic Sign Recognition. Undeniably, the Mokka model is very attractive. The Mokka’s rugged character is reinforced by its higher ground clearance as well as a 1540mm track. In addition, its appeal is further enhanced by the 18-inch alloy wheels which are standard on most models.
Vauxhall Mokka
At the Geneva Show as well will be the debut of Vauxhall’s most powerful diesel car., which produces 195PS (143 kW), 400Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque and emissions as low as 129g/km. The car is known under the name Insignia BiTurbo and it is available with a choice of five-door Hatch and Sports Tourer bodies in SRi, SRi Vx-line and Elite trims. This turbocharged diesel is based on the existing 1956cc unit which powers key models in the Insignia, Astra and new Zafira Tourer range. Nevrtheless, the BiTurbo engine produces up to 35PS more power and a significant 50Nm of extra torque, reducing the 0-100 km/h time by nearly one second to 8.2 seconds (Insignia FWD Hatch). In addition, due to the package of eco features, the FWD Hatch achieves a combined 57.6mpg, 2.2mpg better than the single-turbo 2.0 CDTi 160PS model. Furthermore there is also included the clever FlexRide adaptive damping as a standard. The system reacts within milliseconds to driver inputs and can ‘learn’ how the car is being driven and adapt damper settings accordingly. Drivers can also select Tour and Sport buttons, and configure the throttle, steering and damper settings in Sport mode separately. Moreover the FlexRide is integrated with the car’s Torque Transfer Device (TTD) and the rear axle’s electronically controlled Limited Slip Differential (e-LSD). All this allows the torque to be automatically transferred between front and rear wheels, and between left and right wheels on the rear axle, offering exceptional levels of traction, grip and control. For the safety of the passenger is featured the option of Vauxhall’s new Front Camera System, with traffic sign recognition and lane departure warning, and Adaptive Cruise Control.
Vauxhall will introduce their most powerful Astra VXR at the Geneva Motor Show with front seats that are substantially lighter thanks to cutting-edge technology. The hot seats have a lower seating position and enhanced side support to cater for increased cornering loads.
The special technology includes an injection moulded sheet in the seat shells, which reduces their weight by 45% compared with a conventional shell. The sheet is filled with a composite material made from polyamide and fibreglass, and its strength and agility means that it only needs to be 2-3 mm deep, and therefore a lot lighter.
Bringing driver and front passenger lower to the Astra VXR’s centre of gravity, the new seats are mounted 17 mm lower than in the Astra GTC, and 40 mm lower than in the Astra Hatch. In addition, the new seats can be adjusted up to 18 ways, depending upon specification:
• Entire seat backwards and forwards (2)
• Entire seat upwards and downwards (2)
• Seat backrest forwards and backwards (2)
• Seat cushion angle adjustment (2)
• Seat cushion length adjustment (2)
• Four-way lumbar support adjustment (4)
• Adjustable side bolster support in back (2)
• Adjustable side bolster support in seat cushion (2)
Pneumatically adjustable cushions, found in the seats’ flanks, add further levels of adjustability at the push of a button, and provide ‘tailor-made’ seating comfort and security normally reserved for competition drivers.
The new 2012 Vauxhall Astra VXR will come with extremely powerful engine with 280PS and 400Nm. It will also feature LSD on front wheels and Brembo brake system.
The new Vauxhall Astra VXR is not only hot hatchback… It is extremely hot and brutal vehicle. 2012 Astra VXR will hit the market in the beginning of the next year as one of the most powerful cars in its class and the fastest production Astra in Vauxhall’s history.
It is powered by the famous 2.0-litre turbocharged direct injection engine, which now delivers whopping 280PS (206 kW) and 400Nm (296 lb-ft) of torque. 0 to 100 km/h is not mentioned, but it will in less than 6 seconds, but the top speed is 250 km/h (155 mph).
2012 Astra VXR comes with unique chassis modifications, transforming it into a focused, high-performance coupe. It also comes with a specially developed mechanical limited slip differential, which grants maximum stability and grip at any conditions.
Other improvements include Brembo performance brakes and fully adaptive FlexRide system. In the Astra VXR, FlexRide features not only a Sport button, but a VXR button, offering drivers the choice of two, more focused stages of damper, throttle and steering control.
The aerodynamics include new front and rear bumpers, side skirts, an aerodynamic roof spoiler and two exhaust tail pipes in a trapeze shape.
The interior boasts bespoke performance seats with embossed logos in the backs, a flat-bottomed VXR steering wheel and upgraded instruments.
Vauxhall will introduce their most powerful Astra VXR at the Geneva Motor Show with front seats that are substantially lighter thanks to cutting-edge technology. The hot seats have a lower seating position and enhanced side support to cater for increased cornering loads.
The new Vauxhall Astra VXR is not only hot hatchback… It is extremely hot and brutal vehicle. 2012 Astra VXR will hit the market in the beginning of the next year as one of the most powerful cars in its class and the fastest production Astra in Vauxhall’s history.