Vauxhall Astra VXR Extreme Pushes 296HP to Front Wheels
Vauxhall will be heading to this year’s Geneva Motor Show with its most powerful front-wheel-drive model yet, the Astra VXR Extreme.
Based on last year’s Astra Cup race car, the Astra VXR Extreme features a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with 296 hp and is a street-legal race counterpart to the Astra VXR. The all-aluminum powerplant is the most powerful four-cylinder engine Vauxhall has ever created and it will be mated to a six-speed manual transmission equipped with a limited-slip differential.
SEE ALSO: 2014 Geneva Motor Show Preview
Compared to the standard Astra VXR, the Extreme model is 220 lbs lighter thanks to some carbon fiber components including a rear wing, a rear diffuser, a front spoiler, the hood, suspension braces, engine cover, wheels, rear wheelhouse ventilation and even the roof.
Braking performance has been amped up too with a set of Brembo six-piston calipers up front. Inside, Astra has stripped the interior, removing the rear seats and installing a roll bar in its place. A set of Recaro bucket seats cradle both the driver and passenger who are both held in by six-point harnesses.
GALLERY: Vauxhall Astra VXR Extreme
Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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