Friday 5th April 2013

Vauxhall Astravan: Spotted

'Not our usual fodder' doesn't seem to go far enough - but this one packs a surprise...

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Here is an Astravan. We’ve all seen them, trucking up and down the motorway, usually filthy and often with a couple of ladders on the roof. Worthy, perhaps; utilitarian, certainly; but hardly the sort of vehicle we’d normally concern ourselves with here on PH.

316hp powerplant will give others a shock

Except... well, this one’s rather different to the norm. On the outside, to all intents and purposes, it looks just like any other Astravan, complete with a selection of age-related dings, stains and fading paintwork. With perhaps the exception of the badgeless grille, there’d be little to tell it apart from the usual window cleaner’s special.

As you’ve probably already guessed from its presence here, though, that’s not the whole story. Lift the bonnet and the true nature of this particular Astra becomes clear. Under there, you’ll find an example of the esteemed Z20LET engine, the very same which powered the Mk4 Astra GSI Turbo, as well as turbocharged variants of the Zafira GSI and VX220. It’s running a smidge more than the standard 200hp, too – 316hp in fact, to be precise, as tested and verified on a rolling road.

Even the interior has stayed standard

It’s been built by Southampton-based BMW tuner Raw Motorsport to use as a work van – though if some of the shots in the advert placed on Facebook are anything to go by, it’s also seen a spot of track action at Brands Hatch. And while we’re sure it’s probably a bit of a handful to drive, we can’t help but love the insanity of sleeper-style custom builds like this. Even the interior’s been left completely untouched, with the exception of the Turbo’s gear lever and dials – and that level of dedication to the sleeper cause never fails to bring a smile to our collective face. 

 

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VAUXHALL ASTRAVAN
Engine: 1,998cc 4-cyl turbo
Transmission: Five-speed manual, front-wheel-drive
Power (hp): 316
Torque (lb ft): Plenty
MPG: Not many
CO2: Rather a lot
First registered: 2001
Recorded mileage: Some
Price new: Erm...
Yours for: £3,000

See the original ad... erm... on the Raw Motorsport Facebook page.

[Codswallop]

I really like that. Very keenly priced too given the engine work.

[anonymous-user]

Why do I remember stories from my (early 90's) schooldays about an Astra diesel van being faster than something juicy, I can't quite remember what it was but it was a ridiculous claim, albeit a popular one. Anyone remember?

[ellisd82]

Love the idea of street sleepers! There was a boring Passat for sale on here not long ago with 500hp I think. Good effort!

[MGZRod]

Modded Astra vans are quite popular for the teuchtar chavs that come into town, usually ropey as hell, huge ariels, daft lights but annoyingly, they are often rather quick!

[da_murphster]

FWD???

Does it not just sit on the spot burning tyres?

[DR10]

OpulentBob said:

Why do I remember stories from my (early 90's) schooldays about an Astra diesel van being faster than something juicy, I can't quite remember what it was but it was a ridiculous claim, albeit a popular one. Anyone remember?

Didn't Clarkson do a video with a mark 3 Astravan going 140 mph easily? It was a joke but that could be what you are referring too. Correct period too.

[va1o]

Seriously good sleeper! Was wondering what an old Astravan was doing on PH until I saw the engine details

[AyBee]

That is awesome Top marks. Not sure I'd want that much power with standard seats to hold me in though!

[Agent Orange]

Hehe! Great fun.

Love the orange E30 too.

But... word of warning for those browsing their site. Do not look at the "Gary Ames E30 325i/v8" photo gallery. Especially do not look at the "car wash" photos.

[Crafty_]

Turbo vans are nothing new, Regal had a bright mk2 yellow one with a cavalier turbo engine back in the mid-late 90s.
There was a mk4 going around that had a complete interior conversion too - dash/centre console, gsi bumper etc.
I've seen a few Mk5s wearing VXR kit too.

I know there are a few more floating around.

3k is cheap, you couldn't build it for that.

Edited by Crafty_ on Friday 5th April 17:57

[ewolg]

Love that! I had a supercharged Saxo badged as a Westcost that used to surprise a few people in flash cars.

[LukeBird]

Excellent!

[loudlashadjuster]

da_murphster said:

FWD???

Does it not just sit on the spot burning tyres?

If you're a ham-footed idiot, I suppose it might.

Big, big fan of sleepers. Love this.

[loudlashadjuster]

Agent Orange said:

But... word of warning for those browsing their site. Do not look at the "Gary Ames E30 325i/v8" photo gallery. Especially do not look at the "car wash" photos.

Jesus. Mein eyes!

[HorneyMX5]

Always had a soft spot for modded car based vans.









Focus RS powered connect? Yes please!



Nick

[vit4]

Absolutely love this sort of thing, pretty much the ultimate in sleepers and it's good to see that they haven't chavved it up either. Is the Royal Nail van still about?

[J4SON88]

You get a few zetec turbo's in the transit connect's as well.
There was also one done up as a royal mail van iirc? Was called the nail and had cossie engine and running gear. Used to make very expensive cars look very silly at Santa Pod.

[172]

Vaguely remember an astra van on top gear the driver finished a cigarette then beat a lotus round a track