Vauxhall Astravan: Spotted

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

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.

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