132mph in an Astra van. Really?

[mekondelta]

In this Daily Mail article, it says this guy was clocked at 132mph in an Astra van.

Daily Mail article

Modified surely. Can a standard one do that even on a downhill slope?

[J4CKO]

They have long been the fastest production vehicles in the world, everyone knows that, he hadn't even changed from third, they normally dont get caught as the speed cameras cant register speeds that high.

Here is a video of the prototype Astramax being tested in 83

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyDuVCxA5qY

[donkmeister]

The 1.9 CDTi came in 120 and 150bhp variants, the 150bhp variant in an Astra is good for 130mph. So entirely possible it was standard if he had it planted for several miles.

I am aware of several Vectras with this engine running more than 200bhp, so if it was tuned beyond a simple remap then 132mph wouldn't be too hard.

ETA funny how the article/judge seems to be concerned that a midi car-based van (that is just an estate without a rear bench or windows) is capable of this speed.

Edited by donkmeister on Saturday 7th May 10:27

[TheLuke]

"Wonder what thats hiding". Said no one ever.

Astravan's with Z20's are staples of the british council estate.

A friend of mine has one its good fun.

[IntriguedUser]

I'm sure you can get the Astra van with the 1.8 Z18XE engine, which will do 130mph.

[s p a c e m a n]

An Astra van was one of the fastest things that I drove for the first couple years of having my license. Having only driven 1 litre hatchbacks for first cars a 1.8 petrol empty astravan is like a rocketship, it was quicker than the car versions due to the lack of interior, the only thing that beat it was an Astra with the rear seats folded down

[MrBarry123]

It doesn't surprise me - I often see Astra vans travelling much, much faster than anyone else on the road.

[Yodafone]

The 1.7cdti version had 120 showing on speedo that someone i use work with had it up to and that has only 100bhp so I think they more power then what is stated.

[Dogwatch]

J4CKO said:

They have long been the fastest production vehicles in the world, everyone knows that, he hadn't even changed from third, they normally dont get caught as the speed cameras cant register speeds that high.

[Pickled]

MrBarry123 said:

It doesn't surprise me - I often see Astra vans travelling much, much faster than anyone else on the road.

Normally towing a Mercedes Sprinter as well

[Cliftonite]

Was it not proven beyond doubt in a video on an early edition of Jeremy Clarkson's Top Gear that an Astramax van (it must be a white one, though!) is faster off the line than a Ferrari and stays in front until the Ferrari runs out of puff?

[s m]

mekondelta said:

In this Daily Mail article, it says this guy was clocked at 132mph in an Astra van.

Daily Mail article

Modified surely. Can a standard one do that even on a downhill slope?

Not really surprising at all depending on the engine, especially on a slight downhill rather than the Millbrook bowl where most cars top speeds are measured

Plus like most Vauxhalls they are usually fairly long geared

[Saleen836]

Cliftonite said:

Was it not proven beyond doubt in a video on an early edition of Jeremy Clarkson's Top Gear that an Astramax van (it must be a white one, though!) is faster off the line than a Ferrari and stays in front until the Ferrari runs out of puff?

Top Gear proof...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylj0eQrU_Js

[fangio]

I was always under the impression that van versions had lower ratio diffs. This equality must be a modern twist.

[cat with a hat]

I've hit an indicated on 140+ in a 10-15 year old car that had about 60bhp when it left the factory with a great run up and a lovely hill. (I could tell it wanted to implode.)

A van with a 120bhp engine would have no problems hitting 130 in the right settings.

Has nobody here driven an underpowered car?

[TheJimi]

"Shocked"

"Stunned"

"...in a VAN"

Jesus Christ, I fking loathe the mail and it's ilk.

[powerstroke]

cat with a hat said:

I've hit an indicated on 140+ in a 10-15 year old car that had about 60bhp when it left the factory with a great run up and a lovely hill. (I could tell it wanted to implode.)

A van with a 120bhp engine would have no problems hitting 130 in the right settings.

Has nobody here driven an underpowered car?

No they are all powerfully built directors with sportline Audis!!
yes me back in the day doing 40K per year in a heavyly laden1.6 escort diesel van
on an empty motorway it was flat to the floor and the speed varied from 40 to about 95 mph depending on hills 5 gear was a hill detector !!!!!

[essIII]

Donatello tipping said:

My estate will do 155 plus
0-60 5.4secs
Vauxhall Astra estate 300bhp 2.0L turbo
https://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/vau...

Not quite a remapped 335D though is it.

[boyse7en]

cat with a hat said:

I've hit an indicated on 140+ in a 10-15 year old car that had about 60bhp when it left the factory with a great run up and a lovely hill. (I could tell it wanted to implode.)

A van with a 120bhp engine would have no problems hitting 130 in the right settings.

Has nobody here driven an underpowered car?

How?

A low-powered car will have lower gearing to make up for its lack of power, so I'd imagine it would run out of revs well before getting anywhere near 140mph, even downhill.

[DKS]

I bet he's keeping his mouth shut about a 2.0 petrol turbo under the bonnet. I think the Coupe turbo is capable of 142 or something.
It's not a TDi, anyway, being pedantic....