Vauxhall Astra VXR Nurburgring Edition | Spotted
'Ring special was faster (and a lot louder) than the record-setting car. This one takes it to another level
There's a serious business advantage to Nurburgring record hunting. While it may not the be-all and end-all of a performance car's reputation, being able to claim that your car has lapped the Nordschleife that little bit faster than its rivals is gold dust to a manufacturer. And they’ll go to great lengths to do so, spending countless hours honing a configuration that won’t tramline the moment it hits the public road and transmit earthquake-size tremors through your spine. It’s not just about the time anymore; it’s about how you achieve it.
That’s how it is these days, anyway. But it wasn’t that long ago when lap times around the old north loop were something closer to a novelty. These were the Wild West days of Nurburgring lap records, where all a manufacturer had to do was rock up with something spicy, set a quick time and lay claim to being faster than the rest. That’s exactly what Vauxhall (well, Opel) did with the Astra VXR back in 2005, logging a lap of eight minutes and 35 seconds and setting a new record for a front-wheel-drive car in the process. So proud was it of the achievement that it set about building a limited-run Astra to mark the occasion.
In 2008, Vauxhall released the car you see here: the Astra VXR Nurburgring Edition. Now, if you’re a maths wiz you’ll have noted that’s three years after the hot hatch’s record run, by which point the Mk2 Ford Focus ST had knocked it off the top of the time sheets. It wasn’t as if the Nurburgring Edition was the same as the record-setter, either. That car was a regular Astra VXR, whereas the ‘Ring special featured a rorty Remus exhaust system, grippier tyres and new alloy wheels that saved some 3kg per corner.
This resulted in a marked improvement in the car’s handling (and an “astonishingly loud” exhaust note), which makes you wonder why Vauxhall never took this car back to the Nurburgring to get its record back. Probably because the Renaultsport Megane R26.R came along and spoiled the party - but that doesn’t take away from the fact an Astra (on its day) outclassed a Porsche 986 Boxster, Mercedes SL55 AMG and a Honda NSX around the Green Hell.
Maybe that could be your first port of call after taking ownership of this fine example right here. And you wouldn’t have much problem beating the original record, given that this one’s been lightly tuned with an engine remap and an induction kit, bumping the power up to over 300hp, as well as a set of Bilstein coilovers and the fitment of a Wavetrack limited-slip differential. The rest of the car has been left completely stock, meaning you still get the special edition’s embossed Recaro sport seats, the chequered flag body stripe and a smattering of Nurburgring stickers. Finally, there’s a build number in the centre console - this one being 342 of 835 produced.
Finding an unmodified Astra VXR is nigh on impossible these days, but it’s pleasing to see one that’s been tuned in all the right ways and, from a distance at least, without any dubious glue-on splitters and skirts. All yours for £12,995. Not cheap, admittedly, though if it’s originality and ultra-low miles you’re after, an extra £3,000 gets you this squeaky clean 8,000-mile car. That one will be closer to the record-setter, too, but we’ll take the special with the snazzy dampers, thanks.
SPECIFICATION | VAUXHALL ASTRA VXR NURBURGRING EDITION
Engine: 1,998 four-cylinder, turbocharged
Transmission: six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 255@5,600rpm (tuned to 300hp+)
Torque (lb ft): 236@2,400rpm-5,000rpm
MPG: 30.7
CO2: 221g/km
Year registered: 2008
Recorded mileage: 64,000
Price new: £20,995
Yours for: £12,995
Like these though, owners who have them now seem to look after them when I see them out and about
Like these though, owners who have them now seem to look after them when I see them out and about
A bit disturbing that it’s been 14 years though.
king nut job. Like these though, owners who have them now seem to look after them when I see them out and about
A bit disturbing that it’s been 14 years though.
I seem to remember he detailed his Dyson.
But while I look on it with great fondness and it was a genuine 150+ car, it wouldn't occur to me to want another - it was very of its time and while capable didn't get under my skin.
We then had some minis and the R56 JCW did did win me over to such an extent that years later I got an R59, they just had more soul.
I've only had one which was I think an 09 car, racing edition vxr, but previous owners had spent thousands on all the right upgrades and I took it to castle combe for a track day and was blown away how good an astra could be. My astra had close to 400 bhp with loads upgrades most of this work had been done by the VXR experts in Kent -
https://www.wgmotorworks.co.uk/
We were there with an Exige 270 sport and a Focus RS mk3 with around 380bhp/400 lb ft and we were shocked that this Astra was quicker than both Lotus and RS and it coped with a full day never suffered brake fade or high engine temps, with superb neutral handling even throwing it really hard into Quarry was hard to get it out of shape, no understeer just a lovely handling car. It was amazing value sold it for £6,500, I've never driven anything that quick for such low ££££, and it was perfectly set up for a road car, compliant suspension, loads of grip, no turbo lag, only problem was 10-20 mpg but it was an absolute riot to drive on the road.
it has an lsd, different anti roll bars, suspension, big brakes, on 19 inch michelin pilot sports plus all the engine work giving close to 400.
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