Vauxhall Astra VXR Nurburgring (2008) CAR review

The new Vauxhall Astra VXR Nurburgring Edition costs over £1500 more than the standard – and already excellent – VXR. The changes seem limited to some new wheels and tyres, another 15bhp and endless Nurburgring badging that reflects the obsession that carmakers – and some car magazines – have with the lengthy, lethal German racetrack. Is the Astra VXR Nurburgring Edition worth the extra when you can buy a ‘Ring sticker at the track shop for a fiver? We drove it to find out.

Hang on, I’m more concerned about those nasty graphics…

Ah, we neglected to mention the chequered flag that runs from nose to tail. The good news is we’re pretty confident you can peel it off, leaving you with a very cool plain white paintjob. Otherwise, Nurburgring branding abounds; it’s on the fake carbon kickplates as you get in, it’s stitched into the headrests of the excellent (and all-leather in this case) Recaros, it’s on the fascia and on the numbered plaque that reminds you that your car is one of a limited run of 835. Might have been useful if one of the circuit graphics had included pace notes and the location of medical help for novices.

But this is more than a sticker-job, right?

Indeed. There’s a new Remus exhaust tuned by Vauxhall’s touring-car team Triple Eight which releases another 15bhp, but as it’s essentially an aftermarket conversion Vauxhall can’t quote official new performance or torque figures. There’s a slightly wider track and new white wheels and Dunlop tyres, which cut unsprung weight by an impressive 3kg per corner, which ought to aid ride and handling.

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