Vauxhall has revealed its most powerful front-wheel drive car ever. The new Astra VXR Extreme will go on show at the Geneva Motor Show next week and will, in Vauxhall's words produce "over 300PS" (296bhp).
Based on the Astra Cup racing car which competed in last year's Nurburgring Endurance Championship, the Extreme is lighter and more powerful thank the current Astra VXR.
Vauxhall has trimmed a full 100kg off the car's weight through the judicious use of carbon-fibre, with the rear wing, diffuser, front spoiler, suspension cross-bracing, engine cover, wheels and roof all made from the material. The carbon roof alone slashes 6.7kg from the car's weight.
The wings, meanwhile, are made of aluminium and weigh just 800g, compared to the 2.2kg a steel wing weighs.
Featuring direct injection and variable camshaft phasing, the Extreme's engine is also the most powerful four-pot engine the company has ever made, sending the power to the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox and a limited slip differential.
Vauxhall has also given the car huge Brembo six-piston brakes, 19-inch wheels and adjustable dampers. Inside, the back seats have been removed and the fronts replaced with Recaro bucket seats with six-point safety harnesses. A carbon-fibre reinforced suede-covered steering wheel is also included.
No pricing info has yet been released but expect a significant hike over the standard Astra VXR's £27,260 price tag.
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