ZondaF
Mar 10, 2006, 9:42 AM
http://www.autocar.co.uk/Car/Vauxhall/Astra/7366232140.jpghttp://www.autocar.co.uk//Car/Vauxhall/Astra/7366229580.jpg
Based on a Vauxhall Astra 3 Door 1.9 CDTI but it has been tuned somehow to produce 197bhp. It has the bodykit from the Vauxhall Astra VXR and uprated suspension and brakes etc. as well as BTCC allloys (British Touring Car Championship)
Thurlby (the dealers) has fitted a two-stage engine management system to the 1.9-litre turbodiesel, upping its power output from 149bhp to 160 in normal mode, and to 195bhp when you hit the car’s Sport button. In that mode, the engine also produces 300lb ft of torque.
You’d expect that much muscle to obliterate any hope of holding the road with the car’s front wheels, but in practice it’s not so. Sure, there’s plenty of torquesteer just as there is with the petrol VXR, and you need to be judicious with the throttle to hold a tidy line through tighter corners, even in the dry. That said, this is still a very fast hatchback, reaching 60mph in just 6.8 seconds and capable of a claimed maximum of 145mph.
Should I buy one?
Vauxhall will be offering the 888 modifications as part of a performance upgrade available on its Astra Sport hatches, but you’ll pay more than £3500 to fit all of them to a £17,875 Astra 1.9 CDTi 150 SRi. Thurlby is asking just £120 extra. Expect these cars to sell very quickly indeed.
Based on a Vauxhall Astra 3 Door 1.9 CDTI but it has been tuned somehow to produce 197bhp. It has the bodykit from the Vauxhall Astra VXR and uprated suspension and brakes etc. as well as BTCC allloys (British Touring Car Championship)
Thurlby (the dealers) has fitted a two-stage engine management system to the 1.9-litre turbodiesel, upping its power output from 149bhp to 160 in normal mode, and to 195bhp when you hit the car’s Sport button. In that mode, the engine also produces 300lb ft of torque.
You’d expect that much muscle to obliterate any hope of holding the road with the car’s front wheels, but in practice it’s not so. Sure, there’s plenty of torquesteer just as there is with the petrol VXR, and you need to be judicious with the throttle to hold a tidy line through tighter corners, even in the dry. That said, this is still a very fast hatchback, reaching 60mph in just 6.8 seconds and capable of a claimed maximum of 145mph.
Should I buy one?
Vauxhall will be offering the 888 modifications as part of a performance upgrade available on its Astra Sport hatches, but you’ll pay more than £3500 to fit all of them to a £17,875 Astra 1.9 CDTi 150 SRi. Thurlby is asking just £120 extra. Expect these cars to sell very quickly indeed.