Spied: 2012 Opel/Vauxhall Astra OPC/VXR

Vauxhall’s next Astra VXR has been spotted chilling out in Northern Scandinavia. The hot hatch is undergoing severe weather testing to ensure it’s ready to take on the Renaultsport Megane 250 and forthcoming four-cylinder Ford Focus ST.

Set to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the VXR is based on the three-door Astra which was shown in concept form at the Paris show in 2010.

When it arrives in UK dealers in early 2012, the hottest Astra is expected to feature a direct injection turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine which develops around 300bhp, continuing Vauxhall’s tradition of making its VXR models the most powerful in their market segment.

The engine is connected to a six-speed manual gearbox and drives the front wheels through an electronic limited slip differential similar to the XDS system used on the Golf GTI.

To tame the immense power, the Astra will have a version of the HyPerStrut front suspension layout from the Insignia VXR and will feature the FlexRide adaptive damping system which alters the throttle, steering and suspension responses to suit drivers’ tastes.For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express