Overall rating:

It's the most powerful, the best equipped and certainly the most striking hot hatch currently available - but is the new Vauxhall Astra VXR the best? Well the margin is incredibly close, much more so than with previous generations, but in truth the answer has to be no. That's not down to any lack of ability in the Vauxhall of course; simply that it has arrived in the market place at the same time as some incredibly impressive challengers.

Key Facts

Model tested: Vauxhall Astra VXR
Pricing: £26,995
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol
Transmission: six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Body style: three-door hatchback
Rivals: Ford Focus ST, Mégane Renaultsport 265, Volkswagen Golf GTI
CO₂ emissions: 189g/km
Combined economy: 34.9mpg
Top speed: 155mph
0-62mph: 6.0 seconds
Power: 280hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 2,500- to 4,500rpm

In the Metal:

Based on the Astra GTC (though you'll find no mention of that model anywhere on, or near the Astra VXR itself) the VXR was bound to be a pretty car. But pretty doesn't sell hot hatches; muscular aggression, taut surfacing and bling do - and the Astra VXR has it all in abundance. The sheet metal has seemingly been stretched over the car's framework (the sculpted front wings made possible by the clever suspension design) and 19-inch wheels, striking body kit, dual exit exhausts and LED rear lights all feature as standard. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but one thing's not in doubt - the Astra VXR is the most striking car in the sector.

The cabin is pretty striking as well, partly for the right and partly for the wrong reasons. Of the former the seats look to be a highlight (designed for the first time by Vauxhall itself rather than in collaboration with Recaro), as does the layout of the dashboard and centre console. But while the seats prove excellent in use (the electronic adjustment of the side bolsters a neat addition for this class), the rest of the interior doesn't play out so well. The dashboard is blighted by confusingly laid out controls, a cheap looking display between over-designed instrument dials and a top layer of plastic that is bettered by cars costing less than half the price. We also found the gear knob to be a little oversized, and in our driving position felt it could have been sited slightly further forward - but maybe we need shorter arms or longer legs.

Driving it:

The previous Astra VXR was something of an unruly hooligan, lacking the refinement of the Golf GTI and finesse of the RenaultSport Mégane. This example changes that. Not only does it possess a number of class bests (280hp and 400Nm for a start), but it also includes a host of standard kit to hone the experience behind the wheel even further.

First item of note is the Drexler limited slip differential - a mechanical system, not unlike the optional extra found on some rivals. Developed for use in motorsport, it certainly proves effective and where other differentials allow a degree of slip before locking, the Vauxhall's unit simply locks, bites and pulls you hard towards the apex. Like all front-wheel drive cars thus equipped it takes some re-adjustment and trust, but there's no doubt this is the best front-wheel drive installation of a mechanical limited slip differential that we've ever experienced on the road.

To complement the trick differential the VXR also features FlexRide adaptive damping and chassis control and the firm's HiPer strut front suspension - the latter helping to reduce torque steer thanks to a clever knuckle construction. And on the whole, despite the massive wallop of torque (400Nm at only 2,500rpm), it actually does quite a good job. The car we drove was on optional 20-inch rims, and we'd wager with the standard 19s the VXR would prove even more tractable - despite the poor state of our road network.

We'd leave the FlexRide adaptive chassis in normal mode though, unless on a smooth circuit, as any increase in the damping rate from Sport and VXR modes made an already firm car rather uncomfortable. Even in the torrentially wet conditions the Astra displayed plenty of front end grip - if not quite the sharpness of turn in found in its RenaultSport rival - and an ESP system that in default mode still allows a good degree of slip before any real intervention - intrusive it is not. The FlexRide's VXR mode also makes the throttle incredibly sharp, the result being that those trying to maintain a steady and balanced speed will find it difficult not to accelerate early.

And with 0-62mph dispensed with in only 6.0 seconds, a sharper throttle response will be the last thing on any driver's mind. The engine is a master in mid-range urge, the torque making overtaking slower traffic and squirting between apexes a thing of instinct rather than concentrated thought. It even sounds good, thanks to a Remus developed exhaust (only available on the VXR and said not to be filtering down towards other GTC models) whose growl develops into a hi-speed rush of air as the revs increase.

If there was one criticism it's that this engine does feel turbocharged as you push it higher. Where the RenaultSport Mégane pulls hard to its redline, even requiring an audible alert to stop you nudging the limiter, the VXR's intensity tails off towards the top of its range, the turbo (which blows at 1.5 bar pressure) seemingly running out of flow. We'd also prefer a little more feedback from the steering, and less elasticity around the dead-ahead, while the gear-change (especially into second, fourth and sixth) could be a little shorter of throw. Still, these issues are minor, and without comparing rivals back-to-back will likely never be noticed, or lamented, by owners of this otherwise impressive overall package.

What you get for your Money:

If there's one thing the VXR does really well it's value for money; although rivals are available for less than the Astra's £26,995 starting price, none come so well equipped from the off. In addition to the 19-inch alloys, Brembo brakes, limited slip differential and adaptive damping the VXR also benefits from six airbags, daytime running lights, DAB radio, iPod connection and air conditioning. You can also add a reasonably priced Aero pack, which adds 20-inch forged alloy wheels, extended side sills, a body-coloured grille bar and double-decker roof spoiler.

Economy is said to be pretty good as well, the claimed average expected to be just under 35mpg (though we saw much closer to 20mpg on our yet to be run-in example) and the CO₂ emissions of 189g/km mean annual road tax is a reasonable £250.

Worth Noting

Around 85 per cent of all VXRs sold in the UK (the performance arm's biggest market) are expected to be specified with the Aero Pack, a £995 option. However, despite the cosmetic additions the pack actually serves a performance purpose; not only does the rear wing improve downforce but the 20-inch forged alloy wheels are actually the lightest available on the car. Combined with the Brembo floating brake discs the set up makes for a front axle some 14.5kg lighter than before - the rims themselves weighing a meagre 1.86kg.

Summary

For a long time Vauxhall has been something of an underdog in the hotly contested hot-hatch stakes, its long line of Astras well regarded by many a die-hard follower, but never quite delivering the success promised. However this latest example, while still not perfect, has the power, the looks and the ability to finally achieve its goal.