The promising first glimpse of Vauxhall's range-topping Astra was had at last year's Paris Motor Show in the form of the Opel Astra High Performance Concept. In Geneva this year, the wraps came off the production Opel version, the Astra OPC, which we are assured will come to the UK with Vauxhall VXR badging.

That means we will have the opportunity to sample the turbocharged 2.0-litre engine, which produces nearly 240bhp, eclipsing its immediate hot hatch rivals such as the VW Golf GTi, Ford Focus ST and Renault's Megane 225. Given the extra urge, it is surprising that the claimed performance figures are not any more impressive, with the 0-62mph time of "less than seven seconds" no better than the 200bhp Golf. Let's face it; these figures only matter when you're in the pub debating who owns the better car anyway. The style and driving experience count for a lot more.

In our eyes, Vauxhall wins the style contest by some margin thanks to the adoption of the coupe-like Sport Hatch design. Even before the VXR body kit is added, the three-door Astra is sexier than its rivals. In VXR trim it gains deep, sculpted bumpers, profiled side sills, a prominent rear spoiler and a purposeful trapezoidal centre exhaust. The Opel version has blue brake callipers and matching instrument needles too, which presumably will be red on the Vauxhall version.

Inside are Recaro sports seats, available in two-tone leather/fabric or full leather, which also lines the gear knob (linked to a six-speed manual gearbox). The dials are bespoke to the VXR, and that logo will also adorn stainless steel doorsill trims. The regular Astra Sport Hatch goes on sale in the UK on April 10th, with no actual date for the VXR release as yet, though it will be before the end of 2005. Watch out for our review on the main Road Tests page early in 2006.

Shane O' Donoghue - 15 Mar 2005