| A Week at the Wheel | Herts, England | Vauxhall Astra VXR Nurburgring Edition |

Inside & Out:

Mechanical changes marking out Vauxhall's Nurburgring Edition VXR are actually relatively modest over the standard VXR Astra. The most obvious differentiator is the rather look-at-me white bodywork, wheels and chequered flag decal running over the bonnet and roof. Throw in some 'carbon fibre' trim parts and the VXR Nurburgring Edition certainly isn't for shy retiring types.

Inside it's much the same, with Nurburgring logoed Recaro leather seats and a plaque highlighting which of the 835 examples Vauxhall will build you've bought. That 835 is significant as put a '.' between the 8 and the 35 and you've got the Astra VXR's lap time around the Nordschleife. That time was set back in 2005 though, it since being bettered by cars such as Ford's Focus ST and Mazda's 3 MPS.

The interior is beginning to feel a bit old in the Astra: the stereo is a nightmare to operate and the etch-a-sketch-alike graphics on the optional satnav screen are way behind the smooth scrolling, hi-resolution graphics you'll get in most rivals and aftermarket systems. The Recaro seats are fantastically supportive, but are mounted so high it feels like you're driving the Astra's Zafira MPV relative. We'd bin the preposterous gear knob, too.

Engine & Transmission:

If you look at the specification of the Nurburgring Astra you could be forgiven for thinking that Vauxhall has done nothing to improve the performance. It quotes the same power and performance figures as the standard car: 237bhp, 152mph and 0-60mph in 6.2 seconds. However, UK cars receive a freer-breathing Remus Sports exhaust, which not only ensures that you'll never go anywhere unheard but also increases output by around 15bhp. It sounds faster - much faster - that exhaust popping and crackling like one on a rally car with an anti-lag system. It is an amusing accompaniment to the VXR's feisty performance at first, though does grow tiresome on longer journeys or when you'd rather not be the centre of attention.

The engine delivers its power in a nice linear surge from low revs. It's fast everywhere; too fast sometimes, it easy to find yourself into license losing territory after a short blast up through the gears. As with the standard car the shift quality on the six speeder is good, but it would be improved further if the gearstick wasn't topped with a gear knob that's as ergonomic as half a brick and just as clumsy.

Ride & Handling:

Track honed suspension should result in compromises on the road, but the Nurburgring Edition's set up is arguably better than the standard VXR's. Lowered all round and riding on different damper settings, key to the Nurburgring's improved dynamics is the slightly wider track and significantly lighter alloy wheels. The reduction in unsprung weight and suspension adjustments result in less tug from the steering under acceleration, better roll control and improved body and wheel control when the roads get lumpy and bumpy. It's stiff, though not uncomfortably so, the Nurburgring Edition working surprisingly well on our less than perfect roads.

The steering is quick but lifeless, leaving you guessing the grip levels. Even with the improved suspension settings there's still a bit of torque steer, that not entirely unwelcome as it's about the only feedback you get back though the chunky wheel's rim. If you find the limits of the 321mm front an 278mm rear brakes on the road you deserve to be locked up, though the height of the brake pedal alongside the accelerator does make heel-and-toe downshifting tricky - a shame as when done perfectly that exhaust rewards like few others.

Equipment, Economy & Value for Money:

The sum of the Nurburgring Edition's additional parts outweighs the cost you would encounter if you were to ask VXR to source them separately. Looked at that way it's pretty good value for money at around £1,500 more than a standard VXR. However, we're not huge fans of the too high seats, the look-at-me styling and Nurburgring regalia, and that exhaust - fun as it is - is a bit much for everyday driving. The suspension changes are the most successful part of the car, the Nurburgring Edition adding to the VXR's ability without compromising comfort. Economy? The official numbers state 30.7mpg on the combined cycle and 221g/km of CO₂ but if you get anywhere near that economy figure let us know, as we were miles off it...

Overall:

Vauxhall's VXR Astra isn't exactly short on thrills, but aspects of the Nurburgring Edition highlight that it can be improved even further. We'd lose the overt looks, those too high seats and the ridiculous gear knob, but keep the suspension changes and that fruity exhaust - even with the compromises it brings on longer journeys. Enjoyable, but like that lap time it's bettered by some of its rivals; Ford's Focus ST giving more feel, the Golf GTI more class and the Mégane Renaultsport more thrills.