2008 Vauxhall Astra VXR Nurburgring

Highlights

• One of 835 Astra VXR Nürburgring Editions built to celebrate Vauxhall claiming the front wheel drive record in an Astra VXR
• Low mileage of just 45k miles
• Engine tuned to 300hp
• Loud Piper exhaust with sports cat
• Very good condition

Overview

Take your favourite baseball cap, rotate it 180 degrees from its usual peak-forwards position on your head, and pull it firmly down. There, now you’re ready to enjoy the Astra VXR Nürburgring Edition. But seriously: while the Astra VXR does have something of an ASBO reputation (and for some, that’s part of the appeal - after all, we don’t all want understated all of the time), behind the bad boy image is a very capable car. Back in 2007, The front wheel drive Nürburgring lap record may have been a little less ‘regulated’ than it is these days, but the achievement of 8 minutes and 35 seconds is not to be sniffed at. Having claimed the record with a standard VXR, Vauxhall set about producing a special edition to celebrate and, although they didn’t put it to the test, the development put into the Astra VXR Nürburgring Edition would surely have made it even quicker around the ‘ring, with a free-flowing and notably loud exhaust developed in conjunction with their BTCC race team, Triple-Eight Race Engineering, that would have released some additional horses. All of them wearing backwards baseball hats. Other upgrades over the standard VXR included lightweight wheels to reduce unsprung weight and a wider front track. Many of the cars have since been modified and, not unusually, this particular example takes things a little further. Reportedly having received the attentions of RnD Motorsport, and proudly sporting an exhaust that is likely even louder than the famously rorty Remus exhaust that came as standard, it’s said to be good for around 300hp and, with a sports cat and no rear silencer, it’s a spitting, flaming monster, apparently. With five years spent off the road in storage and limited usage, it must be a lower than average mileage example with just 45k miles on the clock, too. The car has been recently serviced and will come with a full year’s MOT, last year’s having thrown up no advisories. It’s presented in very good condition and although you might want to get some premium tyres on it to make the most of the considerable performance on offer, otherwise it looks good to go. All you need to do is to check the orientation of your headgear.

History and documentation

• Registered 4 Sep 2008
• Stamped service book reportedly shows three main dealer services, those visible in the photos as follows: Jul 2012 @ 19,941 miles, Feb 2013 @ 27,851 miles
• The car was put into storage @37k miles in 2016 and was put back on the road in 2021
• There is one further stamp in the book for Feb 2024 @44,919 miles at an independent garage
• There is a collection of old MOT certificates and receipts for various parts
• New battery May 2023
• March 2024 saw a gearbox leak addressed and a new cam cover gasket fitted
• Full document pack
• Two keys, one with Nürburgring Edition keyring
• Current MOT with no advisories expires 25 Jul 2024 but the MOT will be renewed prior to handover
• V5 present in owner’s name
• HPI clear
• London ULEZ compliant

Interior

• Open the door and you’ll immediately notice the “nürburgring edition” (sic, or possibly “sick”, in this context) sill plates, with further confirmation of the car’s limited status to be found on the build plate on the centre console which confirms this to be number 494 of 835
• The standard Astra interior is also augmented with Recaro leather seats that bear the familiar map of the ‘ring on the seat backs, a gloss black centre console and carbon fibre effect trim
• A previous owner has also added a digital boost/water gauge but the rest of the interior is as standard for the Nürburgring Edition with a VXR steering wheel and the original radio/ CD/ sat nav
• In general, it’s all in very good condition with the only significant blemish being a barely noticeable 10mm tear in the leather in the base of the driver’s seat
• The seller tells us that all of the buttons, dials and switches work as they should
• At the rear, the boot is clean and tidy and equipped with the original, unmodified, parcel shelf
• In the spare wheel well under the boot floor there is no wheel but a tyre inflation kit is provided
• Overall, the interior has worn well and presents nicely

Exterior

• Finished in white, with chequered flag graphics and white wheels, there’s an air of the Eighties about the appearance but the stance marks this out as something a little more serious than a throwback to the decade of excess
• Carbon fibre effect covers are fitted to the mirrors and B pillars and there is a wind deflector on the driver’s door
• Small Nürburgring badges are there for the keen spotters
• The paint looks to be in very good order with just a couple of minor points to note: a scratch on leading edge of bonnet that has been touched in and some flaking of the paint under the aftermarket smoked indicator side repeater on the nearside
• The original lightweight wheels look to be in generally good order with only a few minor marks
• Tyres are Avon on front offside, Turanza offside rear and Arrowspeed AS-S01s on the nearside wheels and the seller tells us that they all have good tread; however, given that Dunlop developed a specific tyre for the Nürburgring Edition, it may be worth budgeting for a tyre upgrade to get the best out of the performance of this car
• The light lenses are clear and free from damage all round
• In all, it’s a generally well presented example and carries enough visual clues to mark it out as something a bit special, just in case the engine isn’t running

Mechanical

• 1998cc turbocharged four-cylinder engine which the seller tells us has received a tune from marque specialist RnD Motorsport which should make it good for around 300hp
• The standard 234hp car was good for 0-60 in 6.2 seconds, and this should be considerably quicker
• Six speed manual gearbox
• Front wheel drive
• The vendor reports that it starts on the button, pulls very well and brakes strongly
• What’s that noise? Well, we’re told that there’s a three-inch turbo back Piper exhaust with sports cat and minus the rear silencer, with VXR-style exhaust tip
• The exhaust is not for shy and retiring types as apparently it’s “pretty loud” and spits, pops and bangs; still, at least it’s in character

Summary

Vauxhall tweaked the VXR to produce the Nürburgring Edition and, in doing so, created a memorable special edition. This car takes the already powerful and capable formula and turns it up a couple of notches still further to produce a noisy, fire-breathing monster. Naturally this can be tamed with a new exhaust system, if it’s a bit much for you. For those that want something that’s both a bit lairy and also very capable, then look no further. To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located in Dereham, Norfolk.