With a deadline looming and security alerts causing chaos at UK airports, the Astra was hijacked by David Vivian and Kenny P for a run over to Germany, where the Brabus Rocket was waiting for them (096).
‘It’s a surprisingly fine tool for this sort of trip,’ reckoned David of the VXR. ‘The seats and driving position are good enough to tackle 370 miles straight with only a couple of brief stops for coffee. And it still felt remarkably frisky even after a day spent with the Rocket.’ Not bad considering the Vauxhall’s 480bhp disadvantage!
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Upon its return, the Astra was ready for a drop of the translucent brown stuff. As I couldn’t find an oil branded with (consonant please, Carol) ‘GM-LL-A-025’, I had to settle for a litre of a more generic 5W-30, which the handbook says is OK in ‘exceptional circumstances’ (Sunday afternoons when the nearest Vauxhall dealer is shut?). Wonder if the VXR can tell the difference…
Running Costs
| Date acquired | February 2006 |
| Total mileage | 18,090 |
| Costs this month | £7.49 (oil) |
| Mileage this month | 2902 |
| MPG this month | 31,8mpg |
