Skip advert
Advertisement

Vauxhall Astra VXR - Fast Fleet

Ian Eveleigh is gutted that the Vauxhall Astra VXR's going back soon, just when the weather's starting to turn...

Vauxhall Astra VXR

Ah, spring… Sunshine, a touch of warmth in the air – and drier roads. Just what the Astra needed. Although it’s by no means slow in the wet, the VXR’s inability to convey clearly through its steering exactly how well the front tyres are biting meant much of the winter was spent tip-toeing around corners.

Advertisement - Article continues below

It’s a different story in the dry, though, and with the more friendly near-the-limit behaviour from the Michelin Pilot Exalto tyres that we fitted a few months back (evo 101) I’ve been enjoying digging into the VXR’s talents more than ever.

Shame, then, that KE55’s days with us are numbered. Best I use the lighter evenings to make the most of it while it’s still here.

Running Costs

Date acquiredFebruary 2006
Total mileage34,951
Costs this month£0
Mileage this month1,971
MPG this month28.8mpg
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Farewell Honda Civic Type R – car pictures of the week
Honda Civic Type R Ultimate Edition
Features

Farewell Honda Civic Type R – car pictures of the week

It's one of the very best hot hatches ever made but nit production has ended we say an emotional goodbye to Honda's Civic Type R with an epic drive
4 Apr 2026
The classic Porsche 911 is overhyped, according to the man dedicated to perfecting it
Jan Kalmar
Features

The classic Porsche 911 is overhyped, according to the man dedicated to perfecting it

Kalmar Automotive's mission is to create the perfect Porsches for 'nerds' and push the limits, making 911s into everything from rally cars to hypercar…
6 Apr 2026
Porsche 911 GT3 RS (997.2) review – the best car we’ve ever driven? Possibly
Porsche 911 GT3 RS (997)
Reviews

Porsche 911 GT3 RS (997.2) review – the best car we’ve ever driven? Possibly

In 2014 we set out to find the best car we had driven during the first 200 issues of the magazine, and Porsche’s 911 GT3 RS was it.
31 Mar 2026