Vauxhall reveals secrets behind lightweight Astra VXR
Vauxhall has revealed more secrets behind the performance of the Vauxhall Astra VXR - stripping weight wherever possible.
The 2.0-litre turbocharged 280bhp hot hatch is capable of a top speed of 155mph and a 0-62mph time of less than six seconds.
This is helped, says Vauxhall, by a new lightweight sports seat designed to shed weight and boost performance.
The new seats are nearly half as light as conventional sports seats due to the inclusion of new, lightweight materials.
They also sit in a lower position than the sporty three-door Vauxhall Astra GTC coupe to cope with faster cornering in the VXR by bringing the driver and passenger closer to the centre of gravity in the car.
Vauxhall says the seats will help boost performance in a car which is expected to be one of the most exciting new car launches in 2012.
The Vauxhall Astra VXR, whose price has not been announced, will go on sale in the UK in 2012. It will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
The car is loosely based on the Vauxhall Astra but adds the extra performance, a new chassis, more powerful brakes and sports styling including the new seats, exhaust, spoilers and aerodynamic designs.
The car has been tested in Germany at the world-famous Nurburgring, nicknamed 'Green Hell' because of its difficulty and tight, twisting corners.
The Vauxhall Astra VXR will be the performance version of the Astra, which is currently on sale in the UK in hatchback, Sports Tourer and coupe variation.