New Astra VXR to show off at Rockingham
Motoring enthusiasts have heard Vauxhall describe its all-new Astra VXR as "the most powerful Astra ever" for some time now.
These are bold claims but the Luton-based carmaker has announced that it is prepared to put its money where its mouth is by holding a special event to demonstrate the model's potential.
The Rockingham motor racing circuit in Northamptonshire is set to be used as the setting for the launch after the firm claimed there was little point in showing off the legroom or the in-car entertainment as the reason people will buy the car in under the bonnet!
As such, motoring journalists are being invited to participate in the Motor Sport Association-accredited Astra VXR Media Sprint Challenge in order to put the car through its paces ahead of its UK launch.
Simon Hucknall, Vauxhall's PR manager, explained said that Rockingham will provide the perfect setting for what is shaping up to be an important date in the 2012 motoring calendar.
"We wanted to create a unique launch, but finding a venue with the right motorsport and delegate facilities isn’t easy," he said.
"As a fully fledged race track and conference centre, Rockingham is capable of hosting an MSA endorsed sprint and entertaining our guests."
And in order to ensure that the car receives a fair trial, Vauxhall has lined up a comprehensive days of testing.
Media representatives taking part in the event will be asked to take part in a three hour, 110-mile route on the roads surrounding Rockingham, before a safety briefing and the sprint event finale.
"Each driver will then be allowed a sighting lap, followed by a half-hour slot for two timed runs," the firm added.
The Astra VXY, which comes with a £26,995 price tag, certainly looks good on paper, with the model boasting a 280PS two-litre turbo-charged engine, a 0-60mph time of 5.9 seconds and a max speed of 155mph.
Posted by Craig Salter
