2007 HSV VXR Turbo Road Test
13 Aug, 2007
71 Comments 
“I honestly wasn’t expecting the kind of explosive performance that the VXR Turbo delivers, it’s a dead set point to point weapon”
Test Model: 2007 HSV VXR Turbo with six-speed manual transmission driving through the front wheels.
CarAdvice rating: 
Options Fitted
None. It’s pretty well appointed but the highlights are the huge 19-inch wheels and superb leather trimmed Recaro seats.
Recommended Retail Price: $42,990
There’s only one model in the VXR range and numbers are limited as they are fully imported from Vauxhall in the UK. An auto version would open this car up to many more punters in Australia and I’m told they do, or have done, an automatic version in the UK. So I’ll check on that and report back.
Where it sits
The VXR is the entry-level HSV car and it does the badge proud. There is a significant jump in price (around $20K) to get into an R8 ClubSport, which is the next price-point in the HSV line-up.
There are plenty of pretend sports models out there with try-hard sports badging and non-aerodynamic body kits that do more to retard a car’s performance than enhance it.
Worse still, is when carmakers use the term ‘race bred’ to promote cars which are more likely to be lapped by a Porsche FS Evolution bicycle.
The VXR Turbo is race bred all right. Try the hard core; take no prisoners racing that is the BTCC (British Touring Car Championship) where this car has run as part of Vauxhall’s (the GM brand in the UK) VX Racing team since 2005 when the VXR was launched.
And that’s not the only good news. That Gospel of handling, Lotus, was called in to tune both the suspension and steering with what was an already accomplished set up on the road going VXR.
This is a seriously quick hatch that can cook a Golf GTI and smoke Honda’s S2000 and Civic Type R, straight out of the box.
Starting this angry child for the first time is nothing spectacular. In fact, Suzuki’s mildly warm, Swift Sport, has a similar idle note from what I remember of that car.
But don’t be fooled. Under the bonnet of the VXR lies a red-hot 2.0i 16v ECOTEC-4 turbo punching out 177kW at 5600rpm and 320Nm of the all-important torque, from a low 2400rpm.
If you don’t quite get the value of these numbers. I’ll make it easy for you.
Volkswagen’s 2.0L Turbo Golf GTI puts out 147kW and 280Nm, which is good for a 0-100km/h sprint in 7.5 seconds in six-speed manual guise.
The VXR with run between 6.2 – 6.4 seconds, as maximum turbo boost nudges 1.2 bar or 17.5 plus psi.
It will even outgun Volkswagen’s normally aspirated V6 rocket, the R32 and that’s no mean feat.
By now, you’ll be thinking that’s a lot of mumbo for the front wheels to handle all by themselves and you’d be quite right.
When you blast off in the VXR, it’s not all-smooth sailing. There’s torque steer for sure, but it’s not a pig like the Mazda3 MPS. You just need to use a little finesse with the throttle and things will work out fine. Just take it easy in the wet!
Acceleration from second to third is ferocious and feels almost bike like (that’s like a Yammy R1) such is the surge in velocity. Third to fourth, even better, thanks to the wide torque curve. It even pulls hard in sixth. You seriously need to watch the Speedo when behind the wheel of this thing, that needle can get away from you!
You can hear the forced induction (Darth Vader style) every time you hit the clutch as you swap gear ratios with the speed and ease that this box allows.
England’s “A” roads (motorways) are generally very good as are parts of our major freeways here in Australia. I did say “parts of” whereas in the UK, you can pretty much stay on fast moving tarmac from London to Scotland.
But they also have their B roads, which are as rough as most of our suburban goat tracks and the Poms do like to whinge about their B roads, as much as we whinge about ours.
What I’m leading to here is that the suspension set-up on the VXR has been designed to run on these B roads with a reasonable degree of comfort in mind.
And they haven’t done a bad job, given the racecar like chassis and those extra large 19-inch alloys. Speed bumps and general potholes are absorbed via the old school McPherson Strut front suspension and a torsion-beam rear axle.
I’m no engineer, but I can’t help wondering what this car might be like or rather, how much better this car might be, with a more modern multi-link suspension system on board.
There’s also a small and rather insignificant “Sport” button on the centre stack, which I’m ashamed to say I overlooked during my time with the car. I’m usually first to hit these suspension stiffening devices but missed the opportunity entirely. Apart from the shock treatment, throttle travel is shortened and steering response is quicker. Just what the doctor ordered, I say.
The 19’s are shod with 235/35 Continental SportContact 2 rubber, and grip – with the exception of flat chat launches – is Velcro like. Don’t worry about body roll either- there isn’t any.
An IDS chassis control system with Electronic Stability Control utilising traction control, ABS and Brake assist work hard to smooth out what is a serious dose of torque levelled at the front wheels at times.
You also need some decent fade-free brakes to pull this thing up effectively when sheer youthful enthusiasm gets the better of you…
Don’t bother looking for fancy Brembo brake systems with multi piston callipers and that kind of kit on the VXR. There’s none of that. What there is though, are bright blue single piston callipers front and back, with some dinner plate sized rotors which have no trouble hauling in this ‘Fast and Furious’ like machine.
Steering is via an electro-hydraulic power assisted unit, which provides superb feel and weight. It’s a big call, but it feels similar to that of the EVO 1X, in that steering response is very quick and accurate.
We didn’t seek permission to test this car on track but that’s the only place you could effectively explore the corning limits of the VXR.
The sculptured leather Recaros are top shelf and supremely comfortable although, quite firm. You also get a proper sports steering wheel, which is grooved and looks to be hand stitched. The shifter is also a showpiece. All the important stuff seems to be here.
I can’t be so kind to the largely Astra interior though. There’s way too much faux metal look plastic throughout the car. It covers the entire centre stack, some door trim and bits on the steering wheel.
It’s a pity Vauxhall didn’t pay closer attention to the Golf GTI, which is a class or two above when it comes to the quality of materials. Shame, because the VXR deserves better.
Mind you, there are plenty of the usual luxury items; electric windows, climate control air conditioning, six stack CD player (but no MP3 jack receptor as on the E Series Holdens) steering wheel audio controls, multi function trip computer, heated front seats and cruise control
I found the instrument cluster hard to read and suggest VXR drivers would benefit enormously from a digital Speedo readout (again found on the R8 ClubSport and GTS models).
There’s reasonable load space in the rear (312 litres) as the load bay is quite deep and the rear seats can split fold 60/40 or both flat for bikes and boards etc.
The full leather rear seats are more comfortable than most other performance hatches – they are well bolstered. Rear leg space is more for kids than adults though.
This car needs rear parking sensors as standard equipment, no ifs or butts. The rear window is tiny and next to useless as far as rear parking visibility goes.
Styling is definitely ‘go fast’ and extravert. You only need to look at the four colours on offer; Black Sapphire, Magma Red (as was our car) Star Silver and Arden Blue. They stand out.
The lowered stance with all round body kit and unique centred trapezoidal exhaust tip, do a lot to set this car off amongst the sports hatch club. The 19-inch, multi spoke spinners put it at the top of the category.
Fuel tank capacity is 52 litres, fine for a car which is shorter than a Ford Focus. The VXR likes premium unleaded, nothing wrong with that either, we use it in the family Liberty.
But here’s the thing, official fuel consumption is listed at 9.2L/100 km but don’t expect anywhere near that when you’re on song at 5000 plus rpm, more like 14 L/100 km. I’m not complaining mind you, it’s the price you pay for performance motoring. Just glad this thing weighs in at 1393kg and not a kilo more.
Safety is not forgotten either, and includes driver and passenger front and side airbags, as well as full-length curtain airbags.
There’s a song called “I like fast cars that go boom” by a band called Hellbent. The HSV VXR Turbo is one of those cars”
By Anthony Crawford
Location: Home / Holden, Behind the Wheel, Sports Cars, Top Australian Cars / ...
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(17 votes, average: 4.12 out of 5)
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August 13th, 2007 at 5:27 pm
oh man!!
I want one, but not in red, I’d take it in black thanks,
this is a serious weapon, but why is it $3,000 more than a WRX? Surely when it comes to a choice between a 3 door front wheel drive hatch and a all-wheel-drive sedan with more power and better handling, it wouldn’t be a hard choice?
Even so, I’d take the Type-R over this, its cheaper, and nearly just as fast, only 0.4 of a second to a 100 and prob far better fuel economy!
I think they would sell a lot more of these for $38,000
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August 13th, 2007 at 5:40 pm
Congrats on a great review with lots of good photos. The Opel badge on the steering wheel is an interesting feature! Perhaps Opel make them for Vauxhall and ultimately Holden in this case.
(PS: to the Car Advice team: I work a stones throw from Oran Park and often hear cars being driven there through the week . . . if you email me before you test a car there I’d love to pop over for 10 min and meet you guys)
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August 13th, 2007 at 5:56 pm
6.2seconds.. that is bloody respectable! still that how long it will take it from the showroom to the mechanic!
great design but still would take a Gti over this!
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August 13th, 2007 at 6:09 pm
Opal does make the Astra for Vauxhall, they also made the vectra, zafira, thats was before holden started getting old Deawoos.
You would think that after changing every badge on the outside of the car to a HSV badge they would have changed the steering wheel logo.
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August 13th, 2007 at 6:15 pm
Spelling mistake… Article says:
“You can here the forced induction (Darth Vader style)”
It should read:
“You can HEAR the forced induction (Darth Vader style)”
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August 13th, 2007 at 7:30 pm
This car was tested on Top Gear, it has massive torque steer (steers to left as you accelerate which is great if you want to turn left) and massive understeer. The Focus and GTI are much better cars and will give faster lap times even if they do have less power and the focus has a better exhaust note from its 5cyl. But still it looks good. Too bad the chassis sucks.
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August 13th, 2007 at 7:38 pm
This is a seriously quick hatch that can cook a Golf GTI and smoke Honda’s S2000 and Civic Type R, straight out of the box.
THE ABOVE IS WHAT IVE BEEN WAITING FOR FOR AGES IN A CAR WHEN CAN I BUY ONE!!!!!!!!!
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August 13th, 2007 at 7:48 pm
Astro Boy - don’t believe everything you watch on Top Gear. As I said, there is torque steer but you would NEVER call it massive.
Best you watch a few eps of Fifth Gear - it may not be as exciting, but those guys can at least drive
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August 13th, 2007 at 7:49 pm
Holden & HSV 4EVA - Any HSV dealer should be able to sort you out.
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August 13th, 2007 at 8:06 pm
tony…. dont insult the bible of Top Gear!!! haha
i must say 5th gear is a good,normal show but lacks the flair of top gear! Like a camry . Four wheels but no passion!
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August 13th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
hey i havent seen a test drive or even review on the XR5 focus on here now that i think about it.
has one been done? i just scanned the archive and didnt come across it.
have you done one ED?
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August 13th, 2007 at 9:13 pm
Nice allrounder, shame the driving lights are bit bland in there installation (on the eye bit bland and squarey around light in black with nil venting stylised into it making it look aggressive and stronger presence) as does not look aggressive enough for purpose car released for, and as for that chrome stripe on grille painted red looks tad afterthought and cheapish = where did they get that from the Korean spare parts bin shipped over by Mark Simcoe and co. Balance car brilliant looking and goes hard!
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August 13th, 2007 at 10:52 pm
Andrew M, not we haven’t covered the XR5-Turbo, ill see if I can get a hold of one, they are a bit old now though so they are most likely off the press fleet, will see how we go..
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August 14th, 2007 at 3:02 am
golf gti, civic type r and maybe soon the jdm civic type r will be better buys and will hold value better.
this car looks good on the outside, but is ruined totally inside. the dash and centre console is simply disastrous.
pretty nice review though.
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August 14th, 2007 at 10:01 am
I like this car but for the price it should be all wheel drive.
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August 14th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
Thanks for the typo correction Ross. Feel free to proof read our reviews.
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August 14th, 2007 at 10:48 pm
ok when money starts growing on trees, I’ll go get this.. but before that, my hard earnt money .. umm nah..
and yes TopGear > Fifth Gear.. nuf said, and repeated all over the forums (whichever ones you’ll find)
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August 14th, 2007 at 11:58 pm
Boo to this review. What times did you get running at Oran Park’s North Circuit? NO LSD kills it. Terrible torque steer kills it. Being a Holden kills it, along with the shocking ergonomics. If you want to run over a kid in your driveway while reversing out, this is it! 6.2 secs to 100km/h is quite optimistic. It ranks way down in BFYB. Get the Mazda 3 MPS, it’s the winner when we talk hot hatches.
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August 15th, 2007 at 7:25 am
Not AWD and where is the Holden badging on the steering wheel, should be able to standardise this to match bonnet logo. Where is this detail Holden???? (overseas in Korea)! For the price tad bad for this reason?????
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August 15th, 2007 at 8:22 am
One question…
HSV claims that they would never do a performace V6 as it’s all about V8s (ala FPVs turbo typhoon and tornado) HSV tried with the XU6 supercharged 3.8 V6 and failed…and now they decide to do a performance Turbo 4cyl??
So V6s are out butcyl are in…ok.
I’m confused!
While FPV has success with turbo 6s and will do turbo 4cyls also.
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August 15th, 2007 at 10:39 am
i remember a few years back when hsv said they’ll never do a non-v8 - it’s funny how now they just get a product from overseas and stick hsv badges on it. at least fpv haven’t done the same thing with the xr5 turbo…
and it’s just lazy not changing the badge on the steering wheel and the display on the speedo that says OPC (or opel performance centre). really, if you want to make people think they’re driving one of your cars, at least get the branding right.
regardless of how good (or not) the car is, it’s a cynical exercise by hsv to expand its range by simply rebranding other products.
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August 15th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
Having driven all 3 cars (VRX, XR5, MPS), the best all round package goes to the XR5. Its easier to drive, better handling from its chassis and gets the power down quicker. It may not have as much power as the others but is my choice.
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August 15th, 2007 at 10:19 pm
HA! It cracks me up that the majority of people would rather everything but the VXR. Don’t get me wrong, it is a rather nice looking car. But I have to say, if the Focus RS gets brought over to Australia, what chance will the VXR really have?
The XR5 already kills it in every category, par power.
And what a point made before about the OPC still in the dash. Brilliance.
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August 15th, 2007 at 10:45 pm
Fantastic article, the best written article i’ve seen on the net thus far.
Great to see a review that isn’t stuck in the dark ages over some comments by Top Gear before the car was tuned by Lotus.
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August 19th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
SO MANY OF YOU ARE OBLIVIOUS FORGETTING THE GRASS ROOTS OF HSV = WAKEUP!
You must admit the saving grace for Holden has been Opel and Vauxhall. Did you know this VXR has no emblems inside to state HSV and no changes to inside as Holden thinks “OH SHE’LL DO” and why bother and change look over standard as extra $ and more work. A few badges professionally stuck on car before it goes to car dealers for sale to the public is about all is done! Oh and the obligatory sticker professionally put on the back window to cover up the slackness an HSV symbol above the words “I just want one”. As for the steering wheel, no they do not change that either as still have Opel thunderbolt symbol as that looks professional too and nice (for another market in another country). The noise associated with HSV is a deep knarly exhaust resonance… not in this baby as fair bit reserved! As for more problems with its steering, this is only good and not exceptional and fancy NOT having a rear wheel drive… 177kw to front wheels equals torque steer issues and is quite funny. Holden should be more concerned about the detail then the simply kindergarten skills to install stickers them. You think they would offer a sporty dialset in instrument cluster like found in Clubsport, something above the cardigan image of all other Astras to set it apart, etc… NO detail again and car funnily even has a sticker viewable in instrument cluster that states “OPEL PERFORMANCE CENTRE”. WHAT A JOKE!!!!Holden shaming its past by putting a HSV logo to excuse is a recipe for disaster as whilst a nice vehicle, it has sort of been not changed as Holden / HSV not concerned to change detail to continue the theme of how it does HSV cars! Derryn Hinch would say “SHAME, SHAME, SHAME” This happens regularly in industry and most do it!
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August 19th, 2007 at 8:07 pm
Maybe Holden/HSV thought it would sell better with the better looking symbols remaining inside the car…
And your not wrong Roberto… Opel and Vauxhall are the only things keeping Holden and HSV alive in the current sales market. The funny thing I find about this, is that I actually apprecitate some of the creations that come out of Opel and Vauxhall.
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August 19th, 2007 at 9:52 pm
AZZA right on matey. They are nice, the next model Astra is cool too, better than current model. People do not remember that the Kombidore came from Opel origins with some tweaking to Australianise it. Opel and Vauxhall keep Holdens head above water somewhat, take the Kombidore out of there range and what did Holden say recently “HOLDEN MEANS A GREAT DEAL TO AUSTRALIA” = one model produced downunder! GEE WIZZ CRIKEY THATS REAL GREAT! Ford do the Falcon, Territory and say “……….” nothing along those lines as they run a business. This is one reason of many that Holden is not listed in the Top 10 Carmakers. Holden is a bit low in regards to chopping, changing its stance!
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August 31st, 2007 at 12:22 am
y would u buy a juice box that has under 200kw when u could go buy a car that pushes out over 200kw that is arond about the same price and actually is a 6 cylinder that is a 4ltr turbo charged engine and is a whole car,the xr6 turbo is the car im talkin about, both nearly the same price but yet ppl would go buy a juice box rather than a whole car, u would hav to be crazy or on sumthin good
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September 1st, 2007 at 12:22 am
Nice these and not too many about in the UK, People like their golfs/BMW 1’s more.
Yeh are roads are fun over here better than Victorian slow state roads (lived there for a year), I regularly commute to work at 140kmh+ Love it.
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September 15th, 2007 at 4:49 pm
thebigT said
August 31 2007 @ 12:22 am
y would u buy a juice box that has under 200kw when u could go buy a car that pushes out over 200kw that is arond about the same price and actually is a 6 cylinder that is a 4ltr turbo charged engine and is a whole car,the xr6 turbo is the car im talkin about, both nearly the same price but yet ppl would go buy a juice box rather than a whole car, u would hav to be crazy or on sumthin good
Answer:
Because all Falcons handle like barges, look boring, and fall to pieces. Besides, what’s the use of an extra 20-30kW if you’re going to make it haul and extra 300-400kg???
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September 16th, 2007 at 11:41 pm
dear lucas
u say that all falcons fall apart but y is it that the media says that the new VE commedor is a billion dollar lemon and isnt able to keep up with a car that has only 270kw when there new v8 has 307 y tell me plz
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October 8th, 2007 at 9:19 pm
Im rapped with this preview Tony just what I wanted to see. Awsome looks and performance! I do wish the interior was better, especially the yellow readout on the centre dash, but overall it looks stunning!
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October 28th, 2007 at 7:37 pm
Great review! I own an Astra CDX coupe (same body as the VXR minus the body kit) in Black Sapphire. With the old 1.8l Ecotec engine, the CDX looks faster than it goes but I love the low-slung, crouched stance of the design. If I ever won Lotto I would get the VXR, over the Mazda3 MPS. I’ve test-driven both the Astra SRi Turbo and the HSV VXR and the torque steer issue is over-hyped thanks to Top Gear. Nothing like an old-school hot hatch. The VXR has balls and character. All those arguments about the VXR not being a trueblue HSV are just missing the point, that it’s a bloody marvelous high performance hot hatch.
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November 15th, 2007 at 12:23 am
heres the thing mathew.opel IS vauxhall or rather vauxhall is opel. and here in the uk vauxhall was’nt really a name assoiciated with quality….. until now., see i actually own one of these bitches. and i absolutley love it. it blows the focus rs and st out of the water, golf gti…. no contest. even the golf r32 don’t come close. this is the fastest hot hatch ever made. though the book says its good for 150mph i can tell you for a fact…its good for 160.and thats standard. a stage 3 remap with full millitech exhaust will push this car nearer to 175mph and your talking 0-60 mph in around 5.3 secs. but that ain’t shit compared to the monaro vxr. with a top end of over 185mph and a 0-60 mph of around 4.2 seconds(by the way,the monaro weighs in at around 2tonnes) its…well it bonkers. which is why i’m still tryin to decide between the monaro vxr or the vxr8 next. i’ll let ya know. anyway, if you are thinking of getting an astra vxr i’d say one thing.DO IT !!!!!!!!
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November 20th, 2007 at 12:27 am
Nice review. Should have tested it side by side with the Ford Focus XR-5 and than brag about how quick the pommie machine is, sorry but the focus wins.
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November 24th, 2007 at 12:27 am
sorry did i read it right was that holden special vehicles or highly slack vehicles lol.
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November 24th, 2007 at 8:11 am
Thanks Bob, now when school age kids attack me because they know acrostics for the name, “ford” I have some more come backs.
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December 4th, 2007 at 12:10 pm
WOW I don’t want one
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December 4th, 2007 at 1:06 pm
The Ford Focus Turbo is much better than this junk, it at actually turns around a corner properly, not as much torque steer.. this has been proven..
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December 4th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
If you think the Focus XR5 can outrun this Astra VXR - corners or no corners, you’re dreaming.
Just go and drive one and then you’ll come around.
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December 4th, 2007 at 2:04 pm
It looks like a Daewoo though
I am a Holden fan, but… this needs some serious body work to make it look like it runs.
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December 4th, 2007 at 5:10 pm
Hey Tony you still think the Astra would out run the Focus after seeing Top Gear Sat night when Clarkson drove the XR5 ,I think he thought it a better handler didn’t he! I think he did discuss the Torque steer as well on the Astra! I would have the Focus too .
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December 4th, 2007 at 5:11 pm
Dont think you guys have done a test on the XR5 have you?
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December 4th, 2007 at 7:22 pm
To be fair Bavarian (where does that name come from), I haven’t driven an XR5, but I rate the VXR in straight line, mid range acceleration, ahead of an S3! And I love the S3.
Remember, Clarkson is a soft pommy wimp who thinks he can drive! lol
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December 4th, 2007 at 7:57 pm
hahahah …..I had it on my number plate frames 20 years ago and has stuck! Now I have a decal on my back window my son made me!!
Straight line……….yep I would agree! Hey you do know Cobra045 over here has a XR5……..sure he wouldn’t mind you having a drive,he invited me……Im hard on cars too!
Soft wimp pom …..hehehe..
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December 4th, 2007 at 8:33 pm
i havent seen a review on the mondeo yet either.
why not?
this is one of fords “big releases” but we keep getting plenty or articles on corollas
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December 4th, 2007 at 8:35 pm
I suggested to Matt that if Karl wants to test drive our BF COBRA………hes welcome to it! So maybe he could do both!!
Ours has a few ks on it now so……could be a good time before he starts throwing mods at it!
Cheers
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December 4th, 2007 at 8:47 pm
Actually Anthony……..Cobra 045 has an XC COBRA,a new COBRA
and an XR5!! His Cobra wont have many ks on it though so hard to compare against the old……..would make a good story……sure you guys could do better than Motor at it to!
Sorry Anthony would send you a private email but I dont have it!
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December 4th, 2007 at 8:49 pm
Agreed, when will there be a Mondeo road test…..
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December 4th, 2007 at 8:59 pm
Andrew………why do you think? Send a private message please!So you what star sign…..hahaha.not giving up!
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December 4th, 2007 at 9:03 pm
You been busy at work honey??Missed you!
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December 6th, 2007 at 10:47 am
Everyone is givin holden shit about the whole opel thing right??
The ford focus XR5 has a 5 cylinder Volvo engine..NOT FORD.
Get the facts right.
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December 13th, 2007 at 7:56 pm
I love the looks! And the seats! And it is better than most european hatches (even though it is made by OPEL).
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December 13th, 2007 at 7:59 pm
And Andrew M, Crorollas are better than mondeos! And Matto is right ford dont make the 5 cylinder turbo in the XR5, VOLVO DOES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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December 13th, 2007 at 8:09 pm
Hey Matto!!! Volvo is owned by Ford, I don;t know what your point was.
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December 17th, 2007 at 11:40 am
Isn’t it funny how one bloke’s opinion becomes gospel when aired on television! It was on tv it must be true - what a load of rubbish! Are we all still in high school? Fords rock, Holdens are crap? Yes we may all have bias - I’m a HSV man - but I have owned a Ford, Subaru, Nissan, Toyota, HSV etc. They all do it differently people. Yes Ford own Volvo so have sourced their XR5 engine internally. GM owns Vauxhall, Opel, Daewoo, Holden etc so have sourced the new Astra internally. Big deal! Unless you’ve driven the thing your opinion counts for nought!
I am curently trying to decide between this and the new WRX and have driven both. They are different. I don’t really care who’s badge is on the steering wheel. I’m more interested in how it drives. And I can tell you they both drive very nicely. Who seriously dumps the clutch at every set of lights and hammers through every bend? Thought so. Maybe this so called torque/under steer isn’t going to be such an issue in real life - especially as I barely noticed when taking the ’spirited’ test drive. As for it - should be 4WD drive for this price - Why? Volvo, VW, Audi etc have some high priced FWD’s which are a dream to drive and I also reacall a FWD Volvo being driven by one P. Brock in the 2.0lt tourers to sucess against the RWD BMW’s and 4WD Audi’s. Hmmm…something to think about…Let the car companies, magazines, tv etc. tell you what they think - just drive the thing (no matter what it is) and make up your own mind!!!
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December 17th, 2007 at 11:50 am
that’s it real life - pre-conceived opinions mostly always change once you’ve been behind the wheel. They are very different styles of car, the way they drive of course
I’ve driven both as well and I’m pretty sure the REX would be easier to live with on a day to day but I’m also pretty certain that it doesn’t shove you back as far in the seat as the VXR - nor does it have those seats or wheels.
If you don’t mind a bit more effort when driving, I’d go for the VXR. If you want to take it easy mostly but have that juice when you need to overtake a selfish right lane hog, go for the Suby.
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December 26th, 2007 at 7:44 am
Nice article. But there seems to be a couple of Subaru pictures included by mistake.
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December 26th, 2007 at 10:32 am
Yes Siree there is Subaru picks up.
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December 27th, 2007 at 4:09 pm
jeremy clarkson = idiot… he turns esp off, hammers a car into a corner and expects a car to keep its line.
and astro boy.. the vxr clocked a faster time around top gears test track than the golf gti.
opel is gm’s german company, who make astras, vectras, corsa’s etc
vauxhall is the name of gm’s english company, which mainly sell opels and some holdens
the hsv vxr should then be considered a opel astra OPC (although it does borrow the vauxhall grill)
its a simple rebadge job.. hsv has nothing to do with its developement… but who cares
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January 18th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
aweome review i have an ‘03 astra sri turbo, had it about 2 1/2 years just doesn’t feel fast enough anymore really would love to get vxr anyone wanna give me one in red please.
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February 21st, 2008 at 11:32 pm
Why is there a random WRX interior, and a random rear door shot in this article?
The VXR only has 2 door, not a set of rears like has been shown in the photo?!?!!?
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March 5th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
As a Onwer of a HSV VXR let me clear up an item that many of you have spoken about.
Opel Blitz on the Steering wheel is to do with COST. Cost of conducting an Airbag test for limited import is going is extremely high .
HSV wanted a HSV Logo on the wheel with a Cluster with VXR on it that reads in KM/H. However The cluster for the VXR is in MP/H as in the UK they run on MPH measurements still.
As for understeer. I have had the car for 8months and put 22,000km on it since delivery and have yet to experience any understeer like Clarkson have shown on Top Gear. Someone here said before about driving foot flat and turn the T/C off and pull the wheel round hard… well then any car including a Barina could understeer….
Great Review on of the most librial ones i have read todate.
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March 9th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Whens HSV epica coming out?
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March 9th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
HSV have no plans to build a Epica..
Infact the new GM at Clayton is more interested in an Enhanced version of the upcoming Vectra…. which could possibly have an AWD system similar to that in the new Saab - which was derived from Subaru.
Therefore I’d say the days of the Epica are numbered
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March 9th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Easy Phill, all holden has to do is put an HSV badge on it, then hey presto one fast Epica hahahaha
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March 9th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
Sorry wheelnut.Epica its a chink in holdens armour that i cant stop making fun of.Luckly for you holden fans there getting rid of them
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March 9th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
It does have the power of a 6 and the economy of a 4(sarcasism).A true epic car
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March 9th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Reaily its more then a chink in holdens armour(epica) its more like a massive dent
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March 9th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
I agree Phil its one poor quality car [in comparison to its rivals] which should never have made it off the drawing board let alone make it to Oz… A bit like Ford with the [90s] Capri; the Probe the Taurus and the Cougar.
I am also glad to hear that the new CEO at Holden is planning to bring back the Opel Barina instead of the Daewoo variety
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June 29th, 2008 at 5:44 am
I purchased a 2007 MkV GTI with 2,200 miles on it for $19,100 US dollars. DSG, 17″ stock wheels on stock rubber. I spent $750 for an APR93 chip and $40 for a K&N panel filter. So for a grand total of $19,890 I have a daily driver with a useable, tractable 252hp/303tq and I still average 27mpg.
On dry pavement with hot tires, I have smoked Mustangs, obliterated Mazdaspeed 3’s and utterly embarrassed dozens of 350Z & G35 owners. As my good friend has said, “This car is frighteningly fast.” He owns a new MkV R32 and a 2005 S4. I’ve clocked a 0-60 run of 5.1 seconds using DSG’s launch control.
Point to all this ranting & raving being two-fold:
1) You don’t have to spend much money to get a ‘poor mans Porsche’ — literally! Look around, buying brand new is a waste.
2) When you buy a Vauxhall–you get a Vauxhall. The build quality, fit and finish of the GTI is superb and I’d put it up against vehicles 2 price segments higher. It’s Audi quality at Honda prices.
Nobody seems to give the 2.0T enough credit for whatever reason, it’s an absolutely brilliant sports hatch with an astonishing transmission. Note that almost NO head-to-head comparison tests have been done with a GTI equipped with DSG. I wonder why that is? Perhaps because the other car would always be at a disadvantage? Hmmmm…
I love the VXR, don’t get me wrong. It’s just a shame I’d slay it.
With a trunk full of groceries.
And the A/C on full-blast.
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