After sampling the Astra VXR on both road and track, not for the first time, I'm struck once again by just how underrated this car is.
Dynamically it's not class-leading, but it comes close to Renault's Megane RS265 and the VW Golf GTI Performance, offering very neat and tidy handling thanks in large part to its slippery front differential.
The German-engineered three-door hottie is super quick though corners and in a straight line, the VXR's turbo spooling strongly from 1400rpm, propelling it to 100km/h exceedingly briskly – six seconds is the claim.
There's a decent note from the Remus exhaust too, but it’s the induction noise that dominates when revs rise.
It's fast and fun, make no mistake, but the Astra VXR's bona-fide 'all-rounder' status is what makes this car truly compelling. It's composed and comfortable enough to be driven every day thanks to on-the-fly adjustable suspension.
Although Holden is still haggling on the price, the previous Opel Astra OPC (the exact same car) was pegged at $42,990 plus on-road costs, so expect a similar sticker when it lobs here.
On the racetrack -- a very wet and super-slippery Rockingham circuit in the UK — the Astra VXR is a lot more fun that I remembered, thanks to its direct steering, communicative chassis, clever front differential and, perhaps most crucially, its sports-tuned stability control.
The VXR tips into corners eagerly, there's no torque steer even under increasingly throttle and — though it's not as communicative as the accomplished Megane RS, particularly in its steering – it's enormously fun to punt around a sodden track.
Yes, it lacks the crisp and direct feel of its French competitor, but to its credit the Astra's more progressive power delivery means it's easy to get a nice flow and drive smoothly through the chicanes and hairpins, which is important when grip limits arrive much earlier than normal.
Throw in a mechanical multi-plate limited-slip diff that virtually eliminates axle tramp under full throttle, and things quickly escalate in a most amusing manner.
Provoking lift-off oversteer heading into corners with too much pace on the drenched track is easy (and an absolute hoot) thanks to a touch of initial body roll.
And when a mini-drift is not adequately controlled with a dollop of counter-steer, the stability control (in competition mode) makes wannabes like yours truly look smooth and sleek.
Indeed, the stability control allows for up to a full second of sideways tomfoolery before it gradually pulses the required brakes so that even when you overcook it, control is usually handed back neatly.
Gearshifts via six-speed manual are fast and smooth, if a little rubbery, slotting into gates with a slightly vague sensation.
Deceleration is very good via whopping great big 355mm front rotors chomped hard by four-piston Brembo callipers.
The sports seats with their protruding side bolsters do a great job of hugging your body as lateral g-forces build, and things like the flat-bottom steering wheel, red dials and alloy pedals look good.
After the track session, the Astra VXR road component begins and it's here where the car's all-round ability hits home. Driven on uneven, bumpy and broken country roads (and yeah, it's still raining) the red-hot Astra almost glides over the rough stuff comfortably -- in stark contrast the jittery and all-too-firm Insignia VXR.
Even on ludicrously large 20-inch alloy wheels, the smaller VXR lopes swiftly and smoothly through the verdant British countryside, it's cabin remaining whisper-quiet when the engine's not wound-up.
The hugely tractive and impressively refined 400Nm 2.0-litre engine also makes cruising easy, with propulsion from as low as 1500rpm.
When the road eventually dries momentarily I flick it back to the hard-edged VXR drive mode and the dampers firm up noticeably, as does the steering and throttle, but the latter ends up being too touchy in stop-start traffic when trundling through villages.
Safety systems like six airbags, anti-lock brakes, multi-mode stability control and traction control add peace of mind, while reversing sensors are useful because the rear window is tiny.
We know the Astra VXR is a solid hot hatch and were it not for the busy centre console and unsightly beer belly – it's overweight at 1475kg – the car would be hard to fault. The lack of an automatic transmission will also limit its appeal.
It could be a case of third time lucky for the most powerful production version of the Astra when it reaches local soil in the second quarter of 2015.
When the underrated Astra VXR arrives here it will mark the third time the vehicle has been sold in Australia, wearing as many badges.
Until 2009 it was sold as the HSV Astra VXR, then in 2013 under Opel's short-lived experiment as the Opel Astra OPC.
Finally, the hottest Astra will have the marketing clout it deserves, but can Holden do what HSV and Opel couldn't, and get people excited about the ballsy Astra VXR? Only time will tell.
Vauxhall Astra VXR pricing and specifications:
Price: $40,000 (estimated)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 206kW/400Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Fuel: 8.1L/100km (ADR combined)
CO2: 189g/km (ADR combined)
Safety rating: Five-star Euro NCAP
What we liked: | Not so much: |
>> Striking looks | >> Doughy gearshift |
>> Potent but progressive power | >> No automatic option |
>> Well-sorted multi-mode suspension | >> Convoluted centre console |
Also consider: Ford Focus ST, Volkswagen Golf GTI, Renault Megane RS 265